DERC DETERMINES TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR DETERMINATION OF OPEN ACCESS POLICY:

DERC has released an order determining the terms and conditions for open access charges for FY 2017-18. Following are the salient features of the order:

• Eligibility: Short Term Open Access (STOA) is applicable to consumers having a contract demand of 1 MW and above connected at 11 kV or above.

• Metering Arrangements: The distribution licensee shall provide check meters of the same specifications as the check meters. The distribution licensee shall provide ABT compliant special energy meters at the point of drawal. The formats for availing open access approvals have also been notified

• The 60 day timeline has also been defined for the procurement, testing and installation of ABT meters.

The previous open access policy was announced in 2005. As of now, there are close to 60 clients in Delhi in Open Access which are trading power. As per the last policy, the quantum of energy traded had to be constant which is not the case anymore.

Earlier, an undertaking used to be taken in case of a mixed feeder which is still the case. Also, the SNAs asked for Bank Guarentee which included open accessed charges which is also still the case.

The order can be accessed here.