HERC Dismisses HVPNL Review, Directs Full-Year NOC For 100 MW Green Power Access In Haryana

The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has dismissed a review petition filed by Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL) concerning transmission access for industrial renewable energy. The order was issued on September 22, 2026, by a bench comprising Officiating Chairman Mukesh Garg and Member Shiv Kumar, reaffirming the Commission’s earlier directions in favour of M/s Jindal Stainless Limited (JSL).

The dispute relates to JSL’s request for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from HVPNL to draw 100 MW of round-the-clock green power under long-term General Network Access (GNA). The renewable electricity is to be supplied from JSL’s captive wind-solar hybrid project to its manufacturing facility in Hisar.

HVPNL, which functions as the State Transmission Utility, had raised concerns over transmission availability during the peak summer months of June to August. The utility stated that Haryana’s electricity demand can rise to around 16,500 MW during these months, while the Available Transfer Capability is around 10,000 MW. Based on these constraints, HVPNL had declined to provide long-term GNA for the specified period.

In its earlier order dated June 23, 2026, HERC held that long-term statutory access should receive priority over temporary access. The Commission observed that reserving transmission capacity for temporary access while denying long-term access to an eligible renewable energy consumer was not legally sustainable under the Electricity Act, 2003.

JSL had also agreed to accept curtailment of up to 100 MW during peak months without seeking compensation. The arrangement was proposed to address grid stability concerns while allowing the company to access renewable power throughout the year.

Paragraph 19 of HERC’s June order directed HVPNL to establish operational protocols and a compensation framework to formalize the arrangement before issuing the NOC. HVPNL subsequently filed Review Petition No. 11 of 2026, challenging this requirement.

The transmission utility argued that requiring separate protocols or commercial mechanisms could exceed its authority under the applicable Central Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations. It requested HERC to either remove the requirement under paragraph 19 or shift JSL to Temporary GNA.

JSL opposed the review petition, arguing that HVPNL was seeking to reopen issues already decided by the Commission. It also stated that it had no objection to deletion of paragraph 19 if HVPNL was directed to issue the NOC immediately.

HERC, while considering the review, referred to Supreme Court principles that a review proceeding cannot be used as an appeal or to re-argue matters already decided unless an error apparent on the face of the record is established. The Commission found that HVPNL had not demonstrated any such error, new evidence or clear factual mistake.

HERC therefore dismissed the review petition in its entirety and left its June 23, 2026 order unchanged. The Commission also directed HVPNL to issue the full-year NOC to JSL, enabling the company to pursue its 100 MW long-term renewable power access arrangement.