JSA Newsletter | Electricity and Power | June to August 2025 Edition

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The Indian Electricity and Power sector has witnessed interesting regulatory activities to facilitate the sectoral developments. The Ministry of Power (“MoP”) released operational guidelines for designating Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (“REIAs”) and set out the methodology for coal linkage allocation under the revised SHAKTI Policy, 2025. On the other hand, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (“MNRE”) undertook a comprehensive revamp of its schemes and frameworks, including revised guidelines for waste to energy projects, prototype wind turbines, and the biomass programme; amendments to the guidelines for implementation of the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (“PMSG: MBY”) covering consumer incentives and inverter compliance; updated norms for pilot green hydrogen projects; and fresh quality control guidelines for solar photovoltaic modules.

Further, the Central Electricity Authority (“CEA”) also issued guidelines mandating the installation of automatic weather stations at solar and wind plants.

There have also been significant developments in the Indian electricity and power sector through recent judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India (“Supreme Court”) and the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (“APTEL”), together with key orders and regulations of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions (“ERCs”). These decisions and regulatory measures clarify the scope of regulatory jurisdiction, reinforce the sanctity of Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”), mandates timely recovery of Regulatory Asset, and introduce reforms in tariff determination, transmission access, and renewable energy integration.

 

Judgments of the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court holds that the existing Regulatory Asset of Distribution Companies must be liquidated within the maximum period of 4 (four) years starting April 1, 2024

The Supreme Court, by its judgment dated August 6, 2025, in BSES Rajdhani Power Limited vs. Union of India[1], held that Regulatory Asset (“RA”) should not exceed a reasonable percentage of 3% of the Annual Revenue Requirement (“ARR”) that can be arrived at based on Rule 23 of the Electricity Rules, 2005 (“Electricity Rules”). It was inter alia directed that:

1. existing RA must be liquidated within the maximum period of 4 (four) years starting April 1, 2024, taking Rule 23 of the Electricity Rules as the guiding principle;
2. ERCs must provide the trajectory for liquidation of the existing RA, inclusive of carrying cost;
3. ERCs must also undertake a strict and intensive audit of the circumstances in which the Distribution Companies (“Discoms”) have continued without recovery of the RA;
4. APTEL will invoke its powers under Section 121 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (“Electricity Act”) and issue such orders, instructions, or directions as it may deem fit to the ERCs for performance of their duties regarding the RA; and
5. APTEL will register a suo motu petition under Section 121 of the Electricity Act to monitor implementation of directions.

 

ERCs cannot take cognisance of petitions solely on the grounds of public interest

The Supreme Court, by its judgment dated July 14, 2025, in Torrent Power Limited vs. U.P. ERC[2], held that the State ERCs (“SERCs”) cannot adjudicate petitions solely on the grounds of public interest.

It was held that even the broad mandate of SERCs does not include within its fold the power to adjudicate disputes involving consumers and, by extension, their grievances, irrespective of whether such issue is raised in furtherance of public interest. It was clarified that SERCs are not competent to entertain a matter on the singular ground of public interest.

 

Supreme Court reinforces ERC’s overarching power to ‘fix’ tariff under the Electricity Act and holds that a Discom cannot be guided by its own interest

The Supreme Court, by its judgment dated August 4, 2025, in Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. vs. Green Infra Corporate Wind Private Limited[3], held that a Discom cannot be guided only by its own commercial interests such as a private business entity. Its conduct as a State-instrumentality must be of the standard of a model citizen. It was held as follows:

1. Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited cannot bind Discoms to a rate that is either inapplicable to them or that was never opted by them.
2. Discoms cannot be estopped from seeking determination of tariff by their concerned State ERC.

For further details, please refer to the JSA Prism of August 6, 2025.

 

Supreme Court mandates ERC approval for PPAs under Section 86(1)(b) of the Electricity Act

The Supreme Court, by its judgment dated August 29, 2025, in M/s. KKK Hydro Power Limited vs. Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited and Ors.[4], has held that Generating Company (“GenCo”) and a distribution licensee cannot, by private agreement, execute a PPA on their own or stipulate tariff therein as per their choice, for supply of electricity within a State, without seeking the review and approval of the ERC under Section 86(1)(b) of the Electricity Act.

The Supreme Court observed that M/s. KKK Hydro Power Limited was granted relief by an order of APTEL while ignoring the mandate of Section 86(1)(b) of the Electricity Act. However, the same attained finality because Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited did not appeal the same. Therefore, the Supreme Court stayed its hand from interfering with the APTEL order.

