50 MW+ Wind, Solar Farms Must Have Weather Stations: CEA.

In a significant move to bolster the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy projects, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has proposed that all wind and solar power plants with a capacity of 50 MW or above must install an automatic weather station. This directive, aimed at improving grid stability, places the responsibility for installation directly on the project developers.

The initiative builds upon earlier efforts by the CEA to optimize green energy integration. In February, the authority issued an advisory promoting the co-location of energy storage systems with solar power projects to enhance both cost efficiency and grid stability.

The inherent variability of solar and wind generation, which is heavily dependent on real-time weather conditions, often leads to operational challenges. The CEA, in a notification dated July 7, highlighted that inaccurate weather forecasts frequently result in substantial financial penalties under the Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM). By mandating on-site weather stations, the CEA aims to provide more precise and localized data, thereby reducing forecasting errors and improving the overall predictability of renewable energy output.