AERC Approves APDCL's 100 MW Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Procurement, Urges Cost-Benefit Review

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has given its approval to a petition filed by Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) seeking approval for the procurement of 100 MW Wind Solar Hybrid Power from NTPC under developer mode. The Commission examined the petition as per the Electricity Act (EA), 2003, AERC regulations, and other details presented before it and made certain observations on the procurement in its recent order.

APDCL mentioned that it has received an offer for the allocation of Wind Solar Hybrid Power from NTPC. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has designated NTPC as a Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) for the procurement of Renewable Energy (RE) Power as an intermediary procurer through tariff-based competitive bidding. APDCL, in its petition, mentioned that the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) for wind-solar hybrid power & solar power has been concluded and mentioned the discovered tariff. It was noted that the solar generation tariff is in the range of Rs. 2.60-2.65 (Rs/Kwh), whereas the wind-solar hybrid is in the range of Rs. 3.35-3.36 (Rs/Kwh). The Commission observed a difference of Rs 0.75/kWh between the two types of generation.

Significantly, the Commission enquired about the NTPC trading margin of Rs. 0.07/kWh, which will be applicable over and above the discovered tariff. The Commission suggested APDCL negotiate the trading margin of NTPC. APDCL was advised to have a proper cost-benefit analysis of power procurement planning and advised not to pass any additional cost on account of this to the consumers.

In its order, the Commission noted APDCL’s submission that this power procurement will contribute towards the fulfilment of its Renewable Power Obligation (RPO), which includes all wind and solar power, and that the proposal has been approved by the Board of Directors of APDCL on March 28, 2024, and approved in the Assam cabinet meeting on September 20, 2024.

It was also submitted by APDCL that the proposed arrangement would also supply power during peak hours. The commission directed APDCL to provide an hourly generation curve of wind-solar hybrid power. The Commission also noted that the solar generation tariff is in the range of Rs. 2.60-2.65 (Rs/Kwh), whereas the wind-solar hybrid is in the range of Rs. 3.35-3.36 (Rs/Kwh). The Commission observed a difference of Rs. 0.75/Kwh between the two types of generation. The Commission advised APDCL to take into consideration the difference of 75 paisa per unit and the expected generation curve of pure solar and wind solar hybrid generation while carrying out the cost-benefit analysis and approach the Commission accordingly.

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