Power Sector of Rajasthan :

The Rajasthan State as it exists today is the result of the integration of 19 former Princely States and was formed in April,1949 with which, the former State of Ajmer was merged in Nov.,1956, and has an area of 1,32,147 square miles and had a population of 1,59,70,774 according to the Census of 1951.

The history of power development in Rajasthan goes back to the year 1949, when 19 princely states merged to form Rajasthan. At that time, electric power was confined to very few towns and electricity was considered a luxury. The total number of towns and villages electrified at that time did not exceed 42 and the installed generating capacity was only 13.27 MW. However, with the formation of Rajasthan State Electricity Board (RSEB) on 1st july 1957, power sector in Rajasthan received priority and power projects began to mushroom all over State. Under new Power Reforms Undertaken by State Government,on 19th July 2000, RSEB was unbundled.

Organisational structure :

Department of Energy :

The Rajasthan State Electricity Board was constituted with effect from 1st July,1957 by Government of Rajasthan Notification No. F.11/OSD(PWD)/57 dated the 28th June,1957 under the Electricity (Supply) Act,1948 which enactment has for its object, the co-ordinated development and rationalisation of generation and supply of electricity on a regional basis throughout the country in the most efficient and economical way.

Government of Rajasthan on 19th July 2000, issued a gazette notification unbundling Rajasthan State Electricity Board into Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd.(RVUN), the generation Company; Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd.,(RVPN), the transmission Company and the three regional distribution companies namely Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.,(JVVNL) Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.(AVVNL) and Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd.(JdVVNL)

The Generation Company owns and operates the thermal power stations at Kota and Suratgarh, Gas based power station at Ramgarh, Hydel power station at Mahi and mini hydel stations in the State. The Transmission Company operates all the 765 kV,400kV, 220 kV and 132 kV electricity lines and system in the State. The three distribution Companies operate and maintain the electricity system below 132kV in the State in their respective areas.

RUVNL (Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited ) :

Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited was incorporated on 04.12.2015 under the Companies Act, 2013 and limited by shares.The company has been formed by the Government of Rajasthan to carry out Power trading business for the State Power sector distribution companies. Earlier to formation of this company, the power trading was being done through the “Rajasthan Discoms Power Procurement Centre” constituted by the State Power Distribution Companies of Rajasthan . The company has started its functioning w.e.f. 01.04.2016 and acquired the functions of “Rajasthan Discoms Power Procurement Centre” (RDPPC).

About RUVNL (Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited ) :

Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited was incorporated on 04.12.2015 under the Companies Act, 2013 and limited by shares. The company has been formed by the Government of Rajasthan to carry out Power trading business for the State Power sector distribution companies. Earlier to formation of this company, the power trading was being done through the “Rajasthan Discoms Power Procurement Centre” constituted by the State Power Distribution Companies of Rajasthan . The company has started its functioning w.e.f. 01.04.2016 and acquired the functions of “Rajasthan Discoms Power Procurement Centre” (RDPPC).

Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (RVPN ) :

Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (RVPN) a company under the Companies Act, 1956  has been established on 19 July, 2000 by Govt. of Rajasthan under the provisions of the Rajasthan Power Sector Reforms Act, 1999 as the successor company of RSEB. The RERC has granted RVPN a license for transmission and bulk supply vide RERC/Transmission and Bulk Supply License 4/2001 dated 30.4.2001 to function as Transmission and Bulk Supply Licensee in the State.

Under the provision of the Electricity Act, 2003, RVPN has been declared as State Transmission Utility (STU) by Govt. of Rajasthan w.e.f 10.06.2003. Section 39(1) of this act, prohibits the STU to undertake business of trading of electricity, however RVPN continued its function of transmission of bulk power from generating stations to inter-phase point of Discoms from 1st April 2004. Now the Distribution Companies are directly contracting with Generating Companies in accordance to the share allocated by the State Government. RVPN has been discharging wheeling of power and transmission of electricity only. Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (RUVNL) has been established for purchase of power on behalf of Discoms.

RVPN provides the pathway for power within whole of Rajasthan. RVPN owns, builds, maintains and operates the high-voltage electric transmission system that helps to keep the lights on, businesses running and communities strong. RVPN also owns the shared generating projects as representative of erstwhile RSEB.

Aim of RVPN is to provide reliable electric transmission service to these customers. As a public utility whose infrastructure serves as the link in transporting electricity to millions of electricity users, RVPN has following duties and responsibilities:

• Intra state transmission of electricity through Intra-State Transmission System;

• New creation of EHV lines and Grid Sub Stations of 765 kV/400 kV/220 kV/132 kV rating including their maintenance and augmentations;

• Planning and co-ordination relating to intra-state transmission with all concerned agencies such as CTU, State Govt., generating companies, licensees, Regional Power Committees etc.;

• Ensuring development of an efficient, coordinate and economical system of intra-state transmission of electricity from generating stations to Load Centers;

• Non-discriminatory Open Access to its transmission system on payment of transmission charges.