Ministry of Power approves net metering for rooftop systems up to 500 kW capacity

  • Ministry of Power (MoP) on June 29, 2021, had notified the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Amendment Rules, 2021 (Amendment Rules), relating to netmetering for rooftop solar installations. Under the Amendment Rules, the Electricity Regulatory Commissions (ERCs) may allow net-metering to the Prosumer for loads up to 500 kW or up to the sanctioned load, whichever is lower. For loads beyond 500 kW, gross-metering arrangement must be used.
  • Previously, net-metering for rooftop solar systems was capped at 1 MW until December 2020, when the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, mandated net-metering for loads up to 10 kW and gross-metering for loads beyond 10 kW.
  • The Amendment Rules further provide that in case of Prosumers availing netbilling or net feed-in arrangement, ERCs may introduce time-of-the-day (TOD) tariffs whereby Prosumers are incentivised to install energy storage for utilization of stored solar energy by them or feeding into the grid during peak hours, thus helping the grid by participating in demand response of the distribution licensee.
  • In case of net-metering or net-billing or net feed-in arrangement, the distribution licensee may install a solar energy meter to measure the gross solar energy generated from the grid-interactive rooftop solar systems for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) credit, if any.
  • As per the Amendment Rules, ERCs may permit gross-metering for Prosumers who would like to sell all the generated solar energy to the distribution licensee instead of availing the net-metering, net-billing or net feed-in facility and the ERCs shall decide generic tariff for gross-metering as per tariff regulations.

IL&FS floats EOI for selling 100% stake in wind farm project

  • Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) on Tuesday invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from eligible investors for its 100 per cent stake in Ramagiri Renewable Energy Ltd (RREL) and purchase of fixed assets of IL&FS Energy Development Company (IEDCL). IL&FS and its group companies collectively hold 95.54% of the total issued, subscribed and paid-up share capital of IEDCL. RREL is a 100% subsidiary of IEDCL.
  • RREL owns a 6.5 MW wind farm project with 26 wind turbines having a capacity of 250 KW each at Ramagiri, district Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
  • IEDCL also owns a wind mast, situated at the wind farm site of RREL, and a solar irradiation measurement equipment mounted on the wind mast (together 'Fixed Assets') that are used for gathering meteorological and solar data respectively.
  • EOI are invited from eligible applicants for acquisition of the total issued, subscribed and paid-up shares of RREL and purchase of the Fixed Assets, IL&FS said in the EOI.
  • The last date for submission of the EOI and other required documents by 5 PM on August 10, 2021.

AGEL acquires 100% stake in Spinel Energy and Infrastructure

  • Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) has acquired 100% equity stake in Spinel Energy and Infrastructure from Hindustan Cleanenergy and Peridot Power Ventures.
  • This acquisition is part of AGEL's overall growth strategy where the company is planning to build a capacity of 25 GW by 2025. While acquisitions of existing infrastructure would help it grow inorganically, AGEL is expanding organically too by establishing greenfield power plants. This particular acquisition will help it add 20 MW to its existing capacity and help meet the targeted decarbonization plan for a greener environment. AGEL's present capacity includes power plants worth 15,240 MW in 86 locations, spread over 11 states in the country.
  • The company also recently announced the acquisition of a 75 MW solar power project from Sterling & Wilson - a Shapoorji Pallonji group company - at the cost of INR 446 crore in Telangana.

SECI plans 2,000 MWh capacity standalone energy storage project

  • The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is planning a 2,000 MWh standalone energy storage system which will be executed by the private sector. The state-owned solar energy focused corporation said the projects will be set up on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis with a 25-year agreement. The detailed tender will be floated by August end. SECI has issued a notice for request for selection and will enter into an agreement with the successful bidders for 25 years as per the terms, conditions, and provisions.

Major ports now have a new tariff setting authority

  • The Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) will no longer be in charge of setting tariffs at the 12 major ports under Central government control. The Major Ports Authority Bill, 2020 established the Board of Port Authority, which will now set tariffs that will be used as a guide during the bidding process for public-private-partnership (PPP) projects.
  • According to the Ministry of Shipping's annual report for 2020-21, PPP operators are free to set tariffs based on market conditions. TAMP's Reference Tariff Guidelines were extended until 8th March 2021, or until further orders, whichever comes first. According to the ministry's annual report, it's now official that TAMP is no longer in effect.
  • With the addition of multiple facilities, both private and public, the landscape of ports and port terminals has changed dramatically over time, providing users with options that aren't always based on tariffs. This reduced TAMP's importance in an indirect way. The ministry could, however, initiate a consultative process.

To read the full article click here

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.