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The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) has filed a petition before the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) seeking approval for four Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Axis Energy Ventures India Private Limited and its Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). The agreements collectively represent a total capacity of 400 MW under the state’s Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Policy, 2018. The case revolves around the development of wind-solar hybrid power projects in Andhra Pradesh. Axis Energy Ventures had initially proposed these projects under the Bundling, Banking, and Balancing (BBB) scheme to provide round-the-clock renewable energy. The company signed a Scheme Implementation Agreement (SIA) with various state energy stakeholders, including APTRANSCO, APGENCO, APDISCOMS, and NREDCAP, as part of a broader plan to enhance the state’s renewable energy capacity. According to the petition, APSPDCL entered into four separate PPAs with Axis Energy’s SPVs on November 24, 2022. However, these agreements required regulatory approval from APERC to proceed. The agreements were formulated after detailed evaluations and approvals by the Andhra Pradesh Power Coordination Committee (APPCC) and other relevant authorities. The state government had also issued directives under Section 108 of the Electricity Act, 2003, instructing APSPDCL to seek regulatory consent. The background of the case highlights the complex regulatory landscape surrounding renewable energy projects in the state. The Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, introduced in 2018, aimed to utilize available transmission infrastructure efficiently and ensure grid stability. However, in 2019, the government withdrew certain incentives, leading Axis Energy to file a writ petition before the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The court’s ruling on August 16, 2022, directed the state government to allow the execution of the previously approved PPAs. APSPDCL’s petition details the approvals and processes leading up to the finalization of these agreements. It references multiple correspondences between the energy department, APPCC, and other regulatory bodies, outlining how the agreements comply with the state’s policies. The company has also attached the Detailed Project Report (DPR), the Scheme Implementation Agreement, and other supporting documents. The primary prayer in the petition is for APERC’s consent to the PPAs, which APSPDCL argues is in line with the state’s renewable energy policy framework. The agreements aim to ensure a reliable power supply while leveraging the hybrid model to balance the variability of wind and solar generation. The petition also discusses financial and procedural aspects, including APSPDCL’s request to adjust the petition filing fee from a previously deposited amount. The company has submitted the required payment details along with its filing. This case is significant as it represents a critical step in advancing Andhra Pradesh’s renewable energy agenda. The approval of these PPAs would pave the way for large-scale hybrid renewable energy projects, supporting the state’s sustainability goals and contributing to energy security. The outcome of APERC’s decision will likely impact future renewable energy initiatives in the region. |
