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					</table><p>Government-owned power transmission utility Power Grid Corporation of India (<a href="https://www.powergrid.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">POWERGRID</a>) has won the contracts to establish three inter-state transmission systems (ISTS) projects on a build, own, operate, and transfer (BOOT) basis to evacuate 18 GW of power from various renewable energy zones (REZ) in Rajasthan and Gujarat.</p>
<p>POWERGRID received the letters of intent on April 16, 2024.</p>
<p>REC Power Development and Consultancy (<a href="https://www.recpdcl.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RECPDCL</a>) floated two tenders for these projects, one on <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rec-evacuate-11-gw-renewables-rajasthan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">November 6, 2023</a>, and the second on <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rec-subsidiary-invites-bids-renewable-power-in-rajasthan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">November 16, 2023</a>.</p>
<p>The three projects are:</p>
<ul>
<li>Transmission System for the evacuation of power from Rajasthan REZ Phase IV (Part 2: 5.5 GW) (Jaisalmer/ Barmer Complex): Part C</li>
</ul>
<p>One of the projects that POWERGRID will implement involves the establishment of a new 765/400/220 kV pooling substation at Mandsaur. This will be accompanied by the installation of a 765 kV D/C transmission line and associated bay extension works at other existing substations in Madhya Pradesh.</p>
<ul>
<li>Transmission System for the evacuation of power from potential renewable energy zones in the Khavda area of Gujarat under Phase-IV (7GW) Part E2</li>
</ul>
<p>The project involves augmentation works at existing substations to facilitate the evacuation of power from the potential renewable energy zone in the Khavda area under Phase-IV (7 GW) Part E2.</p>
<ul>
<li>Transmission System for the evacuation of power from Rajasthan REZ Phase IV (Part 2: 5.5 GW) (Jaisalmer/ Barmer Complex): Part E</li>
</ul>
<p>The project involves the establishment of a new 765 kV substation at Rishabhdeo in Rajasthan, along with the installation of 765 kV D/C Transmission Lines and associated bays extension works at other existing substations in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.</p>
<p>The scheduled commercial operation date of the projects is 24 months from the date of the letters of intent.</p>
<p>The developer must guarantee that every aspect of the project, encompassing equipment, facilities, components, and systems, is planned, built, and tested in accordance with the specifications detailed in the transmission service agreement.</p>
<p>Recently, POWERGRID <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/powergrid-to-invest-infrastructure-expansion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> an investment of ₹3.67 billion (~$44.05 million) for infrastructure expansion involving two transmission projects scheduled to be commissioned in 2025.</p>
<p>Earlier, the company’s special-purpose vehicle, POWERGRID Bhadla Transmission, was <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/powergrid-receives-transmission-lines-in-rajasthan#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20Power%20has,under%20Phase-II%20Part%20B." target="_blank" rel="noopener">authorized</a> by the Ministry of Power to set up overhead transmission lines on a modified route to evacuate 8.1 GW of power from the solar energy zone in Rajasthan under Phase-II Part B.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Gautamee Hazarika</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
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<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Gautamee,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
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					</table><p>REC Power Development and Consultancy (<a href="https://www.recpdcl.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RECPDCL</a>), a fully-owned subsidiary of <a href="https://recindia.nic.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REC</a>, has issued a tender to select a transmission service provider (TSP) to establish an Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for evacuating 5.5 GW power from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Phase IV.</p>
<p>The last date for the submission of bids is December 1, 2023.  Bids will be opened the same day.</p>
<p>The project must be completed within 24 months.</p>
<p>The selected bidder must furnish a performance bank guarantee of ₹890 million (~$10.6 million) within ten days from the issuance of the Letter of Intent.</p>
<p>The TSP is responsible for ensuring that the design, construction, and testing of project equipment, facilities, components, and systems comply with the Transmission Service Agreement and government regulations.</p>
<p>The TSP must acquire a transmission license. After 35 years from the project&#8217;s commissioning, the TSP must facilitate the transfer of all project assets, including substation land, right of way, and clearances, to the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) or its designated successors.</p>
<p>The government will determine the specific agency for this transfer.</p>
<p>The designated ISTS customers must pay the transmission charges through the CTU, following the regulations of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission governing the sharing of Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses.</p>
<p>Bidders are required to meet one of the following technical criteria:</p>
