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					</table><p>The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://rerc.rajasthan.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RERC</a>) has approved seven deviations from the Ministry of Power’s firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) bidding guidelines for Rajasthan Solarpark Development Company’s (RSDCL) tender to set up 2,450 MW solar and 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh battery energy storage projects at Pugal Solar Park in Bikaner.</p>
<p>The approved deviations include changes to peak-hour penalties, commissioning, bid sizes, default provisions, and green market sourcing to support firm renewable power supply during peak demand.</p>
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<p>After <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-invites-bids-2-45-gw-solar-plus-1-6-gw-6-4-gwh-bess?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inviting</a> bids to set up 2,450 MW solar projects with 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh energy storage, RSDCL proposed 10 deviations from the Ministry of Power’s FDRE bidding guidelines. These included stricter penalties for peak-hour supply shortfalls, mandatory land vacation after the power purchase agreement (PPA) period, changes to payment security, early commissioning norms, minimum bid sizes, grid unavailability compensation, reduced offtake compensation, and event of default provisions.</p>
<p>It sought the Ministry of Power’s clarification and approval on the proposed deviations, stating that the project would supply firm renewable power during peak hours using battery storage.</p>
<p>The Ministry directed RSDCL to seek approval from RERC.</p>
<p>RSDCL approached the Commission for approval. The Commission directed it to seek stakeholder feeback on proposed deviations.</p>
<p>RSDCL received comments from five stakeholders on penalties, PPA extension, dismantling obligations, early commissioning with energy storage, bid capacity, default triggers, 5% green market sourcing, metering, land allocation, financial criteria, bid validity, and alignment with Rajasthan’s resource adequacy plan.</p>
<p>RSDCL later withdrew three deviations covering payment security fund charges, reduction of the grid unavailability threshold, and modification of reduced offtake compensation.</p>
<p>It sought the Commission’s approval for the remaining deviations.</p>
<p>RSDCL submitted that the deviations were needed to align the tender with the solar and energy storage project’s peak-hour supply objective. It added that the changes would ensure reliable storage-backed power, prevent overcompensation, avoid tariff arbitrage, support efficient use of solar park infrastructure, and protect distribution companies from replacement power costs.</p>
<p><strong>Commission’s Analysis</strong></p>
<p>The Commission noted that the solar and energy storage tender differs from standard renewable procurement because it involves firm, dispatchable renewable power with storage. It said project-specific deviations could be justified if they support grid reliability, tariff competitiveness, and consumer interest.</p>
<p>It approved the seven requested deviations with conditions. These conditions include higher peak-hour penalties, early commissioning only with proportionate energy storage, revised bid sizes, peak-supply-based default provisions, and limited flexibility in green market procurement.</p>
<p>The Commission directed RSDCL to align the final tender, PPA, and implementation support agreement with the approved deviations, review lot sizes, and ensure the project fits Rajasthan’s resource adequacy plan.</p>
<p>RERC clarified that tariff approval for the tendered project will be issued separately after bidding.</p>
<p>In May, RERC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-treats-gst-rate-cut-on-clean-energy-equipment-as-change-in-law-event" target="_blank" rel="noopener">held</a> that the reduction in goods and services tax on renewable energy devices and parts from 12% to 5% will be treated as a change in law event under PPAs signed in the state.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.</p>


Rajasthan Approves Tender Deviations for Solar-Plus-Energy Storage Project


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					</table><p>The Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company (<a href="https://energy.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/energy-department/rrecl/en/activities/RPO1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RSDCL</a>), a subsidiary of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (<a href="https://energy.rajasthan.gov.in/rrecl/#/pages/department-page/2357" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RREC</a>), has invited bids to set up a battery energy storage system at the 680 MW Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan to utilize underutilized transmission capacity during non-solar hours.</p>
<p>Bids must be submitted by July 14, 2026.</p>
<p>Bidders must pay a document fee of ₹1,000 (~$10.58), plus 18% GST, and a processing fee of ₹5,000 (~$52.88), plus 18% GST.</p>
<p>The scope of work entails the design, engineering, procurement, construction, testing, and commissioning of the battery storage project. It also involves providing operation and maintenance services for 15 years.</p>
<p>Successful bidders must undertake the performance monitoring and reporting for the battery project. They must provide the complete system design, including the battery project configuration, balance of the project, control systems, supervisory control and data acquisition system, and grid integration design at the 132 kV interconnection level.</p>
<p>They must arrange the financial arrangements for the project.</p>
<p>Selected bidders must undertake the civil and structural works and complete the electrical installations.</p>
<p>The battery energy storage project must be completed within 24 months.</p>
<p>Bidders must have developed utility-scale solar projects and grid-connected battery energy storage projects of any capacity. They must have integrated energy battery storage systems with grid infrastructure, preferably including connectivity processes for central or state transmission units, and demonstrate their capability to execute large-scale power projects under the build, own, operate; build, own, operate, transfer; or similar models.</p>
<p>Bidders must have had a positive net worth in the last financial year.</p>
<p>RSDCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solar-tenders-and-auctions-decline-in-q1-2026-amid-focus-on-project-execution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the highest capacity of solar tenders in the first quarter of 2026, contributing 44.4% of the national total.</p>
<p>This March, RSDCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-invites-bids-2-45-gw-solar-plus-1-6-gw-6-4-gwh-bess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up 2,450 MW of solar projects with 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh of battery energy storage systems to ensure peak power supply at the Pugal Solar Park in Bikaner, Rajasthan.</p>
<p>Last November, RREC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-launches-plug-and-play-2-45-gw-solar-park-with-5-gwh-bess-in-pugal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a plug-and-play solar park comprising 2,450 MW of solar and 5,000 MWh of BESS projects in Pugal, Rajasthan.</p>


