Maharashtra issues draft regulations for solar and wind deviation charges

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued draft regulations for forecasting, scheduling and deviation settlement of solar and wind power generation in the state. The order imposes deviation charges on project developers and procurers for under- as well as over-injection of power into the grid. The regulations will apply to all the wind and solar energy generators having a minimum capacity of 5 MW, and connected to the intra-state transmission system and to the pooling substations. In addition, the charges will apply to all captive power plants and third-party open access plants (selling power within or outside state). Wind and solar project developers will be required to appoint a qualified coordinating agency for meter reading, data collection, communication and coordination with the discoms, the state load despatch centres and other agencies. The regulations will come into effect six months from the date of publication in the state’s official gazette.