The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has issued guidelines for tariff determination from renewable energy sources for 2020. An important highlight was the 100 per cent exemption of transmission and wheeling charges for solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations within Rajasthan. The exemption will be applicable for solar powered EV charging stations that have been set up after the current guidelines and before March 31, 2023. The complete exemption of transmission charges will be valid for the first seven years from the date of the project’s commissioning date. Among the other announcements, renewable energy with storage projectsthat have been installed within the after the current notification will be given a 75 per cent exemption in intra-state transmission and wheeling charges. The maximum permitted capacity of renewable captive projects installed after the notification will be restricted to 100 per cent of the contracted demand. The energy can be consumed and banked from new renewable captive generating projects and is limited to 5 per cent above its plant load factor. The other implications of the guidelines pertain to amendments to grid connectivity charges and banking charges. The regulations have been valid up till March 31, 2024.
The RERC was established on January 2, 2000, under the electricity regulations act, 1998 to facilitate the development of the energy sector within the state of Rajasthan. The commission isbroadly responsible for the determination of the tariff for generation, supply, and transmission, and wheeling of electricity. In 2020, RERC sought consultants by issuing a tender for assistance in framing terms and conditions for the determination of tariffs from renewables. The assignment must be completed within a year from the signing of the agreement.