Open access in power sector continues to be a non-starter. Despite very clear provisions made in the Electricity Act, 2003 and a host of recommendations by BK Chaturvedi task force, getting concurrence from State Load Dispatch Centres (SLDC) is becoming impossible as states are following the example of other states in declining open access and insisting on selling power to them only, even resorting to sell at high rates.

Ironically, as per the recent compilation by the power ministry, various states are pressing for the availability of a large chunk of power within the states to meet the ever-increasing demand and supply instead of encouraging open access. Rajasthan is the first state in the country to have allowed open access for a brief period in 2004 but had later withdrawn. The state has very recently allowed a few open access on the basis of 25:75 proportion, with first right of refusal to distribution companies (Discoms).

In Karnataka, for granting open access there are number of cogeneration plants who have got it even though there are power purchase agreements (PPAs) with local discoms. They are some time denying open access but with the intervention of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) most of them have got permission to sell power at market driven rates. The Karnataka government this month has approached sugar plants to sell power to them citing power crisis of the state as one of the reason. It appears sugar plants have agreed to sell power only at the market rate for which a committee was formed to arrive at a rate.

However, the ministry sources told FE on Sunday that as most of the plants have entered the agreement with traders, so any arm twisting will jeopardise the entire trading activities as traders have also sold this power onwards. In any case it needs to be seen how Discom can differentiate buying power at two different rates one apporved by commission and other negotiated with the plants who have no embedded long- term power purchase agreement.

In Maharashtra, where peaking deficit has surged to over 5,000 mw, open access is granted to persons who have no PPAs with Discoms.

In Tamil Nadu, the efforts of taking approval at Tamil Nadu was in vain but off late they have started giving open access on a selective basis for sale of power within the state, however, there is no taker of this power as high tension(HT) rates are as such lower in the state .

Further, Gujarat is also following the silent attitude and the state is buying surplus power without giving a chance to the generator to apply for open access. Orissa is also very conservative in according open access and there is only three open access. However, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are two exceptions. Madhya Pradesh is one of the states where open access is freely allowed either for selling to end consumers or for trading. Moreover, the power surplus Chhattisgarh is allowing open access to a few applicants on the basis of peak hours and off peak hours.

Bridging the gap

•IRajasthan is the first state to have allowed open access for a brief period in 2004 but had later withdrawn

•IIn Karnataka, for granting open access there are number of cogeneration plants who have got it even though there are power purchase agreements (PPAs) with local discoms

•I In Maharashtra, where peaking deficit has surged to over 5,000 mw, open access is granted to persons who have no PPAs with Discoms

•IEfforts of taking approval at Tamil Nadu was in vain but off late they have started giving open access on a selective basis for sale of power within the state

•I Gujarat is also following the silent attitude and the state is buying surplus power without giving a chance to the generator to apply for open access

•I Madhya Pradesh is one of the states where open access is freely allowed either for selling to end consumers or for trading

•I Chhattisgarh is allowing open access to a few applicants on the basis of peak hours and off peak hours