Background
GERC (Forecasting, Scheduling, Deviation Settlement and Related Matters of Solar and Wind Generation Sources) Regulations, 2019 (GERC F&S Regulations, 2019) were notified by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) under the Electricity Act, 2003. These Regulations establish a comprehensive framework governing the forecasting, scheduling, and deviation settlement obligations of solar and wind power generators — and their Qualified Coordinating Agencies (QCAs) — connected to the Gujarat power grid. The framework is designed to address the inherent variability and unpredictability of renewable energy generation, and to ensure grid stability through structured scheduling disciplines and financial accountability for deviations.
Applicability
These Regulations shall apply to all wind and solar generators having combined installed capacity above I MW connected to the State grid/substation, including those connected via pooling stations, and selling generated power within or outside the State or consuming power generated for self-consumption.
Compliance Requirements under the Regulations:
A wind generator or QCA may revise the day’s generation schedule by giving advance notice to the SLDC. The revision is effective from the 4th time block after the time block in which notice was given. A maximum of 16 intra-day revisions are permitted per day. A revision must represent more than 2% of the previous scheduled generation to be considered valid.
A solar generator or QCA may revise the day’s generation schedule by giving advance notice to the SLDC. The revision is effective from the 4th time block after the time block in which notice was given. A maximum of 9 intra-day revisions are permitted between 05:30 and 19:00 hours. A revision must represent more than 2% of the previous scheduled generation to be considered valid.
Every wind/solar generator must install an ABT-compliant Special Energy Meter (SEM) capable of recording energy in 15-minute time blocks at the interface/interconnection point. Additionally, the generator must install a telemetry/communication system and a Data Acquisition System (DAS) to enable real-time data transfer to Gujarat SLDC, enabling continuous monitoring of generation data for scheduling and deviation settlement purposes.
Every wind/solar generator must mandatorily provide technical specifications of all associated equipment to the SLDC in the format prescribed by the SLDC, both at the commencement of operations and whenever any change occurs in the associated equipment. The generator must also provide power system output, parameters, and weather-related data to SLDC in real time.
Every wind/solar generator or its QCA must conduct generator-centric forecasting and intimate the SLDC with a WTG/solar availability-based generation schedule separately for each pooling station. Forecasting must be based on the specific generation characteristics of each individual generator and must reflect the expected availability of energy from each pooling station, not aggregate or pooled estimates.
Every wind/solar generator or QCA must submit a Day-Ahead schedule (covering 96 time-blocks of 15 minutes each, starting from 00:00 hours of the next day) and a Week-Ahead schedule (containing the same data for 7 days) to the SLDC by 9:00 AM every day for each pooling station or generating station. These schedules form the basis for deviation settlement under the Regulations.
Every wind/solar generator shall bear all commercial costs arising from the deviation between actual generation and scheduled generation, either directly or through the QCA, as per the deviation charges prescribed in Table-I (for wind) and Table-II (for solar) of these Regulations. QCA’s failure to perform its forecasting/scheduling duties does not absolve the Generator of this liability; the Generator remains fully responsible for all deviation charges regardless of QCA default or inaction.
The generator and QCA must execute a signed agreement confirming the QCA’s responsibility for all forecasting and scheduling obligations, deviation charges, and liabilities arising on behalf of the generator. The agreement must also incorporate meter access provisions as required under Regulation 11 of these Regulations, covering at least one of: modem access on existing ABT meters for 15-minute data acquisition; an API link to the QCA’s central server; or permission to install additional meters on existing CT/PT infrastructure for real-time data access.
Every generator or QCA must provide a Bank Guarantee and/or Revolving Letter of Credit (LC) to the SLDC covering 110% of one month’s estimated DSM payment as security against deviation charges. During the first year of operation, the estimate shall be based on average deviations during the mock trial period. From the second year onwards, the Bank Guarantee or LC shall be reviewed annually based on average deviations recorded during the previous year.
The Qualified Coordinating Agency (QCA) must provide generation schedules with periodic revisions — as required under these Regulations — to the SLDC on behalf of all wind/solar generators connected to the pooling station(s), or individual generators connected directly to a transmission or distribution licensee’s sub-station or network. QCA’s scheduling obligations are continuous and cover both day-ahead and intra-day revisions.
The QCA must co-ordinate with the Distribution Company (DISCOM), State Transmission Utility (STU), SLDC, and other relevant agencies on behalf of generators/developers for all matters relating to metering, data collection, and the transmission and communication of generation and deviation data to the relevant authorities.
