Rajasthan Proposes Mandatory BESS for C&I Renewable Energy Projects

The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd. (RRECL) has proposed a standard operating procedure (SOP) for monitoring the installation and operation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) linked with renewable energy projects set up by commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers on the State Transmission Utility (STU) and DISCOM networks.

The proposed framework follows the Rajasthan Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024, which calls for the deployment of BESS alongside renewable energy projects to strengthen grid stability, enable 24x7 dispatchable renewable power and support the state’s Renewable Consumption Obligation and Energy Storage Obligation requirements.

Under the proposed SOP, new renewable energy projects above 5 MW on the STU network, excluding hydro projects, would be required to install BESS with a minimum storage duration of two hours and capacity equivalent to at least 5 percent of the installed renewable energy capacity. The requirement would apply to solar, wind and hybrid projects established under captive, group captive, third party sale and Green Energy Open Access arrangements.

A second category covers renewable energy based captive power plants with capacity above 100 percent and up to 200 percent of the consumer’s contracted demand. Such projects would be required to install BESS capable of storing at least 20 percent of the energy generated by the additional renewable capacity beyond 100 percent of contracted demand.

The SOP states that compliance for both categories will be assessed on an energy basis in MWh. BESS would form an integral part of the renewable energy project wherever mandated under the applicable Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations.

RRECL has proposed separate metering arrangements for renewable energy generation and BESS charging and discharging. A single combined meter for renewable generation and BESS would not be accepted. Monthly meter readings would serve as the primary basis for compliance verification and penalty calculations.

The framework also requires the stored energy declared at the time of commissioning to be maintained throughout the project lifecycle. If the available stored energy falls below the declared level, the consumer or developer would have to restore the deficit through additional BESS capacity within the timeline prescribed by RRECL.

C&I consumers and developers would also be required to submit an annual BESS performance report covering the financial year by May 31 of the succeeding year. RRECL plans to establish a dedicated BESS monitoring and compliance portal through which developers would submit metered data, Joint Meter Reading reports and other supporting documents. Until the portal becomes operational, submissions would continue through email.

RRECL would maintain consolidated records using annual performance reports, data received from DISCOMs and the State Load Dispatch Centre, and monthly meter readings. Annual verification would assess actual BESS energy cycled against the mandated or declared energy, along with capacity degradation, State of Health and other relevant parameters.

The proposed SOP also provides for reassessment of BESS requirements when the installed renewable energy capacity or contracted demand changes. Consumers would have to notify RRECL within 10 days of such changes and adjust the BESS capacity in accordance with the revised requirement.

Removal, relocation or decommissioning of mandated BESS would require prior written approval from RRECL. Unauthorised removal would be treated as a Category A non compliance.

The proposed framework categorises non compliance into two categories. Category A covers non installation, unauthorised removal and prolonged BESS unavailability. Prolonged unavailability would include a period exceeding 30 consecutive days or more than 45 days in total during a quarter. In such cases, the commissioning certificate could be withheld, while open access, banking, wheeling and captive status approvals could also be denied.

RRECL could also withhold adjustment of wheeled energy or withdraw energy already adjusted. Continued non compliance beyond 90 days could result in cancellation of the renewable energy project registration and a recommendation for withdrawal of project connectivity by the competent authority.

Category B covers proportionate BESS requirements where the renewable energy capacity actually commissioned is lower than the approved capacity. In such cases, wheeled energy would be adjusted only in proportion to the BESS capacity installed. Failure to complete the required proportionate BESS installation within six months would result in escalation to Category A.

The SOP further states that performance parameters such as round trip efficiency, State of Health, availability and the share of renewable energy used for charging would be governed by the respective power purchase agreements. No separate performance penalty mechanism for PPA linked parameters would be imposed under the SOP.

The proposed monitoring framework gives RRECL a continuing role in verifying BESS installation, commissioning, capacity, energy availability and operational compliance, making energy storage an integral requirement for specified C&I renewable energy projects in Rajasthan.