In the matter of the CERC (Conduct of Business) Regulations, 2023 – EQ

Summary:

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### **1. Document Overview**

* **Type:** Regulatory Order
* **Issuing Authority:** Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), New Delhi
* **Case Title:** *ACME Deoghar Solar Power Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. vs. SECI & Ors.*
* **Case Reference:** IA No. 61/2025 in Petition No. 91/MP/2024
* **Date of Order:** 17th October 2025

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### **2. Coram (Bench Members)**

* Shri Jishnu Barua – Chairperson
* Shri Ramesh Babu V. – Member
* Shri Harish Dudani – Member
* Shri Ravinder Singh Dhillon – Member

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### **3. Parties to the Case**

#### **Petitioners**

* ACME Deoghar Solar Power Pvt. Ltd.
* ACME Dhaulpur Powertech Pvt. Ltd.
* ACME Phalodi Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd.
* ACME Raisar Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd.
* ACME Solar Holdings Pvt. Ltd.

#### **Respondents**

1. Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
2. Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC)
3. North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd.
4. South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd.
5. Government of Puducherry
6. BSES Yamuna Power Ltd. (BYPL)
7. BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. (BRPL)
8. Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (TPDDL)

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### **4. Nature of the Application**

* **Type of Petition:** Application under Sections 79 and 94(2) of the Electricity Act, 2003
* **Relief Sought:**
Deletion of **Respondent Nos. 6 and 7 (BYPL & BRPL)** from the list of parties in Petition No. 91/MP/2024.
* **Grounds:** These respondents allegedly no longer have any contractual or legal interest following the **termination of Power Sale Agreements (PSAs)** with SECI.

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### **5. Background of the Case**

* SECI’s **Request for Selection (RfS)** dated **31 January 2018** for 2000 MW ISTS-connected solar projects (Tranche-I).
* **Letter of Award:** Granted to ACME Solar Holdings Pvt. Ltd. (ASHPL) on **27 July 2018**.
* **Four PPAs executed** between SECI and ACME entities (each for 300 MW) in December 2018.
* **PSAs executed by SECI:**

* With **BYPL (100 MW)** on 2 August 2018.
* With **BRPL (400 MW)** on 6 August 2018.

#### **Subsequent Developments**

* **Termination of PSAs:**

* BRPL – 26 February 2024
* BYPL – 29 February 2024
* Accepted by SECI on **9 October 2024**.
* **Reallocation:**

* New PSA signed with **Bihar Discoms** (500 MW) on 29 October 2024.
* Approved by **BERC (Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission)** on 23 October 2024.
* Supplementary PPAs signed with ACME Phalodi and ACME Raisar on **13 November 2024**.
* Power supply to Bihar Discoms began on **10 December 2024**.

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### **6. Arguments by Petitioners (ACME Group)**

* BYPL & BRPL **no longer necessary or proper parties** as:

* Their PSAs stand **terminated and reallocated**.
* They have **no existing contractual or financial stake**.
* Power is being supplied to Bihar Discoms, not Delhi Discoms.
* Reference made to **Supreme Court’s decision** in *Mumbai International Airport Pvt. Ltd. v. Regency Convention Centre (2010) 7 SCC 417*, arguing that parties without subsisting interest should not be retained.

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### **7. Counterarguments by BYPL & BRPL**

* SECI’s **termination invalid and unlawful** — not in accordance with Article 9 of the PSA.
* They have **challenged termination before DERC** (Petitions 58 & 59 of 2024).
* They continue to have a **valid and subsisting interest** until DERC decides.
* Alleged SECI acted unilaterally and reallocated power to Bihar Discoms **without due process**.
* Asserted they are **necessary and proper parties** since reliefs in Petition No. 91/MP/2024 could affect them.

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### **8. Commission’s Findings & Decision**

1. **CERC noted:**

* PSAs with BYPL and BRPL were terminated by SECI.
* Reallocation to Bihar Discoms approved by BERC.
* No stay order from DERC on SECI’s termination.

2. **Held:**

* **Bihar Discoms** have stepped into the shoes of BYPL & BRPL.
* BYPL & BRPL **have no current locus standi** or liability regarding Change in Law compensation.
* Their interest depends on the **future outcome** of DERC’s proceedings.

3. **Legal Principle Applied:**

* Order I Rule 10(2) CPC — empowers deletion of improperly joined parties.
* Petitioners are *dominus litis* (masters of their case).

4. **Conclusion:**

* **IA No. 61/2025 allowed.**
* **BYPL and BRPL deleted** from the array of parties in Petition No. 91/MP/2024.
* Registry directed to list the main matter (Petition No. 91/MP/2024) in **November 2025** for further hearing.

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### **9. Signatories**

* Signed by:

* **(Ravinder Singh Dhillon)**, Member
* **(Harish Dudani)**, Member
* **(Ramesh Babu V.)**, Member
* **(Jishnu Barua)**, Chairperson

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