The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued its third “Removal of Difficulties” order for the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) 2023. The order addresses critical issues regarding the scheduling of infirm power and trial operations for renewable energy projects.

CERC issued interim clarifications under Regulations 58 and 60 of the Grid Code to address immediate concerns. These provisions stand until the Grid Code is amended.

Background

The IEGC 2023, effective October 1, 2023, establishes operational guidelines for the Indian electricity grid.

Stakeholders have raised certain concerns about implementing the grid code. In response, CERC issued two orders in September and December 2023 and introduced the Grid Code’s First Amendment in October 2024.

The Commission issued the following clarifications:

Scheduling of Infirm Power: The order provides clarity on the scheduling of infirm power, which refers to power generated before a project achieves commercial operation (COD). For general sellers, infirm injection is permitted only after the initial synchronization with the grid. It is limited to a maximum of one year, extendable with a No Objection Certificate from the respective Regional Load Dispatch Centre (RLDC).

Deviations in such cases are settled under the 2024 Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM)regulations. Infirm injection is allowed only after a successful trial run for renewable energy-generating stations and energy storage systems.

Power scheduling can commence following the issuance of a trial run certificate by the RLDC, with DSM regulations governing any deviation charges.

Trial Operations for High-Capacity Projects: The order removes the trial run installment cap for renewable energy projects with an installed capacity above 250 MW. However, it mandates that each installment must be at least 50 MW to ensure greater operational flexibility for developers, enabling them to align their testing processes with project-specific requirements better.

Injection Post-Trial Operations: The order makes post-trial operation scheduling contingent on obtaining certification from the RLDC. Key directives include procuring prior permission to inject infirm power during pre-COD activities.

Power generated post-trial must be offered to PPA beneficiaries on priority. Generators can sell the power in the open market if these beneficiaries decline or fail to respond on time.

Last month, CERC released a draft notification outlining new regulations for purchasing and selling Carbon Credit Certificates.

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