Mumbai, Sept. 17 -- Prayas (Energy Group) has urged the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) to make the state's coal-based power fleet more flexible as renewable energy integration increases. The recommendation was made in comments on the draft Bihar Electricity Grid Code 2026, published by BERC on August 7 for stakeholder feedback. The group said the regulations should reflect changing power-sector operations, particularly the growing contribution of solar generation.

A central proposal is to replace the 55 per cent technical minimum for coal plants in the draft code with a 40 per cent threshold aligned with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) framework. Prayas said all coal-based thermal generating units are required to develop the ability to operate at the lower level under a phased implementation plan, with the 40 per cent technical minimum to be achieved by December 2030. Barh Thermal Power Plant and Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station are required to reach the threshold earlier, in August and December 2026, respectively.

The group has also proposed that peak and off-peak periods, along with high- and low-demand seasons, be determined using net load rather than total electricity demand. Net load accounts for the requirement remaining after must-run generation such as solar and wind. Its illustrative framework comprises three months of high demand, nine months of low demand, four peak hours and 20 off-peak hours each day.

Under the proposed arrangement, thermal generators would receive about 2.5 times the fixed-cost recovery weightage per hour during peak periods in high-demand seasons. The proposed weightage would be 1.2 times during high-demand off-peak and low-demand peak periods, and 0.8 times during low-demand off-peak periods. Prayas said the mechanism would improve generator availability when renewable output is insufficient to meet demand.

Prayas has further sought adoption of the CEA's ramp-rate requirements of 3 per cent per minute between 70 per cent and 100 per cent of maximum continuous power rating, and 2 per cent per minute between 55 per cent and 70 per cent. It also wants the State Load Despatch Centre to publish data on un-requisitioned surplus power offered and sold through day-ahead and real-time markets.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.