CERC pushes for smooth electricity import from Bhutan

NEW DELHI: To facilitate seamless integration of upcoming Bhutanese power projects with Indian market, CERC has asked Central Electricity Authority to discuss the matter with various stakeholders from both sides and complete the deliberations in three months time.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission's proposal comes at a time when many power generation projects are in the pipeline in Bhutan. India already imports electricity from hydel projects located in the neighbouring nation.

In August, 1,004 million units of electricity was imported from Bhutan. India has an installed power generation capacity of over 2.53 lakh MW, as per latest official data.

"...we direct CEA to hold discussion/meeting with appropriate authorities/agencies of Bhutan and India and stakeholders from both countries to arrive at a solution to facilitate seamless integration of various upcoming power projects with the Indian power market," CERC has said.

CEA is the apex planning body for domestic power sector. Besides, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has said that the concerned Bhutanese authorities to participate in the discussions to arrive at a mechanism while keeping in mind the emerging requirements of multi-seller and multi-buyer power transactions between the two countries.

The suggestion is part of a CERC order, issued on September 11, on a petition filed by Tata Power Trading Company for importing electricity from the upcoming 126 MW Dagachhu hydel project in Bhutan.

The project, being developed by a joint venture of Druk Green Power Corp and Tata Power Company, is likely to be declared under commercial operation shortly.

Druk Green Power Corp is an undertaking of Bhutan government.

Tata Power Trading Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power Company, has been granted a license for inter-state trading in electricity.

The regulator has approved an interim arrangement, that is subject to certain conditions, for Tata Power Trading Company for scheduling and energy accounting of power injected from Dagachhu project.