Author: PPD Team Date: 25/02/2025
UPERC approves SPPA for 50 MW solar PV power under UPPCL petition
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited’s (UPPCL) petition for a supplementary power purchase agreement (SPPA) for 50 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power from Okasa, Uttar Pradesh.
The commission noted that the SPPA, dated July 18, 2024, does not impact tariffs or any other aspects of UPPCL, aside from a name change of the solar power producer at the request of T.N. Urja Private Limited (TNUPL).
The original petition, No. 1110/2016, concerns the adoption of tariffs for 215 MW solar PV power, in which Essel Infraprojects Limited was the selected bidder. A power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed on December 2, 2015, with its project company, TNUPL. The matter remains under review following the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity’s (APTEL) judgment on August 5, 2024, in Appeal No. 37 of 2018 and related cases.
The commission has approved the SPPA, changing the solar power producer’s name from TNUPL, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of Essel Infraprojects Limited, to Adani Green Energy Twenty-Three Limited. However, this approval remains subject to the final decision in Petition No. 1110/2016.
Petition No: 2172 of 2024 | Read the full order here.
APTEL modifies GERC’s order on GUVNL’s petition over solar plant commissioning
The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has issued an order on Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited’s (GUVNL) petition challenging the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (GERC) order dated March 30, 2015, in Petition No. 1364 of 2013. GERC had ruled that the solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant of Respondent No. 1 was deemed commissioned on March 31, 2013, making it eligible to raise bills for energy injected into the grid from April 1, 2013, at the tariff applicable for the financial year 2012–13.
APTEL has modified the order, determining that the commercial operation date (COD) of the project by Respondent No. 1, Taxus, should be considered as April 3, 2013. The tribunal ruled that delays due to the special purpose vehicle (SPV) were not force majeure events. While the delay caused by land registration was deemed a force majeure event regarding liquidated damages, Taxus is required to supply power at the tariff agreed upon in its letter dated March 28, 2013, and must pay liquidated damages as per the undertaking.
Petition No: APPEAL NO.114 OF 2015 & IA No.1310 OF 2024 | Read the full order here.
TNERC rejects TNGECL’s power purchase petition, directs fresh tender
The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has issued an order on the power purchase approval petition (PPAP) filed by Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL). After the final hearing on January 23, 2025, and reviewing submissions, records, and legal provisions, the commission ruled against granting the petition.
TNERC observed that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had sanctioned 424 MW of solar capacity through an email dated November 20, 2023. However, a previous tender was floated for 420 MW, and power purchase agreements (PPAs) were signed with only two farmers for a total of 3 MW. A second tender was then issued with an opening date of February 27, 2024, under Component-A of the PM-KUSUM scheme.
Despite approval for 420 MW, the tender saw a poor response, with only four bidders qualifying for 5 MW. TNERC attributed this to non-compliance with MNRE guidelines and found flaws in the tender process. The commission ruled that TNGECL’s request could not be accepted and directed it to issue a revised tender aligned with MNRE guidelines and TNERC’s directives to ensure competitive tariffs and broader participation.
TNGECL must also obtain Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Company’s (TNPDCL) approval before initiating any tender process involving the discom as a potential buyer. Additionally, TNGECL has been instructed to assess renewable energy generation capacity for rural substations and publish the details on its website.
Petition No: P.P.A.P.No.1 of 2025 | Read the full order here.
AERC reschedules hearing on APDCL’s solar tariff petition after APTEL’s order
The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has issued an order regarding Assam Power Distribution Company Limited’s (APDCL) petition for tariff determination for power from a 5 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) plant owned by Suryataap Energies and Infrastructure Private Limited (SEIPL) at IGC, Balipara, Sonitpur district, Assam.
AERC had previously set a final tariff of Rs 8.78 per kWh for the plant for 25 years through its order dated November 29, 2017. APDCL later challenged this decision at the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), which, in its judgment dated December 19, 2024, remanded the case back to AERC for fresh tariff determination based on market benchmark norms. APTEL also directed AERC to complete the process within two months.
During the proceedings, SEIPL’s representative informed AERC that they had filed Review Petition No. 3 of 2025 at APTEL, seeking a review of the December 19, 2024, order. SEIPL also stated that their legal counsel was absent at the previous hearing and requested a postponement.
Considering the circumstances, AERC has rescheduled the hearing to March 27, 2025, at 12 PM. SEIPL has been directed to submit its objection reply by February 28, 2025, with a copy to APDCL.
Petition No: 03 /2017 | Read the full order here.
CERC approves SECI’s tariff adoption for 1,200 MW wind-solar hybrid projects
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited’s (SECI) petition for tariff adoption for 1,200 MW wind-solar hybrid power projects (Tranche-VIII). These projects are connected to the inter-state transmission system and were selected through a competitive bidding process.
CERC noted that SECI conducted the bidder selection through a transparent process following the Ministry of Power’s guidelines. Under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, the commission has adopted the tariffs discovered in the bidding process as per the letters of award dated June 20, 2024, for the following successful bidders:
CERC highlighted that the awarded capacity is yet to be tied up with distribution licensees. The trading margin will be determined per the power sale agreements (PSAs) between SECI and the distribution companies while considering payment security provisions under the guidelines and power purchase agreements (PPAs).
If SECI fails to provide an escrow arrangement or an irrevocable, unconditional, and revolving letter of credit to wind-solar power generators, the trading margin will not exceed Rs 0.02 per kWh, as per Regulation 8(1)(d) and Regulation 8(1)(f) of the Trading License Regulations.
Petition No: 268/AT/2024 | Read the full order here.
MERC extends RPO compliance timeline for CPP users until FY 2025-26
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has issued a suo motu order on renewable purchase obligation (RPO) compliance for captive power plant (CPP) users in Maharashtra for FY 2014-15 to FY 2019-20.
Considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of renewable energy certificate (REC) trading, the commission has extended the timeline for fulfilling RPO targets to FY 2025-26. Any cumulative RPO shortfall from FY 2014-15 to FY 2019-20 that remains unmet must be fulfilled through renewable energy procurement or REC purchases by the extended deadline. Any surplus renewable energy or RECs purchased against the targets for this period will be carried forward to subsequent years.
Additionally, MERC has extended the option for entities to deposit an amount equivalent to the REC floor prices of the shortfall units with the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) on a year-to-year basis to meet their RPO. Upon meeting their obligations, MEDA will refund the deposited amounts (without interest) within 15 days of receiving an application from entities that switch to REC procurement. For those who complied with the RPO target but had deposited funds with MEDA, the refunds will be processed within 15 days of the order date.
Petition No: Case No. 1/SM/2024 | Read the full order here.
Featured photograph is for representation only.
