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Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) has filed a petition seeking approval for the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and adoption of tariff for a 300 MW Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) connected Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Project. The project was awarded through a transparent Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process in line with the Ministry of Power’s guidelines issued on August 21, 2023. NPCL aims to procure hybrid renewable power to meet its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) under the applicable regulations. NPCL has requested the Commission to approve the procurement of 300 MW of hybrid power on a long-term basis for 25 years and adopt the discovered tariff for power supply from M/s Purvah Green Power Private Limited. Additionally, NPCL has sought permission to submit the signed PPA as an additional document for approval. The petitioner also requested the liberty to make further submissions if required. During the hearing, NPCL’s counsel stated that the hybrid power would be sourced from a wind project in Andhra Pradesh and a solar project in Rajasthan. She further explained that NPCL had earlier received in-principle approval for long-term power procurement through the Commission’s order on March 6, 2024. Considering the advantage of a higher Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 48%, NPCL decided to procure hybrid power instead of separate wind and solar projects. The Uttar Pradesh government approved a deviation in clause 6.2.4 of the bidding guidelines on August 22, 2024, allowing 100% of the required capacity to be allocated to a single bidder to ensure competitive pricing. Following this approval, NPCL issued a tender on November 8, 2024, attracting bids from three companies: Torrent Power, Purvah Green Power, and Purshotam Profile. After evaluation, Purvah Green Power was selected as the successful bidder. However, the Commission raised concerns over NPCL signing the PPA with Deshraj Solar Energy instead of Purvah Green Power. NPCL clarified that Deshraj Solar Energy is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and a subsidiary of Purvah Green Power, making it eligible under the guidelines. During the hearing, Sh. Rama Shanker Awasthi filed an application seeking to intervene in the matter, arguing that as a consumer, he wanted to ensure transparency in the bidding process. He expressed concerns that Purvah Green Power, being a sister company of NPCL, could lead to potential conflicts of interest. NPCL and Purvah Green Power’s counsel objected to the intervention, but the Commission allowed Awasthi’s application to be considered. The Commission directed NPCL to provide several documents within three weeks, including the complete Bid Evaluation Committee report, a copy of the Standard Bidding Documents, incorporation details of Deshraj Solar Energy, acquisition details of Deshraj Solar Energy by Purvah Green Power, the status of the wind and solar projects, and justification for selecting hybrid power over Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) or Round-the-Clock (RTC) power. The next hearing for this matter has been scheduled for March 27, 2025, where further clarifications and submissions will be reviewed before a final decision is made. |
