Power ministry notifies new rules; Now, large electricity users can access grid directly

The government on Monday allowed large industrial users of electricity to have their own transmission lines and grid connectivity without any requirement of licence, and tweaked transmission tariff norms to make it more cost-reflective.

The move is expected to further reduce the losses of electricity distribution utilities (discoms), and improve their financial viability, Union power minister RK Singh said.

Though a series of amendments to the Electricity Rules 2005, the government also rationalised charges for open access to electricity, a step that would help expedite the adoption of renewable energy.