Page 55 - Policy Economic Report_Jan 25

POLICY AND ECONOMIC REPORT
OIL & GAS MARKET

1,471 MW, GHG emission reduction of 6.08 million ton CO2 per year and estimated annual
monetary savings of INR 6,179 crore in electricity bills of municipalities.

Reforms and Initiatives

o Rights of Consumers Rules: Electricity Rules were notified in February 2024 to empower
electricity consumers. This framework lays down their rights and provides mechanisms to enforce
them. The rules ensure timely access to services such as new connections, grievance redressal,
and billing transparency while facilitating rooftop solar adoption and electric vehicle (EV)
integration. Key provisions include:
? Simplifying rooftop solar installation processes with exemptions from technical feasibility
study for systems up to 10 kW.

o Allowing separate connections for EV charging stations to promote clean mobility.
o Reducing timelines for new connections: 3 days in metros, 7 days in municipal areas, and 15 days

in rural regions (30 days for hilly terrain).
o Mandating consumer rights for separate metering and billing in residential colonies, enhancing

transparency and fairness.
o Introducing mandatory check meters to verify consumption in case of complaints.

Additional Surcharge elimination: The Electricity Rules, 2005 have been amended in 2024 to rationalise
open access charges. New rules now allow large consumers (open access consumers) to buy electricity
from the cheapest sources across India, not just from their local Distribution Licensee. Some State
regulators charge large consumers heavily to buy electricity from other sources. In an effort to reduce
these charges, the additional surcharge levied is now being gradually reduced and will be completely
removed within four years. Importantly, large consumers who have never bought electricity from their
distribution licensee are not required to pay additional surcharge.

Computer Security Incident Response Team – Power (CSIRT–Power): Union Minister for Power
inaugurated Computer Security Incident Response Team – Power (CSIRT–Power) facility in September,
2024. Equipped with advanced infrastructure, cutting-edge cybersecurity tools, and key resources, CSIRT-
Power is now well-prepared to tackle emerging cyber threats. With a dedicated team of experts, it is set
to become a cornerstone of the sector's cyber defence, coordinating incident response, establishing a
strong cybersecurity framework, and implementing crucial measures to enhance overall preparedness
and resilience.

India’s RE Capacity Registers 15.84% Year-on-Year Growth

Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has reported remarkable progress in India’s
renewable energy sector, highlighting significant achievements between December 2023 and December
2024. This growth reflects India’s steadfast commitment to achieving its clean energy targets and its
broader vision under the ‘Panchamrit’ goals announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

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