Petition of the CERC (Connectivity and General Network Access to the interstate Transmission System) (Third Amendment) Regulations of Hybrid Power Project – EQ

Summary:

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## Key Business Facts

| Parameter | Detail |
|———–|——–|
| **Petitioner** | VEH Jayin Renewables Private Limited (VJRPL) |
| **Respondent** | Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL) |
| **Total Project Capacity** | 151.8 MW (Hybrid Project) |
| **Additional Capacity Sought** | 45 MW (Solar) |
| **Connectivity Point** | Rajgarh Substation |
| **Date of Approval for 45 MW** | 9 November 2023 (under Regulation 5.2 of GNA Regulations) |
| **Bank Guarantee Amounts** | Conn-BG1: ₹50 lakh; Conn-BG3: ₹90 lakh |
| **Deadline for BG Submission** | 8 November 2025 (within 2 months of Third Amendment effectiveness on 9 September 2025) |
| **Actual BG Submission Date** | 8 December 2025 (both BGs dated 5 December 2025) |
| **CTUIL Revocation Date** | 16 March 2026 |
| **Next Hearing Date** | **16 April 2026** |

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## Petitioner’s Key Arguments

| Argument | Detail |
|———-|——–|
| **Short notice period** | CTUIL notice issued on 6 November 2025 gave only **2 days** to comply with deadline of 8 November 2025 |
| **Request for extension ignored** | VJRPL requested 15 working days extension on 7 November 2025; CTUIL never responded |
| **Advanced project stage** | 45 MW solar project is at an **advanced stage of commissioning**; trial run operations cannot commence without connectivity |
| **CTUIL not processing CONN-TD-4** | Technical data submitted by petitioner is not being processed for connection details |
| **Precedent exists** | CERC has granted similar relief in other cases where generators were on verge of commissioning (e.g., Petition No. 346/MP/2025) |
| **Relief sought** | Relaxation of timeline, condonation of delay, protection of approval for 45 MW, interim directions to CTUIL to permit commissioning activities |

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## Legal & Regulatory Framework

| Regulation | Provision |
|————|———–|
| **Section 79(1)(f), Electricity Act, 2003** | CERC’s jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes |
| **Regulations 41 & 42, GNA Regulations 2022** | General provisions for connectivity |
| **Regulation 37(10)(d)(ii), Third Amendment 2025** | Mandates furnishing Conn-BG1 and Conn-BG3 for additional capacity approved under Regulation 5.2; failure leads to revocation of approval |

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## Business Implications

### For VJRPL (Petitioner)
– **Immediate risk:** 45 MW solar capacity (advanced stage) cannot be commissioned – revenue loss and potential PPA/default consequences.
– **Interim relief sought:** Permission to continue commissioning activities without prejudice; CTUIL to process CONN-TD-4 for connection details.
– **Precedent value:** If relief is granted, it may help other generators facing similar procedural delays.

### For CTUIL (Respondent)
– **Strict interpretation of regulations:** CTUIL argues no extension permissible under Third Amendment.
– **Potential operational pressure:** If CERC relaxes timelines, CTUIL may need to accommodate delayed BG submissions.

### For Renewable Energy Developers (Industry)
– **Key takeaway:** Recent GNA amendments impose **strict timelines** for bank guarantees on additional capacity approvals.
– **Risk factor:** Short notice periods (as low as 2 days in this case) create compliance challenges.
– **Mitigation:** Developers should proactively seek clarity on BG submission timelines and request extensions well in advance.

### For Lenders & Investors
– **Project bankability:** Connectivity approval is critical for project commissioning and revenue generation.
– **Regulatory risk:** Changes in GNA Regulations can impact approved capacities if procedural timelines are missed.
– **Monitoring:** Track CERC’s decision on 16 April 2026 – it may set a precedent for similar cases.

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