CERC Grants 100% ISTS Charge Waiver to 50 MW Hybrid Project, Extends SCOD to February 2026

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has extended the Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (SCOD) of a 50 MW wind-solar hybrid project developed by AMPIN Energy Green Private Limited and AMPIN Energy Green Three Private Limited to February 28, 2026. The Commission has also granted a 100% waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges, treating the project as eligible for the waiver applicable to renewable energy projects that achieved commercial operation on or before June 30, 2025.

The decision was issued in Petition No. 228/MP/2026 after the Commission examined delays in the availability of transmission infrastructure required to connect the project to the interstate transmission network. The project was planned to connect at the Fatehgarh-IV ISTS Pooling Station. Although the generating facility and its dedicated transmission lines were substantially completed and ready before June 30, 2025, the project could not begin commercial operations as scheduled because the associated ISTS substation was not available.

The delay was attributed to the commissioning of the Fatehgarh-IV ISTS substation by the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL). The critical transmission infrastructure was finally charged on January 31, 2026, preventing the project from commencing commercial operations within the original timeline. The developers stated that the delay resulted from circumstances beyond their control, despite their efforts to complete the project and associated transmission facilities within the prescribed schedule.

Following the availability of the substation, AMPIN Energy completed the remaining testing and commissioning activities within 28 days. The project achieved commercial operation on February 27, 2026, with February 28, 2026, formally recognised for the purpose of the regulatory relief granted by the Commission.

The developers subsequently approached a specially constituted CERC committee seeking an extension of the SCOD and a waiver of ISTS charges. The committee conducted a prudence check to assess the circumstances surrounding the delay, the readiness of the project and the time required to complete the final commissioning activities.

During its examination, the committee found that the developers had exercised due diligence and that the 28-day period required for final testing after the transmission infrastructure became available was reasonable and consistent with industry practices. The committee submitted its recommendations in reports dated September 30, 2025, and March 26, 2026, which were considered by the Commission.

CERC examined the petition under Regulation 13(2)(h) of the CERC (Sharing of Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) Regulations, 2020. The provision addresses situations in which renewable energy generating stations face delays because the required transmission system is unavailable. It provides for extensions of up to two periods of six months each beyond the June 30, 2025, cutoff, subject to applicable conditions.

The Commission, comprising Chairperson Jishnu Barua and Members Ramesh Babu V, Harish Dudani and Ravinder Singh Dhillon, accepted the committee’s recommendations and approved the extension of the project’s SCOD to February 28, 2026. It also granted a complete waiver of ISTS charges, treating the project as though it had achieved commercial operation by June 30, 2025.

With this decision, CERC disposed of the petition, providing regulatory relief to the developers for delays caused by the unavailability of essential transmission infrastructure.