JSA successfully represented UltraTech Cement Limited (UTCL)before the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) in securing directions that will enable greater efficiencies in granting connectivity for co-located and non-co-located hybrid wind-solar projects.
Considering the scope for optimising transmission capacity for hybrid renewable energy generation, UTCL filed a petition before MERC seeking that connectivity be granted based on the higher of the installed solar or wind capacity, instead of the cumulative capacity of both sources — which had been the prevailing practice in Maharashtra.
After hearing UTCL’s submissions and taking into account the State Transmission Utility’s revised connectivity procedure issued during the proceedings, MERC upheld UTCL’s position for co-located hybrid wind-solar projects. This landmark clarification will facilitate better planning and utilisation of transmission infrastructure for hybrid renewable projects in the State.
With respect to non-co-located hybrid projects, MERC appreciated UTCL’s submissions and directed the Grid Co-ordination Committee to undertake a detailed study addressing the feasibility of granting connectivity at multiple locations for renewable energy hybrid projects. The study will examine critical aspects including metering, connectivity, scheduling, energy accounting and settlement, deviation settlement mechanism (DSM) accounting, and transmission and wheeling charges. The Committee has been directed to submit a draft framework within six months for MERC’s consideration towards amending existing Regulations or notifying new ones.
This Order is significant since it proactively addresses a critical regulatory gap by tackling the complexities of non-co-located hybrid projects and their interaction with the grid. It is a first of its kind in India and would pave the way for providing regulatory frameworks and certainty for developers of non-co-located hybrid projects. It also enables more efficient use of existing transmission infrastructure and thus save costs.
The matter was handled by the JSA Disputes team, comprising Abhishek Munot (Lead Partner) and Kunal Kaul (Partner) along with Samikrith Rao (Senior Associate).
Abhishek is a part of Disputes group of JSA and anchors the Regulatory Practice of JSA in Western India. Abhishek handles sector specific commercial litigation, arbitration constitutional & administrative law litigation and regulatory proceedings before statutory authorities, tribunals and courts.