CERC Issues Another Order To Clarify Implementation Of GNA Norms

NLCIL's Andaman Solar Plant With BESS To Offer Power At Rs 6.99/unit

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) in its latest suo motto order tried to bring more clarity towards the implementation of the General Network Access (GNA). The Commission had introduced the CERC (Connectivity and General Network Access for the ISTS) Regulations 2022. 

The detailed order said that CTUIL had earlier submitted the Railways (Northern Railway-ISTS-UP) was granted GNA of 130 MW for drawl at ISTS interface at Auraiya and Dadri as per the regulations. However, it was also drawing power at 220 KV level at Allahabad (Naini) substation. Moreover the North Central Railway was also found drawing power from Abdullapur substation. However now the North Central Railway would draw 21 MVA power directly from ISTS from Abdullapur. 

The CERC in its order allowed Railways to draw power from these regions and said that if they needed additional GNA, they could do so with a plea before the Commission. 

“Considering the submissions of CTUIL and REMCL that Railways is already drawing power at Naini, in addition to Dadri and Auraiya and shall draw power at Abdullapur, and taking into account our Order dated 5.11.2015 in Petition No. 197/MP/2015, we are of the considered view that Railways shall be allowed to utilize its GNA quantum of 130 MW at Dadri, Auraiya, Naini or Abdullapur. Further, in case it needs additional GNA, it may apply for such quantum under the GNA Regulations,” the order read.

The CERC also talked about the treatment of land Bank Guarantee (BG) furnished by the entities in the event of closure of the connectivity application die to non-submission of applicable Conn-BGs. The CERC in its order defined specific timeline on the subject.

“We are of the considered view that in case the application of an entity is closed due to non-submission of Conn-BG1, Conn-BG2 or Conn-BG3, the Bank Guarantee of Rs. 10 lakh/ MW submitted in lieu of land documents, shall be returned within one month from the closing of the Connectivity Application,” the order read. 

The CERC in its order also allowed special dispensation for a transition period for the payment of transmission charges. “In the interest of smooth implementation of the GNA Regulations and keeping in view the request of Grid-India to carry out software changes, payment of transmission charges under T-GNA advance application category (for T-GNA upto one month), we consider it necessary to allow a special dispensation for a transition period and hold that where T-GNA is starting within the next 3 working days and for the exigency application category, payment shall be made within 3 working days of approval of application as per the existing practice in vogue. Grid-India is advised to carry out software changes within this period (of two months from 1.10.2023) post which the transmission charges shall be paid as per timeline provided in the GNA Regulations,” the order said.