Adani, NTPC, JSW cut solar output as grid capacity lags

Top solar power producers in Rajasthan have dialled down production, after a congested grid prompted the regional regulator to step in.

- Rituraj Baruah [e-mail]

Rajasthan has India's highest solar irradiation.

(AFP)

According to three people aware of the matter, Adani Group, NTPC Green, KKR-backed Serentica, EQT-backed Zelestra and JSW Group have had to curtail peak-hour production totalling 5GW in the second half of November alone, leading to potential losses and highlighting the slow pace of transmission capacity addition in the face of frenetic solar power growth.

On 14 November, the Northern Region Load Despatch Centre (NRLDO) cited concerns over grid security to curb the evacuation of power from the plants in Rajasthan. NRLDC said it was restricting a mandatory no-objection certificate due to “evacuation constraints” in Rajasthan, the state with the highest solar power production. Out of the above 23GW capacity at five power pooling stations, with only 18.35GW is available for evacuation, the communication said. The state's total renewable energy capacity stands at over 40GW.

Queries sent to NRLDC and the power companies remained unanswered.

‘According to one of the three people cited above, there are similar issues at other pooling stations as well. “There is curtailing of up to 50-55% in peak solar hours in some instances,” the person said.