Section 8 in Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Grant of Connectivity, Long-term Access and Medium-term Open Access in inter-State Transmission and related matters) Regulations, 2009
8. Grant of Connectivity.
(1)The application for connectivity shall contain details such as, proposed geographical location of the applicant, quantum of power to be interchanged that is the quantum of power to be injected in the case of a generating station including a captive generating plant and quantum of power to be drawn in the case of a bulk consumer, with the inter-State transmission system and such other details as may be laid down by the Central Transmission Utility in the detailed procedure:[Provided that where after filing of an application, there has been a material change in the location or in the quantum of power to be interchanged with the inter-state transmission system, by more than 100 MW or 40% of the installed capacity, whichever is less, in the case of applicant defined under sub-clauses (b)(i)(a), (b)(i)(aa), (b)(i)(b), (b)(i)(d), (b)(i)(e), (b)(i)(f), (b)(i)(g)and (b)(i)(h) and 100MW or 40% of the aggregate installed capacity, whichever is less, in the case of applicant defined under sub-clauses (b)(i)(c) and (b)(i)(cc), of Clause (1) of Regulation 2, such an applicant shall make a fresh application, which shall be considered in accordance with these regulations:Provided further that such change in quantum of power to be interchanged with inter- State transmission system shall be allowed only if the applicant remains eligible under clause 2(1)(b);] [Substituted by Notification No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC, dated 9.1.2019 (w.e.f. 7.7.2009).][Provided that an applicant connected with the grid or granted connectivity for a specific project can, with prior approval of CTU, utilize the same Connectivity for additional generation capacity (for same or hybrid of renewable sources), subject to the condition that net injection at any point of time does not exceed the quantum of total Connectivity granted for the original project.For such additional generation capacity, the said generating station shall undertake all operational and commercial responsibilities for the additional capacity for compliance of the provisions of the Indian Electricity Grid Code and all other regulations of the Commission, such as grid security, scheduling and dispatch, collection and payment/adjustment of Transmission charges, charges for deviation, congestion and other charges etc., and submit an undertaking in the prescribed format in this regard to the CTU, with copy to the respective RLDC in whose control area it is located. The applicant shall make an application to CTU for Connectivity for additional capacity and pay application fee as specified in Regulation 6 of these Regulations;] [Substituted by Notification No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC, dated 9.1.2019 (w.e.f. 7.7.2009).]Provided further that the application by the applicant defined under Regulation 2 (1) (b) (i) (c) [and Regulation 2(1)(b)(i)(cc)] [Added by Notification No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC, dated 9.1.2019 (w.e.f. 7.7.2009).], shall be considered by CTU only if all the generators, whose aggregate capacity is connected at the single connection point, formalize a written agreement among themselves that the lead generator shall act on behalf of all the generators to undertake all operational and commercial responsibilities for all the collective generators connected at that point in following the provisions of the Indian Electricity Grid Code and all other Regulations of the Commission, such as grid security, scheduling and dispatch, collection and payment/ adjustment of transmission charges, UI charges, congestion and other charges, etc., and submit a copy of the agreement to the CTU, with the application of connectivity, along with a copy to the respective RLDC in whose control areas it is located:[Provided also that the Renewable Power Park Developer is authorised by the Central or State Government to undertake infrastructural activities including arrangement for connectivity on behalf of the Renewable power generators;] [Substituted by Notification No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC, dated 9.1.2019 (w.e.f. 7.7.2009).][Provided also that the application by the applicant defined under Regulation 2(1) (b) (i) (f) shall be considered by CTU only if the Solar Power Park Developer is authorised by the Central Government to undertake infrastructural activities including arrangement for connectivity on behalf of the solar power generators.] [Proviso Added vide Fifth Amendment Regulations, 2015 w.e.f. 19.05.2015.][Provided further that the CTU shall suitably incorporate the requirement of formal agreement amongst such generators in the detailed procedure and Connection Agreement signed with such lead generator.] [Entire Regulation 8 (1) except the third and fourth proviso was substituted vide First Amendment Regulations, 2010 w.e.f. 07.09.2010.](1A)[ Projects based on storage source (s) shall apply for connectivity for the quantum of maximum injection or maximum drawal whichever is higher and shall sign separate agreement for both injection and drawal of power;] [Added by Notification No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC, dated 9.1.2019 (w.e.f. 7.7.2009).](2)On receipt of the application, the nodal agency shall, in consultation and through coordination with other agencies involved in inter-State Transmission system to be used, including State Transmission Utility, if the State network is likely to be used, process the application and can out the necessary inter-connection study as specified in the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) Regulations, 2007.(2A)[ Applications for grant of Connectivity made by applicants covered under subclauses (aa), (cc), (f), (g) and (h) of Clause (1)(b)(i) of Regulation shall be processed in the following two stages:(a)Stage-I Connectivity(b)Stage-II Connectivity(2B)Grant of Stage-I and Stage-II Connectivity shall be as per the Detailed Procedure issued from time to time:Provided that the Detailed Procedure for grant of Connectivity to Projects based on renewable Sources to inter-State transmission system issued vide order dated 15.5.2018 in File No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC shall be deemed to have been issued under these Regulations.