| Work Detail |
FSGE Renewables Private Limited filed a petition before the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission requesting an extension of time for completing the evacuation infrastructure for a 70 MW wind-solar hybrid project. The company claimed that the delay was caused by multiple unforeseen and uncontrollable events. The project, located at the 220 KV Rajula Substation of GETCO, had been granted connectivity, and the company had already made considerable investments and progress. They completed 14 out of 22 foundations, 100% of the PSS foundations, 50% of PSS erection, and had acquired 100% of the required land on lease. The petitioner highlighted several challenges that impacted the timely completion of the transmission infrastructure. These included delays in breaker deliveries due to a market demand crisis and global supply chain issues, which affected the delivery schedule even after placing orders. They also faced confusion and delays over banking facility interpretations under the Green Energy Open Access Rules. The Ministry of Power and GUVNL later clarified these provisions, but by then, the project timeline had already been disrupted. Other problems included Right of Way (RoW) issues caused by local agitations from landowners and farmers, which delayed on-ground work. The petitioner sought the intervention of the Amreli Collector, and a hearing was scheduled to address the disputes. Additionally, the project’s route fell within a newly proposed Forest Buffer Zone, requiring No Objection Certificates from the Forest Department. Despite submitting all required documents and following up, the NOC was still pending, delaying the project further. FSGE Renewables argued that these delays qualify as “unforeseen reasons” rather than force majeure events. They claimed that the term “unforeseen” is more flexible and only requires a demonstration of due diligence. The company also submitted that they had taken proactive steps such as securing land, arranging bank guarantees, placing procurement orders, and applying for necessary approvals. They requested the Commission to grant interim relief by maintaining the status quo and preventing GETCO from taking any coercive actions, including the revocation of connectivity or encashment of bank guarantees. They offered to pay long-term transmission charges until 10% of the project capacity is commissioned. In response, GETCO stated they had no objection to the petition being admitted but raised doubts about the validity of the petitioner’s reasons for seeking an extension. They pointed out that it was the petitioner’s responsibility to plan for equipment procurement, approvals, and RoW issues. GETCO also noted that the petitioner waited until the last moment to approach the Commission, even though they were aware of the 12-month deadline from the date of Stage II connectivity. After hearing both sides, the Commission acknowledged that the petitioner had completed substantial work and had invested significantly. It observed that revoking connectivity might lead to unnecessary complications and delays. Therefore, the Commission scheduled a final hearing for April 16, 2025, and directed both parties to submit additional documents and responses before then. |
