NHPC To Build 50MW Solar Power Project in Union Territory of Ladakh
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited, (NHPC) has recently announced its plan to develop hydropower plants and a solar project With a view to leverage development of Hydro and Solar Power Projects in Union Territory of Ladakh. A.K. Singh, CMD, NHPC called a meeting with Shri R.K. Mathur, Governor of UT of Ladakh on 29.05.2020 at J&K Bhawan, New Delhi. The meeting was held to discuss NHPC’s proposals and way forward on implementation of various identified Hydro and Solar Power Projects in Leh-Ladakh region.During the discussion, CMD, NHPC intimated about achievement of NHPC in harnessing Hydro Power potential of Ladakh region by commissioning 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo in Leh and 44 MW Chutak Hydro Power Projects in Kargil. He also presented a future plan of NHPC to develop 3 nos. Hydro Power Projects viz. Khalsi (80 MW), Kanyunche (45 MW) and Takmaching (30 MW) in Ladakh along with a solar power project of capacity 50 MW at Phyang. While explaining the techno-commercial viability of projects, CMD, NHPC proposed that taking advantage of high solar irradiance of the region, blending of Hydro Power with Solar Power may also be explored.
MERC Approves EPA Term Extension Of Tata Power
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) issued an order regarding approval for extension of the Power Purchase Agreement between the Distribution Business of The Tata Power Company Limited and the Wind Energy Business of The Tata Power Company Limited.Tata Power Company Limited- Distribution (TPC-D) has filed this Case seeking approval of extension of the Energy Purchase Agreement (EPA) with Wind Energy Business of The Tata Power Company Limited.The commission passes a final order stating that it accepts the extension of EPA terms till completion of 13 years from the date of commissioning as executed through amended terms dated 14 March, 2020 executed between the parties to EPA and subsequent to expiry of EPA post completion of tenure, Tata Power Company Limited- Distribution shall procure power from the projects, through competitive bidding route only.
CERC Grants Exemption To ACME Solar From Filing Affidavit Until Courts Resume
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued an order regarding approval of Annuity model in terms of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations, 2017 for recovering Safeguard Duty Claim on account of Change in Law from M.P. Power Management Company Limited and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.Commission states that “we are not agreeable to the contention of the Respondents that they may be allowed to make payment from July 2020 or when the lockdown is lifted. They are directed to release payments to the Petitioner immediately.”The Commission notes that the Petitioner has prayed to “restrain MPPMCL and DMRC from initiating any coercive action against the Petitioner owing to the pendency of the accompanied Petition;” Now, since the Respondents have agreed to pay as per the interim measure , this prayer becomes redundant.The Commission concluded by ordering that “The parties are directed to complete the pleadings which shall be listed for hearing in due course of time for which separate notice will be issued”.
MNRE Issues Advisory Against Fraudulent Websites For PM-KUSUM Scheme
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has recently noticed that few new websites have cropped up as registration portal for Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme.Ministry states that such websites are potentially duping general public and misusing data captured through fake registration portal. To avoid any loss to the general public, MNRE had issued an advisory on 18.03.2019, advising beneficiaries and general public to refrain from depositing any registration fee and sharing their data on such websites. Despite this new cases of fraudulent websites have been noticed again.Hence it has been again advised by MNRE to all potential beneficiaries and general public to be informed and avoid depositing money or data on these websites.
Union Power Minister E-Launches Pan-India RTM Of Electricity
The Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy & Minister of State (Skill Development and Entrepreneurship),R. K. Singh, launched pan-India Real Time Market in electricity through video conference in New Delhi, on 03rd June, 2020. This has placed Indian electricity market amongst a league of few electricity markets in the world, which have real time market.While speaking at the event, the Power minister highlighted that real time market is an organized market platform to enable the buyers and sellers pan-India to meet their energy requirement closer to real time of operation. Introduction of real time market will bring required flexibility in the market to provide real time balance while ensuring optimal utilization of the available surplus capacity in the system. It will also help manage diversity in the demand pattern in the country with an organized market at national level.Real time market would be for every 30 minutes in a day based on double sided closed auction with uniform price. The concept of “Gate Closure” has been introduced for bringing in the desired firmness in schedules during the hours of market operation. Buyers/sellers shall have the option of placing buy/sell bids for each 15-minute time block.
