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Karnataka High Court Quashes KERC’s Captive Status Verification Procedure


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					</table><p>The Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (<a href="https://energy.rajasthan.gov.in/JVVNL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RVPNL</a>) has issued draft guidelines mandating that battery storage systems installed with renewable energy captive and open access projects be charged during solar peak hours using power from their own generation.</p>
<p>The draft details procedures for charging and discharging battery storage systems installed alongside wind-solar and solar projects.</p>
<p>Such projects must be installed under the Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024, and the battery storage systems must be designed for two cycles.</p>
<p>Stakeholders can submit their comments by May 29, 2026.</p>
<p>Under the proposed guidelines, the battery storage systems installed along with wind-solar hybrid projects must be charged from their own renewable energy generation (10 AM to 3 PM). The stored energy must be discharged during evening peak hours (6 PM to 10 PM).</p>
<p>The battery storage systems can be charged again during the night hours using their own wind power generation (12 AM to 4 AM), followed by discharge during the morning peak hours (6 AM to 8 AM).</p>
<p>Battery storage systems installed alongside solar projects must be charged from their own renewable energy generation during solar peak hours (10 AM to 3 PM). The stored energy must be discharged during evening peak hours (6 PM to 10 PM) and/or during morning peak hours (6 AM to 8 AM).</p>
<p>The battery storage systems must not draw power from the RVPNL’s grid for charging.  If the grid frequency falls below 49.6 Hz, the charging of the battery storage system must be automatically disconnected.</p>
<p>The draft procedures specify that the operation of the battery systems will remain subject to directions issued by the state load dispatch centre (SLDC) in the interest of grid security, system stability, congestion management, deviation settlement mechanism management, and reliable grid operations.</p>
<p>It also proposes that in the event of any grid contingency, transmission constraint, abnormal system condition, or other operational requirement, the SLDC may revise, curtail, reschedule, or restrict the charging and discharging operations of such battery storage systems as necessary to ensure secure grid operations.</p>
<p>The respective distribution companies will carry out energy settlement for the battery storage systems’ charging and discharging in accordance with the prevailing regulations. The credits for energy discharged through the battery storage system will be given first during peak time-of-day hours, then during normal hours, and finally during off-peak hours.</p>
<p>The distribution company and SLDC will inform the BESS discharge schedule at the beginning of each month, and discharge should preferably occur during peak hours.</p>
<p>In September 2025, the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission <a href="https://mercomindia.com/rajasthan-mandates-5-ess-for-renewable-energy-projects-above-5-mw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposed</a> mandating that all new renewable energy projects with an installed capacity of more than 5 MW include energy storage systems, except for hydroelectric power projects.</p>
<p>Rajasthan also <a href="https://mercomindia.com/rajasthan-bess-captive-projects-exceeding-contract-demand" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mandates</a> the installation of battery storage systems for a minimum 20% of the energy generated by the additional capacity beyond 100% of contract demand. Captive power projects may be sized to exceed contract demand by up to 200%.</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 Proposes Charging of Battery Storage Systems from Own Generation


