- The Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022 cut the eligibility threshold from 1 MW to 100 kW; captive consumers have no minimum
- A 2023 amendment lets consumers aggregate connections in the same electricity division to reach 100 kW
- Applications go through the national GOAR portal, with deemed approval if not decided in time
- Charges (wheeling, transmission, cross-subsidy and other surcharges) are set by state regulators and decide the economics
- The full ISTS charges waiver ended for projects commissioned after 30 June 2025 and is phasing out in steps
What open access is
Open access lets an electricity consumer buy power from a generator of its choice and have it delivered through the transmission and distribution network, paying charges for using the wires. With green energy open access the generator is a renewable plant, typically a ground-mount solar plant on cheaper land elsewhere in the state, owned by you (captive) or by a developer (third-party).
It suits businesses whose roof or land cannot host a plant big enough for their consumption: textile mills, cement and steel units, data centres, hospitals and large commercial campuses.
The 2022 rules and the 2023 amendment
| Feature | What the rules provide |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Consumers with contracted demand or sanctioned load of 100 kW or more (down from 1 MW); captive consumers have no load limit |
| Aggregation (2023 amendment) | Several connections of the same consumer within the same electricity division can be pooled to reach 100 kW |
| Single window | Applications through the national Green Energy Open Access Registry (GOAR) portal |
| Timelines | Applications to be decided within a fixed period, otherwise deemed approved |
| Banking | Surplus green power can be banked, at least on a monthly basis, subject to charges set by the regulator |
| Charges | Transmission, wheeling, cross-subsidy and other surcharges as fixed by the state commission, with limits on how fast some can rise |
| Green certificates | Consumers can obtain green energy certificates for the power they buy |
Captive or third-party?
| Model | Who owns the plant | Key condition | Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captive | You (or a group captive company you hold at least 26% of) | You consume at least 51% of the plant's output | Cross-subsidy and additional surcharges generally not payable |
| Third-party | A developer | PPA at an agreed tariff | All applicable open-access charges |
Captive projects usually give the lowest landed cost because surcharges fall away, but they need equity or a group-captive structure. The plant itself is an ordinary ground-mount solar plant: piling, structures, modules, inverters, a substation and a transmission line to the grid.
ISTS charges: the waiver is phasing out
Inter-state transmission (ISTS) charges were fully waived for solar and wind projects commissioned up to 30 June 2025, for 25 years. For projects commissioned after that, the waiver phases out in steps: the Ministry of Power's schedule levies 25% of the applicable charges on projects commissioned in the first year after June 2025, then 50%, then 75%, with full charges for projects commissioned after June 2028. Co-located battery storage projects have separate, more generous terms.
For an inter-state open-access deal, this makes commissioning dates matter: a project commissioned earlier keeps a larger waiver for its whole life.
How to evaluate an open-access project
- Map your demandContracted demand, consumption profile and tariff over 12 months.
- Check eligibility and state chargesThreshold, aggregation, banking and the full list of charges in your state.
- Choose the modelCaptive, group captive or third-party PPA.
- Find the siteLand, irrigation-free terrain, evacuation to a nearby substation, soil for piling.
- Model the landed costGeneration cost plus all charges and losses, compared with your grid tariff.
- Apply on GOARWith the plant and consumer details; track approvals and connectivity.
Building a captive ground-mount plant? We do the piling, civil works, fencing and installation & commissioning.
Get a free solar quoteFrequently asked questions
Who is eligible for green energy open access?
Where do I apply for green open access?
Is the ISTS charge waiver still available?
Is open access cheaper than rooftop solar?
Sources
- Green Energy Open Access Registry (GOAR) portal
- IEEFA: Impact of the Green Energy Open Access Rules, 2022
- Eco-Business: Amendment to India's electricity rules brings green energy to smaller consumers
- T&D India: Waiver of ISTS charges on renewable energy to be phased out
This guide explains public policy in plain language for planning purposes. Rules, rates and deadlines change: confirm the current position with the notifying authority, your DISCOM and your tax adviser before you commit. Last checked 11 Oct 2026.
About the authors. Arrays Ingenieria is an ex-servicemen-led solar EPC and installation & commissioning company working Pan-India, from Assam's tea estates to industrial rooftops. Our story · Our projects
