Mumbai, Oct. 30 -- The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has extended the Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (SCOD) for Mounting Renewable Power's 250 MW wind-solar hybrid project in Gujarat to June 30, 2026. It has also approved a 100 per cent waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for the 174.9 MW capacity commissioned by that date.

The decision followed a petition filed by Mounting Renewable Power, Welspun Living and Welspun Corp under the CERC (Sharing of Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) Regulations, 2020. The companies sought relief over delays attributed to circumstances beyond their control. The project in Jamnagar district is intended to supply renewable electricity to commercial consumers, including Welspun Living and Welspun Corp.

The companies signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Mounting Renewable Power in February 2024. The project was initially scheduled for completion by mid-2025, in line with connectivity arrangements at the Bhachau substation. Execution was subsequently affected by heavy rainfall, Cyclone Biparjoy, right-of-way disputes during transmission-line construction, delays in government land allotments and pending land-use approvals in Gujarat.

An independent committee established under the CERC regulations reviewed project progress reports and land acquisition details. In its report issued on June 19, 2026, the committee recommended extending the deadline to June 30, 2026, the maximum extension permitted under the regulations through two six-month periods. CERC accepted the recommendation in its order dated October 26, 2026.

By the revised deadline, the project had completed trial runs and achieved commercial operation for 174.9 MW, comprising 115.5 MW of wind capacity and 59.4 MW of solar capacity. The remaining 75 MW was at an advanced construction stage, with phased completion scheduled through August 2026. The waiver applies only to capacity commissioned by June 30, 2026. CERC directed the National Load Despatch Centre to verify commercial operation certificates before implementing the exemption.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.