Rajasthan issues new SoP to fast track captive solar project approvals

The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation has released a Standard Operating Procedure to guide the development of renewable energy projects meant for captive use and third party sale. The framework sets a uniform approval path from registration to commissioning and introduces a mandatory BESS requirement for projects above 5 MW.

The process starts with project registration. Developers need to show a minimum net worth of Rs 1 crore per MW. After registration, RREC coordinates the power evacuation plan with the relevant discom or RVPN. Projects inside a consumer’s premises are examined by the discom. External projects require feasibility checks for both the generation and drawl points.

Clearance is issued after submission of the DPR, land records and a security deposit of Rs 1 lakh per MW. All projects above 5 MW connected to the state network must install BESS sized at 5 per cent of project capacity with at least a two hour backup. Captive plants sized between 100 per cent and 200 per cent of the contract demand must add BESS for 20 per cent of the energy generated from the capacity beyond 100 per cent.

Commissioning requires submission of CEIG certificates and, for captive status, evidence of shareholding and investment. The procedure also provides exemptions on registration, transmission and wheeling charges for RE projects co located with BESS.

RRECL has stated that the SoP is designed to bring transparency and uniformity to approvals for captive solar and third party sale projects. It formalises a single window system, sets timelines for NOCs, PPAs and commissioning and strengthens coordination between developers, discoms and RVPN. Technical feasibility assessments will review grid capacity, bay availability and voltage levels, and site inspections will confirm statutory compliance including CEIG certification.

The SoP also defines captive requirements. Consumers must hold at least 26 per cent equity and use 51 per cent of the generated power. Projects that fail to meet these thresholds will be treated as third party sales and will attract cross subsidy and additional surcharges. Transmission and wheeling agreements must be executed, and captive compliance must be confirmed each year by April 30.