APERC rules on exemption of fossil fuel project from RPO compliance

30 Sep 2021 CW Team

Steel Exchange India had filed a petition to be exempted from the RPO's requirements. The company also requested that the energy consumed through the cogeneration process from the waste heat recovery system (WHRS) and CBFC boiler be deemed for RPO compliance against consumption from other conventional sources.

The coal is burned in a bed of hot particles maintained in flowing air in a CBFC boiler. The fluidised action encourages coal combustion at low temperatures and allows heat to be efficiently transferred from the bed to the steam tubes.

The petitioner had been generating electricity through three cogeneration projects, two using the WHRS system and one using the CBFC system, according to the Commission.

The Andhra Pradesh State Load Despatch Center argued that the cogeneration projects did not qualify for an exemption from meeting RPO targets because the power generated by the CBFC process could not be separated from WHRS units, according to the Commission.

In a previous order, the commission said that cogeneration sources should be treated equally to renewable energy generation sources. As renewable energy sources were not used, the RPO cannot be linked to energy generated through cogeneration. The captive cogeneration projects were supposed to be exempt from RPO compliance regardless of the fossil fuel used.

The commission noted that the CBFC project's power was generated as part of a cogeneration system, and thus was exempt from RPO compliance.

The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission ruled in January that additional electricity generated by cogeneration could not be linked to the RPO. The petitioner's request that cogeneration be treated equally to renewable energy was denied, and the obligated entity was exempted from RPO compliance.

The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) had previously said that any electricity purchased from fossil fuel cogeneration projects would not be counted toward RPO compliance.

Image Source

Also read: Assam announces EV policy with 25% EV penetration goals by 2026

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

In a recent order, the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) ruled that energy generated by a Circulating Fluidised Bed Combustion (CBFC) boiler system was part of cogeneration and thus eligible for exemption from RPO compliance. Steel Exchange India had filed a petition to be exempted from the RPO's requirements. The company also requested that the energy consumed through the cogeneration process from the waste heat recovery system (WHRS) and CBFC boiler be deemed for RPO compliance against consumption from other conventional sources. The coal is burned in a bed of hot particles maintained in flowing air in a CBFC boiler. The fluidised action encourages coal combustion at low temperatures and allows heat to be efficiently transferred from the bed to the steam tubes. The petitioner had been generating electricity through three cogeneration projects, two using the WHRS system and one using the CBFC system, according to the Commission. The Andhra Pradesh State Load Despatch Center argued that the cogeneration projects did not qualify for an exemption from meeting RPO targets because the power generated by the CBFC process could not be separated from WHRS units, according to the Commission. In a previous order, the commission said that cogeneration sources should be treated equally to renewable energy generation sources. As renewable energy sources were not used, the RPO cannot be linked to energy generated through cogeneration. The captive cogeneration projects were supposed to be exempt from RPO compliance regardless of the fossil fuel used. The commission noted that the CBFC project's power was generated as part of a cogeneration system, and thus was exempt from RPO compliance. The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission ruled in January that additional electricity generated by cogeneration could not be linked to the RPO. The petitioner's request that cogeneration be treated equally to renewable energy was denied, and the obligated entity was exempted from RPO compliance. The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) had previously said that any electricity purchased from fossil fuel cogeneration projects would not be counted toward RPO compliance. Image SourceAlso read: Assam announces EV policy with 25% EV penetration goals by 2026

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

Infrastructure Urban

01 Jun 2026

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..