The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has decided to form a committee to study the growing interdependence between intra-state and inter-state transmission infrastructure in the state. This move aims to assess the long-term financial impact of transmission planning on power consumers.
Order and Observations
In an order issued on May 20, the commission observed that concerns raised during internal proceedings call for a deeper examination of how transmission costs, losses, and infrastructure utilisation are being shared between state and national grid systems. The committee will analyse issues related to transmission losses, cost allocation, and utilisation of the state grid, particularly in view of the increased use of Rajasthan's transmission infrastructure for wheeling out renewable energy to other states.
RVPN's Defense
During the hearings, the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd (RVPN) defended the expansion of its transmission network, stating that the proposed infrastructure was necessary for reduction in overall transmission losses and to improve reliability and stability of power supply.
Investment Approval
The commission's observations came during the examination of a Rs 6,500-crore transmission investment proposal for FY 2026-27, of which Rs 6,312.2 crore was eventually approved. A major focus of RERC's order was the proposed 765 kV Hindaun transmission project and associated lines linked to interstate renewable energy evacuation corridors.
Interconnected Systems
The RERC noted that these systems could not be treated separately because the Anta-II, Ajarka, and Hindaun substations, along with their associated transmission lines, are not independent schemes but function as a single evacuation corridor with interdependent power flow. The commission further ruled that the entire interconnected transmission system should be treated as one project, warning that implementing one component under the Regulated Tariff Mechanism (RTM) while related systems are developed under Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) would be inconsistent with regulatory requirements.
Decision on Hindaun Scheme
The RERC accordingly disallowed implementation of the Hindaun scheme under RTM and directed RVPN to execute it through the TBCB route instead.