 

Supreme Court reinforces sanctity of PPAs: No relief without force majeure notice or invocation of correct contractual provision

The Supreme Court, by its judgment dated August 25, 2025, in Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company Limited vs. Saisudhir Energy (Chitradurga) Private Limited[5], has held that the jurisdiction of the regulatory bodies is to ensure compliance with law and to adjudicate disputes within the 4 (four) corners of the contract. It does not extend to recasting the contractual framework by directing restitution of amount realised under the PPA, or by mandating alterations to tariff and timelines in a manner inconsistent with such PPA. It was further held that:

1. PPA, being the product of a competitive bidding process and having received regulatory approval, must be construed and enforced strictly in accordance with its express stipulations;
2. to permit otherwise would be to allow SERC or the APTEL to override the parties’ own allocation of risk under the contract.

For further details, please refer to the JSA Prism of August 27, 2025.

 

Judgments by APTEL

APTEL holds that the State nodal agencies are covered within the purview of Section 86(1)(f) of the Electricity Act

APTEL, by its judgment dated July 10, 2025, in Punjab Energy Development Agency vs. Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission and Ors.[6], has held that the power of SERCs while adjudicating upon disputes under Section 86(1)(f) of the Electricity Act are not limited to disputes between a GenCo and a licensee only. It also extends to disputes involving nodal agencies such as the Punjab Energy Development Agency, which are engaged in activities like power procurement process on behalf of either the Government or the distribution licensees.

It was held that the words “and any other agency/entity directly engaged in generation and procurement of power on behalf of Government or the Licensees” should be read after the expression “Disputes between Licensee and Generating Companies” in Section 86(1)(f) of the Electricity Act.

 

APTEL holds that PPAs executed within the framework of existing regulations cannot be overridden by subsequent regulations, unless expressly provided for in the subsequent regulations

APTEL, by its judgment dated July 28, 2025, in Rosa Power Supply Company Limited vs. Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited and Anr.[7] has held that tariff regulations notified by an ERC, in exercise of its delegated legislative power, are applicable to PPAs executed after the date when those regulations come into force and are not applicable to the PPAs already executed prior to that date, unless the subsequent regulations expressly specify otherwise.

While relying on the judgment of the Supreme Court in Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited v. Renew Wind Energy (Rajkot) Private Limited[8], APTEL held that in case of existing agreements executed by parties in exercise of equal bargaining power as well as after due negotiation and within the framework of existing Regulations, the terms of such agreements will continue to bind the parties, unless the subsequent Regulations expressly override the existing agreements.

 

APTEL holds that an appeal is the extension of the original suit/petition filed before the subordinate court/forum, and additional grounds cannot be taken at time of appeal.

APTEL, by its judgement dated August 07, 2025, in RKM Powergen (P) Ltd. v. U.P. Power Corpn. Ltd., 2025 SCC OnLine APTEL 36[9], held that an appeal is an extension of the petition filed before the SERC, which has to be decided based on the pleadings of the parties that were filed before the concerned ERC. It was further held that: –

1. the contention of Change in Law events raised at the stage of appeal were neither pleaded before the SERC, nor was any document in support thereof filed before the SERC.
2. consequently, contentions raised with respect to change in law events cannot be looked into or considered at the stage of appeal.
3. scope of appeal cannot be altered by agitating fresh Change in Law events which were never pleaded before the SERC in the original petition.

 

APTEL holds that Section 70 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 does not override the bargain struck between the contracting parties.

APTEL in its judgement dated August 07, 2025 in Matrix Power (Wind) (P) Ltd. v. Karnataka ERC 2025 SCC OnLine APTEL 39[10] held that when the conduct of the parties is governed by a contract, and when that contract specifically provides for the result that is complained of, in such a case, Section 70 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 does not override the bargain struck between the parties. Further, APTEL observed that the following:

1. while courts and tribunals must strive for fairness, especially in cases involving renewables and statutory objectives, such considerations cannot justify setting aside a valid contract; and
2. the policy also cannot override the express will of the parties unless clearly so mandated by law or otherwise directed by a subsequent binding regulatory action.

 

APTEL holds that SERC has the duty to balance the interest of consumers, generators and Discoms in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act

APTEL, by its judgement dated August 28, 2025, in Singareni Colleries Company Limited vs. TSERC[11] held that SERC is empowered to regulate the price at which Discoms will purchase electricity. However, it also has a duty to balance the interest of consumers on one hand and generators/Discoms on other hand while complying with the provisions of the Electricity Act.

