MERC relaxes RPO compliance for BEST
MERC had notified the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Renewable Purchase Obligation, its Compliance and Implementation of Renewable Energy Certificate Framework) Regulations, 2010 (‘RPO-REC Regulations’) on 7 June, 2010. As per this regulation, following are the RPO targets for all obligated entities;
Non-Solar*: The regulation also states that, all obligated entities shall on mandatory basis, purchase from Mini Hydro or Micro Hydro power projects, to the tune of 0.1 % of Non-Solar RPO from FY 2010-11 to FY 2012-13 and 0.2% from FY 2013-14 to FY 2015-16.
BEST has fulfilled its Non-Solar (including Mini Hydro or Micro Hydro) RPO compliance cumulatively till FY 2013-14 showing a small surplus, however it has a huge shortfall of close to 59.46% in meeting its Solar RPO target cumulatively till FY 2013-14.
The commission has appreciated the suggestion of PXIL for quarterly fulfillment of RPO, but has gone ahead in stating that it is currently considering shortfalls on merit basis by allowing fulfillment on cumulative basis by the end of FY.
Earlier in Case No.181 of 2013, the commission had given BEST a relaxation by not imposing Regulatory Charges on BEST for their Solar RPO shortfall during FY 2010-11 to FY 2012-13 and had relaxed/waived Solar RPO targets for FY 2010-11 and FY 2011-12. Similarly, they have decided that Regulatory Charges shall not apply on BEST for FY 2013-14, and that all cumulative shortfalls should be fulfilled by 2015-16, i.e. by 31st March 2016.
Considering 4900 MUs to be the average consumption for BEST, for FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16, the cumulative Solar RPO target for FY 2014-15 & FY 2015-16, including the cumulative shortfall of 36.08 MUs till FY 2013-14, should stand somewhere around 85 MUs.
For more details on the order click here.