Direct answer: In Rajasthan, a non-captive consumer can seek green energy open access at 100 kW or more, individually or by aggregating eligible connections within the same DISCOM division. Applications route through the central Green Energy Open Access portal to the appropriate state nodal agency, which must dispose of a routed application within 15 days under the 2025 regulations. Captive projects can be sized up to 200% of contract demand, but capacity above 100% triggers a BESS condition. Banking is limited and category-specific, so applicants must verify the final STU/SLDC procedure rather than rely on conflicting summaries of the earlier draft.
Key Takeaways
- The governing instrument is the RERC (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2025, listed by RERC on 17 July 2025.
- The ordinary eligibility threshold is 100 kW sanctioned load or contract demand; aggregation is limited to connections in the same DISCOM division.
- There is no minimum threshold for captive consumers, subject to captive compliance.
- Long- and medium-term applications are handled by the State Transmission Utility; short-term access is handled by SLDC.
- The state nodal agency has a 15-day disposal period after receipt through the central nodal agency.
- Captive renewable capacity may reach 200% of contract demand; the portion above 100% is linked to mandatory BESS storage of at least 20% of energy generated by that additional capacity.
- Banking differs for capacity up to 100% and capacity above 100%; obtain the final approved procedure and agreement before financial close.
Who is eligible for Rajasthan green energy open access?
A consumer with contract demand or sanctioned load of at least 100 kW can apply. The threshold can be met through a single connection or through multiple connections belonging to the consumer within the same electricity division of one DISCOM. Do not aggregate connections across divisions or across unrelated legal entities without a written regulatory basis.
Captive consumers have no minimum threshold. That does not waive ownership and consumption tests, metering, feasibility or applications. Group captive projects need annual compliance, not merely equity at signing.
| Applicant | Entry threshold | Main evidence to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Single non-captive consumer | 100 kW or more | Bill, sanctioned load/contract demand and connection details |
| Aggregated non-captive connections | Combined 100 kW or more | Same consumer and same DISCOM division evidence |
| Captive consumer | No minimum | Captive structure, ownership, consumption plan and user records |
| Third-party buyer below 100 kW | Not eligible under ordinary threshold | Do not use captive exception unless transaction is genuinely captive |
For background on transaction structures, start with the open access solar guide and group captive solar guide.
Which agency processes the application?
Applications are submitted through the centralized portal established by the central nodal agency. The portal routes them to Rajasthan’s state nodal agency. Under the state framework, the State Transmission Utility acts as nodal agency for long-term and medium-term green open access, while Rajasthan SLDC handles short-term access.
Tenure affects documents, capacity allocation and obligations. Do not follow an old generic form merely because it appears on an SLDC page; confirm the current form, fee and channel.
The 15-day period runs from the state nodal agency’s receipt from the central nodal agency. It is a disposal timeline, not a promise that incomplete applications will be approved. Track routing, deficiencies and responses.
What is the recommended application process?
| Stage | Applicant action | Control point |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Eligibility screen | Confirm load, division, voltage and transaction model | Match names across bills and corporate records |
| 2. Load and source study | Analyze interval demand and generator profile | Avoid excess contracted volume |
| 3. Portal filing | Upload application, agreements and payment proof | Save acknowledgement and routed date |
| 4. Feasibility review | Respond to STU, SLDC or DISCOM queries | Record required network or meter works |
| 5. Approval and agreements | Execute connectivity, wheeling, banking or operating documents | Check tenure and conditions precedent |
| 6. Metering and scheduling | Commission compliant meters and communication | Test energy-accounting data flow |
| 7. Commercial operation | Schedule, reconcile and pay charges | Audit bills and captive compliance monthly |
How does the 200% captive capacity rule work?
The regulations permit an individual new renewable captive power plant, including a renewable plant behind the meter, up to 200% of the consumer’s contract demand. Where capacity exceeds 100% and is up to 200%, a BESS is required for a minimum 20% of the energy generated by the additional capacity beyond 100%.
For example, a 1 MW contract-demand consumer considering a 1.5 MW captive plant has 0.5 MW of capacity above the 100% point. The legal requirement is expressed in terms of energy generated by that additional capacity, not simply “20% of total project MW.” Storage sizing therefore needs a generation and operating study. SLDC or the DISCOM may direct operation under a separate order.
This permission is not an economic recommendation. Oversizing can increase surplus and scheduling risk. Compare storage costs with load shape using the solar and BESS business-case guide.
What banking rules should a captive applicant use?
Banking is permitted for captive consumption within Rajasthan subject to limits, metering, scheduling and an agreement. For renewable captive capacity up to 100% of contract demand, the reported ceiling is the higher of 25% of monthly injected energy or 30% of total monthly consumption from the DISCOM. The regulations provide an annual framework, with energy accounting and restrictions including peak-hour treatment.
For captive capacity above 100% and up to 200%, summaries of the final rules describe a separate, tighter category: banking up to 30% of monthly DISCOM consumption, with billing-cycle settlement and no carry-forward beyond that cycle. Banking is not available to third-party supply or behind-the-meter projects under the cited provisions. An 8% banking charge in kind is reported.
| Project/transaction category | Banking position to verify | Critical limit |
|---|---|---|
| Captive RE up to 100% of contract demand | Permitted within state under annual framework | Higher of 25% monthly injection or 30% monthly DISCOM consumption |
| Captive RE above 100% to 200% | Separate billing-cycle treatment | Up to 30% monthly DISCOM consumption; no carry-forward beyond cycle |
| Third-party open access | Not permitted under cited banking provision | Match supply and demand without assuming banked carry-forward |
| Behind-the-meter RE | Do not assume banking | Verify net-metering or other applicable arrangement separately |
Important verification note: public summaries sometimes blend the 2024 draft with the final 2025 regulations, or reverse which category receives annual versus billing-cycle treatment. Use the signed final regulation, the Commission-approved procedure, the executed wheeling and banking agreement and current SLDC instructions. Do not quote a draft summary as a bankable entitlement.
How should applicants resolve procedure uncertainty?
RERC’s office-orders page shows a “Draft Procedure for Grant of Green Energy Open Access” dated 12 December 2025. The word draft is decisive. Before filing, check RERC and Rajasthan SLDC pages for a final procedure and current forms.
If no final procedure is clearly posted, ask the state nodal agency which revision and forms govern, and whether portal filing alone is sufficient. Preserve it.
A PPA should condition effectiveness on approval, connectivity, metering and acceptable charges. Avoid deadlines that ignore regulatory or network work.
FAQ
Can multiple Rajasthan connections reach the 100 kW threshold together?
Yes, where they belong to the same consumer and are in the same electricity division of a DISCOM. Confirm the documentary interpretation before filing.
How long should approval take?
The state nodal agency must dispose of the routed application within 15 days. The clock starts on receipt from the central nodal agency, and deficiencies can affect practical timing.
Who handles short-term green open access?
Rajasthan SLDC is the state nodal agency for short-term access. The State Transmission Utility handles medium- and long-term applications.
Is BESS required for every captive renewable plant?
No. The stated BESS condition applies when captive capacity exceeds 100% and is up to 200% of contract demand.
How large must that BESS be?
It must store at least 20% of energy generated by the additional capacity above 100% of contract demand. Obtain an engineering interpretation for the project profile.
Can a third-party solar buyer bank energy?
The cited banking provisions do not allow banking for third-party supply. Verify the final procedure and do not price the PPA assuming banking.
Is the December 2025 procedure final?
RERC’s listing labels it a draft. Check for a later approved procedure and use the latest forms and directions.
Sources
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