Transition Insights into General Network Access Regime in India

The transmission system serves as an important link between various facets of the power sector with diverse generation facilities and the ever-expanding demand. The advent of open access coupled with the increasing prevalence of renewable energy projects with shorter development cycles and a growing number of participants, presents fresh challenges in planning an optimal transmission infrastructure.India transitioned its transmission planning and development process from a regime based on Long-Term Access (LTA) with firm contracts to the General Network Access (GNA) regime. This new approach focuses on the injection and withdrawal of electricity by generators and users respectively. It addresses the issues arising in the previous regime and ensure the active involvement of distribution companies in forecasting the electricity needs. Scheduling and dispatch of electricity under the new GNA regime began in October 2023 along with the Indian Electricity Grid Code 2023, making electricity usage in India more efficient and equitable. Under the GNA Regime, users can schedule and exchange power up to their GNA quantum, with the option of additional access in the form of Temporary General Network Access (TGNA) if needed.This paper explores the challenges, operational experiences during India's transition to GNA regime. It reviews the pre-GNA regime, its challenges, changes in energy scheduling, processing of GNA contracts, requisition of schedules by beneficiaries, congestion checks in transmission corridors and issuance of real-time schedules via Web Based Energy Scheduling (WBES) application.Additionally, this paper examines the process of obtaining TGNA through the National Open Access Registry (NOAR), including processing and scheduling TGNA applications and managing congestion in transmission corridors. It also discusses about Inter State Transmission (ISTS) Charges and the waiver of ISTS charges for renewable energy procurement.