Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) has filed Petition No. 2341 of 2026 before the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC), seeking approval for multiple Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and the adoption of tariffs discovered through a competitive bidding process. The company aims to procure up to 100 MW of round-the-clock (RTC) and peak power to meet the expected rise in electricity demand in Greater Noida between April 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026.
According to the petition, NPCL has projected a significant power shortage during the summer and monsoon months. The utility expects its average RTC demand to reach around 705 MW in June 2026. However, its existing long-term and medium-term power arrangements are not sufficient to meet this demand. The gap is particularly severe during evening peak hours from 6:00 PM to midnight, where the deficit could go up to 277 MW in June. This shortfall has prompted the company to secure additional short-term power to ensure an uninterrupted supply.
To address this issue, NPCL initiated a transparent bidding process in December 2025 through the DEEP portal. PFC Consulting Limited was appointed as the authorized agency to conduct and manage the bidding process. The tender attracted strong participation from the market, with a total of nineteen bids submitted by various power traders and generating companies. Major participants included PTC India Limited, Tata Power Trading Company Limited, and Manikaran Power Limited.
After the technical evaluation of bids, an e-reverse auction was conducted on December 15, 2025, to discover competitive tariffs. Based on this process, successful bidders were identified for different supply periods. For RTC power, the discovered tariffs varied across months. In April 2026, the quoted rates ranged between ₹5.68 and ₹6.21 per kWh. More competitive rates were observed in the later months, especially in July and August, where tariffs dropped to as low as ₹4.93 per kWh from certain suppliers.
However, the procurement of peak power was more challenging. No bids were received for the April to June period, indicating limited availability or higher market expectations during those months. For the July to September period, the discovered tariffs for peak power were significantly higher, with average rates around ₹8.85 per kWh. This reflects the tight supply situation during peak demand hours.
The petition also explains that the final cost to NPCL, known as the landed rate, is higher than the quoted tariff at the delivery point. This is because additional charges, such as state transmission costs and transmission losses, are included. For example, a quoted rate of ₹5.75 per kWh for April increases to around ₹6.38 per kWh when these additional costs are considered at the NPCL delivery point.
NPCL has requested the Commission to approve these tariffs under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, which allows regulators to adopt tariffs discovered through a fair and transparent bidding process. The company has stated that these short-term power procurement arrangements are necessary to maintain a reliable and continuous electricity supply for consumers in Greater Noida during the high-demand season.
The decision of UPERC on this petition is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring energy security in the region, especially during the peak summer months when electricity demand is at its highest.
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