GERC Grants Interim Relief For 10 MW Wind-Solar Hybrid Project In Gujarat

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has granted conditional approval to Cleanmax Vayu Private Limited to begin power generation from part of its wind-solar hybrid project in Rajkot district. This order serves as interim relief in an ongoing legal dispute between the renewable energy developer and the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO). The case revolves around the commissioning timeline for a 10 megawatt (MW) wind-solar hybrid project and the interpretation of the applicable connectivity procedure.

Cleanmax Vayu is developing a 10 MW hybrid project that combines wind and solar power. The company received Stage-II connectivity approval for this project on May 31, 2024. According to GETCO, the entire 10 MW capacity had to be commissioned within 12 months of this approval, meaning by May 31, 2025. GETCO formalized this position through a letter dated April 8, 2025, warning that if the full project was not commissioned within the stipulated period, the company would lose its connectivity rights.

However, Cleanmax Vayu contested this timeline, arguing that the connectivity procedure allows up to two years from the date of charging the evacuation system to commission the remaining 90% of the project. The company emphasized that it had taken genuine steps to complete the project on time. By May 28, 2025, it had finished constructing the evacuation infrastructure necessary to transmit power from the site to the grid. In addition, it had successfully commissioned 6.6 MW—more than the minimum 10% capacity required—by the 12-month deadline of May 31, 2025.

Despite completing most of the project and being ready to commission the remaining 3.3 MW, the developer faced delays due to GETCO’s refusal to sign the Long-Term Open Access (LTOA) agreement. GETCO argued that since the 12-month period for full commissioning was about to expire, it could not approve the LTOA. Without this key agreement, Cleanmax Vayu was unable to execute the Wheeling and Banking Agreement with the state’s distribution companies (DISCOMs), preventing the injection of power into the grid.

Cleanmax Vayu pointed out that the 3.3 MW portion, involving an investment of about ₹35 crore, had been stranded and was unable to generate any revenue. The company claimed to be suffering financial losses from rising interest payments and project-related costs due to the delay.

After reviewing submissions from both parties, the GERC acknowledged that Cleanmax Vayu had completed the necessary transmission system and had commissioned part of the project within the deadline. The Commission observed that the balance of convenience favored the developer since the refusal to grant the LTOA was the only obstacle preventing the operationalization of the remaining 3.3 MW capacity.

On November 3, 2025, the Commission issued an interim order directing GETCO, GEDA, and the concerned distribution company (DGVCL) to provide conditional approval allowing Cleanmax Vayu to generate and inject power from the fully installed 3.3 MW capacity. This permission is temporary and will remain in effect until the Commission issues a final ruling on the main petition. Cleanmax Vayu also provided a written undertaking that if the final decision goes against it, the power generated during this interim period will be treated as inadvertent, and the state utility will not bear any financial liability.

The interim application was concluded with this ruling. The main petition will continue as the Commission examines further submissions from both sides before delivering a final order on the overall commissioning timeline for the project.