The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has extended the applicability of the ₹1.50 (~$0.0159)/kWh banking charge under the state’s green energy open access framework until June 30, 2026.

The amendment modifies provisions under the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access) Regulations, 2024.

There is no change in other aspects of the banking framework, including eligibility, settlement mechanisms, or operational conditions.

While the extension provides short-term regulatory certainty, the Commission has not indicated the structure or level of banking charges beyond June 2026, leaving future revisions to a separate regulatory process.

The validity period of the earlier-notified banking charges ends in March 2026, prompting the Commission to earlier propose extending the ₹1.50 (~$0.0159)/kWh banking charge until June 2026 in March this year.

Gujarat allows daily energy banking for solar projects between 7 am and 6 pm, and monthly energy banking for wind and wind-solar hybrid projects. It also allows banking of 30% of the total monthly power consumption from the distribution company.

However, banking is not permitted for projects under the REC mechanism. Such projects are subject to time-of-day and real-time metering.

The Commission had first proposed green energy open access regulations in 2023, including provisions on banking and other open access charges, before notifying the final framework in 2024. The policy has since supported solar open access growth in the state, with Gujarat emerging as one of the leading markets for such projects.

Gujarat retained its fourth rank among states for solar open access additions in 2025, accounting for 11.6% of the total 7.8 GW of solar open access capacity added, according to the Q4 and Annual 2025 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market report.

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