Amended Draft Guidelines for Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Process for Grid Connected Solar PV Power Projects - 2016

Promotion of competition in the electricity industry in India is one of the key objectives of the Electricity Act, 2003. Power purchase costs constitute the largest cost element for distribution licensees. Competitive procurement of electricity by the distribution licensees is expected to reduce the overall cost of procurement of power and facilitate development of power markets. Internationally, competition in wholesale electricity markets has led to reduction in prices of electricity and in significant benefits for consumers. Section 61 & 62 of the Act provide for tariff regulation and determination of tariff of generation, transmission, wheeling and retail sale of electricity by the Appropriate Commission. As per proviso of Section 61 read with Section 178(2) of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Terms and Conditions for Tariff determination from Renewable Energy Sources Regulations, 2012 were framed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) in February, 2012. Further, section 63 of the Act states that – “Notwithstanding anything contained in section 62, the Appropriate Commission shall adopt the tariff if such tariff has been determined through transparent process of bidding in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Central Government.” These guidelines have been framed to cover grid connected Solar PV Power Projects under the above provisions of section 63 of the Act. 5.