It was further held that, in the absence of any specific provision under the Electricity Act to regulate the price of coal charged by coal companies under the Bridge linkage, the SERC cannot directly regulate such pricing. The adjudication by the SERC under section 86 of the Electricity Act must instead be in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act and the regulations framed under Section 181 of the Electricity Act.

 

Orders and regulations of ERCs

Central ERC allows submission of land documents in the name of the subsidiary company, where parent company is the connectivity grantee

The Central ERC (“CERC”), by its orders dated June 27, 2025, in the matters of M/s. Oyster Renewable Energy Private Limited and Anr. vs. Central Transmission Utility of India Limited[12] and Avaada Energy Private Limited and Anr. vs. Central Transmission Utility of India Limited[13], directed the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (“CTUIL”) to accept land documents in the name of the subsidiary company which was implementing the project, for connectivity granted to the parent company, in order to meet the conditions subsequent under Regulation 11A(1)[14] of the CERC (Connectivity and General Network Access (“GNA”) to the Inter-State Transmission System (“ISTS”)) Regulations, 2022 (“GNA Regulations”).

For a detailed analysis, please refer to the JSA Prism of July 21, 2025.

 

CERC directs Grid-India to develop the necessary software for running the shadow pilot for coupling Term Ahead Market of the power exchanges

CERC, by its order dated July 23, 2025, in petition no. 1/SM/2024 (Suo-Motu) has directed Grid-India to develop the necessary software for running shadow pilot for coupling ‘Term Ahead Market’ of power exchanges and implement the same for 3 (three) months. Additionally, it has been directed that:

1. Grid-India will share operational experience of running the shadow pilot in the form of a feedback report to the CERC; and
2. all the power exchanges will share the necessary data and other information as required by the staff of the CERC and Grid-India will analyze various operational and procedural aspects for implementing the coupling of ‘Day-Ahead Market’.

By this order, CERC has also initiated the process for implementing market coupling in a phased manner which inter alia includes: (a) coupling of ‘Day-Ahead Market’; and (b) examination of the shadow pilot run for coupling of the ‘Real-Time Market’ with Security Constrained Economic Dispatch.

 

CERC notifies the CERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025

CERC, vide notification dated June 25, 2025, has notified the CERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025 to amend the CERC (Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) Regulations, 2024 (“Principal DSM Regulations”).

Regulation 8(8) of the Principal DSM Regulations has been substituted to provide that the charges for injection of infirm power will be zero, except in case of:

1. Thermal Generating Stations: Where infirm power injected into the grid from the date of first synchronisation up to successful trial run completion will be paid at normal rate of charges subject to a ceiling of INR 2.86 (Indian Rupees two point eight six) per kWh for each time block.
2. Infirm Power: In the event infirm power is scheduled following a successful trial run, any charges for deviation beyond the scheduled infirm power will be applicable as those applicable for a general seller or wind and solar seller.

Notwithstanding the above exceptions, when the system frequency is greater than 50.05 (fifty point zero five) Hz, then charges for injection of infirm power or for deviation of scheduled infirm power after the successful trial run by way of over injection will be zero.

 

CERC notifies the CERC (Sharing of Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2025

CERC, vide notification dated June 26, 2025, has notified the CERC (Sharing of Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (“Fourth Amendment Regulations”) to amend the CERC (Sharing of Inter State Transmission Charges and Losses) Regulations, 2020 (“Principal Sharing Regulations”). The amendments to the Principal Sharing Regulations inter alia include the following:

1. proviso to Regulation 9(8) has been substituted to state that drawee Designated ISTS Customers (“DICs”) (other than the distribution licensees of the State) located within the State control area that are not included in the GNA of the distribution licensees of the State, will be apportioned the transmission charges out of the aggregate Air Conditioner System Usage-Based Charges (“AC-UBC Charges”);
2. under Regulation 12, 2 (two) new provisions have been added, which state that:
   • the generating stations with dual connectivity i.e. intra/inter-State, and transmission deviation will be computed as net metered ex-bus injection, in a time block in excess of the sum of GNA to the ISTS and Access with State Transmission Utility (“STU”) system; and
   • details of access with STU will be shared with National Load Dispatch Centre (“NLDC”) and Central Transmission Utility; and
3. Amendments to Regulation 13 include provisions concerning eligibility for grant of waiver.

