CERC Allows Wind Generator To Procure REC Despite Delayed Plea

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The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), in its latest judgement, gave relief to a Tamil Nadu-based wind power generator to procure Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) from National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC). This order came after Leo Fasteners, a wind power generator, moved the Commission seeking relief. 

Leo Fasteners had claimed that despite being a renewable energy generator, it was entitled to RECs but was denied the same on account of delayed application with NLDC. 

The petitioner had claimed that it had filed a separate petition with the Commission in May 2021 for relaxation of the time limit and condoning the delay from November 19 to November 20 from the same project of the Petitioner. 

“Since the Petition was pending with the Commission, the Petitioner was under the impression that “Application to NLDC for issuance of RECs” for subsequent periods is also barred,” the order details said. The CERC, in its order, said that as per the REC Regulations 2010, renewable energy generators were entitled to RECs. 

Meanwhile, the Commission condoned the application’s delay and directed the NLDC to issue the RECs using the “Power To Relax” under the REC Regulations. However, it also warned the petitioner to comply with the regulations that mandate the timely filing of applications for the issue of RECs.

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“Accordingly, we hereby condone the delay in applying for issuance of RECs. Further, NLDC is directed to issue the RECs after due verification and satisfying itself that the projects meet all conditions and the Petitioners have submitted all required documents for issuance of RECs,” the order said.

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It added, “The Commission has condoned the delay and relaxed the time limit, but in the future, the Petitioner should follow the timelines strictly and avoid any delay. It is clarified that compliance with the provisions of the REC Regulations and the Detailed Procedure shall continue to be prerequisites for consideration of the applications for the issue of RECs.”

In a similar case this month, the CERC also provided relief to another renewable energy generator– Siddhayu Ayurvedic Research Foundation Private Limited (SARFPL) and allowed it a relief to procure REC after the firm delayed filing the plea due to unavoidable circumstances. The firm was a wind power generator with a 12.85 MW plant in Maharashtra. In this case, too, the Commission had used “Power To Relax” norms to grant relief.