The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has introduced amendments to the Green Energy Open Access Regulations issued in 2023. These modifications were finalized following a recent public hearing. A significant revision concerns the eligibility criteria for open access. Initially, only consumers with a contracted demand of 100 kW or more qualified. The updated regulations now allow consumers with a total contracted demand of 100 kW and above, including those with multiple connections within the same electricity operation division of a distribution licensee, to access Green Energy Open Access. Another key change is the exemption of additional surcharges on electricity from offshore wind projects commissioned until December 2032, extending the previous deadline of December 2025. This revision aims to promote renewable energy adoption among open access consumers. Several industry stakeholders, including Cleanmax Enviro Energy Solutions, the Distributed Solar Power Association, Hexa Sun Energy, and Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam, provided inputs and recommendations regarding the amendments. The Commission has also clarified that eligible consumers not connected to independent feeders will be permitted open access, provided they comply with system constraints and power cut restrictions imposed by the distribution licensee. Any under-drawal due to power cut limitations will not be compensated. Additionally, Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam proposed terminological refinements for clarity, including specific wording changes. The Commission has incorporated certain recommendations to enhance regulatory precision. Concerns were also raised regarding imbalance charges and whether captive consumers could simultaneously utilize long-term, medium-term, and short-term open access beyond their contracted demand. The Commission has addressed these issues, ensuring that consumers can access power without exceeding approved contractual limits. In a related development, HERC has released draft regulations on the Deviation Settlement Mechanism, aimed at maintaining grid stability through a structured commercial framework for deviation settlements. News source: Mercom India