The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) is in the process of evolving a solar – wind hybrid policy facilitating co-development of solar and wind energy projects.
The Commission has embarked upon the hybrid policy in view of the ‘great synergy’ between the solar and wind projects wherein power transmission infrastructure created by either of them could be utilised by the other.
“We have separate norms for solar and wind projects. We will involve all the stakeholders for coming out with hybrid development norms,” APERC chairman G. Bhavani Prasad said. In this direction, the Commission was proposing to amend the existing regulations to give effect to the policies of the State government.
Accordingly, the existing open access and interim balancing & settlement code were being amended to suit the requirements in the changed scenario.
According to Justice Bhavani Prasad, consumers and the power utilities were two eyes of the Commission. “Consumers will get better services when the sector is tidy and the utilities are in tact and financially healthy,” he said.
Asked about the proposals made by the utilities claiming true up costs for the second multi year tariff control period 2009-14, he said the two distribution companies had submitted proposals for claiming true up charges to the tune of Rs. 7,200 crore.
“The Commission should first examine what the proposals are based on and whether they are worth considering. We will involve various stakeholders and seek their views in this regard,” he said.
Energy conservation measures
Referring to the energy efficiency measures, he said the regulator had stepped in for the first time to ensure that energy conservation measures including the deployment of LED lighting were implemented effectively.
“The Commission’s intervention has helped in bringing down the costs significantly,” he averred.
Asked about the government’s moves to increase the free power supply to farm sector from the existing seven hours to nine hours, he said efforts would be made to ensure that this was made possible and the Commission intended to keep in mind the requirements of the farm sector as also the supply situations.
“The orders passed by the Commission are not final and aggrieved parties have the right to approach the Appellate authority and the high courts,” he said in reply to another query.
Consumers and the power utilities are two eyes of the Commission, says Justice Bhavani Prasad
Orders passed by the Commission are not final and aggrieved parties have the right to HC