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					</table><p>The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://www.uperc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UPERC</a>) has dismissed a petition filed by U.P. Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (UPRVUNL) seeking an enabling regulatory framework for integrating, recognizing, and tariff-treating battery energy storage systems (BESS) with thermal power stations.</p>
<p>The Commission said it may initiate a process to introduce an appropriate regulatory framework for integrating BESS with thermal power stations after consultation with stakeholders, as and when it considers such a framework appropriate.</p>
<p>However, it held that the Commission cannot introduce a legislative change through its judicial function by deciding a petition.</p>
<p><strong>Background </strong></p>
<p>UPRVUNL sought regulatory intervention under the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions of Generation Tariff) Regulations, 2024, to facilitate integrating BESS with thermal generating stations.</p>
<p>It sought to align the state&#8217;s regulatory framework with the framework <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cerc-brings-integrated-energy-storage-systems-under-tariff-framework?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prescribed</a> by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) for BESS associated with thermal power stations.</p>
<p>The petition primarily concerned the regulatory recognition and tariff treatment of such storage systems. UPRVUNL requested the Commission to establish an enabling framework pending a formal amendment to the applicable state regulations.</p>
<p>Specifically, UPRVUNL asked UPERC to admit its petition and issue orders allowing the recognition, integration, and operationalization of BESS with thermal generating stations.</p>
<p><strong>Commission&#8217;s Analysis </strong></p>
<p>UPERC considered whether the relief sought by UPRVUNL could be provided through an order on the petition or whether the proposed changes required the Commission to exercise its regulation-making powers.</p>
<p>The Commission acknowledged the possibility of developing an enabling regulatory framework to integrate BESS with thermal generating stations. Such a framework could address the regulatory recognition of storage assets and their treatment under generation tariffs.</p>
<p>However, UPERC concluded that introducing such a framework would require a legislative or regulatory process rather than an adjudicatory decision on an individual petition.</p>
<p>The Commission observed that it may initiate the process of introducing an enabling regulatory framework only after consulting with stakeholders and when it considers such action appropriate.</p>
<p>This observation leaves open the possibility of UPERC beginning a formal process to amend or supplement its generation tariff regulations to accommodate BESS at thermal generating stations.</p>
<p>At the same time, the Commission held that a legislative change cannot be brought about through a petition on the Commission&#8217;s judicial side.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.</p>


UPERC Rejects Petition for BESS Integration with Thermal Power Plants


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					</table><p><a href="https://www.coalindia.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coal India</a> has approved the incorporation of two joint venture companies to develop renewable energy projects across India.</p>
<p>The first joint venture has been proposed with Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (<a href="https://uprvunl.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UPRVUNL</a>) to develop solar projects across Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<p>Under the proposed structure, the joint venture company will be a subsidiary of Coal India, with Coal India holding a 51% equity stake and UPRVUNL holding the remaining 49%.</p>
<p>The entity will operate in the energy sector and undertake the development, construction, operation, and maintenance of renewable energy projects, including solar, floating solar, pumped storage projects, wind, and allied activities, as well as the sale of power in accordance with applicable laws and policies.</p>
<p>The joint venture will be subject to approvals from the Uttar Pradesh government, Department of Asset and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), and the Ministry of Coal.</p>
<p>Coal India’s investment will be through equity participation, involving the subscription of 51,000 equity shares at ₹10 (~$0.11) each.</p>
<p>The name and date of incorporation of the joint venture will be announced after the approvals are obtained.</p>
<p><strong>Joint Venture with DVC</strong></p>
<p>In another development, the Coal India Board granted in-principle approval for an equity infusion of ₹31.32 billion (~$342.39 million) into a proposed joint venture with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), as part of an indicative project cost of ₹208.86 billion (~$2.31 billion) with a debt–equity ratio of 70:30.</p>
<p>Under the proposal, Coal India and DVC will each hold a 50% equity stake in the joint venture, which will operate in the energy sector.</p>
<p>The joint venture is intended to collaborate on power generation projects, including thermal and renewable energy projects with or without storage, to meet growing energy demand in the DVC valley region and other parts of India.</p>
<p>The equity infusion will be made through cash consideration, with Coal India contributing to 30% of the project cost, while the remaining 70% will be funded through debt.</p>
<p>The joint venture will begin with an initial capital of 50,000 equity shares of ₹10 (~$0.11 each).</p>
<p>In December last year, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cag-pulls-up-coal-india-for-tardy-implementation-of-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pulled</a> up Coal India for the tardy implementation of its solar energy initiatives and recommended that it ‘fast-tracks’ project execution to meet its net-zero targets. In its compliance audit report, the CAG said Coal India and its seven subsidiaries had achieved only 4.08% of the targeted 3 GW of solar capacity by the end of 2024.</p>
<p>Also, last December, Coal India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/coal-india-floats-epc-tender-for-20-mw-floating-solar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> a tender for the development of a 20 MW floating solar project at Chilwa Taal, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.</p>


Coal India to Set Up Joint Ventures for Renewable Energy Projects

<p>Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited (<a href="https://munpl.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MUNPL</a>), a joint venture of <a href="https://www.ntpc.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC</a> and the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam <a href="https://uprvunl.org/uprvunl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(UPRVUNL</a>), has invited bids to hire consultants to prepare a detailed project report for setting up a 55 MW solar power project and propose a suitable business model.</p>
<p>The last date for submitting bids is August 27, 2021. Bids will be opened on August 28.</p>
<p>The company is already operating the Meja Super Thermal Power Station of 1,320 MW capacity in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<p>MUNPL has identified 337 acres of land plus reservoir surface area for solar project installation to set up the project. Initially, the company wants the installation of the project on 143.72 acres of land available in the ash dyke area and 145 acres of the reservoir surface area.</p>
<p>The scope of work includes exploring and identifying suitable technology to set up a solar power project on 143.72 acres of land available in the ash dyke area and 145 acres of the reservoir surface area. It also includes comparing various financing models available in the market for setting up the solar project and suggesting the best suitable model for the project.</p>
<p>The consultant should also provide the roadmap, efforts, and the cost involved against the suggested timelines. In addition, the consultant should submit financial models under various modes, including the developer mode.</p>
<p>The consultant should also detail the various statutory clearances, internal approvals, and external approvals involved in setting up the project.</p>
<p>The interim report must be submitted within 45 days, the complete detailed project report within 75 days, and the tender documents within 90 days.</p>
<p>In November last year, the Bundelkhand Saur Urja, a joint venture of NHPC and the Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Development Agency, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/consultancy-services-tender-announced/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a tender for consultants to create a detailed project report for a 1.2 GW solar park in Jalaun, Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<p>The Solar Energy Corporation India (<a href="https://seci.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SECI</a>) has also <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-seeks-consultants-solar-storage-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> a global tender for consultancy services for a 100 MW solar project along with a 40 MW/120 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The DC capacity is set as 160 MWp.</p>
<p>According to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a>, about 20 tenders have been announced so far, inviting consultants for 6.4 GW of solar projects.</p>


Bids Invited to Hire Consultants for a 55 MW Solar Project in Uttar Pradesh

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