GERC Reserves Order On Extension Request For 25 MW Wind-Solar Hybrid Project At Kalawad Substation In Gujarat

A petition was heard before the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) in Gandhinagar regarding a request from M/s OP Wind Energy Pvt. Ltd. The company sought an extension of time until 31 December 2025 for completing evacuation infrastructure and the use of a spare 220 kV bay at the Kalawad substation on a temporary basis. The petition also asked for additional time to commission 25 MW of wind-solar hybrid power at the same substation, as per the procedure issued on 7 January 2023 for granting connectivity to renewable energy projects to the intra-state transmission system.

During the hearing on 31 July 2025, the petitioner’s, explained the delays and challenges faced. The company is developing a 100 MW hybrid and 50 MW wind project at Nagpur, Kalawad in Jamnagar district. They had applied for connectivity in six parts and received Stage-II approvals between June 2023 and March 2024. Approval for the transmission line was granted by the Gujarat government in October 2023. However, the project was delayed due to force majeure events, including issues related to GIS make, approval of common drawings, and bay allocation.

The petitioner argued that the requirement of adopting Siemens GIS make, instead of the existing Chint Electric system, created technical challenges and delays. They also cited repeated changes in common drawing approvals and bay swapping among developers, which further pushed back timelines. Reliance was placed on similar cases of other developers where extensions were granted.

On behalf of the respondent, Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO), opposed the plea, arguing that the petitioner was aware of the requirements under the Cross-Border Policy and had to bear costs of coordination with vendors, emphasized that temporary bay use was not a permanent right and was subject to strict timelines and regulatory conditions, also noted that delays caused by coordination with other developers were agreed upon in meetings, and no objections had been raised at that time.

GETCO submitted that the petitioner had signed undertakings acknowledging the temporary nature of bay use, with a commitment to disconnect by 31 March 2025 irrespective of whether their own infrastructure was ready. They stressed that OP Wind Energy cannot hold GETCO responsible for any delays or make financial claims.

After hearing both parties, the Commission noted the submissions and reserved the matter for a final order. Parties were directed to file written submissions within two weeks. The case remains pending for decision, with the Commission considering whether to allow the requested extension until the end of 2025.