CERC Proposes Generic Tariffs For Hydro, Biomass Projects In FY23

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The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has proposed tariffs ranging between ₹4.76–5.84 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for several small-scale hydro projects across the Indian states for FY23.

For hydro projects under 5 megawatts (MW) in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and North Eastern States, and Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, CERC has come up with a proposal of a levelised total tariff of ₹5.23 per unit.  For projects that boast of a capacity of 5–25 MW in the said states, the tariff is ₹4.76 per unit.

For other States whose hydro capacity is below 5 MW, the levelised total tariff is proposed as Rs 5.84 per unit. Projects ranging from 5 to 25 MW, the proposed tariff by the regulator is ₹5.76 a unit.

These proposals are as under Regulation 8 (1) of the CERC (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations, 2020.

Proposed Tariffs By CERC

Other than the tariffs proposed for hydro projects, the proposed levelised generic tariffs also encompass biomass power projects with Rankine cycle technology, non-fossil fuel-based co-generation projects, biomass gasifier-based power projects, and biogas-based power projects.

For technologies with regards to biomass power projects, the regulator has come up with proposals on net levelised tariffs  in the range between ₹8.01 to ₹9.49 per unit.

States like Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, which have biomass availability, are considered for the proposal by CERC.  The rest of the states have been grouped under ‘others’.

Tariffs Proposed For Biomass Power Projects

With reference to biomass gasifier power projects, the tariffs as proposed for Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, AP, Telangana, Maharashtra, UP, and Rajasthan fall in the range between ₹7.58-8.71 per unit. For ‘Others’, the proposed tariff stands at ₹8.05 a unit.

“For RE technologies having a fuel cost component, like biomass power projects with Rankine cycle technology, non-fossil fuel based cogeneration, biomass gasifier based power projects, and biogas based power projects, a single-part tariff with two components, i.e., a fixed cost component and a fuel cost component, is proposed to be determined,” CERC stated in its proposal.