Solar power stops generation of up to 80% of capacity

GFX Matter Below

Jaipur: In Rajasthan, the country’s leading renewable energy hub, solar and wind power plants have been getting orders from the load despatch centre for the past 20 days to reduce their generation in the wake of low demand as the coal-fired thermal plants cannot completely shut down.

The state govt has failed to set up battery storage systems to store surplus power when the demand is low. Also, it cannot shut down coal thermal power plants as it needs power at night, said a senior official of the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) in Jaipur, which regulates the power demand and supply management.

Renewable energy enjoys must-run status, which means these plants cannot be shut down.

However, the continuous production curtailments have hit the investors. Taking up the issue, Rajasthan Solar Association has written to the energy department flagging the concerns of the power producers.

“Since past one-month, solar plants have been subjected to frequent and significant curtailment (30% to 80%), especially during peak generation hours (10.30am to 14.30pm. The situation isvery difficult for small scale solar power developers to clear off their debt in a timely fashion.”

An official in SLDC said that about 1,500 MW power is getting wasted because of the curtailments. “We cannot run the thermal plants at night and start them the next day. They have to run continuously. We do not have gas and hydro power plants, which can be easily shut at night and start in the morning during the day when solar power plants start generating.”

The state govt has also failed to sell the surplus in the exchange. “The demand has been low due to the weather conditions. Urja Vikas has been trying to sell some capacity in the open market. But it is not possible as the demand is not there as well,” said the officials.

Similarly, the power that is going outside has been facing difficulties because there is not enough transmission capacity. The official said that about 4,000 MW power gets wasted because of infrastructure issues.

The state govt has tried to set up battery storage plants to store solar power when the demand is not there and use it when it is required. “The battery storage projects have to be expedited, which is not getting enough attention now,” said a solar power developer.

Power Going Waste

Solar, wind power generation reduced on SLDC orders

State has no battery storage systems to absorb surplus daytime power

About 1,500 MW of renewable power is wasted daily due to curtailments

Lack of enough transmission capacity cause loss of 4,000 MW that goes outside the state

Developers, reliant on bank loans, warn projects risk becoming loss-making ventures

No compensation has been provided for curtailed generation losses

Industry voices stress urgent need to expedite battery storage projects