Haryana’s New Green Energy Regulations Pose Challenges For Captive Solar Power Projects

Orbit Resorts Limited, a solar power project owner in Haryana, has been facing difficulties in maintaining its status as a captive generating plant due to recent changes in the state’s Green Energy Open Access Regulations.

The company had previously been allowed to bank excess solar power generated and draw it later, but the new regulations limit banking to 30% of monthly consumption and restrict drawl during peak hours. This has made it difficult for the company to meet the 51% self-consumption requirement for captive generation status.

Orbit Resorts argued that the new regulations did not apply to existing projects and that the restrictions were hindering their ability to operate efficiently. They requested a relaxation of the banking and drawl rules, as well as a clarification on the calculation of self-consumption.

The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) considered the company’s plea but upheld the new regulations. However, to address the issue of self-consumption, the Commission clarified that energy injected into the grid and not drawn due to the new restrictions would be considered self-consumption to calculate the 51% threshold.

This clarification provides some relief to the company, but the overall impact of the new regulations remains a concern. The company may still face challenges in meeting the self-consumption requirement and may need to explore alternative strategies to ensure the viability of its solar power project.