Himachal Pradesh has secured 900MW of inexperienced vitality by swiftly approving the acquisition of wind-solar hybrid energy from the Photo voltaic Vitality Company of India (SECI), a deal rejected earlier by the Punjab State Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (PSERC).
Himachal Pradesh has secured 900MW of inexperienced vitality by swiftly approving the acquisition of wind-solar hybrid energy from the Photo voltaic Vitality Company of India (SECI), a deal rejected earlier by the Punjab State Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (PSERC). (HT Picture)
Whereas the Punjab State Energy Company Restricted (PSPCL) was planning to attraction in opposition to the PSERC determination, the Himachal Pradesh authorities didn’t give it an opportunity by promptly agreeing to the SECI charge and signing the ability buy settlement. Earlier, this PPA was with the PSPCL, however the PSERC didn’t approve it.
The Himachal Pradesh Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (HPERC) permitted the ability procurement on December 17, 2024, permitting the state to faucet into inexpensive renewable vitality and positioning it as a frontrunner in sustainable vitality adoption.
Missed alternative
In stark distinction, Punjab’s rejection of the deal has left it grappling with a missed alternative to safe cost-effective renewable vitality. The PSERC had rejected the settlement on November 4, 2024, elevating considerations about further monetary liabilities of ₹1,590 crore, together with buying and selling margins and transmission losses. The deal was struck over 7 paise per unit as transmission costs, which the regulator discovered unjustified.
The fee additionally criticised the dearth of agency capability assurances and PSPCL’s dependence on intermediaries like SECI, suggesting that direct procurement from builders might save ₹2,018 crore over the undertaking’s lifetime.
The identical session noticed the rejection of one other proposal for 1,450 MW solar energy from SJVN resulting from an estimated further monetary burden of ₹1,060 crore.
HP’s decisive transfer
Himachal Pradesh, nonetheless, moved decisively to approve the deal, recognising the vital must safe long-term renewable vitality sources to satisfy the rising demand.
The permitted tariffs, ₹3.15/kWh for 300 MW and ₹3.21/kWh for 600 MW, with a buying and selling margin of ₹0.07/kWh, have been found via a clear bidding course of by SECI. Whereas PSERC rejected it, the HPERC deemed each aggressive and according to nationwide renewable vitality insurance policies. The facility might be sourced from NTPC Renewable Vitality Ltd., Juniper Inexperienced Vitality, and Inexperienced Infra Wind Vitality, guaranteeing a steady and inexpensive vitality provide for Himachal.
The HPERC additionally highlighted the clear nature of the bidding course of and the undertaking’s alignment with India’s renewable vitality roadmap as key components in its approval.
Punjab falters
Admitting it as a failure of Punjab, a PSPCL official mentioned that even prime energy division officers spoke to the Centre concerning the SECI costs of seven paise per unit, however the Union authorities discovered that Punjab’s competition has no benefit. “Now, we have ended up with a loss of 900 MW, which was earlier with PSCPL and now it has been grabbed by Himachal,” the official mentioned.
The shortcoming to safe renewable energy via SECI leaves the state struggling to satisfy its renewable buy obligations (RPO), mandated by the Centre at 43%. With excessive land prices hindering native photo voltaic tasks and twice-failed tenders, Punjab’s renewable vitality plans have faltered. PSPCL’s hopes of utilizing hybrid energy to cut back peak-hour vitality prices and meet future demand stay unfulfilled.