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					</table>The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://uerc.uk.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UERC</a>) has clarified that the Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand (<a href="https://ptcul.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PTCUL</a>) is not required to execute a separate connection agreement directly with consumers seeking a new EHV connection, an enhancement or reduction of load, or a change in the distribution licensee.
It also held that no fee for connectivity, power system study, or technical feasibility should be charged to such consumers, while addressing the concerns of Kashi Viswanath Steels (<a href="https://kvspremier.com/kashi-vishwanath-steels-pvt-ltd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KVSPL</a>), Kashipur.
On Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited’s (UPCL) levy of ₹40,000 (~$420.43) as a registration-cum-processing fee, the Commission found that such a fee should not have been levied in this case because the consumer had sought an enhancement of load at the same voltage level.
However, it noted that the fee was adjustable in the final demand note and, therefore, no financial harm would be caused to the consumer.
Background 
The case arose from a complaint submitted by KVSPL regarding the levy of connectivity charges for load enhancement.
The company had an existing 21,500 kVA electricity connection at 132 kV and applied to UPCL on February 26, 2024, to increase the load by 12,000 kVA at the same voltage level. It deposited ₹40,000 (~$420.43) with UPCL towards registration-cum-processing fee.
UPCL later informed the consumer that PTCUL had sought ₹100,000 (~$1,051) as a processing fee for a technical feasibility report to enhance the load from 21,500 kVA to 33,500 kVA.
Subsequently, PTCUL directed UPCL to ensure that the consumer deposits the balance of ₹400,000 (~$4,204.3) towards the execution of a connectivity agreement.
Taking cognizance of the complaint, the Commission initiated suo motu proceedings and issued a show-cause notice to PTCUL, seeking an explanation for levying the charges.
PTCUL argued that the enhancement sought by KVSPL constituted a substantial increase in load and could require modification in the existing transmission system.
It also stated that, according to the Intra-State Open Access Regulations, 2015, the consumer was required to submit a grid connectivity application along with a connectivity fee of ₹500,000 (~$5,255), of which ₹100,000 (~$1,051) had already been deposited.
UPCL defended the levy of ₹40,000 (~$420.43), stating that it was charged in accordance with the UERC Electricity Supply Code Regulations, 2020.
Commission’s Analysis 
The Commission identified three main issues: whether a separate connection agreement was required for consumers seeking new EHV connection or enhancement of load through the distribution licensee; whether connectivity, power system study, or technical feasibility charges could be levied on such consumers; and whether UPCL was correct in charging ₹40,000 (~$420.43) as registration-cum-processing fee from KVSPL.
On the first issue, the Commission noted that the first category consists of applicants seeking direct connectivity from the transmission licensee for open access and who are not, or do not intend to be, embedded consumers of the distribution company.
For such applicants, the Commission noted that Regulation 5 of the UERC Intra-State Open Access Regulations, 2015 provides for a non-refundable fee of ₹500,000 (~$5,255) payable to PTCUL, and such applicants are required to sign a connectivity agreement directly with the transmission licensee.
The second category comprises existing or prospective consumers of the distribution company who may also seek open access in the future. For such applicants, which include KVSPL, the Commission observed that they submit applications to the distribution company, which in turn obtains connectivity from the transmission licensee before availing of the connection.
In such cases, there is no direct interface between the applicant and the transmission licensee, and the distribution company acts as a facilitator. Therefore, no connectivity, power system study, or technical feasibility charges are applicable in such cases.
The Commission referred to its earlier order, which stated that PTCUL is not required to execute a separate connection agreement directly with consumers seeking a new EHV connection, or an enhancement or reduction of load, and that no charges towards connectivity, power system study, or technical feasibility are required in such cases.
On UPCL’s levy of ₹40,000 (~$420.43), the Commission noted that a consumer seeking enhancement or reduction of load at the same voltage level must apply in the correct format, which does not provide for the deposit of registration-cum-processing fee.
It added that since KVSPL sought enhancement of load at the same voltage level of 132 kV, the company had to apply under Annexure VII, and that the registration-cum-processing fee should not have been levied.
However, the Commission also observed that the registration-cum-processing fee deposited by the consumer is adjustable in the final demand note.
This April, UERC <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/uttarakhand-raises-tariffs-for-industrial-category-power-consumers-in-fy-2027" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raised</a> tariffs for some industrial-category power consumers and retained tariffs for commercial-category power consumers for the financial year (FY) 2027.
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.

