Gujarat Open Access Solar Charges FY 2026-27: Wheeling, CSS

Gujarat open access solar charges for FY 2026-27: direct answer

For FY 2026-27, a Gujarat HT industrial buyer of third-party solar pays wheeling of ₹0.2352/kWh, cross-subsidy surcharge (CSS) of ₹1.33/kWh, an additional surcharge of ₹0.76/kWh until 30 September 2026 and ₹0.99/kWh from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, GETCO transmission, SLDC charges, and, if banking is used, a banking charge of ₹1.00/unit from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. Captive consumption that meets the statutory tests is exempt from CSS and additional surcharge.

TL;DR: GERC cut the green open access banking charge from ₹1.50 to ₹1.00 per unit from 1 September 2026 (Sixth Amendment Regulations, Notification No. 07 of 2026, 19 August 2026) and raised the additional surcharge to ₹0.99/kWh for October 2026 to March 2027, up from ₹0.76. After 31 March 2027 the banking charge becomes a cost-reflective annual determination between ₹0.50 and ₹1.50 per unit. On our worked example, third-party solar now lands at about ₹7.27/kWh blended over the year against ₹7.50 to ₹8.50 for grid power.

Last verified: 27 October 2026. GERC's own site was not reachable for direct download on that date, so the new banking and additional surcharge figures are confirmed through several independent trade and press reports, listed in the sources. The ₹0.76 order we read in full.

In this guide:

• What changed in FY 2026-27
• Master charges table
• Charge components explained
• Landed-cost worked example
• Voltage-wise comparison
• Captive solar treatment
• Commonly missed costs, including banking
• Stress-testing your model
• Frequently Asked Questions

What changed in FY 2026-27

• 25 March 2026: GERC's FY 2026-27 tariff orders kept base energy tariffs flat, raised HT wheeling to ₹0.2352/unit and CSS to ₹1.33/kWh, and cut wheeling losses to 6.5%.
• 17 March 2026: GERC Order No. 02 of 2026 set the additional surcharge at ₹0.76/kWh for 1 April to 30 September 2026, down from ₹1.00.
• 19 August 2026: GERC notified the Gujarat Green Energy Open Access (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2026. The banking charge is ₹1.00 per unit from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, replacing the ₹1.50 charge of the Fifth Amendment.
• September 2026: GERC set the additional surcharge at ₹0.99/kWh for 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, reported as Order No. 05 of 2026, using GUVNL data for October 2025 to March 2026.
• From 1 April 2027: banking charges will be determined annually by a cost-based method using 15-minute block data, with GERC able to hold them inside a ₹0.50 to ₹1.50 per unit band.

Master charges table

The open access charge stack for a typical HT industrial third-party solar consumer is roughly ₹2.50 to ₹3.50 per unit before the solar price, depending on voltage and captive status.

Charge components explained

1. Wheeling charges

Wheeling compensates the distribution licensee for carrying power over its network. GERC sets it through the DISCOM tariff orders using an allocation matrix that separates the wires business from supply. For FY 2026-27 the HT rate (11, 22 and 33 kV) is ₹0.2352/unit, up from ₹0.20, and the LT rate is ₹1.11/unit, up from ₹0.97. GERC also cut wheeling losses from 7.25% to 6.50%, so 93.5 of every 100 units injected reach the meter. The loss cut partly offsets the charge increase, leaving the net effect on delivered cost close to neutral for most HT consumers.

2. Cross-subsidy surcharge

CSS compensates the DISCOM for the cross-subsidy lost when a high-tariff consumer exits. For FY 2026-27 it is ₹1.33/kWh for commercial and industrial consumers, up 3.1% from ₹1.29, and it cannot exceed 20% of the average cost of supply. Under the GERC Green Energy Open Access Regulations, 2024, CSS for green open access from renewable plants cannot rise by more than 50% of the surcharge fixed in the year open access is granted, over 12 years from plant operation. Captive consumers who meet the statutory requirements are not charged CSS. For other states, see the solar open access charges by state comparison.

3. Additional surcharge

The additional surcharge recovers the stranded fixed cost of DISCOM power contracts when consumers buy elsewhere. GERC resets it every six months from certified data, under its order of 30 August 2022: GUVNL submits SLDC- and CA-certified data for a six-month period, and the rate derived applies to the same half of the following year.

• 1 April to 30 September 2026: ₹0.76/kWh (down from ₹1.00). Built on April to September 2025 data: available energy 90,648 MU, scheduled energy 65,049 MU, stranded generation 25,599 MU, and recoverable stranded cost of ₹137 crore.
• 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027: ₹0.99/kWh (up ₹0.23). Built on October 2025 to March 2026 data: available energy 96,129 MU, scheduled energy 63,110 MU, stranded generation 33,018 MU, ₹2,814 crore of fixed cost attributable to stranded capacity, aggregate stranded energy attributable to open access of 2,525 MU, and ₹162 crore recoverable after deducting ₹53 crore of network cost already recovered through demand charges, per Energetica India's report of the order. GERC used 12.06% normative T&D loss and the 8.77% network-cost factor.

