Hybrid Projects: KERC Issues Order To Bring Clarity On Transmission Charges

Hybrid Projects: KERC Orders Exemption Of Transmission Charges

The Karnataka Energy Regulatory Commission (KERC) has tried to bring clarity on transmission charges of hybrid projects. The state power regulator issued a suo motu order in this regard. The order was especially for wind-solar hybrid projects. This comes after Fourth Energy Partner approached the state commission for clarification.

National wind-solar hybrid policy 

Earlier, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had notified a policy on this in 2018. MNRE’s National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy talked about exemption of transmission charges. KERC, in its order said that its notification was aligned with this policy.

The state power regulator said that for existing co-located power plants, if solar or wind capacity is added, the charges will be limited to the existing transmission capacity. It will be under the condition that the installed capacity of either solar or wind is not more than the existing contracted transmission capacity.

“For existing power plant, if solar or wind capacity is added and if the solar or wind capacity is higher than the existing transmission capacity contracted, then the charges shall be limited to the higher of the capacity of either wind or solar installed capacity, subject to the condition that the generator obtains evacuation approval for the additional capacity,” the KERC order said.

New hybrid plants 

The order of the Karnataka electricity regulatory also said that for new hybrid power plants, the transmission charges will be levied for higher of the capacity of either wind or solar installed capacity. It will be subjected to the evacuation approval though. The order said that a wind solar plant will be recognised as a hybrid plant if the rated power capacity of one of the resources is at least 25% of the rated power capacity of the other resource.

The order said that for non-located projects, the charges will be paid for solar and wind separately. This will be as per the installed capacity of solar and wind projects.