Tariff Regulations
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued the Multi Year Tariff regulations dated 1st August 2019. The regulation is effective from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2025. The primary purpose of the regulations is to determine of Aggregate Revenue Requirement, Tariff, and Fees and Charges of generating companies, transmission & distribution licensees and SLDC.
Maharashtra Electricity Grid Code, 2020
Resolution By
MERC
Notification No. and date
MERC/Legal/319 Dated 02.09.2020
Objectives
1. Documentation of principles and procedures which define the relationship between various Users of InSTS, ISTS, SLDC as well as RLDC and NLDC in any proposed development of the InSTS.
2. Facilitation of optimal operation of the grid, facilitation of coordinated and optimal maintenance planning of generation and transmission facilities in the grid and facilitation of development and planning of economic and reliable State Grid.
3. To manage a coordinated generation and transmission outage programme for the State/Regional grid, considering all the available resources and transmission constraints.
4. To minimize surplus or deficits, if any, to operate the system within Security limits.
5. To set out and define the various procedures/mechanisms in line with MERC regulations.
6. To improve and establish a strong communication mechanism between STU, SLDC, Transmission Licensees and InSTS Users.
7. To facilitate large-scale grid integration of solar and wind generating stations while maintaining the grid stability and security.
[Clause no. 3.1]
2. Facilitation of optimal operation of the grid, facilitation of coordinated and optimal maintenance planning of generation and transmission facilities in the grid and facilitation of development and planning of economic and reliable State Grid.
3. To manage a coordinated generation and transmission outage programme for the State/Regional grid, considering all the available resources and transmission constraints.
4. To minimize surplus or deficits, if any, to operate the system within Security limits.
5. To set out and define the various procedures/mechanisms in line with MERC regulations.
6. To improve and establish a strong communication mechanism between STU, SLDC, Transmission Licensees and InSTS Users.
7. To facilitate large-scale grid integration of solar and wind generating stations while maintaining the grid stability and security.
[Clause no. 3.1]
Regulations called as
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (State Grid Code) Regulations, 2020. Also referred to as MEGC, 2020.
Planning Code for Intra-state Transmission- Introduction
1. STU shall discharge all functions of planning and coordination relating to InSTS with CTU, State Government, Generating Company, Regional and State Power Committee, CEA, licensees and any other person notified by the State Government in this behalf.
2. The STU shall inter-alia provide non-discriminatory open access to its transmission system for use as per the provisions of MERC (Transmission Open Access) Regulations, 2016 and its amendments thereof.
3. The transmission licensee shall inter-alia provide non-discriminatory open access to its transmission system for use as per the provisions of MERC (Transmission Open Access) Regulations, 2016 and its amendments thereof.
4. STU shall be responsible for planning for InSTS lines in line with CEA’s National Electricity Plan and shall review its plan consistent with the revision in the National Electricity Plan from time to time.
[ Clause no. 9]
2. The STU shall inter-alia provide non-discriminatory open access to its transmission system for use as per the provisions of MERC (Transmission Open Access) Regulations, 2016 and its amendments thereof.
3. The transmission licensee shall inter-alia provide non-discriminatory open access to its transmission system for use as per the provisions of MERC (Transmission Open Access) Regulations, 2016 and its amendments thereof.
4. STU shall be responsible for planning for InSTS lines in line with CEA’s National Electricity Plan and shall review its plan consistent with the revision in the National Electricity Plan from time to time.
