CESC Limited, the Kolkata-based company of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, has invited bids for the procurement of power from solar and non-solar renewable energy sources in or outside West Bengal on a short-term basis to meet its renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets.

Offers are invited from commissioned projects, distribution companies (DISCOMs), and trading licensees.

The bids should be submitted within a week of the publication of the expression of interest (EoI).

The delivery point will be the West Bengal periphery or interconnection of the project with the West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (WBSETCL). The tariff will be quoted at the delivery point.

The minimum quantum of power should be 5 MW. The open access charges up to and beyond the delivery point must be borne by the seller and CESC respectively.

The power can be scheduled on a day-ahead or firm based on the availability and requirement of the parties. The renewable energy power can be scheduled on weekdays from 08:00 to 18:00 hours and on Sundays and holidays from 12:00 to 18:00 hours.

In September last year, the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) published amendments to the regulations on cogeneration and generation of electricity from renewable sources 2020. According to the amendment, the solar RPO compliance should be 85%; the remaining shortfall can be met through non-solar sources beyond the specified non-solar RPO.  Similarly, non-solar RPO compliance should be 85% and above; the remaining shortfall can be met by excess solar energy.

The notification stated that the energy withdrawal by any open access customer through the purchase of power from any renewable energy source above its RPO would be considered for meeting the RPO of the distribution licensee.

Earlier, WBERC had said that any power purchased from fossil fuel cogeneration projects would not be counted for RPO compliance. However, the regulatory body had added that distribution licensees might continue with the purchase of power from fossil fuel-based cogeneration projects as an energy-efficient measure, as mentioned in the Renewable Energy Regulations, 2013.

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