Author: PPD Team Date: 11/04/2025

 

HERC orders wind developer to pay ₹22.17 crore to HPPC for energy shortfall in FY 2022-23

The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has ruled in favor of the Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC), directing  Nani Virani Wind Energy Pvt. Ltd. to compensate for a shortfall in power supply during Financial Year 2022–23 under a 250 MW wind power Power Sale Agreement (PSA) executed with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

The case stems from a 2017 agreement under which HPPC contracted to procure 250 MW of wind power through SECI, with 50 MW allocated to Nani Virani Wind Energy. However, only 30 MW was commissioned, and a major outage occurred after a 220 kV transmission tower collapsed in July 2022 due to heavy rains. As a result, the wind plant remained shut until early December 2022.

HPPC calculated a supply shortfall of over 6 crore units during the first contract year (from May 13, 2022, to March 31, 2023), compared to the minimum generation required under the agreement. While the developer claimed the disruption was due to force majeure, the Commission noted that the necessary requirements for such a claim—such as official certification and timely notifications—were not met. SECI had also rejected the developer’s request for time extension on similar grounds.

HERC emphasized that compensation clauses in the PSA and PPA clearly allow relief only when force majeure is properly invoked and substantiated. Since the developer failed to comply with these conditions, the Commission found it liable for the shortfall.

Based on HPPC’s submissions, which included data on actual energy supplied, market power purchase costs, and Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) rates, the Commission accepted the calculated loss of ₹22.17 crore as fair compensation. The developer is now obligated to remit this amount through SECI to HPPC.

Petition No: 64 of 2023 | Read the full order here.

CERC proposes trading licence for Visan Infrastructure under Category ‘V’

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has proposed to grant a Category ‘V’ inter-state electricity trading licence to Visan Infrastructure Private Limited (VIPL). The decision follows the company’s application under Sections 14 and 15(1) of the Electricity Act, 2003 and Regulation 6 of the CERC Trading Licence Regulations, 2020.

VIPL, incorporated on 1 May 2013 under the Companies Act, 1956, applied for authorisation to conduct inter-state power trading across India. In compliance with CERC’s requirements, the company submitted its audited special balance sheet as on 31 January 2025, posted the application on its website, and published notices in editions of Business Standard and Times of India on 31 October 2024. No objections were received in response to the public notices.

As per CERC norms, applicants for a Category ‘V’ licence must demonstrate a minimum net worth of Rs 20 million and maintain a 1:1 current and liquidity ratio. VIPL reported a net worth of Rs 28.16 million with both current and liquidity ratios at 7.36, based on the audited financials. The company also declared a short-term loan of Rs 2.94 million extended to a related party, Ms. Triveni TS.

CERC regulations require at least one full-time qualified professional in relevant areas. VIPL has appointed Santosh Prakash (President-Finance) with 14 years of experience in finance, and Vinoni John (President-Power Trading), also with 14 years of sectoral experience, covering power trading, energy risk, solar rooftop, and regulatory compliance.

Although VIPL’s Memorandum of Association allows it to engage in transmission activities, it has submitted an undertaking that it will not pursue transmission operations without first surrendering the trading licence, as mandated by CERC.

After reviewing all submissions and compliance with procedural norms, CERC concluded that VIPL meets the eligibility conditions for the grant of the trading licence. The Commission has directed issuance of a public notice inviting any final suggestions or objections before the final hearing, scheduled for 14 April 2025.

Petition No: 498/TD/2024 | Read the full order here.

For more regulatory updates, read the latest orders covered on Power Peak Digest: Energy Regulatory Updates – Power Peak Digest 

Featured photograph is for representation only.

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