<p><em>Experience in Infrastructure Project Development:</em></p>
<ul>
<li>Bidders must have a track record of developing projects in the infrastructure sector over the last five years.</li>
<li>The aggregate capital expenditure for all projects should be at least ₹17.8 billion (~$213.8 million).</li>
<li>Each individual project&#8217;s capital expenditure should not be less than ₹3.56 billion (~$42.7 million)</li>
</ul>
<p>Or</p>
<p><em>Experience in Infrastructure Project Construction:</em></p>
<ul>
<li>Bidders should have received cumulative payments of not less than ₹17.8 billion (~$213.8 million) from its client(s) for fully completed construction works in the infrastructure sector during the last five financial years.</li>
<li>Payments received from each project should not be less than ₹3.56 billion (~$42.7 million)</li>
</ul>
<p>Their net worth should be a minimum of ₹7.12 billion (~$85.5 million) for any of the last three financial years, and the net worth should not be negative during this period.</p>
<p>The selected bidder must maintain a minimum equity shareholding of 51% in the issued and paid-up equity share capital of Rajasthan IV H1 Power Transmission Limited for one year after the Commercial Operation Date of the project.</p>
<p>Recently, RECPDCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rec-evacuate-11-gw-renewables-rajasthan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> two tenders to establish an inter-state transmission system to evacuate a cumulative 11 GW of power from renewable energy zones in Rajasthan under Phase – IV.</p>
<p>In May, REC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rec-lists-750-million-at-ifsc-stock-exchanges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> its recently issued green bonds, which raised $750 million under its global medium-term $7 billion program at the GIFT International Financial Services Centre Stock Exchanges in Gandhinagar.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Gautamee Hazarika</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Picture1.jpg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Gautamee,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
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<a href="gautamee@mercomindia.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gautamee@mercomindia.com</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Picture1.jpg" width="102" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" rel="noopener">Gautamee</a> is a reporter at Mercom India. Prior to Mercom, Gautamee was working as a multimedia news journalist at ThePrint in New Delhi. She has received her Bachelors in English Honors and Masters in English Literature from St.Stephen&#8217;s College, University of Delhi.<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" rel="noopener">More articles from Gautamee</a></div>
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REC Subsidiary Invites Bids to Evacuate 5.5 GW of Renewable Power in Rajasthan


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					</table><p>REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (<a href="https://www.recpdcl.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RECPDCL</a>), a fully-owned subsidiary of <a href="https://recindia.nic.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REC</a>, has floated a tender to select a transmission service provider through a tariff-based competitive bidding process to establish an inter-state transmission system (ISTS) for the evacuation of 20 GW power from Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) in Rajasthan under Phase -III, Part I.</p>
<p>The last date for the submission of bids is October 27, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day.</p>
<p>The scheduled commercial operation date of the project is 42 months from the effective date.</p>
<p>The developer should ensure that all aspects of the project, including equipment, facilities, components, and systems, are designed, constructed, and tested according to the terms outlined in the transmission service agreement.</p>
<p>The selected developer must also obtain a transmission license from the commission.</p>
<p>The bidder has to submit ₹500,000 (~$6,026) as cost of the tender.</p>
<p>The selected bidder will have to provide a performance bank guarantee of ₹6.68 billion (~$80.5 million) within ten days of receiving the Letter of Intent.</p>
<p>The successful bidder will acquire 100% of the equity shares of Rajasthan Part I Power Transmission, including all associated assets and liabilities. The bid process coordinator will communicate the exact acquisition price twenty days before the deadline.</p>
<p>To be eligible, the bidder should have a track record of working on infrastructure projects in the last five years with a total capital expenditure of at least ₹133.7 billion (~$1.6 billion). Each of these projects should have had a capital expenditure of at least ₹26.74 billion (~$322.3 million).</p>
<p>For this requirement, the capital expenditure of projects completed and commissioned at least seven days before the bid deadline will be considered.</p>
<p>The bidder must have either executed these projects themselves or held a direct or indirect ownership stake of at least 26% in the company responsible for executing the projects. This ownership should have been maintained from the date of financial closure of the project until its commissioning or completion.</p>
<p>Additionally, the bidder should have received a total payment of at least ₹133.7 billion (~$1.6 billion) from clients for construction works that were fully completed during the last five financial years. Each project&#8217;s payment should not be less than ₹26.74 billion (~$322.3 million)</p>
