CERC Segregates GNA Allocation into Solar and Non-Solar in its Latest Amendment

General Network Access (GNA), introduced by CERC in 2022, aims to transform transmission planning and provide non-discriminatory, hassle-free access to the ISTS network. It simplifies the application process by allowing power generators to use the transmission network without needing to pre-identify buyers. The eligibility limit for connectivity under the GNA regulations is set at 50 MW, applicable whether the capacity is individual or aggregated.

Since its implementation in 2023, CERC has amended the GNA twice, in April 2023 and June 2024. The latest amendment, known as the third amendment to the GNA Regulations, incorporates provisions proposed in the third and fourth draft amendments.

Table: Key Amendments outlined under GNA Third Amendment Regulations

Source: CERC, JMK Research

These recent GNA regulations address several areas, including eligibility, bank guarantees, shareholding patterns, post-connectivity utilization, and ESS connectivity. A notable change is the division of GNA between solar and non-solar hours for all renewable energy (RE)-based projects. This decision arose from various system-level inefficiencies, risks, and challenges:

  • The static allocation model of GNA, wherein the entire 24-hour period was allocated to a RE grantee, led to underutilization, especially in solar-dominant corridors where generation is confined to daylight hours.
  • During non-generation periods of solar, transmission lines remained idle, even as other ready-to-inject assets like wind or storage could not access the stranded capacity.
  • This misalignment elevated per-unit transmission costs and increased curtailment risk for commissioned renewable projects due to corridor unavailability.

Analysis by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) reveals that up to 71% of ISTS corridors operate at below 30% utilization, highlighting the discrepancy between infrastructure availability and actual power flows. The GNA’s third amendment aims to tackle these inefficiencies by introducing time-block-based restricted access, allowing capacity allocation that aligns with resource generation windows.

As the penetration of renewable energy in the ISTS increases, addressing these unique challenges is crucial for ensuring the long-term resilience of India’s grid transmission infrastructure. The smooth operation of India’s “ONE NATION-ONE GRID-ONE FREQUENCY” significantly depends on the sustainable addition of renewable energy capacity to one of the world’s largest and most advanced synchronized grid networks.