The surcharge applies to consumers of DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL and UGVCL who take power through open access from a source other than their DISCOM. Key exemptions: captive generating plants for own consumption, open access to the extent of contract demand maintained with the DISCOM, power from municipal solid waste-to-energy plants, and offshore wind commissioned up to December 2032. For green open access, the surcharge also reduces linearly over four years from the date open access is granted.

4. Transmission charges (GETCO)

GETCO's transmission charge is set in a separate GERC tariff order and is billed on a capacity basis, not per unit. For FY 2025-26 it was ₹3,918.01 per MW per day. We have not retrieved the FY 2026-27 GETCO figure, so confirm it at gercin.org before contracting; inter-state projects also pay CTU charges set by CERC. Our note on the ISTS charge waiver phase-out covers that side.

5. SLDC scheduling and deviation charges

The SLDC levies nominal scheduling and deviation settlement charges. Deviation charges bite when actual drawal differs from schedule, so accurate solar forecasting matters. For the broader basics see the open access solar guide for India.

Landed-cost worked example: 1 MW HT consumer at 11 kV

Assumptions (illustrative, not a quote). Solar PPA ₹3.50/unit; 1.5 MU a year injected, of which 93.5% (1,402,500 units) is delivered after 6.5% wheeling loss; third-party (non-captive); consumer at 11 kV; additional surcharge ₹0.76 for the April to September half and ₹0.99 for the October to March half, each on half of the delivered units; GETCO charge uses the FY 2025-26 rate as a placeholder; SLDC and other charges about ₹0.05/unit.

Before the September order, this example showed savings of 9.7% to 20.3% because it priced only the lower April to September surcharge; the higher October to March rate narrows the range. The savings are slim at the low end of grid cost and still depend on a placeholder transmission charge. Banking, if used, adds ₹1.00 per banked unit. The bottom line is that third-party Gujarat open access still beats grid power at a ₹3.50 solar price, but not by much, and structure (captive versus third party) matters.

Voltage-wise comparison

The connection voltage drives wheeling. These per-unit figures use the average of the two surcharge halves (₹0.875) and approximate transmission of ₹0.95 per unit.

Connecting at HT instead of LT saves about ₹0.87 per unit in wheeling alone, a strong reason to keep an HT connection for open access.

Captive solar treatment

Captive generating plants used for own consumption are exempt from CSS and additional surcharge under the Electricity Act, 2003 and GERC's Green Energy Open Access Regulations, 2024. That is why captive is cheaper than third party. To qualify, the captive user must own at least 26% of the plant's equity and consume at least 51% of the power generated (tested annually for solar), and must give the DISCOM evidence of both. If captive status is not proved, the consumer is treated as a normal open access consumer, CSS and additional surcharge become payable for the relevant year, and the DISCOM may recover them with late payment surcharge. Our group captive solar guide explains structuring, and the 26% equity rule guide the compliance tests.

The cost order is rooftop net metering, then captive open access, then third-party open access, then grid. Factories with roof space should price rooftop first; see our solar ROI and payback guide and IRR methodology.

Commonly missed costs, including banking

1. Banking charges

From 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027 the banking charge is ₹1.00 per unit, down from ₹1.50 (GERC Sixth Amendment, Notification No. 07 of 2026). The ₹1.00 rate is forward-looking only and was derived from limited DISCOM data. It does not apply retrospectively to periods when ₹1.50 was in force.

Other banking terms that affect value, per the amendment as reported: the banking period is one calendar month with no carry-forward; cumulative banking at any point cannot exceed 30% of the consumer's monthly consumption from the DISCOM; energy banked off-peak cannot be used in peak hours, while peak-banked energy can be used in both; and unused or excess banked energy lapses.

From 1 April 2027 GERC will determine the banking charge annually from actual 15-minute injection and consumption data, power exchange prices, marginal generation costs, transmission charges and a battery storage component. GERC may keep the result inside a floor of ₹0.50 and a ceiling of ₹1.50 per unit. If a DISCOM fails to submit complete data, its banking charge is treated as nil. Model April 2027 onward as a range, not as ₹1.00.

2. Deviation settlement charges

Forecasting errors create DSM charges. Budget a contingency of 1% to 3% of project revenue.

3. Demand charges on the retained DISCOM connection

Most consumers keep a DISCOM connection, and demand charges continue. Additional surcharge does not apply to the extent of contract demand maintained, so the contract demand you retain affects the surcharge you pay.

4. Metering and communication

ABT meters, check meters and SLDC telemetry typically cost ₹50,000 to ₹200,000 depending on voltage.

5. Accounting and reconciliation

Monthly accounting and reconciliation may need specialist support, budgeted at about 0.5% to 1% of project revenue.

Secondary costs can erode savings by 5% to 10% if overlooked.

Verification steps before signing a solar PPA in Gujarat

1. Confirm category and voltage from your latest bill (HT-I, HT-II and so on).
2. Check the latest GERC tariff order for your DISCOM (DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL or UGVCL) at gercin.org.
3. Verify the additional surcharge period. It is ₹0.76 until 30 September 2026 and ₹0.99 from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027; the next determination is for April to September 2027.
4. Confirm captive status if structuring as captive: 26% equity and 51% consumption.
5. Build the full landed cost: PPA, wheeling, CSS, additional surcharge, transmission, SLDC, banking and a DSM contingency.
6. Get the FY 2026-27 GETCO transmission charge in writing, plus CTU charges if inter-state.
7. Run sensitivities as set out below.

