HPERC Approves PPA for 2 MW Solar Project in Una, Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has approved the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd. (HPSEBL) and M/s Sh. Jagdambey Solar Energy Power Project for a 2 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Village Duhal Bhatwalan, Una district.

The approval, granted under Section 86(1)(b) of the Electricity Act, 2003, follows a hearing held in March, 2025, with the final order issued in April, 2025. The project received sanction from HIMURJA, the state energy development agency, on December 30, 2024.

The Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (SCOD) has been fixed for December 29, 2025, with interconnection planned through the 11 kV Bharwain feeder connected to the 33/11 kV Bharwain substation, as per the agreement signed on March 22, 2025.

As per HPERC’s tariff order dated March 14, 2024, a levelised tariff of INR 3.47 per kWh applies to solar PV projects in rural areas with a capacity between 1 MW and 5 MW. Since the project meets these criteria, this tariff has been provisionally approved, subject to adjustment if the developer receives any capital subsidy or financial aid from central or state governments.

The developer is required to notify HPSEBL within 15 days of receiving such support. If no subsidy is claimed within two years, it will be presumed availed, and the tariff will be revised accordingly. Additionally, in line with the amended Swaran Jayanti Energy Policy, 2021, the project will pay a royalty of INR 0.05 per unit to the state government, applicable to solar projects above 1 MW, effective from September 21, 2023.

The Commission emphasised that synchronisation and commissioning must occur on the SCOD itself, December 29, 2025, and the approved tariff will remain valid until March 31, 2026.

Both parties have been directed to incorporate all stipulated conditions into the final PPA and submit three signed copies to the Commission within 30 days.

This approval supports Himachal Pradesh’s clean energy goals while providing a regulatory pathway for the timely execution of small-scale solar projects in rural areas.