New Delhi, Jun 18 (KNN) The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has unveiled draft regulations that mandate ambitious targets for renewable energy purchases by all stakeholders, including power distribution companies (discoms), in the national capital territory.

According to the Draft DERC (Renewable Purchase Obligation and Renewable Energy Certificate Framework Implementation) Regulations, 2024, released on Monday, the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) has been set at 29.91 per cent of total annual electricity consumption for the year 2024-25. The target rises to 30.01 per cent for 2025-26.

RPOs are statutory requirements that electricity distribution licensees source a specified portion of their overall supply from renewable energy sources.

Under the proposed rules, discoms and other obligated entities that fail to comply with the RPO targets will face a penalty of 10 paise per unit of deficient purchase.

The DERC's move aligns with the Ministry of Power's notification under Section 14 of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, issued on October 20, 2023, which outlined RPO trajectories for states and union territories.

The new regulations encompass sources like wind, hydro, and other renewable energy technologies.

Eligible consumers will have multiple options to procure green power, including purchasing renewable energy certificates, self-generation, sourcing from power exchanges through open access, requisitioning from discoms, or utilising captive power plants.

(KNN Bureau)