Renewable energy certificates
Renewable energy certificates often fail not on compliance, but on arithmetic. HPERC’s January 2026 order in HPSEBL’s miscellaneous application makes that distinction explicit.
The discom did not seek a tariff revision or RPO relaxation. It asked the Commission to correct numerical inconsistencies in earlier RPO compliance certifications that were blocking REC issuance by NLDC. These inconsistencies stemmed from provisional data used in past orders, later true-ups, and tighter reconciliation norms under the REC Regulations, 2022.
HPERC reviewed how figures diverged across orders, certification formats, and central filings. A key fault line was the treatment of energy from the 5 MW Shimla HEP during FY 2021-22, where retrospective PPA approval changed eligibility for RPO accounting. Without aligned numbers, Renewable energy certificates could not be processed.
The Commission held that such discrepancies were clerical and procedural, not substantive. It reaffirmed that true-up data overrides provisional figures and that decimal precision up to three places is necessary when converting MU to MWh. Importantly, it ruled that statutory REC entitlements cannot be denied due to rounding or formatting issues.
By approving revised figures and directing issuance of corrected certificates, HPERC unlocked REC monetisation for three financial years. For Renewable energy certificates, the order sends a clear signal: compliance substance outweighs procedural rigidity.
The ruling carries relevance for RPO compliance audits across states and offers guidance for State electricity regulators dealing with legacy data issues. It also aligns with broader Power sector reforms aimed at ensuring market instruments function as intended rather than getting trapped in administrative loops, Renewable Certificates, HPSEBL, Regulatory Orders, REC Market, RPO Compliance, Clean Power.Full verified 250-word analysis available on EnergylineIndia.com.