India lets clean-energy projects pay to keep grid access after delays

New Delhi: India's power regulator has allowed clean energy developers to pay more to keep their grid connectivity after missing project deadlines, instead of losing their access to the transmission network.

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Here are some details:


* Power producers can get extra time ‌instead of automatically ⁠losing ⁠their grid connectivity rights, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission said in an order over the weekend.

* Producers will have to pay 1,000 ​Indian rupees ($10.48) per megawatt per day to obtain extra time for land and financing requirements and 3,000 rupees per ​MW per day for delays ⁠in starting commercial ‌operations.

* The move comes after several ​companies approached ​the regulator seeking more time for projects ⁠that were delayed but still under development as ​India's grid planning authority started serving disconnection notices.

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* ​Grid connectivity is a limited resource and projects holding grid capacity without making progress can prevent others from using it, the regulator said.

* Several clean energy projects have been stalled in India because of a ‌lack of transmission infrastructure.

* Companies can get up to three additional months to complete land ​requirements, six ​months to ⁠secure financing and as much as 12 months to commission projects, the regulator said.

* Those that still fail to meet ​the deadlines risk losing their grid connectivity and associated bank guarantees.

* India is looking to add about 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel based power from about 300 GW at present.