Jaipur: The Rajasthan Energy Regulatory Commission (RERC) has approved a series of deviations from the Union Ministry of Power’s standard bidding guidelines for firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE), paving the way for the state’s proposed 2,450 MW solar project with 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Pugal Solar Park.Among the country’s largest integrated solar‑storage ventures, the project will supply power to Rajasthan discoms under a 25‑year Power Purchase Agreement through Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Ltd (RUVITL).Rohit Gupta, CMD of RRECL, said, “The deviations aim to strengthen grid discipline, ensure reliable peak‑hour supply, optimise battery use and secure competitive tariffs.”RERC approved all 10 deviations proposed, including stricter penalties on developers failing to meet peak‑hour commitments. “For the first time we have seen such a strong push for reforms in the renewable energy sector. The RREC team has done strong homework with utmost detailing,” a senior RERC official said.Importantly, the Commission also approved RREC’s proposal to raise minimum project size from 50 MW to 250 MW in Lot‑1 and 225 MW in Lot‑2, along with proportionate battery storage. This clears the way for larger, more efficient blocks of capacity to be tendered.RSPDCL had argued that fragmenting the project into 50 MW lots would increase coordination challenges, reduce infrastructure efficiency and dilute the integrated design of the park, while larger lots would attract financially and technically stronger developers.