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					</table><p>The M.P. Power Management Company (<a href="https://www.mppmcl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MPPMCL</a>) has invited bids for the supply of energy from 282.50 MW/1,130 MWh (282.50 MW X 4 hours) battery energy storage systems in India, with Viability Gap Funding Support (VGF) under the build, own, operate model.</p>
<p>The last date to submit bids online is June 9, 2026. Bids will be opened on June 11.</p>
<p>Bidders must submit ₹480,000 (~$5,016)/MW as the earnest money deposit.</p>
<p>Successful bidders must furnish a performance bank guarantee of ₹2.4 million (~$25,079)/MW for the quoted capacity.</p>
<p>The VGF support has been earmarked for a cumulative battery storage capacity of 282.50 MW/1130 MWh at ₹1.2 million (~$12,539.4)/MWh, or 30% of the project&#8217;s capital cost, whichever is lower.</p>
<p>The project must be completed within 12 months of the signing of the battery energy storage purchase agreement (BESPA).</p>
<p>Bidders should submit a single bid offering a minimum cumulative project capacity of 50 MW/200 MWh and a maximum cumulative project capacity of 141.25 MW/565 MWh.</p>
<p>The project should be designed for interconnection with the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network. Responsibility for obtaining ISTS connectivity should be entirely the developer&#8217;s, in line with applicable regulations.</p>
<p>Only commercially established and operational technologies should be used to minimize technology risk and achieve timely project commissioning.</p>
<p>The net worth of bidders should be at least ₹9.6 million (~$100,315)/MW as on the last day of the previous financial year.</p>
<p>Bidders should fulfill any one of the following criteria:</p>
<ul>
<li>A minimum annual turnover of ₹4.8 million (~$50,157.6)/MW of the quoted capacity during the previous financial year.</li>
<li>Internal resource generation capability, in the form of profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes, excluding other and exceptional income, for a minimum amount of ₹960,000 (~$10,031.5)/MW of the quoted capacity, as on the last date of the previous financial year.</li>
<li>In-principle sanction letter from the lending institutions or banks committing a line of credit for a minimum amount of ₹1.2 million (~$12,539.4)/MW of the quoted capacity, towards meeting the working capital requirement of the project.</li>
</ul>
<p>Developers should ensure that refurbished battery cells are not used in the project, and that the application software for the BESS energy management system is developed in India.</p>
<p>This January, MPPMCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/madhya-pradesh-invites-bids-for-1-5-gwh-standalone-bess-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up 750 MW/1.5 GWh of standalone battery energy storage systems (two units of 250 MW/500 MWh and two units of 125 MW/250 MWh) under a build-own-operate model.</p>
<p>Earlier, MPPMCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/madhya-pradesh-invites-bids-to-procure-500-mw-energy-storage-from-psps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to procure 500 MW of energy storage capacity from ISTS-connected pumped storage projects.</p>