(2C)In case of an applicant covered under sub-clause (b)(i)(g) of clause (1) of Regulation 2, the connectivity and LTA granted to such an applicant may be transferred or assigned, in part or full, in favour of the Renewable Energy Generating Stations selected by the said applicants after award of the project. On transfer or assignment of connectivity and LTA, such Renewable Energy Generating Stations shall enter into Connectivity and LTA Agreement with CTU and accept all responsibilities and liabilities for connectivity as required under these Regulations and Detailed Procedure:Provided that up to such transfer or assignment, such Applicant shall be liable for all regulatory, operational and commercial obligations of a connectivity and LTA grantee:Provided further that upon transfer or assignment, the transferee Renewable Energy Generating Stations shall be liable for all regulatory and commercial obligations of a connectivity and LTA grantee for the quantum of connectivity and LTA so transferred or assigned.] [Added by Notification No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC, dated 9.1.2019 (w.e.f. 7.7.2009).](3)While granting connectivity, the nodal agency shall specify the name of the sub-station or pooling station or switchyard where connectivity is to be granted. In case connectivity is to be granted by looping-in and looping-out of an existing or proposed line, the nodal agency shall specify the point of connection and name of the line at which connectivity is to be granted. The nodal agency shall indicate the broad design features of the dedicated transmission line and the timeframe for completion of the dedicated transmission line.(3A)[ Not withstanding any provision to the contrary in any other Regulations or the Procedure, applicants covered under sub-clauses(aa), (cc), (f), (g) and (h) of clause (1)(b)(i) of Regulation 2 shall be grant Stage-I Connectivity by CTU by indicating one location and such other information as required under Clause (3)of this Regulation:Provided that if the capacity in the said location is fully allocated to Stage-II grantees, the balance Stage-I grantees shall be allocated Stage-II Connectivity to an alternate location.] [Added by Notification No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC, dated 9.1.2019 (w.e.f. 7.7.2009).](4)The applicant and all inter-State Transmission Licensees including the Central Transmission Utility shall comply with the provisions of Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) Regulations, 2007.(5)The applicant or inter-State Transmission Licensee, as the case may be, shall sign a connection agreement with the Central Transmission Utility or inter-State Transmission licensee owning the sub-station or pooling station or switchyard or the transmission line as identified by the nodal agency where connectivity is being granted:Provided that in case connectivity of a generating station, including captive generating plant or bulk consumer is granted to the inter-State transmission system of an inter-State Transmission Licensee other than the Central Transmission Utility, a tripartite agreement as provided in the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) Regulations, 2007 shall be signed between the applicant, the Central Transmission Utility and such inter-State Transmission Licensee.(6)The grant of connectivity shall not entitle an applicant to interchange any power with the grid unless it obtains long-term access, medium-term open access or short-term open access.(7)[ Notwithstanding anything contained in Clause (6) of this Regulation and any provision with regard to sale of infirm power in the Power Purchase Agreement, a unit of a generating station including a captive generating plant which has been granted connectivity to the inter-State Transmission System in accordance with these regulations shall be allowed to inter-change infirm power with the grid during the commissioning period, including testing and full load testing before the COD, after obtaining prior permission of the concerned Regional Load Despatch Centre for the periods mentioned as under:-(a)Drawal of Start-up power shall not exceed 15 months prior to the expected date of first synchronization and 6 months after the date of first synchronization.(b)Injection of infirm power shall not exceed six months from the date of first synchronization:Provided that drawal of Start-up power shall be subject to payment of transmission charges and the generator shall have to open a Revolving and Irrevocable Letter of Credit issued by a Scheduled Bank equivalent to 2 months transmission charges prior to drawal of Start-up power;Provided further that the Start-up power shall not be used by the generating station for the construction activities;Provided further that RLDC shall stop the drawl of the Start-up Power in the following events:(a)In case, it is established that the Start-up power has been used by the Generating Station for construction activity.(b)In case of default by the Generating Station in payment of monthly transmission charges to the transmission licensee for the drawal of Start-up power, on the request of the transmission licensee.Provided that the Commission may in exceptional circumstances, allow extension of the period for inter-change of power beyond the period as prescribed in this clause, on an application made by the generating station at least two months in advance of completion of the prescribed period:Provided further that the concerned Regional Load Despatch Centre while granting such permission shall keep the grid security in view:Provided also that the onus of proving that the interchange of infirm power from the unit(s) of the generating station is for the purpose of commissioning activities, testing and commissioning, shall he with the generating company and the respective RLDC shall seek such information on each occasion of interchange of power before COD. For this, the generating station shall provide RLDC sufficient details of the specific commissioning activity, testing and full load testing, its duration and intended period of interchange, etc:Provided also that the infirm power so interchanged by the unit(s) of the generating plant shall be treated as deviation and the generator shall be 3 paid/charged for such injection/drawal of infirm power in accordance with the provisions of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and related matters) Regulations, 2014, as amended from time to time or subsequent re-enactment thereof.] [Earlier substituted vide Second Amendment Regulations, 2012 w.e.f. 22.03.2012 and later substituted vide Fourth Amendment Regulations, 2014 w.e.f. 21.08.2014.](8)[ The dedicated transmission line from generating station of the applicant generating Company or any other entity on behalf of generating company to the pooling station of the transmission licensee (including deemed transmission licensee) shall be developed, owned and operated by the applicant generating Company or any other entity on behalf of generating company. The specifications for dedicated transmission lines may be indicated by CTU while granting Connectivity or Long term Access or Medium term Open Access:Provided that CTU shall plan the system such that maximum length of dedicated transmission line does not exceed 100 km from switch yard of the applicant till the nearest pooling substation of transmission licensee:Provided further that dedicated transmission line may exceed 100 km, if such an Applicant, so chooses:Provided also that in case any connectivity grantee is not utilizing the bay allocated to it at ISTS substation, CTU may cancel its Connectivity as per provisions of these regulations and detailed procedure and allocate the bay to other Applicant. In such an event, the original grantee shall either dismantle its bay or enter into an Agreement with a new grantee as indicated by CTU for utilization of the bay within a period of 2 months of cancellation of Connectivity.] [Substituted by Notification No. L-1/(3)/2009-CERC, dated 9.1.2019 (w.e.f. 7.7.2009).]