MERC Approves Deviations of 225 MW Grid Connected Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Projects By TATA Power
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) passed an order in the Case of The Tata Power Company Ltd – Distribution seeking approval for the Bidding Documents for long term procurement (25 years) of 225 MW capacity from grid connected Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Projects through competitive bidding process for meeting its Renewable Purchase Obligations.The Tata Power Company Ltd – Distribution (TPC-D) has filed the petition seeking approval for the Bidding Documents for long term procurement (25 years) of 225 MW capacity from grid connected Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Projects through competitive bidding process for meeting the Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) based on National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy dated 14 May, 2018.The Commission accords its approval to the bidding documents for long term procurement (25 years) of 225 MW capacity from grid connected Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Projects through competitive bidding process as submitted by The Tata Power Company Ltd – Distribution and allows the deviations. The Commission also directs TPC-D to rectify all errors/repetitions in the Bidding document before finalizing the Bidding process.
CERC Extends Fifth Amendment Regulations Till 1st December 2020
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission passed an order in regards to Removal of difficulties for giving effect to certain provisions of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and related matters) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2014 .The Commission passed and order that the date of implementation of provisions and applicability of Regulation 7(10)(b) as amended vide DSM Fifth Amendment Regulations, shall be rescheduled from 1.6.2020 to 1.12.2020.The order states that “Provided that each violation of the requirement under this clause shall attract an additional charge of 10% of the time block DSM charge payable or receivable as the case may be. (b) For the period from 01.04.2020: If the sustained deviation from schedule continues in one direction (positive or negative) for 6 time blocks, the regional entity (buyer or seller), shall correct its position, by making the sign of its deviation from schedule changed or by remaining in the range of +/- 20 MW with reference to its schedule, at least once, latest by 7th time block such range being a subset of volume limit as specified under Regulations 7(1) & 7(2) of these Regulations. “
CERC Approves Transmission Tariff Of Five Natural Inter-State Transmission lines For MPPTCL
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued an order determining transmission tariff for the 2014-19 period of 7 nos. transmission lines belonging to MPPTCL(Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company Limited ) conveying electricity as ISTS lines, for inclusion of these assets in computation of Point of Connection Charges and Losses in accordance with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms & Conditions of Tariff) Regulations 2014 and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Sharing of InterState Transmission Charges and Losses), Regulations, 2010. The petition was filed by Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company Limited (“MPPTCL”) seeking approval of transmission tariff for the MPPTCL owned 7 Nos. of natural inter-State transmission lines connecting Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh.The order states that “The petitioner shall be entitled for reimbursement of the filing fees and publication expenses in connection with the present petition, directly from the beneficiaries on pro-rata basis.“All these 5 assets have already completed twenty five years of life as on 1.4.2014. Therefore, as per the above methodology, only “Interest on Working Capital” and “O & M Expenses” components of tariff shall be allowable,the commission ordered.
CERC Approves RTM Contracts Of IEX
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has issued an order approving the introduction of the Real Time Market (RTM) Contracts at Indian Energy Exchange Ltd (IEX). Indian Energy Exchange Ltd. (IEX) filed a Petition for approval of introduction of Real Time Market (RTM) contracts on IEX platform and corresponding amendment in the Business Rules of IEX.The Commission approves the proposed RTM Contracts made by IEX and order it to be incorporated in the Business Rules of IEX and also directed IEX to follow the “Detailed Procedures for Scheduling of Collective Transactions through RTM” issued by POSOCO from time to time and also to submit a report on the functioning of RTM on IEX platform after one month from the date of issue of this order.
CERC Approves Framework of RTM Issued By PXIL
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has issued an order in concern with approval of introduction of Real Time Market at Power Exchange India Limited and for the fair and transparent allocation of transmission corridor under the framework for Real Time Market.Power Exchange India Limited (PXIL) filed petition against Power System Operation Corporation Limited for approval of introduction of Real Time Market (RTM) at PXIL platform; to amend applicable regulations/procedures for equitable allocation of transmission capacity among power exchanges for RTM operated by the Petitioner and to include contract Specifications provided by PSOCL in these contracts in the approved Business Rules.The Commission not only accords approval for proposed RTM Contracts on the PXIL platform but also the Business Rules for RTM.The commission directed PXIL to file a copy of revised Business Rules and various forms/formats for data collection on RTM contracts for information of the Commission. It has also directed PXIL to follow the “Detailed Procedures for Scheduling of Collective Transactions through RTM ” issued by POSOCO from time to time.