Rajasthan Tenders Battery Storage System Tied to 680 MW Solar Project


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					</table><p>The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/bee-issues-draft-operational-procedure-for-renewable-consumption-obligations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the draft operational procedure for designated consumers to comply with renewable consumption obligations (RCO). In September 2025, the Ministry of Power prescribed an RCO for designated consumers to achieve a 43.33% target by the financial year 2030. Designated consumers can meet the RCO targets through their own generation under captive mode, requisition from the distribution company, and consumption of power from a green hydrogen or green ammonia project.</p>
<p>Vedanta Aluminium, part of the Vedanta Group, is among the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/indias-aluminum-industry-can-lead-global-green-metal-transition-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leading</a> aluminum producers in India. Its refineries and smelters in Lanjigarh and Jharsuguda in Odisha, and Korba in Chhattisgarh, are increasing their use of renewable energy sources for operations. In an exclusive interview with Mercom India, Rajiv Kumar, CEO at Vedanta Aluminium, shared details about Vedanta’s sustainable energy practices, including the use of renewable energy in the energy-intensive aluminum production process.</p>
<p>The Central Transmission Utility of India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ctuil-clarifies-gna-rules-for-additional-renewable-energy-generation-capacity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> an advisory clarifying the processing of applications for renewable energy generator connection details in line with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s General Network Access Regulations. The advisory addresses mismatches between installed capacity in simulation study models and the connectivity grant letters.</p>
<p>Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company (RSDCL) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rajasthan-invites-bids-2-45-gw-solar-plus-1-6-gw-6-4-gwh-bess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up 2,450 MW solar projects with 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh battery energy storage systems (BESS) for peak power supply at Pugal Solar Park in Bikaner, Rajasthan. RSDCL is a subsidiary of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation. The interconnection point will be 33 kV bays of the pooling substations inside the Pugal Solar Park, where the power from the projects is injected into the allocated bays.</p>
<p>The Electricity Department of the Andaman &amp; Nicobar Administration <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/andaman-nicobar-island-tenders-20-mwh-bess-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to develop a 20 MWh BESS project at Dollygunj in Sri Vijayapuram, Andaman. The project will be developed under the renewable energy service company model. The project will comprise two sub-systems, one with a rating of 4 MW/4 MWh and the other with a rating of 4 MW /16 MWh.</p>
<p>Public infrastructure finance company REC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/rec-invites-bids-for-indian-energy-stack-trading-pilot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> an expression of interest for participation in an Indian Energy Stack (IES) pilot focused on an interstate peer-to-peer energy trading use case. Participants can demonstrate their platform’s ability to deliver secure, interoperable integrations and conformance to the Application Programming Interface within a scalable, multi-stakeholder ecosystem. Participants can also contribute to a flagship IES use case.</p>
<p>State-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/pfc-to-raise-up-to-%E2%82%B950-billion-through-secured-debentures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launched</a> Tranche I of its public issue of secured, listed, and redeemable non-convertible debentures, aiming to raise ₹50 billion (~$554.18 million) as part of its broader ₹100 billion (~$1.108 billion) shelf program. Under Tranche I, PFC plans to raise ₹5 billion (~$55.42 billion) as the base issue size, with a greenshoe option to retain oversubscription of up to ₹45 billion (~$498.76 million), taking the total issue size to ₹50 billion (~$554.18 million).</p>
<p>Germany-based global energy trading company Uniper Global Commodities <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/uniper-to-procure-500000-tpa-of-green-ammonia-from-am-green" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> a long-term binding offtake agreement with AM Green Ammonia to purchase 500,000 tons per annum of renewable fuel of non-biological origin (RFNBO)-certified green ammonia. RFNBO are synthetic liquid or gaseous fuels, such as synthetic liquid or gaseous fuels, made from renewable energy and captured carbon dioxide.</p>
<p>Gujarat-based solar module manufacturer Solex Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/solex-energy-secures-%E2%82%B92-76-billion-module-supply-order" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured</a> a work order worth ₹2.76 billion (~$30.5 million) to supply 615 Wp N-type TOPCon and 620 Wp glass-to-glass solar modules from an independent power producer. The modules must be supplied by May 2026. In October 2025, Solex received a work order worth over ₹5.44 billion (~$61.33 million) from the Spain-based renewable energy project developer Zelestra Group to manufacture and supply N-Type TOPCon 615/620Wp glass-to-glass solar modules.</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia’s energy and infrastructure developer, Abunayyan Holding and U.S.-based Nextpower (formerly Nextracker), which specializes in solar tracking systems, have <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/abunayyan-nextpower-joint-venture-advances-utility-scale-solar-across-mena" target="_blank" rel="noopener">completed</a> the process of the formal incorporation of their previously announced joint venture, Nextpower Arabia. The joint venture aims at accelerating the deployment of utility-scale solar power projects across the Middle East and North Africa region.</p>
<p>China will cancel value-added tax (VAT) export rebates for photovoltaic and other related products from April 1, 2026, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration have <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/china-to-scrap-export-vat-rebates-for-solar-products-from-april-1-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a>. The policy also targets battery exports. The authorities said the export VAT rebate rate for battery products will be reduced from 9% to 6% from April 1 to December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2027, export VAT rebates for battery products will be canceled.</p>
<p>Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/germany-awards-3456-mw-offshore-wind-capacity-in-latest-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">awarded</a> 3,456 MW of offshore wind capacity in its latest auction round, exceeding the originally tendered volume of 3,450 MW. The auction attracted strong interest from developers, with 905 bids submitted amounting to a combined capacity of 8,155 MW, more than twice the volume on offer.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: BEE Notifies Draft Guidelines for RCO Compliance

