CERC adopts tariff for 300 MW ISTS-connected wind power under Tranche XVIII

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has adopted the tariff discovered through a competitive bidding process for 300 MW of ISTS-connected wind power projects under Tranche XVIII. The order was issued on 18 December 2025 in Petition No. 758/AT/2025.

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) had approached the Commission seeking adoption of tariff discovered through bidding conducted under the Ministry of Power’s Wind Guidelines dated 26 July 2023. SECI had issued a Request for Selection for 600 MW on 18 March 2025. Following competitive bidding and an e-reverse auction, Torrent Green Energy Private Limited emerged as the successful bidder with a final tariff of Rs 3.97/kWh for 300 MW. SECI signed a Power Sale Agreement for this capacity with Bihar State Power (Holding) Company Limited on 3 October 2025.

The Commission reviewed the bidding process for compliance with Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and the Wind Guidelines. It noted that the process was evaluated by a Bid Evaluation Committee, which certified conformity with the RfS provisions. On the issue of allocation of the entire capacity to a single bidder, CERC accepted SECI’s reasoning that after application of the RfS formula, the eligible capacity stood at 320 MW. With the minimum project size requirement of 50 MW, allocation of the remaining 20 MW to the second bidder was not feasible. The Commission held that the bidding was conducted strictly in accordance with the guidelines and the RfS.

CERC therefore adopted the discovered tariff of Rs 3.97/kWh for 300 MW for the duration of the Power Purchase Agreement. On SECI’s request for approval of a trading margin of Rs 0.07/kWh, the Commission noted that the margin had been mutually agreed in the PSA and is permissible under Regulation 8(1)(d) of the Trading Licence Regulations. However, it clarified that the trading margin would apply only if SECI provides the required payment security mechanism to the generator. Otherwise, the trading margin would be capped at Rs 0.02/kWh.

The petition was disposed of.

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