NSEFI Urges Karnataka To Prevent Solar Curtailment

• NSEFI said these solar projects must be allowed the ‘must run’ status as per government directives
• NSEFI further submitted that in case of low demand, the state load dispatch centre should first explore the option for backing down of conventional power plants
• The affected projects include the ones awarded under the National Solar Mission

The State Load Dispatch Centre, Bengaluru has been giving back down instructions to generation from solar projects in the state, even though solar power has been accorded ‘must run’ status under Karnataka Grid Code and the Indian Electricity Grid Code.

The curtailment of solar power is leading to a huge loss of generation and, in turn, revenue for solar power projects that were set up under different schemes with Solar Energy Corporation of India, NTPC and electricity supply companies as offtakers.

Requesting the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation to intervene in the matter, the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) said these solar projects must be allowed the ‘must run’ status as per government directives.

In the rare occasion when the state load dispatch centre is constrained to back down solar generation to ensure grid safety and security, the reasons for backdowns should be recorded and such instructions should be served to developers in writing along with justification for curtailment despite ‘must run’ status, it said.

NSEFI further submitted that in case of low demand, the state load dispatch centre should first explore the option for backing down of conventional power plants. “Curtailment of conventional power plants of state generating stations, independent power producers and central generating stations should be done up to their technical minimum limit, i.e., 55 per cent of maximum continuous rating as per Central Electricity Regulatory Commission regulation,” it suggested.

The affected projects
The affected projects include the ones awarded under the National Solar Mission Phase-II Batch-III Tranche-V, National Solar Mission Phase-II Batch-II Tranche-I “State-Specific Bundling Scheme”, Pavagada Solar Park and Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited’s bid for an aggregate 1200 MW solar projects in 60 Taluks with a ceiling of 20 MW per taluk.

The data furnished by NSEFI showed grid availability for Wardha Solar, Nalwar plant in the month of June was mostly 30 per cent or nil (owing to grid failure), and back down periods up to 10 hours long.

(News courtesy: PV Magazine)