Centre permits green open access for smaller electricity consumers

Threshold brought down to 100 kW from 1 Mw; open access allows consumer to buy power from a source of its choice

In order to increase the purchase of renewable energy in the country, the Centre has allowed smaller electricity consumers, below 100 kW, to purchase green energy through open access.

Open access allows a consumer to buy electricity from a source of its choice. Earlier, green energy open access was restricted till 1 Mw consumption level.

The move is expected to draw the attention of smaller industries and commercial consumers or large households to shift to green energy.

Through a Gazette notification, the union power ministry notified "Green Open Access" Rules, 2022. It said these rules are for "promoting generation, purchase