Reading Time: 3 minutes
On July 26, 2024, the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) convened a meeting to address pending applications for CON-4 and FTC approvals for Wind Power Plants. The meeting aimed to resolve issues related to the grid connectivity of these wind projects, which are ready for commissioning.
The Chairperson opened the meeting by welcoming the attendees and outlined that the primary goal was to discuss the hurdles in granting CON-4 and FTC approvals to wind power projects. These approvals are crucial for the commissioning of wind plants. The Chairperson requested the Member (GO&D), CEA, to present a summary of the background and the specific issues related to grid connectivity for these wind projects.
The Member (GO&D) explained that the Wind Power Producers Association (WIPPA) had raised concerns with the Ministry of Power (MoP) about obtaining CON-4 and FTC approvals. The issue stemmed from the requirement that Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) must operate without de-rating at the extreme temperatures specified in the CEA procedures for various wind locations across India. To address these concerns, Secretary (Power) held a meeting on May 30, 2024, with CEA, Grid-India, CTUIL, and WIPPA. This was followed by a joint meeting with the Secretary (MNRE) on June 1, 2024. As a result of these discussions, the Ministry of Power communicated on June 14, 2024, that CEA should issue instructions for granting CON-4 and FTC approvals to wind projects ready for commissioning, provided that the wind turbines meet the relevant IEC standards.
The Member (GO&D) then presented a list of ten wind projects ready for commissioning, which had a total pending connectivity quantum of approximately 3,000 MW. The list included six projects in the Southern Region and four in the Western Region. The Southern Region had three wind projects and three wind-solar hybrid projects, totaling 1,995.9 MW, while the Western Region had four wind projects totaling 947 MW. The status of each project’s compliance with extreme temperature conditions was detailed in the annexure.
Regarding the pending grant of FTC, it was noted that only two wind projects from JSW Renew Energy Ltd. at Tuticorin-II, totaling 29.7 MW, were currently under process.
The Chairperson then sought input from CTUIL and Grid-India on the issue. Representatives from CTUIL highlighted that the IEC 61400-1 standard for Wind Turbines specifies an extreme temperature range of -20°C to +50°C, with a normal operating range from -10°C to +40°C. They noted that earlier discussions suggested considering the de-rated capacity of WTGs at 40°C for connectivity purposes. The Chairperson clarified that the issue should be evaluated based on the rated output of wind turbines according to the IEC standard.
Grid-India representatives provided their perspective, referencing the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) Regulations, 2007. These regulations require that equipment, including wind turbines, comply with relevant Indian, British, IEC, or ANSI standards, with necessary modifications for Indian conditions. They pointed out that the IEC 61400-1 standard’s temperature conditions should be adapted to local requirements, meaning that wind turbines must be capable of operating at their rated output up to 40°C. If turbines de-rate before reaching 40°C, they must be modified to ensure rated output at this temperature for connectivity considerations. For turbines operating at a de-rated capacity at extreme site temperatures, the connectivity will be based on this de-rated capacity, while turbines with no de-rating up to extreme temperatures will have their full capacity considered.
For hybrid plants combining wind and solar, the connectivity will consider the total capacity of both wind turbines and solar inverters at the extreme site temperatures, without separate stipulations for each source. The power injection from these hybrid plants will be scheduled based on the allowed quantum of connectivity, regardless of whether the power comes from wind, solar, or battery storage.
In summary, the meeting established clear guidelines for granting CON-4 and FTC approvals to wind power projects, ensuring that both wind and hybrid plants are evaluated fairly based on their compliance with temperature conditions and rated outputs.
