The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has approved tariffs for Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEBL) to procure 900 MW of hybrid power under Tranche VII.

The approved tariffs range are ₹3.15 (~$0.037)/kWh and ₹3.21 (~$0.0377)/kWh for 300 MW and 600 MW projects, respectively. They also include a ₹0.07 (~$0.0008)/kWh trading margin for the projects.

Background

HPSEBL sought tariff approval to procure 900 MW wind-solar hybrid power from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

SECI had floated a tender to develop a 2 GW interstate transmission system connected wind-solar hybrid power projects  under Tranche VII.

In January 2024, SECI awarded 300 MW to NTPC Renewable Energy at ₹3.15 (~$0.037)/kWh, 150 MW was awarded to Juniper Green at ₹3.21 (~$0.0377)/kWh, and 450 MW was awarded to Green Infra Wind Energy at a tariff of ₹3.21(~$0.0377)/kWh.

HPSEBL stated that it received multiple solar and hybrid power offers from Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, National Hydro Power Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation, and SECI. HPSEBL found SECI’s offer the most favorable.

SECI had agreed to sell power to HPSEBL at ₹3.15 (~$0.037)/kWh for 300 MW and ₹3.21(~$0.0377)/kWh for 600 MW as per the tariff discovered in the bidding.

SECI also offered a 550 MW solar power project at a tariff of ₹2.56 (~$0.03)/kWh plus the trading margin.

HPSEBL has planned to tie up 3 GW of wind-solar hybrid power by 2034 and 2035 to meet the state’s power demand.

Commission’s Analysis

The Commission reviewed the report submitted by HPSEBL on the power supply and demand in Himachal Pradesh and noted that the state will face a demand-supply mismatch in the future.

It agreed to HPESBL’s need to procure hybrid power to support the DISCOM’s long-term power requirements.

The Commission also noted that the tariffs were discovered through a transparent bidding process.

It allowed HPSEBL to procure cumulative 900 MW hybrid power at the agreed tariff.

Recently, HPERC allowed Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board to procure 550 MW of inter-state transmission system-connected solar power from SECI for 25 years.

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