GERC Disposes Petition After Extending Solar Project Evacuation Timeline To 18 Months In Gujarat

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has disposed of a petition filed by VMS TMT Limited concerning the construction timeline for evacuation infrastructure tied to its solar power project in Gujarat. The order, issued on April 20, 2026, brings closure to the company’s request for additional time to complete grid connectivity work.

The case, registered as Petition No. 2566 of 2025, was filed against Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO). VMS TMT Limited is developing an 11.88 MW solar project connected to the 66 kV Kotda (F) substation in Bavla. The company had requested a one-year extension, or 365 days, to complete the required evacuation infrastructure, including bays needed to connect the project to the transmission network. According to the petitioner, the delay was caused by unforeseen circumstances beyond its control.

In addition to the main petition, the company had also sought interim relief, requesting the Commission to restrain GETCO from taking any coercive actions such as revoking connectivity approval or encashing bank guarantees, while the matter was under consideration.

However, the situation changed during the hearing held on April 9, 2026. During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel referred to an earlier order issued by GERC on January 21, 2026, in a separate but similar matter involving GETCO. In that order, the Commission had revised the standard timeline for commissioning evacuation infrastructure for renewable energy projects.

The revised regulation extended the allowable timeframe from 12 months to 18 months for projects with a capacity of up to 100 MW. Importantly, the Commission clarified that this revised timeline would apply to all under-construction renewable energy projects that had not yet been commissioned.

Since VMS TMT Limited’s 11.88 MW solar project falls within this category, the company’s request for an extension was effectively addressed by the updated regulation. Recognizing this, the petitioner chose to withdraw both the main petition and the interim application without any conditions.

GETCO did not raise any objection to this withdrawal. Taking note of the submissions from both parties, the Commission accepted the request and disposed of the matter. The bench, led by Chairman Pankaj Joshi, along with members Hiren Shah and Jatin N. Thakkar, directed the petitioner to file a formal affidavit within one week confirming the unconditional withdrawal.

With this, the legal proceedings have come to an end, and the project now benefits from the extended 18-month timeline under the revised regulatory framework.