The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has written to the Andhra Pradesh State Load Despatch Center (APSLDC), asking it to submit relevant and necessary data to help justify the proposed amendments to its forecasting, scheduling, and deviation settlement regulations.

The APERC had previously invited comments and suggestions to the proposed amendments to which several developers had responded.

The developers said that the Commission’s report attached to its proposed amendments did not adequately justify their need.

In their objections, the developers had asked the Commission to use the APSLDC’s data to factually analyze and determine whether a 15% error will result in a deviation of 1,125 MW in the state, as it had stated previously.

Additionally, the developers asked the Commission to fully analyze the accuracy of demand and supply forecasting to make an informed decision about the cost of deviation from variable renewable energy sources.

Developers explained that any change in the allowable error or the formula should be based on a study of existing data from the implementation of forecasting and scheduling since 2017. It concluded that without the APSLDC’s data, the Commission would not be able to propose amendments that are not detrimental to the interest of wind and solar generators.

The Commission noted that all these issues have surfaced during the implementation of the regulations. It added that grid operators are currently facing these issues in real-time grid operations.

So, the Commission sought the APSLDC to provide all the relevant and necessary data – including soft copies with 15-minute block-wise data to justify the need for each of its proposed amendments that developers have objected to.

The APERC further added that if the APSLDC fails to submit the requested data or information within 15 days of receipt of its letter, it will implement the proposed amendments with only the information that it already has on record.

In February this year, the Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (APTRANSCO) had issued a notice to the APERC seeking amendments to the existing regulations for forecasting, scheduling and deviation settlement for renewable energy projects. It said that APSLDC made a detailed report highlighting the difficulties they face in everyday operations because of the existing regulations.

Earlier, APSLDC had filed a review petition before the state’s high court against Power System Operation Corporation Limited’s (POSOCO) appointment to look into the reasons behind the curtailment of renewable energy in the state, due to it being an independent central agency. The state high court in its order dated January 27, 2020, had asked the POSOCO to investigate the reasons behind the curtailment of renewable power in Andhra Pradesh.

Nithin Thomas is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Reuters News, he has covered oil, metals and agricultural commodity markets across global markets. He has also covered refinery and pipeline explosions, oil and gas leaks, Atlantic region hurricane developments, and other natural disasters. Nithin holds a Masters Degree in Applied Economics from Christ University, Bangalore and a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai. More articles from Nithin.