MoP Addresses the Issue of Pending Wind Power Plant Approvals

The Ministry of Power has released the minutes of a key meeting chaired by the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) on July 26, 2024. The meeting focused on addressing the pending applications for CON-4 (Connectivity) and FTC (Final Test Certificate) approvals for wind power plants across the country.

The backdrop to this meeting involves concerns raised by the Wind Power Producers Association (WIPPA), which highlighted challenges in obtaining these critical approvals due to stringent conditions imposed on Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs). Specifically, the CEA procedure mandates that WTGs must operate without de-rating at extreme temperatures as specified for various wind locations nationwide.

Following these representations, a series of meetings were convened, beginning with a discussion led by the Secretary of Power on May 30, 2024, which included CEA, Grid-India, CTUIL, and WIPPA. This was followed by a joint meeting of the Secretary of Power and Secretary of New and Renewable Energy on June 1, 2024. Subsequently, the Ministry of Power issued a communication on June 14, 2024, instructing CEA to issue necessary guidelines for granting CON-4 and FTC approvals to wind energy projects ready for commissioning, provided they comply with relevant IEC standards.

During the July 26 meeting, a list of ten projects, totaling around 3,000 MW of pending connectivity, was reviewed. Among these, six projects, including three wind projects and three wind-solar hybrid projects with a combined connectivity of 1,995.9 MW, were located in the Southern Region. The remaining four wind projects, with a total connectivity of 947 MW, were situated in the Western Region. The meeting assessed the compliance of WTGs and solar inverters with the extreme temperature conditions specified for each site.

In terms of pending FTC approvals, it was noted that only two wind projects by JSW Renew Energy Ltd. in Tuticorin-II, with a combined capacity of 29.7 MW, were currently under process. CTUIL representatives explained that, according to the IEC 61400-1 standard applicable to wind turbine classes, the temperature range for extreme conditions is -20°C to +50°C, while the normal operating range for rated capacity is -10°C to +40°C. It was emphasised that during the previous meetings, it was suggested that WTGs operating at de-rated capacity at 40°C should be considered for determining connectivity quantum.

The Chairperson of CEA clarified that the rated output of WTGs, as per the applicable IEC standard, must be considered when assessing connectivity approvals. The meeting concluded that WTGs must operate at their rated output at 40°C without de-rating to qualify for full connectivity. 

In cases where WTGs de-rate before 40°C, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will have the opportunity to modify their designs to ensure rated output up to at least 40°C for connectivity consideration. Additionally, WTGs operating at de-rated capacity at extreme site temperatures will receive connectivity corresponding to the de-rated capacity.

For hybrid plants, the total available capacity of WTGs and solar inverters at the extreme site temperature will determine the permissible connectivity quantum. No separate stipulation will be made for wind and solar capacities within the total allowed connectivity for hybrid plants. Power injection from hybrid plants will be scheduled up to the allowed connectivity quantum, irrespective of the generation source.