Power Ministry Mandates TBCB for Waste-to-Energy

The Union Power Ministry has issued new guidelines to implement a tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) framework for procuring power from grid-connected Waste-to-Energy (WTE) projects.

Released under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the guidelines aim to promote cleaner waste management practices and enable municipal corporations, urban local bodies, and state agencies to procure WTE-generated power through a transparent and competitive process. With India’s urban areas generating nearly 70 million tonnes of municipal solid waste each year, the initiative marks a significant step toward tackling the country’s escalating waste management challenges.

The guidelines, which apply only to new projects, establish clear timelines for the bidding process: a minimum of 45 days must be provided between the release of the Request for Selection (RfS) document and the bid submission deadline, and the award process must be completed within 90 days. “Developing robust waste processing infrastructure must remain a priority,” the Power Ministry emphasized.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.