[ Clause no. 9]
Planning Code for Intra-state Transmission- Objective
1. To specify the principles, procedures, technical and design criteria to be adopted by the STU for planning and development of InSTS and inter-state links
2. To promote coordination amongst all Users, STU/SLDC and CTU/RLDC, NLDC, WRLDC, WRPC and CEA in any proposed development of the InSTS
3. To Provide methodology and information exchange amongst Users, STU/SLDC, CTU/RLDC, RPC/SPC, NLDC and CEA in the planning and development of the InSTS
4. To perform probabilistic assessment by the STU for its future demand (Short, medium, and long-term pattern under different scenarios
5. To validate the adequacy of transmission resources through system studies considering economic despatch under various demand and generation scenarios including must run generation
6.Validation of adequate power transfer capability to be carried out for the entire grid and across each flow gate in a comprehensive manner by STU
[Clause no. 10.1]
2. To promote coordination amongst all Users, STU/SLDC and CTU/RLDC, NLDC, WRLDC, WRPC and CEA in any proposed development of the InSTS
3. To Provide methodology and information exchange amongst Users, STU/SLDC, CTU/RLDC, RPC/SPC, NLDC and CEA in the planning and development of the InSTS
4. To perform probabilistic assessment by the STU for its future demand (Short, medium, and long-term pattern under different scenarios
5. To validate the adequacy of transmission resources through system studies considering economic despatch under various demand and generation scenarios including must run generation
6.Validation of adequate power transfer capability to be carried out for the entire grid and across each flow gate in a comprehensive manner by STU
[Clause no. 10.1]
Planning Code for Intra-state Transmission- Planning Philosophy
1. STU for the purpose of preparing the transmission system plan shall be guided by the grid code regulations of CERC, Transmission Plan formulated by CTU, Operational feedback from NLDC/RLDC/SLDC, Recommendations/Inputs, if any, of the Regional Power Committee etc.
2. STU shall, while planning to augment InSTS in the form of expansion or upgradation shall consider new and emerging technologies, cost-benefit analysis, RE capacity addition, Renewable Purchase Obligation etc.
3 .STU shall provide the template to collect requisite data from stakeholders to prepare InSTS plan.
4. Load estimation shall be the primary responsibility of the Distribution Licensees within their area of supply. Further, STU shall consolidate load estimates to form the basis for planning for expansion of InSTS.
5. STU shall prepare a transmission system plan based on the data obtained from the Users and internal sources for:
5.1. Short term period, i.e., up to 3 years;
5.2. Medium term period, i.e., up to 5 years; and
5.3. Long term period, i.e., up to 10 years.
6. STU shall update the perspective transmission plan every year to take care of the revisions in load projections and generation scenarios
[Clause no. 12]
2. STU shall, while planning to augment InSTS in the form of expansion or upgradation shall consider new and emerging technologies, cost-benefit analysis, RE capacity addition, Renewable Purchase Obligation etc.
3 .STU shall provide the template to collect requisite data from stakeholders to prepare InSTS plan.
4. Load estimation shall be the primary responsibility of the Distribution Licensees within their area of supply. Further, STU shall consolidate load estimates to form the basis for planning for expansion of InSTS.
5. STU shall prepare a transmission system plan based on the data obtained from the Users and internal sources for:
5.1. Short term period, i.e., up to 3 years;
5.2. Medium term period, i.e., up to 5 years; and
5.3. Long term period, i.e., up to 10 years.
6. STU shall update the perspective transmission plan every year to take care of the revisions in load projections and generation scenarios
[Clause no. 12]
Planning Code for Intra-state Transmission- Criterion
1. STU shall carry out appropriate system studies including but not limited to Load Flow, Transient Stability and Voltage Stability Studies while developing the transmission system plan.
2. STU shall provide due consideration to commercial aspects and cost implications on account of addition/augmentation of any transmission system element.
3. There should be optimum utilisation of the existing capacity and planned capacity addition of the transmission system element along with the economical and efficient development of transmission system element.
4. STU shall evaluate and present alternate options of meeting the User/ Requester requirement and accordingly undertake scenario analysis of various cases.
5. STU shall conduct short circuit studies
6. Actual data of capacity factor for wind and solar generators shall be used for planning.
[Clause no. 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4]
2. STU shall provide due consideration to commercial aspects and cost implications on account of addition/augmentation of any transmission system element.
