Indian Electricity Grid Code

Shabari Pramanick
Deputy Manager,ERLDC
POSOCO
Part 1: General
Scope of IEGC
All Users, SLDCs, RLDCs, NLDC, CEA, CTU, STUs, Licensees, RPCs,
PXs
Vertically integrated agencies like DVC shall be treated like SEBs
- DVC has its own generation , transmission , distribution & LDC at Maithon
BBMB, NCA to be treated as ISGS
- Generation is scheduled & despatched in a special manner(in coordination
with irrigational requirements)
- Scheduling & Despatch of SSP
o NCA in coordination with WRLDC
o BBMB in coordination with NRLDC
Any neighbouring country interconnected with Indian Grid- to be
treated as a separate control area

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Compliance Oversight (1.5)

RLDC

Report

Repeated
Violation/
Persistent
Non suo-motto CERC
Compliance
Direction
/Order

RPC Forum Consensus

Report issues
not sorted

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Compliance Oversight (1.5)….

Non Compliance
by
NLDC, CERC
RLDC, Report
SLDC, by any Direction
RPC person /Order
or any other person through
petition

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Part 2. Role of various Organizations & Linkages

Section 2.2: NLDC

Section 2.3: RLDC

Section 2.4: RPC

Section 2.5: CTU

Section 2.6: CEA

Section 2.7: SLDC

Section 2.8: STU

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Part 3. Planning Code for Inter-state Transmission

Section 3.1: Introduction

Section 3.2: Objective

Section 3.3: Scope

Section 3.4: Planning Philosophy

Section 3.5: Planning Criterion

Section 3.6: Planning Data

Section 3.7: Implementation of Transmission Plan

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Objectives and Scope of planning code (3.2 &3.3)

Objective
• specify principles, Scope
• specify procedures
Connected to/using/developing ISTS
•specify criteria
•promote coordination CTU ISGS GC
•information exchange

ISTS

SEBs IPP
STU
Licensees
Generation/Transmission of
energy to/from ISTS
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Part - 4. Connection Code
Minimum technical
& design criteria
Any User connected
SCOPE to ISTS or seeking
connection to ISTS
STU CTU
OBJECTIVE
• Ensure the safe operation,
integrity and reliability of the grid
•Non-discriminatory
•New/modified connection not to
suffer or impose unacceptable
effects on existing system
•In advance knowledge about
Connectivity

ISTS

Any user/entity seeking connectivity to the grid shall comply to

1. CEA(Tech. standards of connectivity) Regulation- 2007
2. CERC (Grant of Connectivity, LTA & MTOA in ISTS) Regulation-
2009 & subsequent amendments
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Important Technical Requirements for Connectivity (4.6)
Reactive Power Compensation (4.6.1)
- By /STUs and Users in the low voltage systems close to the load points
thereby avoiding exchange of reactive power to/ from the ISTS
- Already connected users shall provide additional reactive compensation as
per the quantum and time frame decided by the RPC in consultation with
RLDC.
- Installation and healthiness would be monitored by RPC
Data and Communication Facilities (4.6.2)
- reliable and efficient speech and communication system to be provided
- Users/STU/CTU shall provide systems to telemeter power system
parameters
o Power Flow
o Voltage
o Status of switches
o Status of transformer taps
- Associated communication system to facilitate data flow up to appropriate
data collection point on CTU’s system as specified by CTU in the
Connection Agreement

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Other connection codes
System Recording Instruments (4.6.3)
- Data Acquisition System/Disturbance Recorder/Event Logging
facilities/Fault Locator (including time synchronization equipment ) shall be
provided and always kept in working condition

Responsibility for safety (4.6.4)

By complying with -
– CEA (Technical Standards for connectivity to the Grid), Regulations 2007
– CERC (Grant of Connectivity, LTA and MTOA in ISTS and related matters)
Regulations 2009
– CEA (Safety Requirements for construction, operation and maintenance
of electrical and electric lines) Regulations, 2008

International Connections to ISTS (4.7)

- By CTU in consultation with CEA and MOP

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 Part-5 Operating code

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Operating philosophy (5.1)

Objective of integrated operation:

- enhance overall operational reliability and economy
- Cooperate and adopt Good Utility Practice
NLDC:
- overall operation of National/Inter-Regional Grid
- develop/maintain detailed internal operating procedures for
national grid
RLDC:
- overall operation of Regional Grid
- develop/maintain detailed internal operating procedures for
regional grid
Operating philosophy (5.1)

