CERC Annuls Erroneous Transmission Charges for Wind-Solar Project

CTUIL had charged JSW ₹21.97 million in transmission charges

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The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has quashed transmission charge invoices of ₹21.97 million (~$229,483) raised by the Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL) on JSW Renewable Energy and directed it to recalculate charges proportional to the company’s delayed 100 MW wind-solar hybrid capacity.

The Commission held that JSW could not be billed for Karur Transmission’s 1,000 MW transmission system but rejected its claim for a complete waiver before the hybrid project achieved commercial operation.

In September 2020, JSW Solar received a letter of award for a 310 MW interstate transmission system-connected wind-solar hybrid project.

In December 2020, JSW Solar received Stage-II connectivity from CTUIL for this capacity at the Karur pooling station in Tamil Nadu.

JSW received long-term access (LTA) from CTUIL in May 2021.

In June 2021, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) signed a power sale agreement with WBSEDCL for 100 MW of power from JSW’s hybrid project. In July 2021, SECI signed a power sale agreement with Chhattisgarh distribution companies for 170 MW of hybrid power. SECI signed a power purchase agreement with JSW later that month.

In November 2021, JSW signed a transmission service agreement with Karur Transmission (KTL).

In February 2022, CTUIL revised the LTA date for the 100 MW capacity to July 18,

It also granted LTA for an additional 170 MW with a tentative start date of January 31, 2024.

In July 2022, KTL invoked the force majeure clause under the transmission service agreement for delays in setting up the transmission system. JSW rejected the claim.

In February 2023, CTUIL revised the LTA start date from January 31, 2024, to July 16, 2024.