Here are the latest updates on regulatory developments in India’s power transmission sector:
UERC approves PTCUL’s revised DPR for 132 kV Bindal-Purkul transmission line
The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has approved Power Transmission Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited’s (PTCUL) petition for investment approval of the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of the 132 kV Bindal–Purkul Transmission Line, including underground cabling work between towers No. 47 and 50.
The commission emphasized that the entire project, including previously approved and in-principle work, will undergo scrutiny and due diligence during the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) determination. PTCUL is required to submit details on procured materials and unutilized works for future projects, ensuring that costs do not burden consumers.
The commission rejected the petitioner’s proposed contingencies of 6.8% price contingency and Rs 15 million in other expenses, stating that no valid justification was provided. Instead, it approved a 3% contingency and 5% project overhead, in line with past practices.
APTEL disposes of Jindal Power’s appeal against CERC’s 2017 order
The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has disposed of the appeal filed by Jindal Power Limited (JPL) against the July 6, 2017, order of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). The order concerned Petition No. 103/MP/2017, filed by erstwhile Simhapuri Energy Limited (SEL), regarding its liability to pay transmission charges under the Bulk Power Transmission Agreement (BPTA) and Transmission Sales Agreement (TSA) with Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).
APTEL noted that the transmission charge claims by PGCIL against SEL had been extinguished and no longer applied, a position agreed upon by both PGCIL and JPL. Despite this, JPL attempted to continue the appeal based on a 2023 NCLT order stipulating that legal proceedings be continued by JPL. APTEL dismissed these claims as baseless, finding that the appeal had become infructuous and should be dismissed.
APTEL approves Sarda Energy’s petition, sets aside CERC’s 2017 order
The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has approved Sarda Energy and Minerals Limited’s petition, challenging the legality of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (CERC) September 29, 2017, order. In the order, CERC had rejected Sarda Energy’s claim to be discharged from its obligations under the Long-Term Access Agreement (LTAA) dated March 14, 2012, citing project abandonment.
APTEL found that the acquisition of the appellant’s project land by the Central Government, its allotment to NTPC Limited, and the cancellation of coal mines had frustrated the underlying purpose of the LTAA, making performance of obligations impossible.
Consequently, APTEL set aside the CERC’s order, releasing Sarda Energy from its LTAA obligations. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is directed to refund the Rs 780 million bank guarantee, along with interest, and the appellant is not liable for any relinquishment charges related to stranded assets.
AERC notifies draft regulations for connectivity to intra-state transmission system
The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has notified the draft AERC (Grant of Connectivity to the Intra-State Transmission System) Regulations, 2025. These regulations apply to applications for connectivity to the intra-state transmission system (InSTS) submitted to the state transmission utility (STU) after the regulations come into force.
According to the draft, applicants seeking connectivity to the InSTS must apply for General Connectivity in compliance with these regulations. Those seeking connectivity to the interstate transmission system (ISTS) via InSTS must also follow these provisions. Once connectivity to the InSTS is granted, applicants may proceed with connectivity and access to the ISTS as per the CERC (Connectivity and General Network Access to the Interstate Transmission System) Regulations 2022 and its amendments.
For connectivity grantees under Regulation 5.1, the effective date of connectivity to the InSTS will be the start date of connectivity augmentation with or without the associated transmission system (ATS), whichever is later. If part of the ATS has achieved commercial operation date (COD) before the entire system, partial connectivity may be granted, subject to system availability.
HPERC rejects Everest Power’s petition against transmission charges invoices
The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has rejected Everest Power Private Limited’s petition seeking to quash invoices for transmission charges related to the wheeling of 100 MW power through the 220 kV D/C Charor–Banala Transmission Line.
HPERC noted that Everest Power failed to establish that it was not liable to pay transmission charges for the entire capacity of the line (289 MW) or for 86 MW until July 12, 2024, and 80 MW thereafter from its Malana-II Hydro Electric Project. The petitioner also did not prove that the provisional bills for the entire line capacity, as well as subsequent bills and disconnection notices, were illegal or void.
As a result, the petition was dismissed, and any pending applications are considered disposed of.
CERC determines transmission tariff for Powergrid’s 400/220 kV ICT asset
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved Power Grid Corporation of India Limited’s (Powergrid) petition for the determination of transmission tariff for the 1×500 MVA, 400/220 kV ICT (3rd) asset at the 400/220 kV Sohawal (PG) Sub-station. This asset is part of the “1×500 MVA, 400/220 kV ICT Augmentation (3rd) at Sohawal (PG) under System Strengthening” project in the northern region. The tariff has been determined for the period from the commercial operational date (COD) to March 31, 2024.
The approved transmission charges for the 2019-24 tariff period are as follows (Rs million):
- Depreciation: 8.62
- Interest on loan: 8.27
- Return on equity: 9.15
- O&M expenses: 19.64
- Interest on working capital: 1.24
- Total: 46.93
CERC approves truing up of transmission tariff for Powergrid’s Kurnool-Raichur line
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has approved Power Grid Corporation of India Limited’s (Powergrid) petition for the truing up of transmission tariff for the 2019-24 period and for determining the transmission tariff for the 2024-29 period. This pertains to the 765 kV Single Circuit Kurnool-Raichur Transmission Line and associated bay extensions at the 765/400 kV Kurnool and Raichur Sub-stations under the “System Strengthening Scheme-XXII” in the Southern Region.
The transmission charges for the 2024-29 tariff period are as follows (Rs million):