<p>The bidder&#8217;s net worth for each of the last three financial years leading up to the bid deadline should not be less than ₹53.48 billion (~$644.6 million).</p>
<p>Recently, power transmission company Sterlite Power was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/sterlite-power-wins-renewable-energy-in-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">awarded</a> by RECPDCL the contract for an ISTS project to evacuate 20 GW of renewable energy in Rajasthan under  Phase-III Part F.</p>
<p>In May, RECPDCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rec-bids-empanel-consultants-solar-projects-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to empanel consultants to undertake project management consultancy services for solar projects (floating solar and ground-mounted) at various locations across India for two years.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Gautamee Hazarika</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Picture1.jpg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Gautamee,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Gautamee.</a><br />
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<a href="gautamee@mercomindia.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gautamee@mercomindia.com</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Picture1.jpg" width="102" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" rel="noopener">Gautamee</a> is a reporter at Mercom India. Prior to Mercom, Gautamee was working as a multimedia news journalist at ThePrint in New Delhi. She has received her Bachelors in English Honors and Masters in English Literature from St.Stephen&#8217;s College, University of Delhi.<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" rel="noopener">More articles from Gautamee</a></div>
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REC Subsidiary Invites Bids to Evacuate 20 GW Renewable Power in Rajasthan


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					</table><p>NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (<a href="https://nvvn.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NVVN</a>), a wholly owned subsidiary of <a href="https://www.ntpc.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC</a>, has invited bids from enlisted developers for setting up a 1.5 MW grid-connected solar power project at IIM Bodh Gaya.</p>
<p>The scope of the work involves the design, engineering, supply, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning of the solar power project.</p>
<p>The select developer will also be responsible for setting up the evacuation system to the IIM-Bodhgaya substation, catering to the assigned capacity, including net metering approval from DISCOM and obtaining the necessary permissions for the overhead/underground transmission lines.</p>
<p>The project entails the operation and maintenance of the solar power system, transmission lines, and critical equipment for a duration of three years.</p>
<p>It also includes an annual maintenance contract (AMC) for the essential equipment for ten years.</p>
<p>The last date for the submission of bids is July 3, 2023. Bids will be opened the next day.</p>
<p>Bidders must submit ₹2 million (~$24,391.7) as an earnest money deposit.</p>
<p>The select bidder is required to furnish a performance bank guarantee equivalent to 10% of the allotted contract price within twenty-eight days.</p>
<p>The developers must commission the project within 3.5 months of receiving the letter of award.</p>
<p>The project will be developed on the government-allotted 11 acres of land in the IIM-Bodh Gaya premises.</p>
<p>All bidders interested in participating in this tender are required to conduct a site survey.</p>
<p>The developer must ensure a minimum capacity utilization factor (CUF) of 21% for the first year after final commissioning and at a reducing rate of 0.7% per year for subsequent years.</p>
<p>The technical criteria are not applicable for this tender as bids are invited from eligible bidders enlisted under the &#8220;Enlistment of EPC bidders for the development of ground mounted/floating solar photovoltaic power projects below 10 MW capacity of NVVN”.</p>
<p>The bidder&#8217;s average annual turnover for the preceding three financial years must be at least ₹142.58 million (~$1.7 million).</p>
<p>The net worth of the bidder, as of the last day of the preceding financial year, should be equal to or greater than 100% of the bidder&#8217;s paid-up share capital.</p>
<p>Earlier this month, NTPC Renewable Energy, another wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-reissues-tender-bess-solar-projects-in-gujarat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reissued</a> the tender to supply battery energy storage systems (BESS) for solar power projects at the Khavda Renewable Energy Park in the Kutch region of Gujarat. The tender was previously issued in November last year.</p>
<p>In April this year, NTPC Renewable Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-bids-largest-energy-storage-project-9000-mwh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected energy storage projects of 9,000 MWh capacity with a minimum of 1,500 MW capacity to be installed anywhere in India.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> for timely updates on all solar tenders issued by various agencies in India.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Gautamee Hazarika</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
