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					</table><p>The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-commission-approves-tariffs-for-82-mw-solar-projects-under-kusum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> 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). The tariffs were approved for a tender floated by the petitioner, Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam, in December 2024 to implement projects under Component C of the PM KUSUM program.</p>
<p>The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cerc-rejects-plea-to-approve-tariff-for-300-mw-wind-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation’s (CESCL) petition for approval of a tariff for 300 MW wind-solar hybrid power projects. The Commission noted that the petitioner failed to seek permission from the West Bengal government to deviate from the bidding guidelines for interstate transmission system projects. It had instead sought permission from a different state government. The petitioner had sought permission to award the entire capacity to a single bidder in contravention of the hybrid bidding guidelines. The Commission was also not convinced by the petitioner’s justification for a higher tariff of ₹3.81 ($0.044)/kWh and the transparency of its bidding process.</p>
<p>The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/karnataka-sets-benchmark-tariff-of-%E2%82%B93-07-kwh-for-mw-scale-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> its generic tariff order for solar power projects. The order is applicable from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The tariffs apply to MW-scale ground-mounted, distributed solar photovoltaic (DSPV) systems, as well as rooftop solar projects. The final approved tariff for MW-scale ground-mounted solar power projects is ₹3.07 (~$0.035)/kWh. For non-domestic DSPV consumers, the tariff is ₹3.08 (~$0.035)/kWh. For domestic consumers installing systems with a capacity of 1 kW to 10 kW, the tariff is ₹3.86 (~$0.044)/kWh, excluding subsidy.</p>
<p>The Ministry of Heavy Industries <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mhi-announces-demand-incentives-for-electric-trucks-under-pm-e-drive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a notification for the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement program, offering demand incentives for electric trucks (e-trucks). Under the notice, N2 – trucks with gross vehicle weight (GVW) more than 3.5 tons but not exceeding 12 tons will be eligible to receive incentives. N3 – Trucks with a GVW exceeding 12 tons but under 55 tons will also be eligible to avail of incentives under the program. For articulated vehicles, only puller tractors (tractor-trailer combinations) under the N3 category will qualify for the incentives. E-trucks will receive demand incentives of up to ₹5,000 (~$58.28) multiplied by the battery capacity, measured in kilowatt-hours, or 10% of the truck’s ex-factory price (excluding trailer), whichever is lesser.</p>
<p>REMCL, a joint venture between the Ministry of Railways and Rail India Technical and Economic Service, <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/remcl-floats-tender-for-3-mw-solar-project-in-noida" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a tender to implement a 3 MW solar project at the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India complex in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Bids must be submitted by August 5, 2025. Bids will be opened on August 7. The project will consist of both ground-mounted and rooftop solar installations. The scope of work entails the design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the solar project. It also involves providing operation and maintenance for ten years.</p>
<p>REC Power Development and Consultancy (RECPDCL) <a href="https://mercomindia.com/recpdcl-signs-agreements-for-installing-3-32-million-smart-meters-in-gujarat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> agreements to deploy 3.32 million smart prepaid meters in Paschim Gujarat Vij Company’s jurisdictional area as part of the Phase II rollout of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The implementation will follow the design, build, finance, own, operate, and transfer model. RECPDCL signed the project implementation agency and the distribution department framework agreements for the project. It also signed an advanced metering infrastructure service provider contract agreement with Bharat Grid, a partnership venture between global infrastructure investor Actis and EDF India, the Indian arm of Électricité de France.</p>


<p>The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (<a href="https://www.eeslindia.org/content/raj/eesl/en/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EESL</a>), a joint venture of public sector units under the Ministry of Power, says it has successfully installed one million smart meters across India under the Smart Meter National Program (SMNP).</p>
<p>Union Power Minister, R.K. Singh, commented on the positive development saying, “The scale and pace of our energy efficiency initiatives have been unprecedented, with an immense impact that has been acknowledged globally, and the world is keen to replicate. I want to congratulate EESL for their relentless efforts towards achieving the country’s energy efficiency goals and completing an exceptional decade of success. I look forward to many more years of EESL’s endeavors in catalyzing innovative solutions for an energy future that is sustainable, accessible, and reliable.”</p>
<p>The minister also informed that electric vehicles deployed by EESL have already completed 20 million cumulative kilometers.</p>
<p>Speaking to Mercom, an official from EESL said, “We are on a mission mode in implementing the SMNP. Under this programme, we aim to deploy 250 million smart meters across the country over the next few years. We have been working on various projects to provide reliable solar power supply to the nation. We have a vision to provide universal access to sustainable energy solutions to enable a low carbon future, with significant economic and social impact.”</p>
<p>According to EESL, since 2009, it has cumulatively led to energy savings of over 58 kWh and a reduction of 46 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions across the globe.</p>
<p>Speaking at the event, Singh also launched the dashboards for the Smart Meter National Program, National Electricity Mobility Program, and a solar initiative to monitor the progress of these programs in real-time. The minister also launched an integrated mobile application- EK EESL- where anyone can access the dashboards of all the programs being implemented by EESL.</p>
<p>EESL has led the way in implementing the Government of India’s zero-subsidy Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) program by <a href="https://mercomindia.com/led-bulbs-under-ujala-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">distributing</a> over 361.6 million LED bulbs and Street Lighting National Programme by retrofitting over 10.6 million streetlights with LEDs. UJALA was <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ujala-cut-down-peak-power-demand-9-gw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">set up to</a> promote efficient use of energy at the residential level and enhance consumer awareness so they can choose efficient equipment and reduce energy bills, thereby helping to conserve the environment.</p>
<p>In addition to this, under the Buildings Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP), EESL has completed projects in 10,344 buildings, including railway stations and airports.</p>
<p>“Till date, decentralized solar power projects of approximately 100 MW cumulative capacity have been commissioned. EESL intends to take up nearly 800 MW of decentralized solar power projects in Maharashtra and is also in discussion with Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh DISCOMs for setting up of similar projects. EESL plans to set up 1,500 MW of decentralized solar power projects across the country by the end of 2020-21,” the official added.</p>
<p>In December last year, EESL had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/eesl-tender-solar-pumps-kusum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">invited</a> bids for off-grid solar water pump systems across India under the KUSUM program that is targeted towards promoting solar in agriculture.</p>
<p>Earlier, to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/eesl-joins-hands-sdmc-install-ev-charging-stations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">facilitate</a> the adoption of e-mobility in the national capital, EESL signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to establish the infrastructure for electric vehicles in the SDMC area for ten years.</p>
<p>Image credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/US_Navy_111007-N-KV696-016_An_advanced_metering_infrastructure_smart_meter_monitors_energy_consumption_near_the_Catering_and_Conference_Center.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kiona Miller</a> / Public domain</p>


EESL Successfully Installs One Million Smart Meters Across India

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