India Allows RE Projects to Sell Stored Curtailment Power
By Business Desk
India’s power ministry permits RE projects to store and independently sell curtailed power using BESS, boosting renewable energy utilization and grid stability.
The Indian power ministry has issued a significant clarification, enabling renewable energy (RE) projects to store electricity curtailed under temporary general network access (T-GNA) using co-located battery energy storage systems (BESS). This stored power can then be sold independently to any entity through power exchanges or other arrangements, without needing a no-objection certificate from the existing power procurer.
Unlocking Curtailed Renewable Energy
This policy adjustment aims to enhance the overall utilization of renewable energy generation across the country. Previously, developers frequently encountered substantial curtailment, sometimes reaching up to 90%, of their T-GNA scheduled power in various regions.
- RE projects can use T-GNA curtailed electricity to charge additional co-located BESS.
- Stored power can be sold independently via power exchanges or other arrangements.
- No NOC (No-Objection Certificate) is required from the existing power procurer.
The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) had actively championed this change. They argued that a merchant BESS, designed for independent power sales, represents a new operational element not covered by existing power purchase agreements (PPAs).
Monetizing Previously Wasted Power
This decision offers substantial relief for RE developers nationwide. It creates a clear pathway for them to monetize electricity that would otherwise be wasted due to network access limitations.