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<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Gautamee,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Gautamee.</a><br />
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<a href="gautamee@mercomindia.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gautamee@mercomindia.com</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Picture1.jpg" width="102" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" rel="noopener">Gautamee</a> is a reporter at Mercom India. Prior to Mercom, Gautamee was working as a multimedia news journalist at ThePrint in New Delhi. She has received her Bachelors in English Honors and Masters in English Literature from St.Stephen&#8217;s College, University of Delhi.<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gautamee-hazarika/" rel="noopener">More articles from Gautamee</a></div>
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NTPC Subsidiary Invites Bids to Develop 1.5 MW Solar Project at IIM Bodh Gaya


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					</table><p>Powergrid Corporation of India (<a href="https://www.powergrid.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">POWERGRID</a>) has won three interstate transmission system (ISTS) projects in the tariff-based competitive bidding process.</p>
<p>The company won the first project for a transmission system to evacuate power from solar energy zones in Rajasthan (8.1 GW), under Phase-II Part E on a build, own, operate and maintain basis.</p>
<p>The project involves establishing a 756 kV D/C transmission line along with associated line bays in the state.</p>
<p>POWERGRID  was also declared the successful bidder to set up an interstate transmission system for two projects in the western region of the country on a build, own, operate and transfer basis.</p>
<p>The first project is the Western Region Expansion Scheme-XXVII (WRES-XXVII). POWERGRID will lay a 400 kV D/C transmission line passing through Chhattisgarh along with bays extension works at two sub-stations.</p>
<p>The second project will be executed in two parts— WRES-XXVIII and WRES-XXIX. The scope of work comprises bays extension works and creation of 220 kV voltage at two sub-stations in Chhattisgarh.</p>
<p>POWERGRID announced that it had recently approved an investment of ₹5.24 billion (~$64 million) for the Eastern Region Expansion Scheme-XXIX (ERES-XXIX). The project is scheduled for commissioning by November 2025.</p>
<p>It also approved an investment of ₹35.47 billion (~$432 million) to set up a transmission system for the Kurnool Wind Energy Zone/Solar Energy Zone in Andhra Pradesh. The project will be executed in two parts and is scheduled to be commissioned by November 2024.</p>
<p>Last year, POWERGRID  Chairman and Managing Director K Sreekant <a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-invest-%e2%82%b92-8-trillion-evacuate-renewable-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> India plans to invest ₹2.8 trillion ($34.2 billion) by 2030 to set up an ISTS network to evacuate renewable energy. The investment, comprising grants and funds, aims to  strengthen the infrastructure at the distribution level and implement various cost-reduction measures.</p>
<p>Last December,  POWERGRID  <a href="https://mercomindia.com/daily-news-wrap-powergrid-invest-evacuate-20-gw-renewable/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> an investment of ₹3.31 billion ($39.9 million) to set up a transmission system to evacuate 20 GW of power from renewable energy zones in Rajasthan under Phase-III Part-J.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/gourav-mishra/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Gourav Mishra</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/WhatsApp-Image-2022-04-06-at-6.37.25-PM-1-1.jpeg" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Gourav,</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gourav-mishra/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Gourav.</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/WhatsApp-Image-2022-04-06-at-6.37.25-PM-1-1.jpeg" width="89" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gourav-mishra/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gourav</a> is a staff reporter with Mercom India with over six years of experience in various roles with NewsX, The New Indian Express, IBTimes India, and U.S., Republic, and Analytics India Magazine. Gourav has a Master&#8217;s in journalism from Jain University, Bengaluru. <a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/gourav-mishra/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Gourav Mishra</a></div>
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Powergrid Bags Three Interstate Transmission System Projects

<p>The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (RVPN) to ensure no curtailment of any power generator connected at 132/33 kV Sheo Substation on account of transmission constraint.</p>
<p>The Commission heard a petition filed by Clean Wind Power (a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of Hero Future Energies), which had sought directions for immediate steps to be taken by RVPN to strengthen the relevant evacuation system before granting approvals to other power projects.</p>
<p>Clean Wind Power owns and operates two wind power projects of 36 MW and 4 MW, respectively, at Gunga Village, located at Sheo Tehsil, in Jaisalmer Rajasthan, and sells 100% electricity to Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL).</p>
