Compensation Claims by Renewable Energy Developers
India's federal power regulator, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), is addressing petitions by two renewable energy developers for financial compensation due to delays in transmission infrastructure setup.
Background and Context
- The petitions have been filed by ACME Solar and AMPIN Energy.
- These developers claim financial losses because of their inability to transmit power due to delays in operationalising transmission infrastructure.
Key Developments
- CERC is investigating if entities responsible for transmission, namely the Power Grid Corporation of India and the Central Transmission Utility of India, should provide compensation for these losses.
- The Commission has requested both entities to respond within six weeks.
- ACME Solar seeks compensation exceeding 210 million rupees, while AMPIN Energy has yet to disclose specific financial losses.
Future Proceedings
- The petitions are to be heard on November 27.
- CERC has directed the submission of details regarding transmission systems, commissioning timelines, and reasons for delays.
Implications for Renewable Energy in India
- This case could set a precedent for addressing transmission bottlenecks hindering India's clean energy expansion.
- India has faced issues with solar output curtailment during low demand periods to maintain grid stability.
- Rajasthan, a major solar power producer, experienced nearly 4 gigawatts of energy curtailment, with losses up to 2.5 billion rupees ($28.16 million).
