GERC approves Rs 3.11/kWh tariff for GUVNL's 500 MW Wind Power

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has approved a tariff of Rs 3.11/kWh (~$0.037) for Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) to secure power from 500 MW grid-connected wind power projects through a competitive bidding process in the state. In response to a petition by GUVNL seeking adoption of tariffs and procurement of 500 MW from grid-connected wind power projects in the state, GERC has directed GUVNL to disclose the bidders' names and quoted tariffs on its website within 30 days. GUVNL initiated a tender for the procurement of 500 MW grid-connected wind projects (Phase V) with an additional allocation of up to 500 MW capacity under the Greenshoe option. Out of the total capacity, only 300 MW was auctioned, with Juniper Green, Evergreen Renewables, SJVN Green, and Solarcraft Power (Blupine Energy) selected at tariffs of Rs 3.11/kWh (~$0.03), Rs 3.18/kWh (~$0.038), Rs 3.26/kWh (~$0.039), and Rs 3.37/kWh (~$0.040), respectively. The developers, upon successful bidding, will enter into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with GUVNL and will bear all associated expenses. The project aims to interconnect with the Gujarat state transmission utility or the central transmission utility substation via a dedicated transmission line to deliver energy at the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation periphery. GUVNL, representing the four distribution companies, sought tariff adoption from the Commission and has been engaging in PPAs with renewable energy generators for power procurement. Since bids were received for only 300 MW, a new e-reverse auction will be conducted for 80% of the subscribed capacity.