<p>On April 29, 2014, Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RREC) approved a power evacuation arrangement for 40 MW to Gamesa Wind Turbines for Clean Wind Power&#8217;s wind projects. The approval allowed Clean Wind Power to evacuate the entire power generated by its projects (up to the total capacity of 40 MW) to the 132/33 kV Sheo Grid Substation.</p>
<p>The Sheo Substation has a total capacity of 75 MW. Of this 40 MW is allotted to Clean Wind, a 9.75 MW to another power project, and has a spare capacity of 25.25 MW.</p>
<p>However, RVPN approved a power evacuation arrangement for a 40 MW (2&#215;20 MW) solar project owned by Palimarwar Solar House (an SPV promoted by Lakshmi Niwas Bangur Group).</p>
<p>Palimarwar&#8217;s power evacuation arrangement was above the spare capacity of the substation. The developer told the Commission that this approval would lead to an excess load of 14.75 MW.</p>
<p>The decision by RVPN could lead to evacuation constraints for Clean Wind Power, resulting in the curtailment of generation by SLDC (State Load Despatch Centre), the developer said.</p>
<p>The developer argued that until the system was strengthened by augmenting/replacing the transformers and associated equipment to bear the additional load of 14.75 MW, Palimarwar&#8217;s project should not be commissioned. Alternatively, Palimarwar&#8217;s solar project should be allowed to evacuate power only up to the substation&#8217;s spare capacity of 25.25 MW.</p>
<p>RVPN contended that there was sufficient spare capacity at the 132/33 kV transformer of 75 MVA, allowing the solar projects to be approved at a 33 kV voltage of 45 MW. It also contended that it was not a party to the power purchase agreement between Gamesa Wind Turbines and JVVNL.</p>
<p>The Commission directed RVPN to organize load flow studies to analyze the existing transmission system for smooth flow of electricity from the generating station. If need be, RVPN should augment the transformation capacity to avoid transmission constraints.</p>
<p>The Commission also directed RVPN to take necessary steps to ensure that there should be no curtailment of any generator connected at the substation on account of transmission constraint.</p>
<p>Mercom had written about how distribution companies <a href="https://mercomindia.com/curtailment-solar-wind-commercial-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">curtail</a> power without valid reason or notice to renewable generators. Curtailment is a reduction in the output of a generator, typically on an involuntary basis, from what it could otherwise produce given the resources available.</p>
<p>In December 2020, <a href="https://rerc.rajasthan.gov.in/">RERC</a> <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-park-developer-asked/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">directed</a> a solar park developer in Rajasthan not to obstruct solar power generators from evacuating the generated solar power up to 110% of the project&#8217;s rated capacity.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/rahul-nair/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Rahul Nair</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Rahul is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Before entering the world of renewables, Rahul was head of the Gujarat bureau for The Quint. He has also worked for DNA Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad Mirror. Hailing from a banking and finance background, Rahul has also worked for JP Morgan Chase and State Bank of India. <a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/rahul-nair/" rel="noopener noreferrer">More articles from Rahul Nair.</a></p>
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Transmission Constraint Should Not Restrict Power Generators: Commission to DISCOM

<p>The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (<a href="https://hal-india.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HAL</a>) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for setting up of 2 MW of solar projects under RESCO mode at its Avionics Division in Hyderabad.</p>
<p>The project is to be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis, and the last date for the submission of bids is December 9, 2019.</p>
<p>Prospective bidders are expected to pay a sum of ₹2 million (~$28,025.3) as the earnest money deposit (EMD), and the period of execution of these projects is six months.</p>
<p>According to HAL, the project is a part of the defense program for setting up over 300 MW of grid-connected and off-grid solar PV power projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM).</p>
<p>The scope of work includes setting up a solar PV project, along with the power evacuation network up to the designated point and to the nearest substation within the campus. It also involves the development, construction, synchronization, commission, and operation and maintenance of the 2 MW solar PV power project. The generated power will be sold to HAL for a period of 25 years. As per the tender document, the maintenance of the transmission system up to the interconnection point will also be the responsibility of the successful bidder.</p>
<p>The project under the developer mode will be free to procure solar cells and modules under the open category (indigenous or imported).</p>
<p>The entire cost of transmission, including the cost of construction of the lines, wheeling charges, and losses from the project up to the delivery point will be borne by the selected bidder and will not be met or reimbursed by HAL.</p>
<p>Based on the RfS, the selected bidder must submit a performance guarantee for a value of ₹6,000,000 (~$84,076) before signing the power purchase agreement (PPA) or three weeks from the date of issue of Letter of Intent (LoI).</p>
