Author: PPD Team Date: 21/04/2025
UPERC approves NPCL’s procurement of 50 MW RTC power at Rs 5.41 per kWh
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved Noida Power Company Limited’s (NPCL) petition for the procurement of 50 MW of round-the-clock (RTC) power under medium-term agreements. The power will be supplied by Manikaran Power Limited and Dhariwal Infrastructure Limited at a competitive tariff of Rs 5.41 per kWh at the CTU periphery of the seller.
NPCL initiated the procurement process via a transparent e-bidding and reverse auction on the Ministry of Power’s DEEP portal, following the revised Medium-Term Bidding Guidelines. The bidding process attracted four bids, with Manikaran Power and Dhariwal Infrastructure emerging as the successful bidders by matching the lowest discovered tariff. The agreements will be in effect for three years, starting from April 1, 2025, and ending on March 31, 2028. This procurement is part of NPCL’s strategy to meet its projected peak demand of 1,212 MW by the 2028-29 period.
One of the key issues addressed in the case was NPCL’s decision to evaluate bids based on the CTU periphery, instead of its own bus, to avoid complexities in apportioning transmission charges. In response, the Commission directed NPCL to evaluate future bids at the STU periphery for intra-state generators and CTU periphery for inter-state suppliers. This will ensure competitive pricing and greater clarity on transmission costs.
The discovered tariff was benchmarked against recent medium-term procurements by other utilities, which confirmed its cost competitiveness. The fixed and variable charges under the Power Purchase Agreements will be adjusted annually in line with variations in the Wholesale Price Index.
Petition No: 2202 of 2025 | Read the full order here.
UPERC approves NPCL’s procurement of 125 MW RTC power for May to September 2025
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved Noida Power Company Limited’s (NPCL) petition for the procurement of up to 125 MW of round-the-clock (RTC) power through competitive bidding for the short-term period from May to September 2025. The power will be sourced from multiple generators, including PTC India, Manikaran Power, and Adani Enterprises, at a weighted average rate of Rs 5.32 per kWh, excluding transmission charges.
NPCL conducted the procurement process via the Ministry of Power’s DEEP portal, following short-term bidding guidelines. Seventeen bids were received, with the lowest rates discovered through a reverse auction. The approved contracts will involve varying capacities across the months, with Adani Power supplying the largest share—98 MW in June 2025 at Rs 5.40 per kWh.
Key issues discussed during the hearing included NPCL’s decision to evaluate bids based on the CTU periphery rather than its own bus to simplify transmission charge allocation. In response, UPERC directed NPCL to evaluate future bids at both STU and CTU peripheries with clearer evaluation criteria, ensuring competitive pricing in line with regulatory expectations.
The landed cost at NPCL’s periphery, including transmission charges, will range between Rs 5.94–6.51 per kWh. The decision ensures a reliable supply of power during NPCL’s peak demand months while maintaining cost efficiency for consumers.
Petition No: 2187 of 2024 | Read the full order here.
UPERC approves NPCL’s procurement of 50 MW non-solar renewable power for May to September 2025
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved Noida Power Company Limited’s (NPCL) petition for the procurement of 50 MW of non-solar renewable power, primarily from hydro sources, for the short-term period from May to September 2025. The power will be sourced from PTC India Limited at a weighted average tariff of Rs 5.54 per kWh, excluding transmission charges. This procurement is intended to help NPCL meet its peak demand and fulfill its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets.
The procurement process was conducted through the Ministry of Power’s DEEP portal, adhering to short-term guidelines. PTC India emerged as the sole bidder, supplying power from hydro projects located in Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh. This procurement will address 148 MU of NPCL’s non-solar RPO deficit, though a residual shortfall of 128 MU remains for FY2025-26.
The discovered tariff of Rs 5.54 per kWh is considered competitive, particularly when compared with recent market trends, including DEEP portal rates (Rs 5.40–9.00 per kWh) and IEX G-TAM averages (Rs 6.69 per kWh). The bids were evaluated at the CTU periphery to simplify transmission charge allocation, although UPERC has directed NPCL to evaluate future bids at both STU and CTU peripheries to provide clearer pricing clarity.
Although the procurement process involved a single bidder—deviating from Ministry of Power guidelines—UPERC approved the procurement to prevent delays and avoid potential cost escalations, prioritizing consumer interest. The Commission also cautioned NPCL to extend bid timelines in future cases where only a single bidder emerges and to ensure stricter adherence to guidelines.
Petition No: 2194 of 2025 | Read the full order here.
KERC finalises open access regulations for 2025
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has issued its final order on the KERC (Terms and Conditions for Open Access) Regulations, 2025. The Statement of Reasons addresses stakeholder comments and finalises several regulatory provisions affecting open access consumers, including green energy users.
A key clarification is that open access agreements signed before 13 January 2023 (Short-Term) and 2 January 2023 (Medium and Long-Term) will continue under existing terms, unless inconsistent with the new regulations. Such agreements must be updated through supplemental contracts within 15 days of the new regulation’s notification if inconsistencies are found.
The Commission rejected calls for annual banking and confirmed monthly banking for new agreements. Banking benefits will be available for five years, after which renewals will not be eligible. Drawal of banked energy must follow time-of-day (ToD) slot restrictions, and any unutilised energy remains with the generator, eligible for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Stakeholders requested waivers of open access charges for renewable energy (RE) projects using battery energy storage systems (BESS), but KERC denied these, citing the use of transmission and distribution networks. Similarly, the Commission declined to exempt green hydrogen and green ammonia projects from additional surcharge, while exempting captive users from such charges as per Supreme Court rulings.
On transmission charges, KERC maintained that charges should apply equally to distribution licensees and open access consumers to avoid discrimination. Hybrid project charges will be based on higher of solar or wind capacity or the contracted evacuation capacity.
The Commission clarified that for generator-supplied power under open access, generators bear the liability for charges if end-users default. It retained curtailment priority favouring RE sources and distribution licensees.
Standby charges are fixed at 125% of applicable energy charges, though exemptions apply if prior notice of 24 hours is given. Smart meters are permitted for Low Tension (LT) open access consumers, and temporary aggregation of LT loads is allowed for electric vehicle (EV) charging operators for two years.
No. KERC-2-TR-2024-25/28 | Read the full order here.
For more regulatory updates, read the latest orders covered on Power Peak Digest: Energy Regulatory Updates – Power Peak Digest
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