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The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission recently addressed a petition filed by Suzlon Global Service Ltd. under Section 86 of the Electricity Act, 2003. This petition sought an extension of the scheduled commercial operation date (SCOD) for developing necessary infrastructure for evacuating power from a 200 MW wind power project located in Jamjodhpur to the 220 kV Kalawad sub-station of Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd. (GETCO). The petitioner cited force majeure events as the reason for the delay in completing the infrastructure.
Suzlon argued that the timeline stipulated in the Commission’s Order No. 05 of 2024, dated August 31, 2024, which defined the tariff framework for power procurement from wind power projects, was unachievable due to unforeseen circumstances. The company emphasized that the project required an extension to address these challenges. They also sought urgent listing and hearing under Rule 26 of the GERC (Conduct of Business) Regulations, 2004, alongside Section 94(2) of the Electricity Act, 2003.
During the hearing on December 18, 2024, Suzlon’s legal representatives presented their case, highlighting the connectivity achieved with the GETCO sub-station. They requested the Commission to admit the petition, acknowledging the unavoidable delays caused by factors beyond their control.
The Respondent, GETCO, represented by their legal counsel, confirmed they had not received a copy of the petition. While expressing no objections to the petition’s admission, they requested four weeks to file their reply once the petition copy was provided. Both parties agreed on the jurisdiction of the Commission to address this matter.
After hearing the arguments, the Commission admitted the petition. It directed Suzlon to provide copies of the petition to the respondents and submit an affidavit confirming compliance. Furthermore, the respondents were granted four weeks to file their replies, with the petitioner allowed an additional week for rejoinders. The matter was scheduled for a subsequent hearing on February 5, 2025.
This decision underscores the regulatory process’s focus on transparency and adherence to timelines while addressing unforeseen challenges in renewable energy projects. It also highlights the importance of creating robust frameworks to accommodate contingencies, ensuring that infrastructure projects meet their objectives without compromising operational and contractual commitments.
