The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has issued a final order approving transmission charges for a major renewable energy project in Gujarat. The project, named “Transmission System for Evacuation of RE Power from Raghanesda Area of Gujarat 3 GW under Phase-I,” is designed to facilitate the movement of renewable energy from the Raghanesda region to the wider grid. The company behind this project, Raghanesda RE Transmission Limited (RRTL), which is owned by Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd., had applied to CERC for the adoption of its proposed transmission charges.
The charges were determined through a Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003. This method ensures transparency and competition in determining project costs. The bidding process was coordinated by PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL), acting as the Bid Process Coordinator (BPC). Eight companies participated in the competitive bidding, including major players like Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, Adani Energy Solutions Limited, and Torrent Power Limited.
After the initial bids were evaluated, four qualified companies moved to an e-reverse auction stage. This auction was highly competitive, running through 71 rounds, and resulted in a substantial reduction in the final charges. The winning bidder, Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Private Limited, quoted annual transmission charges of ₹2,328.71 million. This amount was approximately 34.54 percent lower than the ₹3,557.28 million estimated under existing CERC norms, reflecting significant cost efficiency.
The Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) confirmed that the bidding process was fully transparent and compliant with government guidelines. It also certified that the discovered tariff was acceptable to the market. Based on these findings, CERC approved and adopted the single annual transmission charge of ₹2,328.71 million, which will remain valid for the term of the Transmission Service Agreement (TSA). Final approval of these charges is contingent upon RRTL receiving a transmission license, for which it has submitted a separate application.
This approval is a critical step in enabling the evacuation of 3 GW of renewable energy from the Raghanesda region, supporting the growth of clean energy in Gujarat and across the inter-State electricity grid. The approved charges will be shared among different electricity customers in accordance with CERC’s existing regulations for Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses.
The successful conclusion of this competitive bidding process highlights the effectiveness of market-based mechanisms in reducing costs for major infrastructure projects. By attracting multiple bidders and implementing an e-reverse auction, the process not only ensured transparency but also delivered significant savings compared to normative estimates. The CERC’s approval now provides clarity and certainty for the project, paving the way for timely implementation of critical transmission infrastructure needed for large-scale renewable energy integration.
This development underscores India’s continued efforts to expand renewable energy capacity while ensuring efficient investment in transmission systems. The project will play a key role in strengthening the grid and supporting the nation’s clean energy transition.
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