Rajasthan Urja Vikas & IT Services Limited (RUVITL) has filed a petition with the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) seeking approval for the procurement of 3,200 MW of thermal power through a competitive bidding process.

The initiative involves developing 3,200 MW (4 x 800 MW) of coal-based thermal power plants under the Design, Build, Finance, Own, and Operate (DBFOO) model. The coal allocation will be facilitated under the SHAKTI scheme by the Ministry of Coal.

Original Plan & Change in Strategy RUVITL had earlier planned to bundle 8,000 MW of solar power with thermal power to meet Rajasthan’s Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and address the forecasted energy deficit in firm round-the-clock (RTC) power.

However, due to complexities in integrating such large-scale solar projects and feedback from potential bidders, RUVITL decided to cancel the current tender for 8,000 MW of solar power. Instead, the focus has shifted to an exclusive tender for 3,200 MW of thermal power, with plans to review its solar procurement strategy separately.

Rajasthan's Solar Power Ambitions Despite the shift in strategy, solar energy remains central to Rajasthan’s power plans. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA)'s Resource Adequacy Plan indicates that the state needs to add 19,322 MW of solar power capacity by 2029-30 to meet future demand and ensure a balanced energy mix.

The state is promoting decentralized solar systems under schemes like KUSUM, aimed at providing solar power to farmers and rural communities. This approach aims to enhance energy access and improve livelihoods in rural areas.

Addressing Renewable Energy Challenges Integrating large-scale solar projects into the grid requires substantial transmission infrastructure, involving complex planning and significant investment. To tackle this challenge, the state government is prioritizing decentralized solar solutions and energy storage systems.

Energy storage systems play a critical role in balancing solar power’s intermittent nature, ensuring a stable supply even when solar generation is low. This strategic approach aims to build a resilient and sustainable energy future for Rajasthan.

Future Outlook Rajasthan’s emphasis on solar power remains strong, with efforts to increase capacity through separate tenders and decentralized systems. The state budget also highlights renewable energy and storage projects as key focus areas, demonstrating a long-term commitment to a balanced and robust energy ecosystem.