SLDC:
- overall operation of State Grid
- develop/maintain detailed internal operating procedures for
State grid
All licensee, generating company, generating station
and any other concerned person:
- To comply with directions of RLDC/SLDC
Round-the clock manning by qualified and trained
personnel of:
- control rooms of NLDC, RLDC, SLDC, Power Plant, Sub Stations
(132 kV & above)
- control centers of all regional constituents
System Security Aspects (5.2)

 Maintain synchronism:
- all Users, CTU & STU
- operate their power systems/stations in an integrated
manner
 No deliberate isolation of part of the grid, except:
- under emergency
- safety of human being/equipment
- when instructed by RLDC
Restoration to be supervised by RLDC in coordination with
NLDC/SLDC

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System Security Aspects (5.2)

 Important elements of the grid:

- list of important elements to be prepared and shall be put
on website of NLDC/RLDC/SLDC
- Any emergency removal to be intimated to RLDC
- tripping, reason, likely time of restoration intimated to
RLDC say within 10 minutes
- Prolonged outage ------ sub-optimal operation----monitored
by RLDC------report to RPC-------- finalize action plan for
restoration

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Generator Governor Action (5.2(f))

Following categories of units to be under RGMO/FGMO with

manual intervention
- Coal/lignite based thermal unit of 200 MW and above
- Open cycle GT/Combined Cycle based thermal unit of 50 MW and above
- Hydro units of 25 MW and above
o Having pondage more than three hours
Droop characteristics between 3% and 6%
Ripple filter +/- 0.03 Hz
No reduction in unit output for increase in frequency up to 50 Hz
(restricted mode operation)
For disabling governor influence, RLDC code is required

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Technical Specification of RGMO/FGMO (5.2(f) & (h))
Maximum RGMO/FGMO influence
- Thermal generator 105% of initial generation up to 105% of MCR
- Hydro generator
o 105% of initial generation up to 105% of MCR
o 110% of MCR for sudden change in frequency
After increase in generation, ramping down ≤1% per minute

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System Security Aspects (5.2 ) contd.

(j) Sudden change in Generation or load > 100 MW not permitted,

without intimation to and prior consent of RLDC.
Voltage to be within the limit
(k) AVR to be in service for generating units > 50 MW
PSS to be properly tuned
(l) All SEBs, distribution licensees, CTU STUs and SLDCs shall ensure
that under-frequency and df/dt load shedding / islanding schemes
are always functional..
(m)System Protection Schemes (SPS) to operate the transmission
system closer to its limit
(n) All the Users, STU/SLDC and CTU shall send information / data
including disturbance recorder / sequential event recorder output
to RLDC within one week for purpose of analysis of any grid
disturbance/event.

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 Allowable range of operating frequency
Sl. No. Period Allowable Operating Range

1 Till 31.03.2009 49.0-50.5 Hz.

2 01.04.2009-02.05.2012 49.2-50.3 Hz.

3 03.05.2012-13.09.2012 49.5-50.2 Hz.

4 14.09.2012-16.02.2014 49.7-50.2 Hz.

5 From 17.02.2014 49.9-50.05 Hz.

Range narrowed down from 1.5 Hz to 0.15 Hz
19
Demand Estimation for Operational Purposes (5.3)

Daily Inform to
/Weekly RLDC/
/Monthly RPC
Wind
Energy
Forecast
ATC/
Demand Estimation: –
TTC
Active and reactive
power
on-line estimation
historical data
for daily operational and weather forecast
use

Online estimation of demand for each 15 min block

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Demand Management(5.4)

This section is concerned with the provisions to be made by

SLDCs to effect a reduction of demand in the event of insufficient
generating capacity, and inadequate transfers from external
interconnections to meet demand, or in the event of breakdown
or congestion in intra-state or inter-state transmission system or
other operating problems (such as frequency, voltage levels
beyond normal operating limit, or thermal overloads , etc. )

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Demand Disconnection(5.4.2)

SLDC/ SEB/distribution licensee and bulk consumer shall initiate

action to restrict the drawal of its control area ,from the grid,
within the net drawal schedule
The SLDC/ SEB/distribution licensee and bulk consumer shall
ensure that requisite load shedding is carried out in its control
area so that there is no overdrawl
Each User/STU/SLDC shall formulate contingency procedures and
make arrangements that will enable demand disconnection to
take place, as instructed by the RLDC/SLDC
The SLDC through respective State Electricity Boards/Distribution
Licensees shall also formulate and implement state-of-the-art
demand management schemes for automatic demand
management like rotational load shedding, demand response
(which may include lower tariff for interruptible loads) etc.

