CERC rejects Avaada Energy plea for MTOA extension

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) recently rejected a solar generator’s plea seeking an extension of the start date of medium-term open access (MTOA). It said that the transmission charges towards MTOA should be billed to the buyer only after the generating station’s commercial operation date. The Commission added that the bills corresponding to the capacity not commissioned, raised to the Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC) by the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), were contrary to the provision of the ‘Sharing Regulations.’ Accordingly, it directed CTU to revise the bills and raise them on the petitioner. Avaada Energy and Avaada RJHN had filed a petition seeking an extension of the start date of MTOA and restraining the CTU from taking any coercive measures for the non-operationalisation of 114.25 MW out of the total 240 MW on the premise that the start date of MTOA was February 1, 2022. Since the solar generator achieved the commercial operation of only 125.75 MW by the end of January 2022, it requested CTU for an extension of time for the part operationalization of MTOA for the balance of 114.25 MW up to May 23, 2022. Avaada Energy submitted that the MTOA of the contracted capacity being 240 MW (out of which 125.75 MW capacity has already been commissioned), had been delayed due to the outbreak of Covid-19 and resultant lockdown, which were considered ‘force majeure’ events. See also: JSL seeking partners to build 300 MW solar & wind capacitiesIndore forced to drop solar plants from VCS programme