 

CERC constitutes committee for recommending extension of time in the Scheduled Commercial Operation Date for specific projects CERC (Sharing on Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) Regulations, 2020

CERC, vide office order dated July 30, 2025, has constituted a committee for recommending extension of time in the Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (“SCOD”) for specific projects under Regulation 13(2)(h) of CERC (Sharing on Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) Regulations, 2020. The committee comprises of the following:

1. ex-member, CERC (chairman of the committee);
2. ex-member, Punjab SERC;
3. ex-member, CEA; and
4. chief operating officer, CTUIL.

The process of seeking extension has been provided as under:

Step 1: Renewable Energy Generating Systems/Energy Storage Systems to approach the committee by an application.

Step 2: Committee will analyse the application and give its recommendation within three (3) months.

Step 3: Committee may allow/disallow the extension of SCOD for the purposes of waiver by a separate order.

 

CERC notifies the CERC (Connectivity and GNA to the ISTS) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025

CERC, vide notification dated August 21, 2025, has notified the third amendment to the GNA Regulations introducing detailed procedural and structural reforms. The amendment inter alia:

1. defines terms such as: (a) cluster of ISTS substations; (b) connectivity grantee; (c) host Regional Load Despatch Center; (d) solar hours; (e) solar hour access; and (f) Non-solar hour access;
2. introduces several new provisions regarding; (a) optimal utilisation of the transmission system; (b) NLDC’s responsibility to notify solar hours and non-solar hours; (c) tiered penalties for withdrawing applications for connection or GNA; and (d) withdrawals made after a final grant result in a 100% fee forfeiture;
3. introduces changes regarding scheduling of power; and
4. provides for the procedure to shift to another renewable energy source(s), whether in part or full, by making an application to the nodal agency.

 

Gujarat ERC introduces new regulations for procurement of energy from renewable sources

The Gujarat ERC (“GERC”) has notified the GERC (Procurement of Energy from Renewable Sources) Regulations, 2025 (“GERC Regulations”) on August 12, 2025. The GERC Regulations govern renewable purchase obligations and align the State’s renewable trajectory with the national compliance and enforcement framework. The GERC Regulations repeal the GERC (Power Procurement from Renewable Sources) Regulations, 2005 and 2010 and the subsequent amendments thereto.

For a detailed analysis, please refer to the JSA Prism of September 10, 2025.

 

Regulatory updates

MoP issues operational guidelines for designating a company as Renewable Energy Implementing Agency

MoP, vide Office Memorandum (“OM”) dated June 9, 2025, issued operational guidelines for designating a company (“Applicant Company”) as Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (“REIA”). The OM inter alia provides the following guidelines:

1. Eligibility criteria: The Applicant Company will: (a) be registered under the Companies Act, 2013; (b) possess a valid category-I electricity trading licensee; (c) demonstrate net worth exceeding INR 500,00,00,000 (Indian Rupees five hundred crore) along with a long-term credit rating of ‘A’ or above; and (d) have the necessary board of director’s approval.
2. Applicability: The guidelines will be applicable after their issuance and organisations such as Solar Energy Corporation of India, NTPC Ltd., NHPC Ltd. and SJVN Ltd. will continue to be REIAs.
3. Period and termination: REIAs will be designated for a period of 5 (five) years subject to termination by the Central Government. In case of termination, REIAs will be responsible to perform their duties during the tenure of any agreement.
4. Other terms and conditions: (a) Designated REIA will follow the procurement process under Section 63 of the Electricity Act; (b) procurement by REIAs will be exclusively through e-bidding; (c) upon change in ownership, the eligibility criteria as specified must be adhered.

 

MoP issued methodology for allocation/earmarking of coal linkage under window I and window II of the Revised Shakti Policy, 2025

MoP, vide notification dated July 17, 2025, has issued the methodology for allocation/earmarking of coal linkage under the 2 (two) windows of the revised SHAKTI Policy, 2025 for power sector:

1. Window I: Coal linkage to central GenCos/State Governments at notified prices.
2. Window II: Coal linkage to all GenCos at a premium.

The methodology for such allocation inter alia has the following provisions:

1. eligibility of coal linkages;
2. formulation of terms and conditions of Letter of Assurance (“LoA”)/Fuel Supply Agreements (“FSA”) by coal companies;
3. earmarked coal linkages to Stage Governments may be allocated to Thermal Power Plants (“TPPs”);
4. eligibility for TPPs for which earmarking/allocation of coal linkage is sought.
5. process of application, recommendation, approval and intimation of coal linkages; and
6. timelines for commitment guarantee, LoA, FSA and coal drawl.

