In the matter with the CERC (Procedure, Terms and Conditions for Grant of Transmission License and other related matters) Regulations to Raghanesda RE Transmission Limited – EQ

Summary:

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## ⚖️ **Document Overview**

* **Issuing Authority:** *Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), New Delhi*
* **Date of Order:** *30th September, 2025*
* **Petition No.:** 725/TL/2025
* **Petitioner:** *Raghanesda RE Transmission Limited (RRTL)* – a wholly owned subsidiary of *Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd.*
* **Respondents:** Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd. (CTUIL), PFC Consulting Ltd. (PFCCL), multiple state utilities and renewable developers.

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## 📘 **Subject of the Petition**

The petition was filed under **Sections 14 & 15 of the Electricity Act, 2003**, read with the **CERC Transmission Licence Regulations, 2024**, seeking a **Transmission Licence** for:

> **“Transmission system for evacuation of renewable energy (RE) power from Raghanesda Area of Gujarat – 3 GW under Phase-I.”**

The project is to be executed on a **Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT)** basis.

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## ⚙️ **Project Details**

### **Transmission Scope (pp. 4–6)**

The project consists of several high-voltage transmission elements:

| Sl. No | Transmission Element | Scheduled COD | Quoted Charge Share | Notes |
| —— | ————————————————————————————————– | ————- | ——————- | ———————————– |
| 1 | Establishment of 765/400 kV GIS substation near Raghanesda with 4×1500 MVA transformers & reactors | 27 months | 52.69% | Core component; all elements linked |
| 2 | Raghanesda–Banaskantha 765 kV D/C line | — | 36.50% | Main evacuation line |
| 3 | 2 bays at Banaskantha (PGCIL) | — | 2.80% | Interconnection to existing grid |
| 4 | 220 kV Switchyard with 2×500 MVA 400/220 kV ICTs | 30 Sep 2027 | 7.28% | For solar integration |
| 5 | 220 kV bay for Azure Power 300 MW | 30 Sep 2027 | 0.36% | |
| 6 | 220 kV bay for Sunsure Solarpark 350 MW | 31 Mar 2028 | 0.37% | Independent commissioning |

**Total Project Value (Transmission Charges Quoted):**
₹ **2,328.71 million per annum**

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## 🏗️ **Background and Process**

### **1. Planning & Approval**

* MNRE identified the **Raghanesda region (Banaskantha district, Gujarat)** as a renewable energy zone with **5 GW potential** in March 2024.
* **3 GW** was planned under **Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS)** and **2 GW** under **Intra-State Transmission System (In-STS)**.
* Approved by **National Committee on Transmission (NCT)** in June 2024.

### **2. Bidding Procedure**

* **Bid Process Coordinator (BPC):** *PFC Consulting Ltd.* (PFCCL), appointed by Ministry of Power (MoP) via Gazette Notification (21 Aug 2024).
* **Bidding Timeline:**

* RfP issued: *14 Sept 2024*
* Bids opened: *April–May 2025*
* **e-Reverse Auction:** 22–23 May 2025 on MSTC portal.
* **Winning Bidder:** *Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd.* (lowest bid ₹2,328.71 Mn/year).
* **Contract Performance Guarantee:** ₹57.5 Cr, furnished on *21 July 2025*.
* **SPV Transfer to RRTL:** *23 July 2025*.
* **Transmission Service Agreement (TSA) Signed:** *23 July 2025*.

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## ⚖️ **Legal & Regulatory Framework**

* The petition conforms with:

* **CERC Transmission Licence Regulations, 2024**
* **Electricity Act, 2003** (Sections 14 & 15)
* **MoP Guidelines on Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB)**
* CTUIL confirmed technical justification and **recommended** the licence (letter dated *8 August 2025*).
* The **public notices** were published on *31 July 2025* in *The Indian Express* (English) and *Janadesh* (Gujarati); no public objections were received.

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## 🗂️ **Connectivity & Beneficiaries**

### **List of Key Solar Developers with Connectivity (pp. 21–22)**

| Developer | Capacity (MW) | Connectivity Grant Date |
| ——————————— | ————- | ———————– |
| JSW Neo Energy Ltd | 400 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| Renew Solar Power Pvt. Ltd | 800 | 2027–28 |
| Azure Power 63 Pvt. Ltd | 300 | 30 Sep 2027 |
| Sunsure Solarpark RJ One Pvt. Ltd | 350 | 31 Mar 2028 |
| Acme Solar Holdings Ltd | 400 | 30 Jun 2027 |
| Sprng Energy (multiple SPVs) | 800 | 2028–30 |
| **Total** | **3,450 MW** | — |

These projects will inject power into the Raghanesda pooling substation for evacuation through ISTS lines.

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## 🧾 **Commission Findings (pp. 22–24)**

* The Commission **verified** all procedural steps — bid process, SPV transfer, and regulatory compliance.
* **Public consultation** and **CTUIL recommendation** were duly completed.
* **No objections** were received from stakeholders or the public.
* The Commission found RRTL **eligible for grant of licence** under Section 15.
* Directed that **public notice be issued by 14 Oct 2025** inviting any final objections before licence approval.
* Final hearing scheduled for **16 Oct 2025**.

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## 🧱 **Project Implementation Standards**

* RRTL must comply with:

* CEA technical standards for construction and operation.
* Grid code, safety, and Indian Standard (BIS) norms.
* Articles **5.1.1**, **5.4**, and **16.4** of the TSA ensuring high-quality materials and workmanship.
* The project’s **useful life** is defined up to the expiry of TSA validity.

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