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The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission addressed an interim application filed by Project Twelve Renewable Power Pvt. Ltd. The applicant sought relief under Regulation 61 of the GERC (Conduct of Business) Regulations, 2004. The issue centered on the commissioning of a 50 MW segment of a 140 MW wind power project in Amreli, Gujarat. The application highlighted challenges with new requirements imposed by the Tariff Order issued on August 31, 2024. These requirements mandated the installation of Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) at individual wind turbine generators (WTGs) to provide real-time data for grid monitoring.
The petitioner argued that the RTU installation requirement represents a “Change in Law” under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) dated December 15, 2022, executed with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL). The project’s completion schedule, as per the PPA, stipulates commissioning by December 14, 2024. The petitioner contended that no such RTU installation directive was in place during the PPA’s execution, making the additional requirements burdensome in terms of cost and time. Despite these changes, the petitioner had already developed a 50 MW capacity and sought approval for its commissioning.
The State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), a respondent, maintained that real-time data from WTGs, including parameters such as MW, MVAR, voltage, frequency, and circuit breaker status, is critical for grid operations. SLDC argued these requirements were consistent with earlier documents like the Request for Selection (RfS) and not entirely new. SLDC emphasized that compliance through SCADA systems could suffice if they provided the necessary real-time data accurately and reliably.
In its response, GUVNL denied any “Change in Law” claim, asserting that the petitioner is obligated to comply with the terms of the RfS and the PPA, which include technical specifications for project commissioning. Both respondents pointed out that the petitioner must adhere to these requirements for the project to be synchronized with the grid.
The Commission reviewed the submissions and considered the petitioner’s argument for provisional commissioning based on data provided through SCADA systems. It noted that SLDC acknowledged that SCADA systems could meet data requirements, provided the information was reliable and precise. Consequently, the Commission allowed the provisional commissioning of the 50 MW capacity, subject to an undertaking by the petitioner to provide real-time data through SCADA. This decision enables the project to advance while ensuring compliance with monitoring requirements.
The order addressed the immediate concerns while reserving a final decision on the broader petition for later deliberation. The Commission emphasized that compliance with the RfS and PPA is critical, but flexibility through technological solutions like SCADA can ensure practical implementation without unnecessary delays. This outcome balances regulatory oversight with the operational realities of renewable energy projects.
