India’s ISTS-linked Green Open Access to Add 40 GW by 2030

26 Mar 2025 CW Team

ISTS-based renewable energy projects enable inter-state power transfer, helping utilities balance supply and demand gaps faced by local distribution companies (DISCOMs). Since 2020, these projects have contributed significantly to the issuance of utility-scale renewable energy tenders, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the total tendered capacity in India.

The expansion of green OA in the ISTS network has been driven by regulatory and policy developments. Since 2022, factors such as waivers on ISTS transmission charges and the implementation of General Network Access (GNA) regulations have supported market growth. Commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers seeking sustainable energy solutions have benefited from these developments. By leveraging ISTS connectivity, businesses with manufacturing units across multiple states can procure renewable energy through a single Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with developers.

Financial considerations play a crucial role in the adoption of ISTS-based green OA. After accounting for ISTS waivers and exemptions, the net open access charges for renewable energy projects in the top ten C&I states in India range between Rs 2 to 3.5 per unit. These waivers have been instrumental in reducing costs and promoting green OA adoption.

However, these waivers will gradually decline, decreasing by 25% annually from July 2025 to June 2028. After this period, no waivers will be applicable to ISTS projects, except those related to offshore wind energy and green hydrogen production. This phased reduction in waivers may impact future ISTS-based green OA growth and investment trends.

News source: PV Magazine

The Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) is expected to facilitate approximately 40 GW of green open access (OA) capacity by 2030, provided that transmission challenges are addressed and no significant barriers arise. This capacity would constitute nearly one-third of India's projected green OA capacity by the end of the decade. ISTS-based renewable energy projects enable inter-state power transfer, helping utilities balance supply and demand gaps faced by local distribution companies (DISCOMs). Since 2020, these projects have contributed significantly to the issuance of utility-scale renewable energy tenders, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the total tendered capacity in India. The expansion of green OA in the ISTS network has been driven by regulatory and policy developments. Since 2022, factors such as waivers on ISTS transmission charges and the implementation of General Network Access (GNA) regulations have supported market growth. Commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers seeking sustainable energy solutions have benefited from these developments. By leveraging ISTS connectivity, businesses with manufacturing units across multiple states can procure renewable energy through a single Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with developers. Financial considerations play a crucial role in the adoption of ISTS-based green OA. After accounting for ISTS waivers and exemptions, the net open access charges for renewable energy projects in the top ten C&I states in India range between Rs 2 to 3.5 per unit. These waivers have been instrumental in reducing costs and promoting green OA adoption. However, these waivers will gradually decline, decreasing by 25% annually from July 2025 to June 2028. After this period, no waivers will be applicable to ISTS projects, except those related to offshore wind energy and green hydrogen production. This phased reduction in waivers may impact future ISTS-based green OA growth and investment trends. News source: PV Magazine

Building Material

18 Sep 2025

Ambuja Cements Drags JSW Cement to Court Over ‘Kawach’ Brand

Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, has filed a trademark infringement case against JSW Cement in the Delhi High Court, alleging that its rival copied the ‘Kawach’ brand with its new product ‘Jal Kavach’.Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora issued summons to JSW Cement and its subsidiary, JSW IP Holdings Pvt Ltd, while referring the matter to mediation. Hearings are scheduled to resume on October 15 if no settlement is reached.Ambuja, which registered the ‘Kawach’ trademark in 2019, argues that the term ‘Kavach’—meaning shield—is the distinctive feature of its branding. ..

Technology

18 Sep 2025

Bentley Systems Named Innovation Partner of the Year 2025 by Afcons

Bentley Systems, the infrastructure engineering software company, has been recognised by Afcons Infrastructure Limited as its Innovation Partner of the Year 2025 at the Innovation Partners 2025 Felicitation Ceremony in Mumbai. The award acknowledges Bentley’s contribution to Afcons’ engineering digitalisation journey through an enterprise agreement providing access to over 250 Bentley engineering software tools. This adoption has enabled Afcons to accelerate project delivery, standardise digital workflows, and strengthen innovation across its infrastructure portfolio. Among key i..

Infrastructure Urban

18 Sep 2025

SBI Sells 13.18% Stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s SMBC

State Bank of India (SBI) has completed the sale of a 13.18 per cent stake in Yes Bank to Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) for over Rs 8,889 crore. The divestment is part of a Rs 13,482 crore deal finalised in May with SMBC and seven private banks.Following the transaction, SBI’s shareholding in Yes Bank stands at 10.8 per cent. The deal, involving 4,134.4 million shares at Rs 21.50 each, is the largest cross-border transaction in the Indian banking sector.SBI Chairman C S Setty described the 2020 RBI-led rescue of Yes Bank as a pioneering public-private partnership, addi..