{"id":4575,"date":"2018-10-27T12:39:19","date_gmt":"2018-10-27T07:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reconnectenergy.com\/blog\/?p=4575"},"modified":"2018-10-27T12:39:19","modified_gmt":"2018-10-27T07:09:19","slug":"proposed-amendments-of-electricity-act-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reconnectenergy.com\/proposed-amendments-of-electricity-act-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposed amendments of Electricity Act, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Ministry of Power of India has recently announced the draft proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003. The proposed amendments aim to be in line with the country\u2019s changing electricity markets and systems, with their large renewable capacities and the emergence of a smart grid network.<\/span> Cross-subsidy<\/b> Conclusion<\/b>
\n<\/span>The Amendment proposes important changes in renewable energy, cross-subsidy, open access, operations & responsibility of ERCs, and many other changes. Some of these are discussed in brief below:<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/b>
\nRenewable Energy<\/b>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The EA Amendment 2018 proposes several amendments that are favorable to the RE sector. Some of these are:<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The draft EA Amendment proposes (a) time-bound reduction in cross-subsidies (CSS), and (b) CSS to be not more than 20% of the wheeling charge. These provisions are nothing new. The EA 2003 also included provisions for reduction of CSS. But these were watered down later. <\/span>
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\nThe proposal that CSS be 20% of wheeling charges is significant, as if implemented, it will reduce CSS significantly. Also, the provision for charging \u201cadditional surcharge\u201d is proposed to be deleted – this will also have a significant impact as in recent years states have used high additional surcharge as a tool to discourage open access.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Open Access<\/b>
\nThe draft EA Amendment states the following with respect to open access:<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\u201cWith effect from the commencement of the Electricity (Amendment ) Act, 2018, all consumers having a connected load of 1 Mega Watt and above with the power system, may procure at their option electricity through open access under contractual agreement from any generating company, trading licensee, or from any other source.\u201d<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>This implies automatic open access, without the need for permission from the Discom. If implemented, this will be a radical change and can potentially transform the electricity market in the country. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Separation of Carriage and Content<\/b>
\n<\/b>
\n<\/span>One of the key provisions in the previous EA amendment (proposed in 2014) was the separation of carriage and content – i.e. further breakup of the Discom into supplier and network operator, and also allowing multiple suppliers in the area of the Discom. This proposal was met with significant resistance from the state when the Standing Committee of the Parliament viewed the amendment. As a result, the current amendment, while retaining the provisions, has significantly diluted the scope of carriage and content separation by leaving it entirely to the decision of the state government.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>In our opinion, this is a pragmatic approach, as it may allow the passage of the EA Amendment act without significant resistance from the states. However, the flip side of this approach is that such a reform will take a long time to be realized on the ground, and there will be significant differences between states. The EA2003 has heralded the break-up of Electricity Boards into Genco, Transco and Discom\u2019s. Fifteen years on, the separation is still only partially effective in most states.<\/span>
\nOthers<\/b><\/p>\n\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>We believe that the proposed changes will have a wide and deep impact on the electricity sector. The promotion of RE and removal of roadblocks for development of RE and of open access in the country is a welcome step and one that was long overdue.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The separation of distribution and supply function also signifies a fundamental shift in the way electricity is distributed in the country. However, by watering down the provisions for the same and giving states the choice to implement is a pragmatic way the government has adopted to allow the passage of EA Amendment. In any case, this change is likely to take a long time to start showing on the ground.<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Another radical change proposed is of paying subsidies through \u201cDirect Benefit Transfer\u201d only. This can be a potential game-changer for the sector and can pave the way for genuine Discom reforms on commercial principles.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n