Torrent Power Limited has taken a significant step in Gujarat’s energy sector by filing a miscellaneous petition with the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) to facilitate the procurement of renewable power. The company is seeking approval to procure 300 MW of firm and dispatchable renewable energy, with an additional 300 MW under a greenshoe option. This power is intended to be sourced from a competitive bidding process for grid-connected renewable energy projects that include energy storage systems.
Acting as a distribution licensee for its licensed areas in Gujarat, Torrent Power is requesting the commission’s approval for certain deviations from the Ministry of Power’s guidelines for competitive bidding. These guidelines were issued on June 9, 2023, and have seen subsequent amendments. The company’s filing, made under Clause 17, read with Clause 3.1.1 of the guidelines, emphasizes its intention to follow a transparent and regulated process in securing renewable energy for its operations.
The petition highlights the growing importance of renewable energy in Gujarat’s power sector and underscores Torrent Power’s commitment to contributing to the state’s renewable energy goals. By seeking GERC’s oversight, the company aims to ensure that the procurement process for this 300 MW capacity, and potentially more through the greenshoe option, is conducted in full compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks.
The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission has the authority, under the Electricity Act of 2003, to regulate and promote the procurement of energy from renewable sources. The commission has already established the GERC (Procurement of Energy from Renewable Sources) Regulations, 2010, to guide such processes. Torrent Power’s petition requests the commission to review and approve its proposed procurement strategy, thereby providing the necessary regulatory backing to proceed with the initiative.
The move comes at a time when renewable energy is becoming an essential part of India’s energy mix, with states like Gujarat actively promoting clean and sustainable power solutions. By incorporating energy storage systems in its procurement plans, Torrent Power aims to secure firm and dispatchable renewable power, which can provide reliable electricity even when the generation from solar or wind sources fluctuates. This approach reflects the broader trend in the Indian power sector of integrating storage solutions to enhance grid stability and support continuous supply.
Approval of the petition by GERC will enable Torrent Power to move forward with its competitive bidding process, ensuring transparency, regulatory compliance, and alignment with national and state guidelines. It will also contribute to the state’s renewable energy capacity, supporting Gujarat’s ongoing efforts to expand sustainable energy infrastructure.
The petition represents a proactive step by Torrent Power to engage with regulators, ensure adherence to the established legal framework, and advance renewable energy adoption in Gujarat. The outcome of the filing will be closely watched by stakeholders in the energy sector, as it may set a precedent for how distribution licensees can procure renewable power, including energy storage, under competitive bidding arrangements. The initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and its role in promoting clean energy growth in the state.
This filing by Torrent Power is an important development in Gujarat’s renewable energy landscape, highlighting both the regulatory processes involved and the strategic steps being taken by private power distribution companies to support India’s clean energy transition.
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