The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has approved the Procedure for Grant of Connectivity to the Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS), which seeks to streamline connectivity approval for entities seeking new or modified connectivity to Rajasthan’s InSTS at a minimum voltage of 33 kV.

RERC had issued the draft procedure in 2025.

The approved procedure took effect from February 1, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria

Under the procedure, eligible applicants for connectivity include state or central power-generating companies, captive generating projects, renewable energy projects, renewable energy park developers, and energy storage systems.

Eligible applicants also include intrastate and interstate transmission licensees and distribution companies (DISCOMs) other than Rajasthan DISCOMs, and open access consumers who are not customers of a DISCOM.

Existing users who already had connectivity prior to the enforcement of the approved procedure will be deemed connected for their already connected capacity. However, they must execute the required connectivity agreement by January 31, 2027.

Connectivity Approval

The connectivity process includes the preliminary approval for grant of connectivity and the final approval for grant of connectivity, supported by defined timelines.

Applications must be submitted to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (RVPN). Renewable energy projects must first be registered with the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation.

RERC clarified that grid connectivity charges for renewable and non-renewable projects will be different. Renewable energy projects will be charged under the RERC RE Tariff Regulations, 2020, and the Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024. Non-renewable energy projects must pay the actual cost of the bay developed for connectivity.

Applicants must deposit the connectivity charges within 30 days of the preliminary approval. They must also submit bank guarantees linked to voltage levels. Applicants who do not meet their charge submission timelines will face a connectivity lapse.

Existing projects must utilize their evacuation approvals within three years, and projects approved after August 21, 2025, must do so within two years. This deadline will be subject to limited force majeure relief.

Additionally, the procedure mandates providing real-time telemetry to state load dispatch centers, compliance with the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) grid standards, submission of system and load-flow studies, installation of protection and power quality equipment, and prior submission and approval of first-time charging documents before the project’s synchronization with the grid.

Transfer of connectivity, including within corporate groups, is not allowed. No automatic deemed approvals for missed timelines and extension of commissioning deadlines is allowed.

Bulk consumers of state DISCOMs cannot apply directly to state transmission utilities for connectivity.

Connectivity Relinquishment

Applicants can relinquish their connectivity partially or fully by submitting a formal request to RVPN. This request must clearly detail the proposed surrendered capacity and the reasons for relinquishment.

If the request is accepted, the relinquished capacity can be reallocated to other applicants.

Disconnection and Penalties

Default in payment of transmission or other applicable charges, or non-compliance with provisions set by RERC, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, CEA regulations, or this procedure, will result in a notice directing a remedy of the default. If the default is not addressed within 15 days of the notice, RVPN can withdraw the granted connectivity and disconnect the applicant’s electricity project from the grid.

Developer attributable delays in utilizing the granted connectivity will attract penalties of 12% per annum, plus tax, on the bank guarantee, capped at the total guarantee amount.

Projects can have their connectivity approvals withdrawn if they continue to not utilize their connectivity after notice. In such cases, the projects can also face forfeiture of the bay-related charges and the encashment of the bank guarantee.

Continued non-utilization may result in the withdrawal of connectivity approval, the forfeiture of bay-related charges, and the encashment of the bank guarantee after due notice.

RERC removed RVPN’s proposed 12% penalty on relinquished connectivity, noting that stranded capacity charges are already covered under Rajasthan’s open access regulations.

Only the deposited grid connectivity charges will be forfeited if the connectivity is relinquished.

Solar and Non-Solar Hours Connectivity

The Commission rejected RVPN’s proposal to introduce provisions for solar and non-solar hour connectivity access, citing the absence of a concrete regulatory framework or detailed proposal from RVPN.

Operation and Maintenance

The ownership and the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the interconnection facilities at the connectivity point will rest with RVPN.

RERC removed the proposed clauses mandating separate O&M agreements for bays at the substations, noting that such agreements are already governed by the CEA’s O&M guidelines.

O&M costs for separate interconnection facilities will be recovered through the approved transmission tariffs.

Dispute Resolution

Parties must try to resolve any disputes between themselves within 90 days. If the disputes remain unresolved after this period, they will be addressed under the Electricity Act, 2003, with RERC acting as the adjudicating authority.

Recently, RERC notified the Second Amendment to the Electricity Supply Code and Connected Matters Regulations, 2025, introducing significant changes to the rules governing the recovery of dues from permanently disconnected consumers, timelines for the restoration of supply, and connection charges for loads up to 150 kW.

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