Inox Green Energy has lost long-standing grid connectivity for its 300 MW wind power project in Gujarat, after the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) upheld the disconnection initiated by the Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL). The regulator, in an order issued on Monday, said the developer had failed to secure financial closure or record substantive progress on the project despite multiple deadline extensions.
The grid link at the Bhuj-II pooling station was formally revoked on March 10, following repeated commissioning delays. CTUIL also encashed bank guarantees of Rs 3.5 crore, with the move marking another setback for the renewable energy firm.
The CERC order comes at a time when India’s transmission infrastructure is under pressure, with the regulator noting that Inox Green had been occupying connectivity for nearly six years — a period it described as excessive given the scarcity of transmission access. The commission said the developer had “taken undue advantage of the delay in revocation,” emphasising that capacity must be allotted to projects that demonstrate readiness.
Industry-wide delays have triggered regulatory tightening. In September, Reuters reported that India cancelled grid access for close to 17 gigawatts of stalled clean-energy projects to prioritise those closer to completion, as the country pushes to double non-fossil capacity to 500 GW. Developers have repeatedly cited land acquisition hurdles and incomplete transmission corridors as key reasons for slow progress.
Inox Green told the regulator that its project was hampered by land allotment issues, transmission preparedness and pandemic-related disruptions. The company sought more time to retain connectivity, arguing that delays were beyond its control.
CERC, however, rejected the plea, stating that the project had not demonstrated credible advancement and must reapply if it intends to pursue development. The Solar Energy Corporation of India, which originally awarded the tender, has already encashed performance guarantees, and a government dispute resolution committee earlier declined to grant further extensions — narrowing the company’s options.
The disconnection highlights escalating scrutiny of laggard renewable projects as India attempts to synchronise generation growth with transmission readiness, a mismatch that continues to challenge the country’s clean-energy ambitions. |
