CERC Approves Tariff For Final 100 MW Of 1200 MW Tranche-VIII Solar Project By SECI

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved the tariff for a 100 Megawatt (MW) solar power project, marking the completion of the 1200 MW Tranche-VIII solar capacity tender. The project, developed by AMPIN Energy Green Four Private Limited, follows a competitive bidding process managed by the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) and is now fully operational. This decision, issued on October 24, 2025, settles the final portion of the larger tender, which was initially floated by SECI in January 2020. The Commission had already approved tariffs for 1100 MW of this tender in January 2024, leaving the remaining 100 MW pending due to the absence of a tied-up buying utility at that time.

After completing the necessary arrangements, SECI signed the Power Sale Agreement (PSA) with West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) on June 26, 2025. This was followed by the signing of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with AMPIN Energy Green Four Private Limited on July 4, 2025. The solar project had already achieved its Commercial Operation Date (COD) on March 21, 2025. The timely completion of agreements allowed SECI to request urgent tariff approval to facilitate the sale of the electricity generated from the project.

The CERC noted that the entire competitive bidding process for the 1200 MW Tranche-VIII tender had been previously examined and approved in 2024, ensuring transparency and compliance with government guidelines. As a result, there was no need for a fresh, detailed review of the process for this final 100 MW project. The tariff for the solar generation developed by AMPIN Energy has been fixed at INR 2.50 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), providing clarity for the power producer and the buying utility.

In addition to the generation tariff, the Commission approved a trading margin of INR 0.07 per kWh, which WBSEDCL will pay SECI for facilitating the sale of power. The trading margin aligns with the Trading Licence Regulations for long-term contracts. To safeguard the financial interests of the solar developer, the Commission added a protective clause. If SECI does not provide a proper payment security mechanism, such as an escrow arrangement or a letter of credit, the trading margin it can charge must be reduced to a maximum of INR 0.02 per kWh. This measure ensures that the power producer receives timely and secure payments for the electricity supplied.

The CERC order officially disposed of the petition filed by SECI, thereby completing all regulatory approvals for the 100 MW solar project. With this approval, the final piece of the Tranche-VIII tender is now fully operational and integrated into the grid. The project strengthens the renewable energy portfolio in the country and demonstrates the continued use of competitive bidding processes to ensure transparent and efficient solar power deployment.

The approval also highlights the role of SECI in coordinating between state utilities and private developers to facilitate power sale and purchase agreements. By finalizing the tariff and trading margin, the Commission has ensured that both the utility and the solar developer have clear financial terms for electricity transactions. This step contributes to the government’s ongoing efforts to promote renewable energy and enhance the adoption of solar power across India. The operationalization of the 100 MW project underlines the progress in achieving renewable energy targets and provides a model for future solar tenders.

Overall, the CERC order marks a significant milestone in completing the Tranche-VIII solar tender, securing financial and operational clarity for all parties involved, and reinforcing India’s commitment to clean energy development.