Madhya Pradesh Invites Bids for 1.13 GWh Battery Energy Storage Systems


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					</table><p>The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://www.tnerc.tn.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TNERC</a>) has approved a tariff of ₹4.47 (~$0.048)/kWh for two 15 MW solar projects integrated with 45 MWh battery energy storage systems in the Karur and Thiruvarur districts.</p>
<p>The projects will be implemented under a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA).</p>
<p>For the Karur project, the Commission allowed Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (<a href="https://www.tngecl.org/en/greenenergy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TNGECL</a>) to issue a letter of award to <a href="https://evolveenergygroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Evolve Green Energies</a>, the L1 bidder.</p>
<p>For the Thiruvarur project, TNERC permitted TNGECL to award the contract to <a href="https://bvgindia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BVG India</a>.</p>
<p>The Commission allowed TNGECL to execute the PPA with the developers and a power sale agreement (PSA) with Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (<a href="https://www.tnpdcl.org/en/tnpdcl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TNPDCL</a>), with a trade margin of ₹0.03 (~$0.0003)/kWh.</p>
<p>At the same time, the regulator directed that during any battery storage outage or battery replacement period, only the solar tariff component will be payable, instead of the full composite tariff.</p>
<p><strong>Background </strong></p>
<p>The petitions were filed by TNGECL and TNPDCL seeking approval of tariffs discovered through competitive bidding for two solar-plus-storage projects.</p>
<p>The tender for the Karur project was <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/tamil-nadu-15-mw-solar-45-mwh-bess-project-karur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> in November last year. The tender for the Thiruvarur project was also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/tngecl-invites-bids-for-15-mw-solar-with-45-mwh-bess-project-in-thiruvarur" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> in the same month.</p>
<p>Each project consists of a 15 MW solar plant integrated with a 15 MW/45 MWh battery energy storage system, capable of supplying stored electricity for three hours during peak demand periods.</p>
<p>The projects aim to supply firm renewable energy during evening peak hours, reduce reliance on expensive short-term power purchases, and enhance grid stability.</p>
<p>The bidding process was conducted in accordance with the Ministry of Power’s guidelines for renewable energy with energy storage systems.</p>
<p>According to the petitioners, the discovered tariff of ₹4.47 (~$0.048)/kWh was significantly lower than the estimated levelized tariff of around ₹6.49 (~$0.071)/kWh for similar solar-plus-storage projects.</p>
<p>The tariff structure was designed as a single composite energy tariff without separate capacity or availability charges, ensuring that payments would be linked strictly to actual energy delivered.</p>
<p>The petitioners added that the projects include certain performance obligations, such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>The minimum annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) of the solar project should be 21%. Any solar generation exceeding the 21% CUF limit in a particular month may be payable at 75% of the latest discovered rate price for solar energy or 75% of the weighted average of the solar tariff discovered during the financial year of that period, whichever is lower.</li>
<li>The developer should ensure that the battery storage system discharges at least 95% of the contracted 45 MWh monthly peak energy obligation during peak hours, with 95% availability.</li>
<li>The minimum round-trip efficiency for the storage system should be 85%. If, in any month within an operational year, the developer fails to achieve a minimum round-trip efficiency of 85%, the developer will be liable for damages.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Commission’s Analysis </strong></p>
<p>TNERC acknowledged that integrating battery storage with solar generation can provide peak power support, improve grid flexibility, and reduce reliance on costly short-term power procurement.</p>
<p>However, the Commission expressed concerns about composite tariff structures, noting that they could potentially expose distribution utilities to financial risks if storage performance deteriorates or if payments are not properly linked to actual system benefits.</p>
<p>To address these concerns, TNERC imposed several safeguards, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Limiting the DC: AC capacity ratio of solar modules to 1.3:1 to prevent excessive generation incentives. The AC capacity should be defined as the lower of the inverter nameplate capacity or the contracted capacity (15MW).</li>
<li>Requiring developers to maintain 21% annual CUF and minimum peak discharge obligations.</li>
<li>Mandating a minimum 85% round-trip efficiency for the battery storage system.</li>
<li>Restricting tariff payments to solar benchmark rates during battery storage outages to prevent gaming of the composite tariff structure.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Commission emphasized that the metering arrangements for the project should comply with the Central Electricity Authority regulations governing the installation and operation of meters, as well as the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Grid Code.</p>
<p>It directed TNGECL and TNPDCL to ensure that the metering scheme, real-time data acquisition systems, and energy accounting procedures are designed to enable accurate monitoring of solar generation, storage charging, and discharge during peak periods, and that they are implemented in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework.</p>
<p>Further, TNERC adopted a tariff of ₹4.47 (~$0.048)/kWh for the procurement of power from two 15 MW solar projects with 45 MWh battery energy storage systems in the Karur and Thiruvarur districts.</p>
<p>Recently, TNERC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/tnerc-adopts-tariff-for-375-mw-1500-mwh-battery-energy-storage-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adopted</a> tariffs of ₹315,000 (~$3,459)/MW/month and ₹316,000 (~$3,470)/MW per month for 375 MW/1,500 MWh battery energy storage projects.</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 stay informed about critical updates from the renewable industry.</p>


