UPERC Seeks Framework For Phased Commissioning Of Solar Parks Using Shared Evacuation Infrastructure In Uttar Pradesh

M/s Garda Solar Private Limited (GSPL) has sought regulatory clarity from the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) on the commissioning of solar projects developed within a solar park using shared power evacuation infrastructure.

GSPL filed Petition No. 2411 of 2026 before UPERC, with UP State Load Despatch Centre (UP SLDC) Limited as the respondent. The matter was heard on September 17, 2026, by a bench comprising Chairman Arvind Kumar, Member Sanjay Kumar Singh, and Member (Law) Griesh Kumar Vaish. The petition was subsequently disposed of on September 29, 2026.

During the proceedings, GSPL’s counsel Divyanshu Bhatt highlighted operational difficulties in declaring phased or consumer-wise Commercial Operation Dates (Part-COD) for projects located within its solar park. According to the petitioner, Regulation 10 of the UPERC Captive and Renewable Energy Generating Plants Regulations, 2024, does not provide adequate flexibility for solar parks where multiple developers use common evacuation infrastructure.

GSPL requested UPERC to establish a separate methodology for such projects. The proposed framework would provide for phased synchronization, unit-wise commissioning, and aggregation of generation capacity during trial runs. The company also sought provisions for projects or generating units that fall below the minimum quantum prescribed under the existing regulations.

The petitioner further requested interim directions to UP SLDC to allow synchronization and grant Part-COD approvals to generating units that meet the applicable technical requirements.

GSPL informed the Commission that its 50 MW solar park is located in Mahoba district and involves around 15 to 20 project developers. The solar park is primarily intended to supply electricity to consumers in the cement and automobile sectors.

The company also stated that several issues concerning shared evacuation infrastructure and commissioning had been raised during the public hearing on the Draft UPERC Grid Code Regulations, 2026, held on September 2, 2026. However, GSPL submitted that specific regulatory clarification was still required to address the commissioning requirements of multi-developer solar parks.

UPERC observed that the existing 2024 CRE Regulations provide provisions for trial runs and Part-COD for individual generating projects but do not specifically address multi-developer solar parks operating through shared evacuation infrastructure.

The Commission therefore directed GSPL to submit the core issues raised in the petition as additional comments on the Draft Grid Code Regulations, 2026. UPERC also asked the company to provide detailed proposals outlining the operational framework it seeks for solar parks, along with relevant regulatory precedents, frameworks, and orders adopted by electricity regulatory commissions in other states.

With these directions, UPERC formally disposed of Petition No. 2411 of 2026 on September 29, 2026.