3. There should be optimum utilisation of the existing capacity and planned capacity addition of the transmission system element along with the economical and efficient development of transmission system element.
4. STU shall evaluate and present alternate options of meeting the User/ Requester requirement and accordingly undertake scenario analysis of various cases.
5. STU shall conduct short circuit studies
6. Actual data of capacity factor for wind and solar generators shall be used for planning.
[Clause no. 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4]
Planning Code for Intra-state Transmission- Planning Data
1.Transmission Licensees and Users shall supply the following types of data to the STU for the purpose of developing the transmission plan: a) Standard Planning Data b) Detailed Planning Data
2. Standard Planning Data shall consist of details which are expected to be normally sufficient for the STU to investigate the impact on the InSTS due to User/Transmission Licensee development.
3. Detailed Planning Data shall consist of additional, more detailed data not normally expected to be required by the STU. It shall be furnished by the Users and Transmission Licensees as and when requested by the STU.
4. SLDC also need to ensure maintenance of adequate Spinning Reserve Margin equivalent to 3% of the System Peak Demand
[Clause no. 14]
2. Standard Planning Data shall consist of details which are expected to be normally sufficient for the STU to investigate the impact on the InSTS due to User/Transmission Licensee development.
3. Detailed Planning Data shall consist of additional, more detailed data not normally expected to be required by the STU. It shall be furnished by the Users and Transmission Licensees as and when requested by the STU.
4. SLDC also need to ensure maintenance of adequate Spinning Reserve Margin equivalent to 3% of the System Peak Demand
[Clause no. 14]
Planning Code for Intra-state Transmission- Implementation of Transmission Plan
1. STU shall endeavour to ensure that the schemes are executed in accordance with the time frame mentioned in the Transmission Plan formulated by the STU.
2.The execution of transmission projects shall be closely monitored by the Maharashtra Transmission Committee(MTC) constituted.
3.Implementation related issue shall be discussed in the meetings of MTC/GCC as per the requirement.
4. MTC/GCC shall also monitor the progress of various clearances required for timely execution of projects and provide its recommendations for timely completion of the projects.
5. MTC shall submit its quarterly report of status of ongoing transmission projects in the State with reference to STU transmission plan to the Commission through Grid Coordination Committee.
[Clause no. 13.13]
2.The execution of transmission projects shall be closely monitored by the Maharashtra Transmission Committee(MTC) constituted.
3.Implementation related issue shall be discussed in the meetings of MTC/GCC as per the requirement.
4. MTC/GCC shall also monitor the progress of various clearances required for timely execution of projects and provide its recommendations for timely completion of the projects.
5. MTC shall submit its quarterly report of status of ongoing transmission projects in the State with reference to STU transmission plan to the Commission through Grid Coordination Committee.
[Clause no. 13.13]
Connection Code/ Grid connectivity- Introduction
1. This code specifies the minimum technical and design criteria that shall be complied with by a Transmission Licensee and User connected to or seeking connection to the InSTS.
2. It also set forth procedures by which STU, Transmission Licensee and User connected to or seeking connection to the InSTS shall comply.
3. It shall comply with the CEA (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) which specifies minimum technical and design criteria and MERC (Transmission Open Access) Regulations 2016 as amended from time to time.
[Clause no. 15]
2. It also set forth procedures by which STU, Transmission Licensee and User connected to or seeking connection to the InSTS shall comply.
3. It shall comply with the CEA (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) which specifies minimum technical and design criteria and MERC (Transmission Open Access) Regulations 2016 as amended from time to time.
[Clause no. 15]
Connection Code/ Grid connectivity- Objective
1. To ensure safe reliable and integrated operation of the grid
2. To treat all Users in a non-discriminatory manner
3. To specify the optimum design and operational criteria to assist Users in their requirement to comply with License obligations
4. To make aware in advance the procedures for connectivity to In-STS and also the standards and condition of the system to be integrated to the grid to any person seeking a new connectivity to the grid.