<p>As far as the technical bids are concerned, the successful bidder should strictly comply with the technical parameters. Further, the cells and modules used in the project should be sourced only from the modules and manufacturers included in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), as published by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).</p>
<p>It should be noted here that recently, the ministry <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-stakeholders-almm-order-government-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">issued a notification</a> shedding light on its earlier order regarding the compulsory registration under the Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules. The MNRE has stated that the list would consist of List-1, which specifies the models and manufacturers of solar PV modules, while List-II will specify the models and manufacturers of solar PV cells. Both the lists will come into effect from March 31, 2020.</p>
<p>Moreover, according to HAL, the net worth of the bidder for this tender should be at least ₹10.7 million (~$0.15 million)</p>
<p>The company has committed to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/csr-funds-effective-tool-solar-expansion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">install</a> 50 MW of renewable energy power projects to reduce its carbon footprint and has already installed wind and solar power projects of nearly 46 MW capacity.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, a few weeks ago, Mercom reported that the electronics manufacturing division of HAL <a href="https://mercomindia.com/hindustan-aeronautics-seeks-partner-to-foray-into-ev-charging/">issued</a> a Request for Information to identify a potential Indian entity for business cooperation in the electric vehicle charging business.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/anjana/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Anjana Parikh</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Anjana2.png" width="112" height="121" />Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.</p>
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Hindustan Aeronautics Floats Tender for 2 MW of Solar Projects in Hyderabad

<p>The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="http://rerc.rajasthan.gov.in/main.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RERC</a>) has dismissed petitions filed by captive solar project developers seeking relief from applicable wheeling and banking charges.</p>
<p>In this case, the petitioners were: Goyal Fashions, Fruitful Buildcon, Jaies Star Continental Hotels LLP, Triton Hotels &amp; Resorts, A K Spintex, Fashion Suitings, and Mayank Sharma Enterprises. They had filed separate petitions regarding the methodology adopted by distribution companies (DISCOMs) for the levy of wheeling charges.</p>
<p>Respondents in the case were: Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd., and Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd.</p>
<p>The petitioners had submitted that the wheeling and banking agreement provides that the wheeling charges will be payable in accordance with the RERC Tariff Regulations, 2014 and will be levied on the energy wheeled.</p>
<p>According to the petitioners, wheeling charges should be levied according to the state’s open access regulations, 2014 not the regulations that were issued in 2016.</p>
<p>The state commission observed that the only issue in the matter is that whether wheeling charges should be levied on the capacity contracted or the energy wheeled.</p>
<p>The RERC noted that for the purpose of wheeling charges, only the capacity contracted or the energy drawn (whichever is higher) will be considered. Regarding the request that wheeling charges will be payable according to the RERC Tariff Regulations, 2014, the commission noted that the wheeling charges are determined for the whole state based on overall network utilization as per the provisions of the relevant tariff regulations. When individually charged, the same has to be based on the provisions of the relevant open access regulations.</p>
<p>The Rajasthan commission clarified that the total energy based on the contracted capacity or the energy utilized by an open access consumer, whichever is higher, is the energy on which the wheeling charges have to be levied and collected and not on any other basis.</p>
<p>Stating this, the RERC dismissed the petitions filed by captive solar PV project developers.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/rajasthan-commission-clarifies-captive-power-producer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Recently</a>, the commission dismissed a petition filed by Tesco Energy Two for the adjudication of a dispute regarding power evacuation permission for a solar PV project.</p>
<p>Before this, the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission had earlier heard a petition filed by <a href="https://mercomindia.com/tariff-commissioning-delayed-solar-rerc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Arjun Green Power Pvt. Ltd</a>. for the adjudication of a dispute regarding the extension of commercial operations date of the solar project and the determination of tariff and liquidated damages under the power purchase agreement. It had then clarified that for projects delayed beyond their commissioning timeline, the tariff applicable would be the one that was chosen for the year in which the project became commercially operational.</p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/saumy/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Saumy Prateek</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><div class="designboxt">
