Background
Petition No. 2474 of 2025 was filed by JSW Renewable Energy (Anjar) Limited against the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO), along with IA No. 33 of 2025 seeking interim relief. The case concerns a 16.5 MW solar–wind hybrid project being developed by JSW Renewable.
- GETCO had granted Stage-II connectivity for 9 MW at the 66 kV Gangiyavadar substation on March 31, 2024.
- The petitioner was required to complete evacuation infrastructure—including bays, metering, and transmission lines—by March 30, 2025.
- On February 18, 2025, GETCO warned that failure to meet the deadline could lead to bank guarantee (BG) encashment and cancellation of connectivity.
Petitioner’s Arguments
JSW Renewable sought a 158-day extension, citing:
- Right of Way (ROW) disputes with landowners, vendors, and ongoing litigation.
- Cyclone Asana and heavy rainfall (August–October 2024), which disrupted construction.
- Global supply chain delays in procurement of raw materials.
The company relied on provisions of the GERC Connectivity Procedure 2023 and Tariff Order No. 1 of 2024, along with relevant judicial precedents.
GETCO’s Response
- Opposed the extension, stating that the petitioner should have approached the Commission earlier.
- Maintained that ROW challenges fall under the developer’s responsibility.
- Argued that seasonal weather disruptions are foreseeable and cannot be grounds for relief.
- Noted that no evidence was provided for supply chain delays.
- Clarified that its February 18 letter was merely a reminder, not a punitive order.
Commission’s Action
- The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) heard both sides.
- Directed both parties to submit written submissions within 4 weeks.
- The case has been reserved for Final Order.
Why It Matters
The outcome will decide whether force majeure-like conditions such as ROW disputes, extreme weather, and supply chain delays qualify as valid grounds for deadline extensions in renewable energy evacuation projects. This ruling could set an important precedent for developers facing similar challenges in Gujarat and beyond.
