Power distribution companies (DISCOMs) will have to clear dues of renewable energy producers on a regular basis during the Covid-19 lockdown. This decision was taken by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and conveyed to the State/Union territory governments, NTPC and SECI on April 1.
MNRE said that renewable energy generating stations have been granted must run status and this remains unchanged during the lockdown period. The DISCOMs are now supposed to continue clearing bills and procuring power from renewable energy players during the lockdown.
On March 28, the Ministry of Power relaxed the payment security mechanism to be ensured by DISCOMs. This was done to give support to DISCOMs that are finding it difficult to collect payments for bills raised on consumers in light of the 21-day lockdown.
