A comparative analysis, with the previous Open Access Regulation, 2014 is given below:
The?Honorable?commission has invited comments and suggestions from various stakeholders on the same, to be submitted till 8th October 2015.
In our opinion, MERC has?proposed?a progressive open access regulation. In the recent past, consumers in?Maharashtra?have?faced?various issues?and?problems of availing open access (for example, allowing open access only from one source and reduction in contract demand as a result of open access). The draft regulations seeks to do-away with such restrictive practices.
Further, lowering the limit of open access eligibility to 0.5MW and allowing sourcing power exchanges will help consumers and deepen the market.
Clear banking provisions and wider eligibility will also be beneficial for renewable energy projects ?and is likely to result in higher development of RE projects as?Maharashtra?is a RE resource rich state.
?More details on the Regulation can be accessed here.
The previous MERC Open Access Regulation 2014 can be accessed here.
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