The Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) has released smart grid regulations to improve the efficiency of its power generation, transmission, and distribution networks. The scope of the regulation includes the development and implementation of smart grid programs, measuring their cost-effectiveness, monitoring, and reporting on their progress. As per the regulations, every transmission and distribution licensee is required to establish a smart grid cell within three months of the release of the current notification. The purpose of the smart grid cell will be to carry outbaseline studies, build a database, formulate smart grid programs, design and developing smart grid projects, acquiring necessary approvals, and implementing programs. Transmission and distribution agencies in each area of the state must submit an integrated multi-year smart grid plan, multi-year tariff petition and, an annual revenue requirement petition. The TSERC also made provisions for the formation of an R&D team. The transmission and distribution licensees are also expected to identify net incremental costs in various stages of development, establish key performance indicators to evaluate the functioning of the grid, and reserve 1 per cent of the project cost for consumer awareness and capacity building.
In November 2020, the TSERC issued amendments to its net metering regulations for grid-connected rooftop solar systems in Telangana. In the same month, The Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Limited (TSREDCO) had floated two tenders cumulating to 2.2 MW of ground-mounted solar capacities at two dairies in the state.
In July 2020, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, with the support of the TSREDC planned to develop floating solar power plants with a cumulative capacity of 500 MW in the state.