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

Infrastructure Transport

13 Oct 2025

Tata, Airbus to Build India’s First Private Helicopter Line

In a landmark development for India’s aerospace sector, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus will establish the country’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka. The facility will manufacture the Airbus H125 and H125M, marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in aviation and defence manufacturing. The new Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce the H125, the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter, known for its versatility and performance in extreme environments. The first ‘Made in India’ H125 is expected to ro..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

NeGD to Support Bharat Taxi in Building Cooperative Ride Platform

In a significant move for India’s digital and mobility transformation, the National e-Governance Division (NeGD) of the Digital India Corporation, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has entered into an advisory partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, the company behind Bharat Taxi — a first-of-its-kind, cooperative-led national ride-hailing platform. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between NeGD and Sahakar Taxi to provide strategic advisory and technical support covering key areas such as platform integration, cybersecurity..

Technology

13 Oct 2025

MeitY Hosts Pre-Summit for India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, hosted a series of Pre-Summit events for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026 at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 in New Delhi. These sessions mark a key milestone ahead of the main summit, scheduled for 19–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Delivering the inaugural address, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted India’s innovative and frugal approach to AI development. “We have adopted innovative means by learning from others’ experiences to build projects and products that..