| Work Detail |
The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has issued further clarity on the implementation of the Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) Regulation 2024, addressing concerns raised by the Andhra Pradesh State Load Dispatch Centre (APSLDC). The issues primarily related to the preparation of model illustrations for energy settlements, banking methodology, banking charges, and settlements for various scenarios. The Commission’s directive in clause 14 (6) called for these model illustrations to be made available on the website to help stakeholders understand the regulation better.
In response, APERC has provided additional clarity regarding how the regulations will be applied, particularly concerning amendments in consumer names, entry/exit points, and contracted capacities. The Commission clarified that such amendments will not affect the application of the GEOA Regulation 2024. Instead, only new applications and applications for additional capacity from existing open-access generators will fall under the regulation.
The energy settlement for GEOA generators will be done on a 15-minute block basis according to the day-ahead schedule for consumers connected at high tension (HT) or above voltage levels. For those connected at low tension (LT) voltage levels, the energy will be settled according to Time of Day (ToD) blocks for consumers supplied by renewable energy (RE) generators. In cases where ToD block-wise settlement isn’t feasible, the actual generation from the RE generator will be considered as scheduled energy and accounted for in the settlement.
Regarding energy banking, the regulation specifies how surplus energy will be treated for ToD and non-ToD consumers. For ToD consumers, the energy banked during peak ToD slots will first be adjusted against peak slots, with any remaining energy adjusted during off-peak slots. For non-ToD consumers, any surplus energy left after the lump-sum adjustment will be considered unutilized and paid for at the rate of Rs. 2.00 per unit, as notified for FY2024-25.
If an existing generator is allowed additional capacity through the same interface meter under GEOA, the energy recorded in the meter will be apportioned based on the capacities in the old and new regimes without requiring separate metering for the added capacity. Moreover, any unutilized banked energy upon the expiration of the agreement will be settled according to the provisions of Regulation 2 of 2006.
The APERC has also clarified that for RE projects commissioned during the relevant policy periods of the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP), the energy and banking settlements will continue as per Regulation 2 of 2006 and its amendments until the respective policy periods expire. Additionally, until further directions are issued by the Commission, Special Energy Meters (SEMs) will not be required for LT consumers availing of GEOA.
In terms of settlement for unutilized banked energy, the Commission has set the rate at ?2.00 per unit for the FY2024-25, following clause 14 (1) of the GEOA Regulation. The Commission also emphasized that settlements should not be delayed for any reason. If there is a need for clarification from APTRANSCO, the settlements will proceed as per their interpretation, subject to revision once the Commission provides further guidance.
This updated clarity on the GEOA Regulation 2024 underscores APERC’s efforts to streamline the process, ensuring transparency and effective implementation while promoting the use of renewable energy in the state. |
