Karnataka Unveils Draft Regulations for Grid Ancillary Services

09 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has released draft regulations designed to strengthen the state's grid ancillary services framework. These new guidelines are driven by the increasing penetration of renewable energy, rising demand, and the challenges of grid integration.

KERC has invited stakeholders to provide their objections, suggestions, and views on the draft within the next 30 days.

The regulations will apply to intra-state entities, including those with energy storage capabilities or those qualified to provide ancillary services, such as demand response.

Upon publication in the official gazette, the regulations will take effect.

The nodal agency will estimate the secondary reserve ancillary service (SRAS) requirements at the state level, making adjustments in real-time based on daily needs.

To qualify as an SRAS provider, entities must have bi-directional communication with the state load dispatch centre (SLDC), be able to respond to SRAS signals within 30 seconds, and provide full SRAS capacity within 15 minutes.

Providers will be paid for their SRAS services, with penalties for those failing to meet performance standards.

In emergency conditions, all generating stations whose tariffs are determined by the Commission will be available to provide ancillary services for grid security and will be compensated accordingly.

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