The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved the adoption of tariffs for 1,200 MW of wind-solar hybrid power projects, marking an important step in India’s shift toward cleaner energy. The approval came after a petition was filed by SJVN Limited under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, seeking formal recognition of tariffs discovered through a competitive bidding process.
SJVN, acting as the government’s intermediary agency, launched the Hybrid-3 tender in June 2024 to procure hybrid renewable power. The tender attracted strong interest from the industry, with 15 companies participating and bidding for a total capacity of 3,700 MW. This was more than three times the offered capacity, creating intense competition among developers. The process eventually moved to an electronic reverse auction in November 2024, which helped discover competitive pricing.
The bidding process resulted in a uniform tariff of Rs. 3.19 per kWh. Five developers were selected to set up the projects across different parts of the country. These include Gentari Renewables India Utilities 2 Private Limited with 400 MW, Juniper Green Energy Private Limited and EG Energy Development Private Limited with 300 MW each, Sunsure Solarpark RJ One Private Limited with 130 MW, and Adyant Enersol Private Limited with 70 MW. After the auction, SJVN issued Letters of Award to all successful bidders in December 2024.
These projects are planned to supply electricity for a period of 25 years, which will support distribution companies in meeting their renewable purchase obligations. The hybrid model, combining wind and solar generation, is expected to provide more stable and reliable power compared to standalone renewable projects.
During the regulatory review, a policy change took place when the Ministry of Power withdrew the Uniform Renewable Energy Tariff mechanism in August 2025. However, CERC clarified that this change would not impact the current projects. Since the bidding process had already been completed and awards had been issued, the discovered tariff remains valid and enforceable.
The Commission also examined whether the bidding process followed the required guidelines. It noted that SJVN had complied with all national competitive bidding rules and maintained transparency in both technical and financial evaluations. A dedicated tender committee with experts in finance and technology monitored the entire process to ensure fairness and accountability.
In its final order, CERC approved the tariff of Rs. 3.19 per kWh for the 1,200 MW projects. It also allowed SJVN to charge a trading margin of Rs. 0.07 per kWh, subject to maintaining proper payment security mechanisms for the developers.
With this approval, the way is now clear for signing Power Purchase Agreements and starting project construction. The development of these hybrid power projects is expected to strengthen India’s electricity grid by adding reliable and clean energy capacity, while also supporting the country’s long-term renewable energy goals.
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