 

MNRE issued revised guidelines for waste to energy schemes

MNRE, vide OM dated June 27, 2025, has revised the guidelines for Waste to Energy Schemes (“WTE Scheme”) that would be applicable to all projects sanctioned under WTE Scheme. The Hon’ble Minister of New and Renewable Energy is vested with the power to relax any of the provisions in the WTE Schemes. The revised guidelines inter alia provide for the following:

1. Clause 4.4 (i) was amended to inter alia state that the inspection team will visit the plant for performance inspection upon request from the developer after successful commissioning (to be carried out within 18 (eighteen) months from the date of commissioning or within 18 (eighteen) months from the date of ‘In Principle’ approval, whichever is later);
2. Clause 4.4(ii) has been amended to inter alia state that the joint inspection team will submit inspection reports:
   • prior to the release of 50% of the Central Financial Assistance (“CFA”) post receipt of the Consent to Operate (“CTO”) certificate; and
   • prior to the release of the remaining CFA;
3. Clause 4.4(iii) has been amended to inter alia state that:
   • successful Commissioning of a plant would include continuous operation of the plant for at least 24 (twenty-four) hours at an 80% average capacity;
   • 50% of the CFA to be released post receipt of the CTO certificate from the State Pollution Control Board against bank guarantee for the amount to be released; and
   • if the developer fails to operate the plant at minimum 80% of the rated capacity or maximum CFA eligible capacity whichever is less during the performance inspection, then disbursement will be done on a pro rata basis.

 

MNRE issued revised guidelines for installation of prototype wind turbine models

MNRE, vide notification dated June 12, 2025, has issued the revised guidelines for installation of prototype wind turbine models. The revised guidelines are in suppression of guidelines issued by MNRE on May 25, 2012. The applicability of these guidelines extends to “all the wind turbine manufacturers in India, who wish to install prototype wind turbine model(s) in the country and synchronize with the Indian grid system”.

The revised guidelines inter alia provide the following conditions for carrying out the type testing and receipt of the type certificate:

1. guidelines will be implemented by the National Institute of Wind Energy (“NIWE”), Chennai;
2. eligibility criteria inter alia include type testing and certification be carried out by Internationally Accredited Testing and Certification bodies;
3. specified documents to be submitted for type certification schemes and documents required to be submitted with application;
4. Regular Maintenance and Service will be carried out for the prototype wind turbines that are installed along with other conditions as provided by the revised guidelines.

 

MNRE issued revised guidelines for the biomass programme under the umbrella scheme of National Bioenergy Programme (Phase I)

MNRE, vide OM dated June 27, 2025, has revised the guidelines for biomass programme under the umbrella scheme of National Bioenergy Programme during the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26 (Phase I) notified on November 2, 2022. By the said revision, many clauses were either amended of omitted. The following requirements were omitted:

1. list of documents required for in-principal approval of proposals:
   • techno economic feasibility report; and
   • latest high-resolution photographs; and
2. the requirement for Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) clearance.

The following requirements were amended:

1. List of documents required for release of CFA to inter alia state that: –
   • copy of offtake/sale agreement for sale of briquettes/pellets to be submitted instead of contract agreement;
   • details of Internet of things (“IoT”) based monitoring solution or undertaking to share data instead of details of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition/remote monitoring system;
   • applicant seeking capital subsidy will not claim capital subsidy from any other ministry or department of the Central Government for the same plant;
   • after submission of application in the BioURJA portal, if a developer commissions the plant, developer will update the status of the plant; and
   • plant operation at an average of 80% rated capacity measured continuously for 10 (ten) hours will receive 100% CFA. Below 80%, the pro-rata disbursement will be made as specified.

 

MNRE has amended the guidelines for implementation of PMSG: MBY for the component of ‘CFA to residential consumers’

MNRE, vide OM dated Jule 7, 2025, amended the guidelines for implementation of PMSG: MBY for the component of ‘CFA to residential consumers’ post the consideration of feedback from implementing agencies on the operational issues during the implementation of the scheme. Amended clauses were added to the guidelines with respect to:

1. Additional State subsidy: State governments may supplement the CFA subject to adherence to the scheme guidelines.
2. Applications under the Phase II scheme: All such applications will be admissible for CFA as per the applicable guidelines. Applications submitted but not installed as on April 1, 2025, will be ineligible for CFA.
3. Minimum technical specifications: MNRE will identify minimum technical requirements for Rooftop Solar Systems (“RTS”) systems installed under the schemes and may amend such specifications as required prospectively.

