The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has granted TEQ Green Power XI (O2 Power) a one-month extension to complete the remaining 10.8 MW of the 151.2 MW wind project and to enable infirm power injection.

The Commission allowed the extension, noting that the petitioner’s delay in commissioning the 10.8 MW wind turbine generators (WTGs) was due to factors beyond the petitioner’s control.

Background

TEQ Green Power XI filed a petition with CERC seeking an extension of the time for the injection of infirm power from 10.8 MW of wind capacity from the 151.2 MW wind project.

The petitioner told the Commission that it has commissioned 36 of the 56 WTGs.

TEQ Green was granted first-time charging approvals by the Western Regional Load Dispatch Center (WRLDC) for charging and trail run of 12 WTGs.

Subsequently, the petitioner sought a 90-day extension for the trial run of 12 WTGs. However, the petitioner could commission only 8 of the 12 WTGs within the extended period.

The petitioner told the Commission that, due to unforeseeable circumstances, including severe law-and-order issues, right-of-way issues, and an unprecedented monsoon, four WTGs remained commissioned even after the expiry of the original FTC approvals.

The petitioner requested fresh FTC approvals from the WRLDC for the 4 WTGs, and the WRLDC extended the FTC approvals to 2026. WRLDC also informed the petitioner that the extension of the FTC approvals will be contingent on an extension of the infirm power injection deadline.

TEQ Green said that while the WRLDC accepted its justification for the delay in testing and commissioning of the 4 WTGs, WRLDC was bound by the Grid Code, which prevents regional load dispatch centers from granting an extension for final power injection beyond 135 days from the date of FTC approvals.

Hence, the petitioner stated that it has approached the Commission seeking 45 days to commission the remaining WTGs and to allow infirm power injection during that extended period

The Grid Code mandates that an extension of FTC approvals must be sought 15 days before their expiry. The petitioner sought condonation of the delay.

Commission’s Analysis

Noting that factors beyond its control caused the petitioner’s delay, the Commission condoned the delay in filing the petition seeking an extension of time for infirm power injection.

To prevent the stranding of a nearly completed renewable energy project, the Commission granted a one-month extension for the trial run and commissioning of the wind projects, instead of the 45-day extension sought by the petitioner.

The Commission directed TEQ Green to complete the commissioning of the project within the extended period.

Recently, CERC granted conditional relief to renewable energy developers whose interstate transmission system connectivity was revoked due to delays in project commissioning.

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