[Clause no. 16]
2. To treat all Users in a non-discriminatory manner
3. To specify the optimum design and operational criteria to assist Users in their requirement to comply with License obligations
4. To make aware in advance the procedures for connectivity to In-STS and also the standards and condition of the system to be integrated to the grid to any person seeking a new connectivity to the grid.
[Clause no. 16]
Connection Code/ Grid connectivity- Procedure for connection
1. Application for establishing new arrangement or modifying the existing arrangement of connection to and/or use of InSTS shall be submitted by the concerned Transmission Licensee or User to the STU.
2. Bulk consumers shall submit application for connection to the concerned distribution licensee of its area.
3. STU shall be the nodal agency for the purpose of accepting and processing the application for connectivity to InSTS.
4. Application for connection to InSTS shall include the purpose of the proposed connection and/or modification, Construction schedule and target completion date, confirmation of the concerned authority.
4. STU shall forward a copy of the application to the Transmission Licensee to whose system, the connection is being sought.
5. STU or Transmission Licensee, in whose system the connection is being sought, may carry out the power system studies as considered appropriate before allowing any new connection.
6. STU shall, within 30 days, from the receipt of an application and after considering all suggestions and comments received by the stakeholders accept or reject the application
[clause no. 19]
2. Bulk consumers shall submit application for connection to the concerned distribution licensee of its area.
3. STU shall be the nodal agency for the purpose of accepting and processing the application for connectivity to InSTS.
4. Application for connection to InSTS shall include the purpose of the proposed connection and/or modification, Construction schedule and target completion date, confirmation of the concerned authority.
4. STU shall forward a copy of the application to the Transmission Licensee to whose system, the connection is being sought.
5. STU or Transmission Licensee, in whose system the connection is being sought, may carry out the power system studies as considered appropriate before allowing any new connection.
6. STU shall, within 30 days, from the receipt of an application and after considering all suggestions and comments received by the stakeholders accept or reject the application
[clause no. 19]
Connection Code/ Grid connectivity- Connection Agreement
1. Connection Agreement shall include within its terms and conditions, the compliance of MEGC, IEGC and all other Regulations concerning standards of grid connectivity notified by the Authority
2. Connection Agreement shall include details of connection, technical requirements, metering, and commercial arrangements
5. Connection Agreement shall include details of any capital expenditure arising from necessary reinforcement or extension of the system, data communication etc.
4. Further, single line diagram of the electrical system to be connected, Site Responsibility Schedule, Protection systems, System recording instruments, Data and communication facilities, Access at connection site, etc are to be included in the agreement.
[clause 21]
2. Connection Agreement shall include details of connection, technical requirements, metering, and commercial arrangements
5. Connection Agreement shall include details of any capital expenditure arising from necessary reinforcement or extension of the system, data communication etc.
4. Further, single line diagram of the electrical system to be connected, Site Responsibility Schedule, Protection systems, System recording instruments, Data and communication facilities, Access at connection site, etc are to be included in the agreement.
[clause 21]
Connection Code/ Grid connectivity- Important technical requirements for connectivity to the grid
1. Rated frequency of the system shall be 50.0Hz and operating frequency shall normally be controlled within the limits in strict conformity with IEGC, and any other Regulations as may be specified by the appropriate authority from time to time.
2. Variations of voltage may not be more than the voltage range specified in the Regulations/Standards framed by the Authority or specified by CERC and as amended from time to time.
3. Transmission Licensees shall monitor and keep record of the month-wise Voltage Variation Index at Connection Points and submit report for the past six-monthly performance during next GCC meeting.
[Clause 22]
2. Variations of voltage may not be more than the voltage range specified in the Regulations/Standards framed by the Authority or specified by CERC and as amended from time to time.
3. Transmission Licensees shall monitor and keep record of the month-wise Voltage Variation Index at Connection Points and submit report for the past six-monthly performance during next GCC meeting.
[Clause 22]
Corrigendum/ Amendment, if any
No