MNRE advises extensions for renewable projects hit by West Asia disruptions
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has advised renewable energy implementing agencies to consider granting time extensions of up to four months to renewable power projects affected by disruptions arising from the West Asia situation.
The advisory, dated August 21, 2026, follows representations from project developers seeking blanket extensions and builds on an earlier MNRE communication issued on July 6, 2026. The relief is based on the Department of Expenditure’s Office Memorandum dated April 29, 2026, which clarified that the ongoing West Asia situation should be treated as “war” and therefore as a recognised force majeure event under standard contractual provisions.
Eligibility
The advisory covers renewable energy projects whose Scheduled Commencement of Supply Date (SCSD) or Scheduled Commissioning Date (SCD), including any extended dates, falls on or after February 28, 2026.
MNRE has advised implementing agencies, including Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), NTPC Limited, NHPC Limited and SJVN Limited, along with state-level power and renewable energy departments, to consider extensions of up to four months under the force majeure provisions contained in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
The extension is not automatic. Agencies are required to examine requests on a case-by-case basis and follow the contractual procedures applicable to invocation of force majeure.
A developer must also not have been in default of its contractual obligations as of February 27, 2026, to qualify for the relief. The force majeure provision applies only to obligations directly affected by the disruptions. Other contractual obligations remain applicable, and all suspended obligations are to revive after the extended period ends.
Transmission relief
MNRE has also forwarded the advisory to the Ministry of Power and the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL), requesting similar relief for affected developers.
The ministry has sought consideration of extensions or grants of General Network Access (GNA) or connectivity without penalty. It has also requested continuation of inter-state transmission (ISTS) waivers or concessions for projects whose commissioning periods are extended under the force majeure relief.
The additional requests address transmission and connectivity obligations that could otherwise continue to affect projects even after their generation-side timelines receive an extension.
Project timelines
The advisory comes amid supply chain and logistics disruptions affecting renewable energy project schedules. By recognising the West Asia situation as a force majeure event and setting out the conditions for considering extensions, MNRE has provided a framework for implementing agencies to assess delayed projects without automatically imposing contractual penalties.
The case-by-case approach, however, requires developers to establish the connection between the disruption and the delay. The relief therefore does not provide a blanket exemption from contractual obligations.
The framework could provide additional time for affected under-construction solar, wind and hybrid projects, while the requests to the Ministry of Power and CTUIL extend the proposed relief to transmission and connectivity arrangements associated with such projects.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
