Mumbai, Oct. 27 -- The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has rejected a petition by Vgrown Tech, now known as Kira Diam Tech, seeking a one-year extension for completing evacuation infrastructure linked to its 20 MW captive solar power project in Gir Somnath district. The regulator found that the developer had not established sufficient grounds or provided adequate evidence that delays were beyond its control.

The project is intended to evacuate power to the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) 66 kV Luvari Moli substation. Its original scheduled commissioning date (SCOD) was 30 January 2026, which was later extended during a general regulatory review to 31 July 2026. The developer sought a further extension until 31 January 2027.

The petition cited an initial adverse opinion from the Deputy Conservator of Forests on non-agricultural land clearances in an eco-sensitive zone. It also referred to compliance requirements under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM), supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East and heavy seasonal rainfall. The developer said these factors had affected construction and its ability to connect the project to the transmission network.

GETCO opposed the request, arguing that the developer had not shown sufficient diligence in planning and executing the project. The utility said relevant forest clearance requirements were already known when the land was selected and noted that equipment orders were placed only in January 2026, leaving limited time before the deadline. It also said general references to weather and geopolitical developments did not establish valid grounds for relief.

GERC found that the developer had not submitted concrete documentation showing that forest restrictions or external supply issues had directly prevented timely completion. The Commission said land acquisition and statutory approvals were primarily the developer's responsibility, while seasonal rainfall could not ordinarily qualify as an unforeseeable force majeure event without supporting evidence. It also noted that pre-commissioning testing and metering remained incomplete after 31 July 2026, and dismissed the petition for an extension to 31 January 2027.

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