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The electricity regulator will consider the maintainability of a petition challenging the commercial operation date of Reliance Power's Sasan project in Madhya Pradesh on November 5.
The Western Regional Load Despatch Centre, which operates the power grid in the region, had questioned the start date of commercial operations at the Sasan plant, where the first 660-MW unit was commissioned in March.
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission directed Reliance Power and independent engineer Lahmeyer International to file their replies on the maintainability and merits of the petition by October 15, with an advance copy to the petitioner, Western Regional Load Despatch Centre.
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The petitioner can file its rejoinder by October 25 and the hearing is scheduled for November 5, CERC said in a Record of Proceedings posted on its website.
Based on a petition filed by the Western Region Load Dispatch Centre, the CERC had set aside a certificate issued by the independent engineer for declaration of commercial operations at the Sasan plant.
Reliance Power filed an appeal with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) on the grounds that CERC's order is violative of principles of natural justice and is not tenable in law.
APTEL set aside CERC's order on August 13 and directed it to decide afresh on the matter of commercial operation date.
While referring to the judgement of APTEL, Western Regional Load Despatch Centre in its petition with the CERC said that since the issue of maintainability is linked with the main issue on merits, the commission can consider all issues and then come to a conclusion.
The CERC at its hearing last month said it would be appropriate if the petition is heard both on maintainability and merit.
Sasan Power Ltd (SPL) is the wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Power which is executing the 4,000 ultra mega power project. The first unit started producing power on March 30, Reliance Power said in a BSE filing on April 4.
The company is executing UMPPs in Sasan, Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Tilaiya (Jharkhand).
