The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has approved tariffs ranging between ₹2.84 (~$0.033)/kWh and ₹3.04 (~$0.035)/kWh for 33 solar projects with a cumulative capacity of 81.86 MW.

These projects are implemented under Component C (feeder-level solarization) of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM).

Background

The petitioner, Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam (AVVNL), floated a tender in December 2024 to implement projects under Component C of the PM KUSUM program.

Of the 39 planned solar projects, 33 received qualifying bids. The petitioner issued letters of award to the selected bidders following bid evaluations and negotiations.

AVVNL awarded 81.86 MW of solar capacity to these bidders.

It approached RERC to approve the discovered tariffs ranging between ₹2.84/kWh and ₹3.04/kWh.

It also requested that the Commission approve a levelized ceiling tariff.

The petitioner submitted that the tender was conducted in a transparent and competitive manner, and the discovered tariffs were market-aligned and reasonable.

Commission’s Analysis

RERC observed that the petitioner had adhered to the transparent and competitive bidding process, followed by price negotiations. It also deemed the discovered tariffs market-aligned and reasonable.

The state regulator approved the discovered tariffs.

It also ordered that all distribution companies (DISCOMs) conduct system and load flow studies for upcoming projects in their respective areas of supply, ensuring the proper integration of these systems with the grid network and optimizing the network’s utilization.

Regarding the ceiling tariff request, the Commission directed DISCOMs to conduct their own rate analysis based on current price trends.

Recently, RERC approved the levelized tariffs determined through a competitive bidding process conducted by the Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam for 78 solar projects with a total capacity of 228.85 MW.

In June this year, RERC approved the levelized tariffs for 233.97 MW of solar projects under Component C of PM-KUSUM.

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