CERC asks state utilities to ensure grid discipline

New Delhi, Oct 20 (UNI) In a bid to stop power overdrawals, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has directed Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs) to report within three days cases of overdrawals from the grid by state utilities when the frequency dips below 49.0 Hz.

The Commission in its order dated October 16, has made clear that each violation of the grid code by way of overdrawal in each time block of 15 minutes when the frequency is low constitutes a separate and distinct offence and would accordingly attract penalty proceedings.

Simultaneously, it has directed the RLDCs to report every case of non-compliance of the directions of the Load Despatch Centres within three days.

The need has been felt for taking legal action against the defaulters, with the objective of saving the grid from any untoward happening.

It is also contemplating taking recourse to penal action against those incharge of and responsible for the affairs of the defaulting utility.

Under the provisions of the Electricity Act, a penalty of up to Rs 15 lakh can be imposed for non-compliance of the directions of the Load Despatch Centres. The Act provides for punishment to the officer incharge and responsible to the company for the conduct of its business in the event of violation of the Commission's regulations or any direction issued by it.

CERC, in exercise of its statutory powers, has notified the Indian Electricity Grid Code which mandates the utilities to start taking steps for restricting their drawal from the grid when frequency goes below 49.5 Hz and to mandatorily curtail the over-drawal when the frequency falls below 49.0 Hz. The RLDCs have powers to give such directions to the utilities as may be required to ensure stability of grid operations.

The commission had earlier impressed upon the state utilities indulging in overdrawal to maintain discipline and also imposed penalties on the defaulting utilities. The commission has also been upwardly revising the rates applicable for Unscheduled Interchange with a view to discourage overdrawal. It has been experienced that such revision of UI price by itself has not been a sufficient deterrent against indisciplined overdrawals.

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