The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has issued an order amending the terms and conditions for determination of tariff from renewable energy sources, renewable purchase obligation and renewable energy certificate.

HERC issued the order while ruling on three separate, yet similar petitions. The first petition was regarding HERC (Terms and Conditions for determination of Tariff from Renewable Energy Sources, Renewable Purchase Obligation and Renewable Energy Certificate) Regulations, 2017- Suo Motu.

The second petition had been filed by Amplus Infrastructure developers Pvt. Ltd. seeking implementation of exemption from or waiver of wheeling charges, cross subsidy charges, transmission and distribution charges and surcharge for ground mounted and rooftop solar power projects.

Thirdly, Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC) had filed the third petition on behalf of the Haryana Distribution Licensees seeking relaxation of Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).

The HERC felt that all the three petitions relate to amendment or modification of HERC (Terms and Conditions of Determination of Tariff from Renewable Energy Sources, Renewable Purchase Obligation and Renewable Energy Certificate) Regulations, 2010 and its subsequent amendments. Hence the HERC issued a common order.

The commission has dealt with the regulations and parameters for the renewable projects  to be commissioned in Haryana other than processed waste to energy projects. Having received many objections and suggestions from the stakeholders during the earlier proceedings, HERC has decided to revise the RE Regulations.

The order defines technology specific parameters for solar PV power projects applicable for grid connected solar PV systems. According to the notification, the capacity utilization factor for solar PV project will be 19 percent. The operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses will be determined based on prevalent market conditions and the auxiliary energy consumption will be 0.25 percent of the gross generation.

Similarly, the capacity utilization factor for wind project for annual mean wind power density (W/m2) of 441+ is 35 percent. As Haryana has limited wind energy potential, HERC will decide the capital cost for wind energy projects, O&M expenses and tariff soon.

For the renewable purchase obligations (RPO) and renewable energy certificates (REC), HERC states that every obligated entity including distribution licensee, consumers owning captive power plants, and open access consumers including short term open access consumers in Haryana, should purchase energy from renewable energy sources under the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) as follows:

Earlier, Mercom reported that HERC approved a petition for the procurement of power from green energy sources other than solar with the purpose of fulfilling the stipulated renewable purchase obligation (RPO). The petition was filed by the Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC), Panchkula. It was seeking permission for the letter of intent (LoI) for the procurement of non-solar renewable energy to fulfil its RPO.