For help structuring a transaction, work with a solar provider in India experienced in Gujarat, or review the solar EPC company India directory.

Stress-testing your model

Additional surcharge

GERC re-determines it every six months from data a year old, so the number is not under your control.

Model a range of ₹0.75 to ₹1.10 per kWh. A group captive plant that meets the tests does not pay it.

Wheeling loss

GERC cut it to 6.5% for FY 2026-27 but reviews it annually. Test 6.0%, 6.5% and 7.0%.

CSS

The base rate can change annually even where green open access is capped at 50% growth. Test ₹1.20, ₹1.33 and ₹1.50 per kWh.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cross-subsidy surcharge for solar open access in Gujarat for FY 2026-27?

₹1.33/kWh for commercial and industrial open access consumers, up 3.1% from ₹1.29/kWh in FY 2025-26. For green open access from renewable plants, CSS cannot rise by more than 50% of the surcharge fixed in the year open access is granted, over 12 years from plant operation. Captive consumers meeting the statutory tests are exempt.

What is the additional surcharge for open access in Gujarat now?

₹0.99/kWh from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, up from ₹0.76/kWh for April to September 2026. It applies to open access consumers of DGVCL, MGVCL, PGVCL and UGVCL buying from a source other than their DISCOM, and not to the extent of contract demand maintained. GERC resets it every six months.

What is the banking charge for green open access in Gujarat after 31 August 2026?

₹1.00 per unit from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, down from ₹1.50, under the Sixth Amendment Regulations notified on 19 August 2026. From 1 April 2027 the charge is set annually by a cost-based method, with GERC able to hold it between ₹0.50 and ₹1.50 per unit.

How much are wheeling charges for solar open access in Gujarat?

For FY 2026-27, ₹0.2352/unit at HT levels (11, 22 and 33 kV) and ₹1.11/unit at LT, with wheeling losses of 6.5%. HT was ₹0.20 and LT ₹0.97 in FY 2025-26.

Is captive solar exempt from CSS and additional surcharge in Gujarat?

Yes, for plants that meet captive status: at least 26% equity and consumption of at least 51% of the power generated, tested annually for solar. If captive status fails, the consumer is treated as a normal open access consumer and the charges become payable for the year.

What is the landed cost of solar open access in Gujarat for an HT industrial consumer?

In our example, ₹3.50/unit solar at 11 kV lands at about ₹7.27 per delivered unit over a full year, including wheeling, CSS, both halves of the additional surcharge and a placeholder GETCO charge. Grid power is ₹7.50 to ₹8.50. Captive solar lands near ₹4.50 to ₹5.50.

How do Gujarat's open access charges compare to other states?

Gujarat's CSS of ₹1.33 is mid-range, but the additional surcharge is volatile: ₹0.82, ₹1.00, ₹0.76 and now ₹0.99 across four half-years. The 12-year renewable CSS cap helps long-term projects. See the state comparison.

Can I switch from open access to net metering?

Under the draft GERC Grid-Interactive Distributed Renewable Energy Sources Regulations, 2026, consumers may switch between metering arrangements up to three times in the project's life, at most once per financial year, with 30 days' notice before the financial year starts. It is a draft, so check its status. See our net metering policy guide.

Regulatory status and freshness note

Regulatory status last checked: 27 October 2026.

• GERC FY 2026-27 tariff orders: 25 March 2026, effective 1 April 2026.
• Additional surcharge: ₹0.76/kWh to 30 September 2026; ₹0.99/kWh for 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
• Banking charge: ₹1.00/unit from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2027 under the final Sixth Amendment Regulations (the June 2026 draft is now notified). GERC may continue existing charges by separate order if the annual determination is delayed.
• GETCO FY 2026-27 transmission charges: not verified here.

Always verify charges directly with GERC, your DISCOM and SLDC before signing a PPA.

Sources

1. GERC Order No. 02 of 2026, additional surcharge April to September 2026
2. Energetica India: Gujarat sets additional surcharge at INR 0.99/kWh, 18 September 2026
3. SolarQuarter: GERC sets Rs 0.99 additional surcharge, 16 September 2026
4. Legality Simplified: GERC revises banking charges framework, Notification No. 07 of 2026
5. Power Peak Digest: GERC sets Rs 1/unit transitional banking charge
6. Hindu BusinessLine: As lower banking fee kicks in, Gujarat prepares for cost-based regime
7. Times of India: Gujarat cuts green power banking charge by 33%
8. GERC tariff order for MGVCL FY 2026-27
9. GERC tariff order for UGVCL FY 2026-27
10. GERC press note on FY 2026-27 tariff changes
11. GERC Green Energy Open Access Regulations, 2024
12. GERC other orders, additional surcharge history
13. Mercom India: Gujarat retains FY 2027 power tariffs
14. GERC tariff order for GETCO