The QCA must undertake the commercial settlement of all deviation charges arising from forecasting and scheduling on behalf of individual generators — whether connected to a pooling station or directly to a sub-station or network — including making the requisite payments to the State DSM Pool account through the SLDC. Deviation charges must be paid within 10 days of issuance of the DSM account, and these payments carry priority over all other payments at the pooling station. Default beyond 2 days from the due date attracts interest at 0.04% per day for each day of delay.
The QCA must de-pool all deviation charge payments received from or payable to the State DSM Pool account and settle the same with each individual generator at the respective pooling station. This includes both the allocation of deviation charge liabilities and the distribution of any receivables arising from the State Pool account to individual generators in proportion to their actual generation and scheduled deviations.
The generator must ensure that the appointed QCA meets all prescribed qualifying criteria: a minimum of 1 year of experience in wind/solar forecasting and scheduling; a net worth of at least ₹2.5 crore derived from forecasting and scheduling services, evidenced by an audited balance sheet or CA certificate; real-time monitoring capability for the generator’s plant; an established 24×7 analyst and modelling team; and forecasting software developed by a CMMI Level 3 certified company. A generator conducting its own forecasting and scheduling is exempt from the QCA qualifying criteria.
The generator-QCA agreement must include provisions granting the QCA access to meter data for 15-minute time block data acquisition through at least one of the following modes: (a) modem access on existing ABT meters; (b) an API link to the QCA’s central server; or (c) permission to install additional meters on existing CT/PT infrastructure for real-time data access. These provisions are mandatory to enable the QCA to carry out its forecasting, scheduling, and deviation settlement responsibilities.
Every generator and QCA must maintain separate records and accounts of time-block wise generation schedules, actual generation, and deviations for all Pooling Sub-Stations and individual generators (both wind and solar) at all times. These records shall be available for inspection by the SLDC and shall form the basis for weekly deviation account preparation and settlement.
Every generator or QCA must forward weekly meter readings to the SLDC by Wednesday of the previous week, and monthly meter readings by the 5th day of the succeeding month, in addition to providing real-time SCADA data to the SLDC on a continuous basis, for the purpose of energy accounting and deviation settlement.
All deviation charges beyond the permissible threshold must be paid to the State DSM Pool within 10 days from the date of issuance of the DSM account. These payments carry priority over all other payments at the pooling station. Default beyond 2 days from the due date attracts interest at 0.04% per day for each day of delay, calculated from the due date until the date of actual payment.
The generator or QCA must immediately intimate the SLDC about any curtailment in electricity injection through software-enabled communication or any other permissible mode of communication. Timely intimation is essential as it ensures that deviation penalties are not levied for the time blocks during which the curtailment occurred, provided the intimation is made before the relevant time blocks.
Upon receipt of advice from the SLDC regarding planned curtailment — whether due to line maintenance or any other reason — the generator or QCA must curtail generation accordingly and amend the generation schedule for those affected time blocks. If the generator or QCA fails to revise the schedule within the specified time, the SLDC is empowered to revise the schedule on the generator’s behalf.
The generator or QCA must prepare weekly deviation accounts based on the inputs provided by the SLDC and make them available to the SLDC through the SLDC-approved software or online platform. These weekly accounts form the basis for commercial settlement of deviation charges under Regulation 13.
Penalty & Consequences
The following penalty provisions apply across the compliance obligations covered in this blog. These have been consolidated and de-duplicated for ease of reference:
Regulation 8.5, 8.6, 8.9 — Deviation Charges (Table-I: Wind | Table-II: Solar)
Deviation charges are levied on the difference between actual and scheduled generation per 15-minute time block, as per the following slab rates:
Wind (Table-I):
Solar (Table-II):
Regulation 13.4 — Interest on Delayed Payment of Deviation Charges
Deviation charges must be paid within 10 days of issuance of the DSM account. Default beyond 2 days from the due date attracts interest at 0.04% per day for each day of delay. Deviation charge payments carry priority over all other payments at the Pooling Station.
Section 146 of the Electricity Act, 2003 — Punishment for Non-Compliance
Whoever fails to comply with any order or direction issued under the Electricity Act, 2003, or contravenes — or attempts or abets the contravention of — any provision of the Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with a fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both, in respect of each offence. In the case of a continuing failure, a further fine which may extend to five thousand rupees for every day during which the failure continues after conviction of the first such offence shall also be imposed.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this Article is intended solely for personal non-commercial use of the user who accepts full responsibility of its use. The information in the article is general in nature and should not be considered to be legal, tax, accounting, consulting or any other professional advice. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied regarding the accuracy, adequacy, reliability or completeness of any information on our page/article.