The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has formally approved the Power Sale Agreement (PSA) between BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. (BRPL) and the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), enabling the procurement of 1,500 MW of solar power along with a 750 MW/3,000 MWh Energy Storage System (ESS). This marks a significant milestone in Delhi’s renewable energy transition and its ability to access firm, dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) at stable long-term tariffs.
The PSA, executed on March 13, 2025, falls under SECI’s 2,000 MW ISTS Scheme, Tranche XVII, in accordance with the Ministry of Power’s competitive bidding guidelines (2023). The discovered tariff of ₹3.52–₹3.53/kWh, plus SECI’s trading margin, has been deemed competitive and aligned with current renewable power market conditions.
DERC had earlier granted in-principle approval on March 7, 2025, confirming the legitimacy of BRPL’s bidding and procurement process. With the latest order, the Commission has granted full approval to the PSA, enabling BRPL to procure 1,500 MW of firm solar power to meet Delhi’s Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and its reliability requirements.
The PSA is backed by Power Purchase Agreements signed by SECI with four Solar Power Developers (SPDs):
- NTPC Renewable Energy Limited – 500 MW
- Sembcorp Green Infra Pvt. Ltd. – 150 MW
- Solarcraft Power India 17 Pvt. Ltd. – 150 MW
- Reliance NU Suntech Pvt. Ltd. – 700 MW
A key aspect of DERC’s order involves SECI’s trading margin, initially proposed at up to ₹0.07/kWh. Referring to the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s ruling in Petition No. 234/AT/2025, DERC reiterated that if SECI fails to provide financial security—such as an escrow mechanism or an irrevocable, unconditional, and revolving letter of credit—the trading margin shall be capped at ₹0.02/kWh. The Commission instructed BRPL and SECI to comply fully with CERC’s directions on tariff fixation and applicable margins.
Together, these approvals reinforce Delhi’s shift toward a modern grid supported by large-scale renewable energy and battery storage. Among Delhi’s three DISCOMs—BSES Yamuna, BSES Rajdhani, and Tata Power DDL—the national RPO target of 43.3% is now within reach, with Tata Power DDL currently leading and the two BSES entities accelerating their efforts.
Conclusion
With DERC’s latest approval, BRPL can now proceed with the full implementation of the 1,500 MW solar + 750 MW/3,000 MWh ESS project. The decision strengthens Delhi’s clean energy portfolio, enhances supply reliability, sets a regulatory precedent for future solar-plus-storage procurements, and marks a major step in integrating firm, dispatchable renewable power into a large urban grid.
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