 

MNRE has issued an OM regarding the compliance requirements for inverters and communication devices used under PMSG: MBY

MNRE, vide OM dated July 21, 2025, has issued compliance requirements for inverters and communication devices used under the PMSG: MBY. The directions under the OM inter alia provide as under:

1. all inverter communication devices/dongles/data loggers will have Machine-to-Machine (“M2M”) SIM communication protocol to enable secure and reliable data transmission;
2. MNRE has finalised a vendor neutral, open communication protocol-based data communication and security guidelines for RTS monitoring and control which have been made since September 1, 2025.
3. original equipment manufacturers enlisted for supplying inverters must mandatorily connect their inverters to the National Servers and Software managed by MNRE/other designated agency.

 

MNRE revises scheme guidelines for pilot green hydrogen projects in new and innovative applications

On August 4, 2025, MNRE issued scheme guidelines (revised) for implementation of pilot projects for production and use of green hydrogen using innovative methods/pathways in the residential, commercial, localised community, decentralised/non-conventional, applications. The guidelines also include any new sector or technology not covered in previous mission schemes under the National Green hydrogen Mission, with the objective to:

1. support innovative models/technologies/pathways for the production of green hydrogen;
2. support the utilisation of green hydrogen;
3. validate the technical feasibility and performance of green hydrogen as a fuel for household/residential and commercial appliances; and
4. demonstrate safe and secure use of green hydrogen and its derivatives in other new sectors.

The guidelines further inter alia provide as under:

1. scheme will be implemented by the Scheme Implementation Agencies (“SIA”), who will select an Executing agency (“EA”);
2. funds for the project will be released to the SIAs by MNRE on the recommendation of the Project Appraisal Committee (PAC);
3. grants released should not be diverted for any other purpose and if the EA fails to utilise the grant for the purpose for which it has been sanctioned or fails to complete the project as per the Detailed Project Report (DPR), it must refund the entire amount of the grant.

 

MNRE issues guidelines for series approval of solar photovoltaic modules and testing under the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025

On August 13, 2025, MNRE issued guidelines for series approval of solar photovoltaic modules for conducting testing in test labs, for implementation of the Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025 (“Quality Control Order, 2025”).

The Quality Control Order, 2025 inter alia:

1. defines the term ‘product family’ as the maximum configuration of components/sub-assemblies plus a description of how the models are constructed from the maximum configuration using these components and sub-assemblies;
2. provides a minimum efficiency criteria for the purpose of the passing minimum efficiency of Solar photovoltaic modules;
3. mandates clear and indelible marking with certain particulars; and
4. provides for re-testing guidelines.

 

CEA issued guidelines for automatic weather stations for solar and wind power plants

CEA, vide its communication dated July 7, 2025, has issued the guidelines for automatic weather stations for solar and wind power plants. The objective of such guidelines was to measure the critical meteorological parameters for accurate, real-time measurement of weather to enable optimisation of renewable energy generation. Additionally, CEA has requested all REIAs to suitably include the requirement of automatic weather stations in bid documents.

 

This Newsletter has been prepared by:

Anupam Varma Partner

Rahul Kinra Partner

Aditya Ajay Principal Associate

Adamya Ojha Associate

Vaibhav Sharma Associate

 

For more details, please contact [email protected]

 

[1] 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1637

[2] 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1410

[3] 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1602

[4] Civil Appeal No. 3005 OF 2015

[5] Civil Appeal No. 6888 OF 2018

[6] Appeal No. 286 of 2015

[7] Appeal No. 107 of 2020

[8] 2023 SCC OnLine SC 411

[9] Appeal No. 109 of 2022

[10] Appeal No. 61 of 2019

[11] APL No. 256 OF 2024

[12] Petition No. 453/MP/2025 along with 39/IA/2025 (order dated June 27, 2025)

[13] Petition No. 455/MP/2025 along with 41/IA/2025 (order dated June 27, 2025)

[14] As per Regulation 11A(1) of the GNA Regulations, an applicant, which is a renewable energy generating station (other than hydro generating station), covered under Regulation 5.8(xi)(c) of the GNA Regulations, is required to submit documents for land in terms of Regulation 5.8(xi)(b) of the GNA Regulations, within 18 (eighteen) months of issuance of an in-principle grant of connectivity or within 12 (twelve) months of issuance of a final grant of connectivity, whichever is earlier. The bank guarantee submitted under Regulation 5.8(xi)(c) of the GNA Regulations will be returned within 7 (seven) days of submission of stipulated documents as proof of ownership or lease rights or land use rights.