Rajasthan Issues Tender For AI-Based Energy Portfolio Management System

Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Ltd (RUVITL), a Government of Rajasthan undertaking, has now issued a request for proposal (RFP) seeking an integrated energy portfolio management and power purchase cost optimisation solution. This project aims to transition the state's Excel sheet work culture to a more data-driven, AI-enabled system to improve transparency, the government officials said.  

The bid window will open on Feb. 13, with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for Feb. 23 and submissions due by March 13, according to the tender document dated Feb. 9.

Improving Accuracy 

The project aims to shift the state’s power management from spreadsheet-based processes to a data-driven, artificial intelligence-enabled system designed to improve transparency, forecasting accuracy and procurement efficiency, Ajitabh Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) from the Rajasthan government, said on his social media account. 

Under the tender, the selected implementation agency will provide end-to-end demand and renewable energy forecasting from intra-day to long-term horizons with block-level accuracy. The scope includes least-cost portfolio optimisation across conventional generation, renewable energy, bilateral contracts and power exchanges to help reduce deviation settlement mechanism (DSM) charges and overall procurement costs.

Operational Support for Power Markets 

The solution will provide round-the-clock operational support for participation in electricity markets including the Day-Ahead Market (DAM), Real-Time Market (RTM), Term-Ahead Market (TAM) and Green Day-Ahead Market (GDAM), covering bid strategy, submission, approvals and monitoring.

The platform will deploy AI and machine learning-based scheduling and dispatch optimisation that accounts for technical, transmission, regulatory and market constraints, alongside real-time DSM monitoring and deviation analytics.

The tender also calls for block-wise power availability assessment across central and state generating stations, independent power producers, captive plants and renewable sources to manage surplus and deficit situations.

Market Intelligence and Price Forecasting

The selected partner will provide market intelligence and price forecasting, including analysis of market-clearing price trends and volatility, as well as advisory services for bilateral and medium-term power procurement.

The project includes the development of a centralised data platform integrating SCADA, load dispatch centres, weather data, power exchanges and contract systems. The IT infrastructure must be cloud-hosted in India and compliant with MeitY empanelment and CERT-In cybersecurity requirements.

RUVITL has invited prospective bidders and stakeholders to provide feedback during the pre-bid meeting.

Why Such Approaches Are Needed 

This tender is significant because it addresses one of the most persistent structural gaps in India’s power sector: state-level power procurement and scheduling is still heavily manual, fragmented and reactive in many regions.

For most state utilities, portfolio planning continues to rely on spreadsheets, siloed data and short-term decision-making. That approach worked when demand was predictable and thermal generation dominated. It is increasingly unworkable in a system now shaped by high renewable penetration, volatile power markets and tightening DSM regulations.

Rajasthan’s move signals a shift from administrative power management to analytical, market-based portfolio management and the model should be replicated by other states too.