India has increased penalties for wind and solar generators deviating from their committed power supply schedules, even as a court allowed renewable energy companies to continue operating under the earlier framework until the next hearing. The move follows new rules issued on March 31 by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to tighten compliance with grid commitments.
Court allows temporary relief to renewable firms
The case, filed by the National Solar Energy Federation of India, argued that the revised regulations were introduced without adequate public consultation. A court order reviewed by Reuters said renewable companies can continue using the older system for paying deviation charges when their generation differs from scheduled supply until further hearings.
Solar and wind output, which depend on weather conditions, cannot always be controlled like coal or gas-based generation, the petitioners said. The federal government and the power regulator have been asked to respond by June 10. India aims to build 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, though industry groups have warned that stricter norms could impact revenues and dampen investor interest in the sector.
(Reuters inputs) |