Uttarakhand Rules Against Connectivity Fees for EHV Load Enhancement

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					</table>HPCL Renewable and Green Energy (HPRGE), a subsidiary of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (<a href="https://www.hindustanpetroleum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HPCL</a>), has invited bids for land and EHV transmission system package for the development of ISTS-connected solar power projects of 600 MW in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
The last date for the submission of bids is June 21, 2024. Bids will be opened the same day.
The scope of work includes identifying and arranging the required land and designing, engineering, supplying, constructing, erection, and commissioning the EHV transmission system up to the ISTS substation.
This excludes the pooling substation at the solar project end but includes bay construction at the grid substation for a 600 MW capacity.
The scope encompasses three years of operation and maintenance of the transmission system and EHV bays at the ISTS substation.
Each project and location will have a capacity of 300 MW.
Bidders must arrange land for the solar project for at least 29 years and 11 months from the date it is allotted to HPGRE.
The land can be leased government land, private land, or a combination of both. The land parcel must be contiguous at a single location. Bidders must propose a lease or sublease for 30 years for a total of 1,200 acres.
They must offer land according to the specification of a minimum of 4 acres per MW.
The proposed land must not be within Great Indian Bustard zones, coastal regulation zones, or prohibited ranges of any wildlife-protected areas, forest areas, or defense establishments.
There should be no government restrictions on setting up the solar power project on the proposed land.
Bidders must submit an earnest money deposit of ₹1 million (~$11,969).
Successful bidders must furnish a performance bank guarantee of 5% of the EPC contract price (excluding land lease and O&amp;M contract value) within two weeks of issuing the letter of award.
Bidders must have experience completing similar works in India over the past ten years.
This experience should include the following for grid-connected solar PV projects/ solar parks or wind projects/ wind parks with a capacity of 50 MW or higher at a single location:
<ul>
<li>Arrangement of land for the project.</li>
<li>Obtaining technical feasibility approval for power evacuation through an STU/ISTS substation.</li>
</ul>
The capacity to be quoted by the bidder in each schedule is 300 MW, which corresponds to approximately 1,200 acres of land.
The average annual financial turnover for the last three years, ending on March 31, 2024, should meet the following requirements: For Schedule 1, with a proposed capacity of 300 MW, the turnover should be at least ₹80 million (~$957,526).
For Schedule 2, with a proposed capacity of 300 MW, the turnover should also be at least ₹80 million (~$957,526). If Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 are combined for a total proposed capacity of 600 MW, the turnover should be at least ₹160 million (~$1.9 million).
In May, HPRGE <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/hpcl-seeks-bids-for-and-floating-solar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for a detailed feasibility report and project management consultancy services for grid-tied rooftop and floating solar projects with a cumulative capacity of 81.5 MW.
HPRGEL also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/hindustan-petroleum-epc-300-mw-solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for the engineering, procurement, and construction package with land for 300 MW of solar projects in seven states.
Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.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.

HPCL Subsidiary Tenders Land and Transmission System for 600 MW Solar Project

NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (<a href="https://www.ntpc.co.in/en/ntpc-renewable-energy-limited" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC REL</a>) has invited bids for acquiring land, and an extra-high voltage (EHV) transmission system package for the development of 500 MW state transmission utility (STU) connected solar projects in Rajasthan.
The last date to submit the bid is March 21, 2022.
Bidders must pay the cost of bidding documents amounting to ₹22,500 (~$298).
Successful bidders must submit a bid security amount of ₹5 million (~$66,130) for a quoted capacity of 250 MW and ₹10 million (~$132,260) for a capacity of 500 MW.
The developers should have executed land arrangement and grid connectivity approval for solar PV projects of a cumulative capacity of 100 MW or higher. At least one project should be of 50 MW or higher capacity located at a single location.
The minimum average annual turnover of the bidder for any three financial years out of the preceding five financial years as of the date of techno-commercial bid opening, i.e., March 21, 2022, should be ₹100 million (~$1.32 million) for a quoted capacity of 50 MW to 300 MW. The minimum turnover for a quoted capacity of more than 300 MW and up to 500 MW is ₹200 million (~$2.64 million).
The bidders should have a positive net worth as on the last day of the preceding financial year.
The land requirement for the total 500 MW capacity is calculated to be around 2.250 acres. The developer will be required to provide the land either for a minimum capacity of 250 MW or for the total 500 MW. They must also arrange and transfer the land registration for the project.
The developer will also be required to construct the approach road to the plant boundary by self or state machinery if it does not exist already. The developer must also conduct a topography survey for land parcels and any cutting with compaction to maintain an average slope of 10% for solar project land.
The scope of work also includes transmission system-related works, including connectivity with STU in Rajasthan. The bidder must also ensure the construction and interconnection of the EHV transmission line till the Rajasthan STU substation, including arranging for the “Right of Way” of transmission line for 25+2 years and bay work at STU substation complying with relevant CEA standards. The bidders must also provide the EHV transmission line and STU substation operations and maintenance for three years from the project commissioning date.
A provision to change the overhead transmission lines to underground for power evacuation of 500 MW or 250 MW capacity in the Great Indian Bustard area subject to future statutory orders would be available at a “predefined” additional payable cost per MW/km basis.
Last month NTPC REL had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-tenders-bos-solar-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for a balance of system package with land for 300 MW of inter-state transmission system-connected solar projects to be set up anywhere in India. The last date to submit bids is March 4, 2022.
NTPC REL had also <a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-tenders-bos-package-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> another bid for a BoS package with land for up to 1,000 MW of ISTS-connected solar projects to be set up anywhere in India.

NTPC Tenders Transmission System Package with Land for 500 MW of Solar Projects

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