Telangana energy regulator nods six power sale agreements

In a recent order dated June 18, 2016, the Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) approved six power sale agreements (PSAs) for 400 MW of solar power bundled with thermal under Phase-II, Tranche-I of the National Solar Mission for a 25-year period between state distribution companies (discoms) and National Thermal Power Corporation Limited(NTPC). The tariff of Rs 5.19 per kWh for 50 MW under the domestic content requirement (DCR) category and Rs 4.66 per kWh for 350 MW under the open category was approved by the Commission. The Commission also approved a PSA between the discoms and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for 400 MW of solar power under the ISTS programme Tranche-VI at Rs 2.78 per kWh for 25 years. The PSAs signed with NTPC and SECI had been sought by the Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana (TSSPDCL) and the Northern Power Distribution Company of Telangana (TSNPDCL). On June 24, the Commission issued a notice seeking input from stakeholders on the six PSAs signed between discoms and NTPC for the sale of 400 MW of solar energy packaged with thermal power. It also sought feedback from stakeholders on the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed between state discoms and SECI for the sale of 400 MW of solar power from interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar projects. On June 18, 2016, six PSAs were signed between state discoms and NTPC for the sale of bundled power from NTPC thermal stations, with a capacity of 50 MW under the DCR category at Rs 5.19 per kWh and 350 MW under the open category at Rs 4.66 per kWh. SECI served as the nodal agency for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(MNRE) programme for the establishment of the ISTS-connected solar power projects, as well as an intermediary procurer for power procurement from grid-connected solar power projects under the tariff-based competitive bidding guidelines. SECI offered to supply 400 MW of solar electricity via ISTS-connected solar power projects at Rs 2.78 per kWh for 25 years from the commercial operation date, according to TSSPDCL. As per the discoms, the delay in seeking final consent for the NTPC PSAs for bundled power was caused by a delay in CERC adopting the corresponding tariffs, which NTPC learned during the competitive bidding procedure. Image Source Also read: ReNew Power signs PPA for 400 MW power supply Also read: Amazon, TotalEnergies inks PPA for supplying 474 MW renewable energy