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Periodic Reports (5.5)
weekly report by NLDC (put on website) (5.5.1 (a)):
- Performance of national/integrated grid
daily report by RLDC (put on website) (5.5.1 (b)):
- Performance of national/integrated grid
- Wind power injection
weekly report by RLDC (put on website) (5.5.1 (c)):
- Frequency and voltage profiles
- Major generation & transmission outages
- Transmission constraints
- Instances of persistent/significant non-compliance of IEGC
- Instances of congestion
- Instance of inordinate delay in restoration
- Non-compliance of instructions of SLDCs by SEB/Discom
quarterly report by RLDC (5.5.2 (a)):
- system constraints, reasons for not meeting the requirements, security standards & quality of
service
- actions taken by different persons
- persons responsible for causing the constraints
RLDC shall provide information/report to RPC for smooth operation of ISTS
(5.5.2 (b))

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Outage Planning Process (5.7)

proposed outage programs by all concerned (30th Nov) (LGBR)

draft outage programme by RPC Secretariat (31st Dec) (LGBR)

final outage programme by (31st Jan)

monthly review quarterly review

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar next financial year

Review by RPC Secretariat:

adjustments made wherever
found to be necessary in
coordination with all parties
concerned

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Outage Planning (5.7.4)

In consultation with NLDC/RLDC

In Emergency – RLDCs may conduct studies before clearance
NLDC/RLDC are authorized to defer the planned outage:
- grid disturbance
- system isolation
- partial black out in a state
- any other critical event
Latest detailed outage plan – updated
Each user, CTU and STU shall obtain one final approval from
RLDC
RPC shall submit quarterly, half yearly reports to CERC indicating
deviations

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Recovery Procedures (5.8)

develops Detailed plans/procedures for

RLDC restoration of partial/total blackout
regional grid
consultations reviewed/updated annually
Concerned
Constituents
RPC secretariat
develop

• Mock trials once Detailed plans/procedures for

every 6 months restoration of respective systems from
partial/total blackout
•DG sets to be tested
on weekly basis- reviewed/updated annually
quarterly report to be
sent to RLDC 26

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Recovery Procedures (5.8) contd.
List of following information shall be available with
NLDC/RLDC/SLDC:
- generating stations with black start facility
- inter-state/regional ties
- synchronising points
- essential loads to be restored on priority
During restoration following blackout, RLDC
authorized to operate the grid with reduced security
standards for voltage & frequency
All communication channels for restoration shall be
used for operational communications only till grid
normalcy is restored

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Event Information (5.9)

Introduction
- Reporting procedures in respect of events to all Users,
STU,CTU RPC secretariat, NLDC/RLDC/ SLDC
Responsibility
- RLDC/SLDC shall be responsible for reporting events to the
Users/SLDC/ STU/CTU RPC secretariat/ NLDC /RLDC

- Users/ STU/CTU /SLDC shall be responsible for collection and

reporting all necessary data to NLDC/RLDC and RPC secretariat
for monitoring, reporting, and event analysis

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Reportable events (5.9.5)

i Violation of security Standards

ii Grid indiscipline
iii Non-Compliance of RLDC’s instruction
iv System islanding/ system split
v Regional black out/partial system black
out
vi Protection failure
vii Power system instability
viii Tripping of any element
ix Sudden load rejection by any user

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 Part-6 Scheduling & Despatch code

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Demarcation of responsibilities
NLDC (6.4.26)
Ancillary Service
Despatch and
Scheduling of Inter- Scheduling (RRAS)
Regional Power
Exchanges HVDC
Settings

Trans-National NLDC
Exhange of Scheduling on
Power Inter Regional
Links .

Collective Energy accounting

Transaction on IR Links- with
Scheduling RLDC

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Demarcation of responsibilities
RLDC (6.4)
Scheduling of CGS (Except where full share is
allocated to host state)

Scheduling
of GS
connected RLDC Scheduling
both to ISTS of GS
and state connected
grid and to ISTS
home state
is less then
50%
Scheduling of UMPP incl.
projects based on wind and
solar having capacity > 500 MW

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Demarcation of responsibilities
SLDC (6.4.5)
Scheduling drawal
Permitting Open from ISGS (within
Access net entitlement)

Regulating net SLDC Scheduling and

drawal (as per
dispatching (within
schedule)
own control area)

6.4.8 Demand Estimation

Demand Regulation
in coordination with
Implementation of
STU/Discoms and SLDC to
ADMS to ensure there
submit to RLDC on daily
shall be no over drawl
basis

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Role of ISGS/ Generating Station (6.4.9)
DC during
Declare DC Submit Outage Peak Hours
plan in OCC of > Other
RPC Hours

Backdown
generation
When F>50.05 Minimize
ISGS
Hz Deviation
from Schedule
(UI)
Generate as per Proper
despatch Operation
schedule advised and
to them by RLDC Maintenance