<p>The Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company Limited (<a href="https://energy.rajasthan.gov.in/content/raj/energy-department/rrecl/en/activities/RPO1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">RSDCL</a>) has invited bids for the construction of 220 kV and 132 kV transmission lines at Nokh Solar Park in Jaisalmer on a turnkey basis.</p>
<p>The scope of work includes the design, engineering, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning of the transmission lines on a turnkey basis. Project work would also include the fabrication, galvanization, and delivery of the transmission line supporting structure for 220 kV and 132 kV lines.</p>
<p>All the lines in both the lots should be completed within 15 months from the date of the issuance of the detailed purchase order.</p>
<p>Interested bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹11.94 million (~$176,704) as the earnest money deposit (EMD). The last date for the submission of bids is February 26, 2020, and a pre-bid meeting will take place on January 31, 2020.</p>
<p>To be eligible, the bidder should have successfully installed at least 80% of the route length of tendered (75.85 km) transmission lines on a turnkey basis. The bidder for the linework should own or should have assured access to the tower material having a manufacturing capacity of 5000 MT per year for tower members and at least 2500 MT of manufactured parts of 132 kV towers in the last five years.</p>
<p>For joint venture firms, the lead partner should have successfully surveyed and erected at least 50% of the route length within the last seven years. The other partner should have 50% of the tower manufacturing capacity and should have manufactured or supplied 50% of the complete tower parts.</p>
<p>Based on the financial criteria, the bidders should have a minimum annual turnover of ₹200 million (~$2.81 million) for the best three financial years of the last five.</p>
<p>For a joint venture, the numbers for each of the partners should be added together to determine the bidder’s compliance with the minimum financial criteria, which is ₹200 million (~$2.81 million) for the best three financial years of the last five. The lead partner of the joint venture should meet not less than 40% of the minimum financial criteria.</p>
<p>A few months ago, Rajasthan distribution companies <a href="https://mercomindia.com/rajasthan-discoms-weary-transmission-systems-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">had complained</a> about the adverse financial implications in terms of load flow and transmission charges for the solar projects located there, even though there is no consumption within the state. The DISCOMs further noted they should not be bearing the burden of transmission charges or load flow, resulting in a higher point of connection charges for facilitating the transmission of power to other states.</p>
<p>The DISCOMs demanded a proper mechanism to share the transmission charges of interstate transmission system (ISTS) assets created for evacuating power from solar rich states. In its earlier order, the Commission had heard the concerns raised about the burden on the distribution companies related to the unused transmission assets. It was decided that the distribution companies should not bear such a burden.</p>
<p>The CERC previously <a href="https://mercomindia.com/cerc-details-mechanism-sharing-charges-losses-renewable-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">issued a draft regulation</a> for sharing inter-state transmission charges and losses for 2019. According to the <a href="http://www.cercind.gov.in/2019/draft_reg/DR31-10-2019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">draft</a>, the transmission charges would be shared among the designated ISTS customers, so that the yearly transmission charges are fully covered, and any adjustment on account of the revision of transmission charges are recovered.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, in September 2019, Adani Transmission Limited (<a href="https://www.adanitransmission.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ATL</a>) <a href="https://mercomindia.com/adani-acquires-transmission-project-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">signed</a> a share purchase agreement and completed the acquisition of the special purpose vehicle of Bikaner-Khetri Transmission Limited,  incorporated by PFC Consulting Ltd. ATL had won this project in Rajasthan through a tariff-based competitive bidding process and received the Letter of Intent for the project in July 2019.</p>
<p>Lack of transmission infrastructure has been a growing concern for solar and wind companies, and Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/transmission-capacity-concern-solar-wind/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a> on this issue several times. <a href="https://mercomindia.com/indias-transmission-infrastructure-struggles-wind-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mercom has written about</a> how with the expected surge in electricity demand over the coming decade and the rapid installation of solar and wind, India’s transmission and distribution systems require significant expansion.</p>


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