Maharashtra: MSEDCL wants no penalty over renewable energy targets

The discom has claimed that despite repeated efforts by MSEDCL to procure power through renewable energy sources but was not receiving responses from the bidders.

Nagpur: MSEDCL has filed a petition in Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory
Commission (MERC) urging the Commission not to levy any penalty on it for failing to meet renewable energy targets, till 2022-23.
The discom has claimed that despite repeated efforts by MSEDCL to procure power through renewable energy sources but was not receiving responses from the bidders.

MSEDCL had earlier Commission’s proposal to revise the solar target to 13.5 per cent by 2024-25 from the present 2.5 per cent. The discom contended that it was quite stiff and that despite best efforts, it would not be able to achieve it. Total solar capacity of 12,500MW would be
required by 2024-25 to achieve the target against the present capacity of 4,200MW. The competitive bidding process to expand the capacity takes a lot of time and there were many other factors beyond its control, the
discom had said.
Some weeks ago the company had floated tenders for buying 1,350MW with a cap of Rs3.15 per unit but got bids for only 5MW. The discom increased the maximum price to attract producers. It increased the cap to Rs3.30 per unit and floated the tender again.
MSEDCL has through this petition urged MERC to revise the ceiling tariff rate for solar projects with capacity 2 to 10MW at 11 kV level. The hearing on this petition was slated to be held on February 18 put has been postponed indefinitely.

Source- Times of India