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Role of CTU (6.4.21)

Weekly
Install SEMs
Readings to
CTU at ISTS
RLDC by
metering
Tuesday – by
points
all entities

SEMs located at
periphery of
constituents CEA (Installation and operation
of Meters ) Regulations

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Day-ahead Scheduling Procedure - Regulation 6.5
ISGS
final Despatch
NLDC Despatch schedule
schedule starts

09:45
RLDC
12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1
AM noon PM

Drawal
final schedule
Drawal starts
schedule

SLDC

36
 Network monitoring & control actions
 RLDC may direct the SLDCs/ISGS/other regional entities
to increase/decrease their drawal/generation in case of
contingencies e.g. overloading of lines/transformers,
abnormal voltages, threat to system security. Such
directions shall immediately be acted upon.
 In case the situation does not call for very urgent action,
and RLDC has some time for analysis, it shall be checked
whether the situation has arisen due to deviations from
schedules,

37
 Network monitoring & control actions
 These ( Deviations) shall be got terminated first, through
appropriate measure like opening of feeders, if
considered necessary by SLDC/RLDC, before an action,
which would affect the scheduled supplies to the long term
and medium term customers or short-term customers, is
initiated in accordance with Central Electricity Regulatory
Commission Open Access Regulations.
 In case short term /Medium term or Long Term open
access are curtailed, RLDC(s) shall submit a report
regarding the reasons due to which it was not able to
curtail deviations from Schedule and agencies which
had not taken necessary actions. ( 2nd IEGC Amendment)
38
 Inj. Schedule- Deviation by Hydro Gen.
 Hydro generating stations are expected to respond to
grid frequency changes and inflow fluctuations.
Maximum deviation allowed during a time block
shall as per CERC Deviation Settlement
Mechanism regulations . ( 2nd IEGC Amendment).

39
 Inj. Schedule- Deviation by Hydro Gen.
 The schedule finalized by the concerned load despatch
centre for hydro generating station, shall normally be
such that the scheduled energy for a day equals the total
energy (ex-bus) expected to be available on that day, as
declared by the generating station, based on
foreseen/planned water availability/release.

 It is also expected that the total net energy actually

supplied by the generating station on that day would
equal the declared total energy, in order that the water
release requirement is met.
( 2nd IEGC Amendment).
40
 Special provisions for grid constraints (6.5.16)
 In the event of bottleneck in evacuation of power due to any
constraint, outage, failure or limitation in the transmission system,
associated switchyard and substations owned by the Central
Transmission Utility or any other transmission licensee involved
in inter-state transmission (as certified by the RLDC) necessitating
reduction in generation, the RLDC shall revise the schedules
which shall become effective from the 4th time block, counting
the time block in which the bottleneck in evacuation of power has
taken place to be the first one.
 Also, during the first, second and third time blocks of such an
event, the scheduled generation of the ISGS shall be deemed to
have been revised to be equal to actual generation, and the
scheduled drawals of the beneficiaries shall be deemed to have
been revised accordingly.

41
 Special provisions for grid Constraints
If, at any point of time, the RLDC observes that there is need
for revision of the schedules in the interest of better system
operation, it may do so on its own, and in such cases, the
revised schedules shall become effective from the 4th time
block.
 When for the reason of transmission constraints e.g. congestion
or in the interest of grid security, it becomes necessary to
curtail power flow on a transmission corridor, the transactions
already scheduled may be curtailed by the Regional Load
Despatch Centre. The short-term customer shall be curtailed
first followed by the medium-term customers, which shall be
followed by the long-term customers and amongst the
customers of a particular category, curtailment shall be carried
out on pro rata basis. 42
 Special provisions for grid Disturbance
 In case of any grid disturbance, scheduled generation of all the
ISGSs supplying power under long/medium /short term shall
be deemed to have been revised to be equal to their actual
generation and scheduled drawal of all the beneficiaries / buyers
shall be deemed to be revised accordingly, for all the time
blocks affected by the grid disturbance. Certification of grid
disturbance and its duration shall be done by the RLDC.
 The declaration of disturbance shall be done by the concerned
RLDC at the earliest. A notice to this effect shall be posted at
its website by the RLDC of the region in which the
disturbance occurred. Issue of the notice at RLDC web site
shall be considered as declaration of the disturbance by
RLDC. All regional entities shall take note of the disturbance
and take appropriate action at their end. ( 2nd IEGC
Amendment) 43
 Special provisions for ISGS(s) having two part
tariff (6.5.18)
 Revision of declared capability by the ISGS(s) having two
part tariff with capacity charge and energy charge(except
hydro stations) and requisition by beneficiary(ies) for the
remaining period of the day shall also be permitted with
advance notice. Revised schedules/declared capability in
such cases shall become effective from the 4th time block .