<p><img class="alignleft" style="border-radius: 50%;height: 50px;margin-top: -4px;border: 1px solid #00b451" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/saumy-edited-1.png" width="50" /></p>
<p><strong style="text-decoration: underline">Saumy Prateek</strong> Staff reporter at Mercom India<br />
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/saumy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">More articles from Saumy Prateek</a></p>
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<div class="authorboxn"><img class="alignleft" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/saumy-edited-1.png" width="79" height="102" /><a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/saumy/" rel="noopener"><strong>Saumy Prateek, </strong> </a>is a senior staff reporter with MercomIndia.com covering business and energy news since 2016. Prior to Mercom, Saumy was a copy editor at Thomson Reuters. Saumy earned his Bachelors Degree in Journalism &amp; Mass Communication from the Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University.<a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/saumy/">More articles from Saumy Prateek.</a></div>
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Rajasthan Clarifies How Wheeling Charges on Solar Projects are to be Applied

<p>The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has issued a tender for the operation and maintenance (O&amp;M) of power evacuation system of Rajgarh solar project for two years. The Rajgarh solar project is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.</p>
<p>The last date for the submission of bids is April 1, 2019. The technical bids will open on April 3, 2019.</p>
<p>The estimated cost of work is ₹3.73 million (~$0.05 million).</p>
<p>To be eligible to bid, a bidder should be A Class (high tension) electrical contractor and should have executed similar works in the last seven years.</p>
<p>Similar work here means that the scope of work should include erection and commissioning or operation and maintenance of switchyard equipment and overhead bays of voltage rating (132 kV or above).</p>
<p>NTPC has lately issued many tenders for the enlistment of the <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-bidders-inverter-transformers-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inverter-transformer</a>, EPC companies for developing <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-enlist-epc-for-floating-and-other-solar/">floating and other</a> solar projects, solar <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-tender-solar-module-suppliers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">module suppliers and</a> manufacturers.</p>
<p>In the last couple of months, NTPC has issued a slew of solar tenders for its various sites across the country.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-floating-solar-tender-20-mw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In January 2019,</a> it issued a tender for 20 MW of grid-connected floating solar project at its Anta gas power station in Rajasthan.</p>
<p>In December 2018, the NTPC had issued three tenders for floating solar project- <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-floating-solar-tender-100-mw-telangana/">100 MW</a> at NTPC Ramagundam, located in Telangana; <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-25-mw-floating-solar-tender-andhra-pradesh/">25 MW  </a>at NTPC Simhadri, located in Andhra Pradesh; and <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-20-mw-floating-solar-tender/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 MW</a> at the reservoir of NTPC Auraiya gas power plant.</p>
<p>Recently, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/discoms-18-84-billion-ntpc-bills-for-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom reported that</a> power distribution companies in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka owe NTPC ₹58.38 billion (~$814.99 million) in outstanding power bills (both conventional and solar). A total amount of ₹18.84 billion (~$262.6 million) is due to be paid by DISCOMs to NTPC for solar power supplied under the National Solar Mission (NSM). NTPC has issued a notice to these states warning to curtail power supply in case of non-payment, along with <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-cut-power-supply-jammu-kashmir/">Jammu and Kashmir</a> which has outstanding bills running as high as ₹19.84 billion (~$280.32 million), out of which ₹16.26 billion (~$229.67 million) is pending for more than 60 days.</p>
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<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://cms.mercomindia.com/author/nitin/" class="vcard author" rel="author"><span class="fn">Nitin Kabeer</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p><img class="alignleft wp-image-9822" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/nitin-2.png" alt="" width="99" height="105" /><span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="color: #000000"><span>Nitin is a staff reporter at Mercomindia.com and writes on renewable energy and related sectors. Prior to Mercom, Nitin has worked for CNN IBN, India News, Agricultural Spectrum and Bureaucracy Today. He received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism &amp; Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication at Manipal University and Master’s degree in International Relations from Jindal School of International Affairs. <a href="https://mercomindia.com/author/nitin/">More articles from Nitin Kabeer</a></span></span></span></p>
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