Introduction of open access in power sector by the Electricity Act, 2003 was aimed to bring about competition and enable consumer choice. Open access envisages non-discriminatory access to the transmission and distribution network and enables eligible consumers to procure power at competitive price, to meet their demand, from suppliers other than the distribution companies (Discoms) in whose license area they are situated.
Despite the regulations for open access in inter-state and intra-state transmission and distribution being in place for a fairly long time, the growth of open access over the past few years has been limited and various issues have mushroomed. This report brings together the perspective of the stakeholders (seven Discoms, five consumer groups, two system operators, and one power exchange), on the five issues identified by the Ministry of Power, namely, tariff design and rationalization, cross-subsidy surcharge, additional surcharge, frequent switching of open access consumers, and standby c