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RERC Approves Levelized Tariffs for 228.85 MW Solar Projects Under PM-KUSUM

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has approved levelized tariffs for 78 solar projects totaling 228.85 MW, implemented under Component C (feeder-level solarization) of the PM-KUSUM scheme by Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (JVVNL). The approved tariffs range from Rs2.78/kWh to Rs3.04/kWh for a 25-year power purchase agreement.

JVVNL initiated the bidding on December 13, 2024, targeting the solarization of 25,149 agricultural connections across 82 grid substations. The discovered tariffs were deemed cost-effective and compliant with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) norms and RERC guidelines. Key tariff components included domestic content requirements (DCR), central financial assistance (CFA), site-specific configurations, lease rent, remote monitoring systems, and degradation factors.

RERC affirmed the transparency of the bidding process and highlighted that even the highest approved tariff is significantly lower than the average variable power purchase cost of Rs4.03/kWh. The Commission emphasized the dual benefit: DISCOMs gain from lower procurement costs and enhanced Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) compliance, while farmers benefit from reliable daytime power and potential land lease income.

This approval follows RERC’s earlier nod for 233.97 MW of solar projects under the same PM-KUSUM Component-C framework, reinforcing Rajasthan’s leadership in agricultural solarization.