The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) has approved Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation’s (CESC) petition to procure 600 MW of power from interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind-solar hybrid projects at tariffs ranging of ₹3.74 (~$0.039)/kWh and₹3.75 (~$0.04)/kWh.

The Commission observed that CESC’s bidding process was transparent and competitive, adhered to government guidelines, and that the discovered tariffs were reasonable.

Background

In November 2025, CESC issued a tender to set up 600 MW of ISTS-connected wind-solar hybrid projects. The winning bidders would sign a 25-year PPA with CESC.

Six bidders applied for the tender, quoting a total capacity of 900 MW. Vismaya Renewables India Project, Hexa Climate Solutions, and Sprng Energy won the tender, securing 100 MW each, with Purvah Green Power securing 300 MW. The tariff discovered for Vismaya Renewables India was ₹3.74 (~$0.039)/kWh and ₹3.75 (~$0.04)/kWh for the remaining winners.

CESC sent letters of award (LoAs) to the selected bidders in March 2026. Following this, CESC filed a petition with WBERC to approve the discovered tariffs.

CESC submitted that the tender process was transparent and competitive, and that the bid process coordinator, PFC Consulting, had concluded that the discovered tariffs were reasonable.

The petitioner highlighted that WBERC had already granted prior approval to procure 600 MW of power.

CESC contended that the discovered tariffs were significantly lower than its average power purchase cost for the financial year 2025 of ₹5.17 (~$0.055)/kWh. It also highlighted that Uttar Pradesh had recently adopted a higher wind-solar hybrid tariff of ₹3.84/kWh.

The petitioner added that it needed to procure the 600 MW capacity on a long-term basis to meet its future renewable purchase obligation (RPO) requirements.

Commission’s Analysis

The Commission noted that the tender process was transparent, competitive, and in accordance with government guidelines. Additionally, the discovered tariffs were reasonable.

WBERC also acknowledged that procuring 600 MW of wind-solar hybrid capacity would help CESC meet its RPO requirements.

It approved the discovered tariffs.

Last December, WBERC approved a power sale agreement between the Damodar Valley Corporation and NHPC for procuring firm-and-dispatchable renewable energy from ACME Solar Holding’s 250 MW solar project coupled with a 250 MW/1,150 MWh battery energy storage system.

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