ISTS-tendered renewable projects may connect to the state grid when generator and buyer are in the same state
The Ministry of Power has told the renewable energy implementing agencies that projects tendered with inter-state (ISTS) connectivity may instead connect to the state transmission utility's network when the project and the buying discom are in the same state. Future bidding documents are to provide for this.
Why it matters. It gives same-state renewable projects a cheaper grid route and changes how central tenders are drafted, which matters directly for the implementing agencies' bid pipelines.
What changes
- Applies only where the generating project and the procuring discom are located in the same state.
- Such projects may connect to the STU or intra-state transmission system (InSTS) instead of the ISTS.
- The ministry says this generally lowers transmission costs and benefits the procurer.
- SERC or JERC approval of the related PPAs and PSAs may be needed, since intra-state procurement falls under state rules.
- NTPC, NHPC, SJVN and SECI are to add enabling provisions in future bidding documents; the change followed a request from NSEFI.
Who is affected
REIAs (NTPC, NHPC, SJVN, SECI) · RE developers · Discoms · STUs · SERCs
Sources
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