Govt Amends Bidding Norms To Ease Early Starting Of Wind Projects

Govt Amends Bidding Norms To Ease Early Starting Of Wind Projects

The Ministry of Power recently notified a new resolution to amend the norms for tariff-based bidding process for procurement of wind power from the wind energy generators in the country. The new resolution paved the way for early clean energy production and distribution commencement. 

Earlier in 2023, the ministry had issued guidelines for tariff-based competitive bidding processes to procure power from grid-connected wind power projects. As per the new amended norms, the wind power generators from the country would have the liberty to sell their renewable power before the Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (SCOD). To undertake the new change, the resolution amended Clause 14.4 of the existing norms.

“The WPG shall be permitted for commencement of supply from full as well as part capacity of the Project even prior to the SCSD subject to availability of transmission connectivity and Long-Term Access (LTA)/General Network Access (GNA). In cases of early part or full commencement of supply of power, the developer shall give fifteen (15) days advance notice to both End Procurer(s) and Intermediary Procurer regarding the advance commissioning of full or part capacity,” the amended norms said.

It also added, “The End Procurer(s) and Intermediary Procurer shall give acceptance for availing such power within 15 days from the date of service of notice. In case both the End Procurer(s) and Intermediary Procurer do not give their acceptance to purchase power within the stipulated period, the developer can sell the power to the extent not accepted by the End Procurer(s) and Intermediary Procurer in the power exchanges or through bilateral arrangements.”

The ministry, however, said that if both the end procurer and the intermediary procurer agree to purchase the power, the end procurer would accord priority to availing such power. The ministry also provided that in such cases, the tariff payable by the end procurer and the intermediary procurer should be equal to the Power Purchase Agreement (PAA) tariff.