TNERC Adopts Tariff for Two 15 MW Solar Plus 45 MWh Battery Storage Projects


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					</table><p>Punjab State Power Corporation (<a href="https://www.pspcl.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PSPCL</a>) has invited bids to set up 500 MW/1,000 MWh battery energy storage systems in Mohali and Jalandhar.</p>
<p>The last date to submit bids is April 10, 2026. Bids will be opened on April 16.</p>
<p>Bidders must submit ₹471,000 (~$5,118)/MW as an earnest money deposit. Bidders must also furnish a performance bank guarantee of ₹1.17 million (~$12,713)/MW.</p>
<p>The minimum bid size should be 100 MWh, i.e., 50 MW x 2 hours.</p>
<p>The projects must be commissioned within 18 months from the signing of the battery energy storage purchase agreement.</p>
<p>Only commercially established and operational technologies should be used for the projects to minimize technology risk and achieve timely commissioning.</p>
<p>The bidders’ net worth should be at least ₹7 million (~$76,065)/MW of the cumulative contracted capacity, as on the last date of the previous financial year.</p>
<p>Their annual turnover should be at least ₹7 million (~$76,065)/MW as on the last day of the previous financial year.</p>
<p>PSPCL will provide 10 acres of land on lease to the developers at an annual lease charge of ₹1 (~$0.011) per acre. Land allocation for the projects will be under the scope of PSPCL.</p>
<p>The project will not be eligible for viability gap funding.</p>
<p>The responsibility for obtaining state transmission utility connectivity will lie with the developer.</p>
<p>The cost of infrastructure construction from the project up to and including the interconnection point, including, but not limited to, the transmission line, the construction of a new bay, busbar extension and augmentation, maintenance, and all costs up to the delivery point, will be borne by the developer.</p>
<p>The noise level of the battery storage system should be kept below 80 decibels, since residential colonies may be developed on the land adjacent to the sites in the future.</p>
<p>The developer should guarantee a minimum monthly system availability of 95%. The developer will have to pay liquidated damages for any shortfall at the rate of two times the storage tariff for the capacity not made available.</p>
<p>In January this year, PSPCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/punjab-discom-floats-tender-for-1-gwh-standalone-bess-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up 500 MW/1,000 MWh standalone battery energy storage systems.</p>
<p>Earlier, PSPCL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/punjab-invites-bids-for-250-mw-500-mwh-standalone-bess" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a request for selection to set up 250 MW/500 MWh standalone battery storage systems in Bhatinda, Punjab.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> to stay on top of tender activity in real-time.</p>


Punjab Invites Bids for 500 MW/1,000 MWh Standalone Battery Storage Systems

<div id="stcpDiv">
<p>A <a href="http://www.ntpc.co.in/en/media/press-releases/details/ntpc-signs-mou-andaman-and-nicobar-set-50-mw-solar-power-projects-battery-energy-storage-system-port" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Memorandum of Understanding</a> (MoU) has been signed between the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Andaman &amp; Nicobar Administration, and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for NTPC to set up 50 MW of solar projects with battery energy storage system at Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands.</p>
<p>An NTPC official said that these projects will be part of the 100 MW of solar projects that the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) had asked NTPC to develop in the Union Territory. The projects are expected to be commissioned by end of financial year 2017-18.</p>
<p>The power generated from these solar projects will contribute towards increased renewable energy deployment and greening of the Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands. To date 322.5 MW of projects with battery energy storage system have been tendered in India.<a href="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25Oct2016-India_SolarStorage_Tenders-NTPC50MW-PortBlair.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4291" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25Oct2016-India_SolarStorage_Tenders-NTPC50MW-PortBlair.png" alt="" width="891" height="294" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25Oct2016-India_SolarStorage_Tenders-NTPC50MW-PortBlair.png 891w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25Oct2016-India_SolarStorage_Tenders-NTPC50MW-PortBlair-300x99.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25Oct2016-India_SolarStorage_Tenders-NTPC50MW-PortBlair-768x253.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25Oct2016-India_SolarStorage_Tenders-NTPC50MW-PortBlair-650x214.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25Oct2016-India_SolarStorage_Tenders-NTPC50MW-PortBlair-624x206.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/25Oct2016-India_SolarStorage_Tenders-NTPC50MW-PortBlair-600x198.png 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 891px) 100vw, 891px" /></a></p>
<p>NTPC is playing a major role in making Andaman &amp; Nicobar energy-sufficient. As recently reported by Mercom, NTPC has tendered 43 MW of solar in Andaman &amp; Nicobar, out of which a <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-invites-bids-develop-17-mw-solar-project-andaman-nicobar-islands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">17 MW project</a> and an <a href="https://mercomindia.wpengine.com/ntpc-invites-bids-to-develop-8-mw-solar-project-in-andaman-and-nicobar-islands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">8 MW project</a> were tendered in the month of October.</p>
</div>


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