CERC Grants 45-Day Extension For 38.1 MW Khaba Solar Project In Rajasthan

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has granted a 45-day extension to Khaba Renewable Energy Private Limited (KREPL) for injecting infirm power into the grid from the remaining 38.1 MW capacity of its 250 MW solar power project in Barmer, Rajasthan. The order was issued on September 25, 2026. The commission also condoned a six-day delay by the company in filing its petition.

KREPL is developing the 250 MW solar project under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with NHPC Limited, signed on April 18, 2024. The project was divided into different tranches to obtain First Time Charging (FTC) approvals and facilitate commissioning in phases.

The developer has already commissioned 200 MW of the project. NHPC issued Part Commissioning Certificates for the commissioned capacity on March 14, March 27, and June 26, 2026.

The petition before CERC concerned a 221 MW tranche that received its initial FTC approval from the Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC) on March 2, 2026. Under the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) Regulations, renewable energy generators are permitted an initial period of 45 days for injecting infirm power. NRLDC subsequently provided a three-month extension, valid until July 15, 2026.

However, this extension exhausted the maximum extension authority available to NRLDC under Regulation 19(3)(a) of the IEGC Regulations. As a result, the regional load despatch centre declined to grant any further extension and KREPL approached CERC.

KREPL initially stated that 42 MW of capacity remained to be commissioned. In a subsequent affidavit, the company corrected the figure and clarified that 182.9 MW of the 221 MW tranche had been completed, leaving 38.1 MW pending.

The company attributed the delay to several factors beyond its control. These included repeated theft of solar modules and cables, damage caused by a severe storm on June 1, 2026, and local land-related obstructions. The storm reportedly damaged nearly 2,891 solar modules and 609 structural purlins. KREPL also cited Right of Way (ROW) obstructions raised by local landowners and delays in shifting an intersecting 11 kV transmission line.

KREPL had sought a 90-day extension from CERC, stating that the remaining capacity could otherwise remain stranded because of procedural limitations under the grid code. The company also requested relief from the requirement to file its petition at least 15 days before expiry of the earlier extension.

CERC condoned the six-day filing delay, observing that it was bona fide. Considering that the project was at an advanced stage and 200 MW had already been commissioned and was delivering commercial power, the commission granted a further 45-day extension from the date of its order.

The extension will allow KREPL to inject infirm power for trial runs and complete commissioning of the remaining 38.1 MW capacity. CERC clarified that the delay-related factors considered in the proceedings were recognized only for the purpose of granting additional time under the applicable grid code provisions.