44
 Special provisions for Forced outage of
ISGS(s) having two part tariff
 Notwithstanding anything contained in Regulation 6.5.18, in
case of forced outages of a unit, for those stations who have a
two part tariff based on capacity charge and energy charge for
long term and medium term contracts, the RLDC shall revise
the schedule on the basis of revised declared capability.
 The revised declared capability and the revised schedules
shall become effective from the fourth time block, counting
the time block in which the revision is advised by the ISGS to
be the first one.”

45
 Special provisions for renewable

 Since variation of generation in run-of-river power

stations shall lead to spillage, these shall be treated as
must run stations. All renewable energy power plants,
except for biomass power plants, , and non-fossil fuel
based cogeneration plants whose tariff is determined by
the CERC shall be treated as ‘MUST RUN’ power plants
and shall not be subjected to ‘merit order despatch’
principles.

46
 Wind generation Scheduling
 With effect from 1.1.2011 15.07.2013 Scheduling of Wind Gen.
necessary:
i) where the sum of generation capacity of such plants connected at
the connection point to the transmission or distribution system is 10
MW and above
ii) and connection point is 33 KV and above,
iii) and where pooling stations commissioned after 03.05.2010 and
where PPA has not yet been signed. (2nd Amend)
 For capacity and voltage level below this, as well as for old wind
farms ( A wind farm is collection of wind turbine generators that
are connected to a common connection point) it could be mutually
decided between the Wind Generator and the transmission or
distribution utility, as the case may be, if there is no existing
contractual agreement to the contrary .
 There may be maximum of 16 revisions starting from 00:00 hours
during the day.
47
 Scheduling of solar generation
 Scheduling necessary with effect from 1.7.2011, for new
solar generating plants with capacity of 5 MW and
above connected at connection point of 33 KV level
and above and , where pooling stations
commissioned after 03.05.2010 and where PPA has
not yet been signed. (2nd Amend,)
 Schedule to be given by the generator based on
availability of the generator, weather forecasting, solar
insolation, season and normal solar generation curve
 to be vetted by the RLDC in which the generator is
located and incorporated in the inter-state schedule.
 If RLDC is of the opinion that the schedule is not
realistic , it may ask the solar generator to modify the
48
Reactive Power & Voltage Control (6.6)

VAR Charges under Low Voltage VAR Charges under High voltage

EHV grid EHV grid

Q Voltage: < 97% Q Q Voltage: > 103% Q

Beneficiary1 Beneficiary2 Beneficiary1 Beneficiary2

VAR charges VAR charges

Pool Account Pool Account

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Commercial operation of CGS/ ISGS and ISTS( IEGC 6.3A)
Date of commercial operation – declared by the generator after
demonstrating the unit capacity corresponding to MCR/ Installed
capacity through a successful trial run and after getting clearance
from the respective RLDC/SLDC.

Successful trial run

- 7 day advance notice to beneficiaries/ buyers tied up/ RLDC or SLDC if no
buyer tied up
- 72 Hr continuous at MCR/ Installed Capacity (with short interruption up to
4 Hr) for Thermal.
- Thermal/Hydro to demonstrate capability to raise load upto 105 %/ 110 %
of MCR/ Installed Capacity
- 12 Hr continuous at MCR/ Installed Capacity (with short interruption up to
4 Hr) for Hydro
- 24 Hr continuous power flow for transmission element.

For commercial operation at de-rated capacity – Demonstrated

capacity should be more or equal to 105 % of the de-rated
capacity

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 Technical minimum schedule for operation of CGS/ISGS
(6.3 B)
Applicable to CGS/ISGS
Technical Minimum for operation of a thermal unit shall be 55 %
of MCR or installed Capacity. (of units on bar)
 CGS/ISGS whose tariff is determined or adopted by CERC, to be
compensated if operated below normative plant availability
factor upto technical minimum level.
Compensation depends upon the average unit loading duly
taking in to a account forced/planned outage, PLF, number
start/stop, secondary oil consumption etc..
If total requisition from an ISGS is less than its Tech minimum
- RLDC can schedule up to Tech Minimum as per the system requirement
- Else generator has to request concerned beneficiary to increase requisition
to operate plant at technical minimum
- Else plant can take one of its units on reserve shutdown, if not feasible to
operate below technical minimum.
- During reserve shutdown beneficiaries shall pay capacity charge
considering units available both “on” as well as “off” bar

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