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Cleanmax Vayu Private Limited filed a petition before the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC), seeking an extension of 465 days for the commissioning of the evacuation infrastructure related to its 100 MW wind power project. The petition was filed under Sections 86(1)(c) and (f) of the Electricity Act, 2003, and included an interlocutory application numbered 04 of 2025. The request stemmed from unforeseen delays caused by issues such as uncertainty in lead generator status, vendor approvals, and common drawing coordination among multiple project developers.
The petitioner claimed that a total delay of 465 days had occurred. This included 209 days of delay from 28 July 2023 to 22 February 2024 due to the lack of clarity on the lead generator status. Cleanmax Vayu had difficulty executing agreements with other Stage-II grantees like Morjar Renewables, OP Wind, and Suzlon Global. The High Court of Gujarat had also imposed a status quo order during this period on the matter, further delaying decision-making. The petitioner was eventually awarded the lead generator status on 22 February 2024.
The second delay cited was for 256 days from 29 February 2024 to 11 September 2024, due to delays in vendor approval for the Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) system. GETCO required all developers to use the same GIS make to ensure compatibility at the 220 kV Kalavad substation. Due to the Government of India’s Cross Border Policy, previously used Chinese GIS systems could not be approved, and developers had to choose between only two available vendors—M/s Siemens and M/s GE. Cleanmax placed the order with Siemens on 27 May 2024. Drawing approvals necessary to begin manufacturing were granted by GETCO only on 11 September 2024.
An additional 70-day delay was claimed for the period between 3 July 2024 and 11 September 2024 due to the complexities involved in securing common drawing approvals. Multiple developers needed to coordinate and submit shared technical drawings for GETCO’s approval. These delays were attributed to coordination difficulties, including the unavailability of timely inputs from Suzlon, one of the four participating developers. The GETCO ultimately approved the drawings on 11 September 2024.
The petitioner submitted two Bank Guarantees (BGs) of ₹5 crores, valid till July 2025, with a claim period up to 31 July 2026. These BGs were deposited as part of the project compliance process.
GETCO, the respondent, acknowledged the challenges faced by Cleanmax but noted that approvals and responsibilities for construction rest with the grantee. They argued that delays in vendor selection and application submissions were partly due to the petitioner’s internal decision-making timelines.
After hearing both sides, the Commission reserved its final order and extended the status quo until further notice. Both parties were directed to submit their written submissions within ten days of the order dated 19 May 2025.
