JAIPUR: Rajasthan Energy Regulatory Commission (RERC) has turned down Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam’s (RVUNL) request for procurement of 266MW power from lignite and coal. The Nigam wants bidding for 15 years, while as per the Central norms it cannot be for more than five years.
The commission said there were discrepencies in estimates of power requirements from discoms and RVUNL and the latter must target more power from renewable sources than coal and lignite.
Energy Assessment Committee (EAC) in its 26th meeting on July 1, 2021, also felt that if two-block supply scheme is implemented, the agricultural load will be shifted to day hours which will further increase the peak demand in Rajasthan.
Considering the above-mentioned points, EAC approved procurement of 266MW RTC power from April 1, 2022 on long-term basis through competitive bidding.
Commission said that the original bidding documents from which the petitioner is seeking deviation are the Standard Bidding Documents issued by the Union ministry of power for procurement of power.
As per Standard Bidding Documents, power can be procured for a maximum of five years but the petitioner is seeking procurement of power for 15 years.
