DERC Proposes Phased Removal of Additional Surcharge for Open Access Consumers
The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has proposed phasing out the additional surcharge for open access and GNA consumers over four years under the draft Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Open Access) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025.
January 15, 2026. By Mrinmoy Dey
Under the proposed Second Amendment Regulations, 2025, the additional surcharge applicable to consumers availing GNA or open access will be linearly reduced over a period of four years from the year in which access is granted, and will be completely eliminated at the end of this period if the consumer continues to avail such access.
However, the draft makes it clear that consumers will not be eligible to seek any refund, adjustment or recovery of additional surcharge already levied or collected under the existing regulations. Further, the additional surcharge will not apply to the extent of contract demand maintained with the distribution licensee, offering partial relief to consumers retaining contracted capacity with DISCOMs.
The amendment also specifies that the additional surcharge will be applicable only to open access consumers who are or have been consumers of the concerned distribution licensee, narrowing its scope. For clarity, DERC has aligned the definitions of General Network Access and Temporary-GNA with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) regulations on inter-state transmission systems.
The proposed regulations, once notified in the official Gazette, will apply across the National Capital Territory of Delhi and are expected to improve the long-term viability of open access by providing greater cost certainty to consumers while balancing the interests of distribution licensees.
please contact: contact@energetica-india.net.
Rajat Singh
Co-founder and CEO
Why Unified Intelligence is Key for C&I Renewables? Rajat Singh of EarthSync Answers
Nidhi Sharma
Director
R&D is an Integral Part of Zuvay Technologies' Growth Strategy, Says Director Nidhi Sharma
Anilkumar Mukundan
President – Sales
How Can India–Sweden Partnership Drive Decarbonisation?
Rajiv Kumar
CEO
What’s Behind Vedanta Aluminium’s Clean Energy Push? Rajiv Kumar Answers
Nirmal Reddy
President
Electric Mobility Success Depends on Execution, Not Intent, says ETO Motors’ Nirmal Reddy