The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has granted Transmission Licence No. 05 of 2026 to Wagdari Transmission Limited (WTL) under Sections 14 and 15 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The licence authorizes WTL to develop and operate the approved transmission project on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) basis.
The licence came into effect on September 1, 2026, and will remain valid for 25 years unless it is revoked earlier in accordance with regulatory provisions. WTL, which is headquartered in Delhi, has been assigned responsibility for developing critical transmission infrastructure to strengthen the electricity network and support renewable energy integration in Maharashtra.
As part of the approved transmission scheme, WTL will establish a new 400/220 kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) Wagdari substation. The facility will be equipped with three 500 MVA Inter-Connecting Transformers (ICTs) and a 125 MVAr bus reactor at the 400 kV level.
The project will include several major transmission links. These include a 400 kV double-circuit line connecting the AIS Wagdari substation with the proposed 765 kV Pune (East) line and another connection to the 400 kV Solapur Pooling Station. The scheme also covers 220 kV double-circuit lines connecting the facility to the proposed 220 kV Wagdari line and the existing 220 kV Narangwadi substation.
To facilitate the evacuation and integration of renewable power, dedicated 400 kV and 220 kV line bays will be developed for solar generators at the Wagdari substation. WTL has been directed to achieve scheduled commercial operation of the transmission project within 24 months.
MERC has also imposed several compliance requirements on the company. WTL must obtain all necessary statutory approvals, environmental and other clearances, right-of-way permissions and land required for construction and operation of the transmission facilities. It must also enter into Connection Agreements with relevant utility operators to clearly define responsibilities and interface boundaries.
For financial transparency, WTL must maintain separate accounts for its licensed transmission business. Transactions with subsidiaries, holding companies or other related entities must be conducted on an arm’s-length basis and verified annually by a Chartered Accountant.
WTL must pay its annual licence fee by April 10 every year and submit monthly project progress reports to long-term transmission customers, the State Transmission Utility (STU), the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and MERC.
The company is prohibited from electricity trading or undertaking commercial activities that are not permitted under its licence. Its operations must comply with the MERC State Grid Code and directions issued by relevant Load Despatch Centres.
Transmission charges will be determined and shared according to the MERC Multi-Year Tariff Regulations, 2024. MERC has retained the power to revoke the licence if WTL fails to meet its statutory obligations, Transmission Service Agreement commitments or applicable regulatory requirements.
Discover more from SolarQuarter
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
