Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL) has issued an advisory on increasing the energy storage capacity (MWh) of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects that have already received connectivity. The advisory allows projects to increase their MWh capacity without increasing their approved charging or discharging capacity in MW. For this, project developers will need to submit an application under Regulation 5.2 of the GNA Regulations, showing the additional MW capacity as nil and mentioning the proposed increase in MWh separately.
CTUIL has also clarified the treatment of Conn-BG3 for such applications. Since Conn-BG3 is defined at Rs 200,000 per MW, CTUIL will approach the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) for clarification on whether it applies when only the MWh capacity is increased. Until CERC issues clarification, CTUIL will not seek Conn-BG3 for these applications. However, applicants will have to submit it if required under any direction or clarification issued by CERC. Failure to do so could lead to cancellation of the approval for the additional MWh capacity and encashment of Conn-BG1.
The advisory also provides for faster processing of MWh enhancement requests. Once all applicable regulatory requirements are completed, CTUIL can issue the intimation for the enhanced MWh capacity without waiting for discussion at the concerned consultation meeting for evolving transmission schemes (CMETS). The cases will later be placed before the relevant CMETS meeting only for information and noting. Projects will still have to meet applicable requirements related to land, financial closure, commissioning, and other regulations for the increased MWh capacity.
