SKV Law Offices Secures 100% ISTS Waiver for Tata Power Renewable’s 198 MW Karur Wind Project: CERC Extends SCOD for Grid Delays
05.11.2026
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), by its order dated 1 November 2026 in Petition No. 169/MP/2026, held that Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited’s (TPREL) 198 MW wind project at Karur, Tamil Nadu is eligible for a full waiver of inter-State transmission charges, as if the project had achieved COD on or before 30 June 2025. SKV Law Offices represented TPREL.
The project, set up through TPREL’s subsidiary TP Vardhaman Surya Limited to supply power to Tata Steel Limited under the captive route, had an SCOD of 1 June 2025, aligned with the start date of connectivity at Karur PS granted by CTUIL. However, the Common Transmission System (CTS) required for the effectiveness of its GNA was not ready, and the project also faced right-of-way litigation.
Despite these constraints, TPREL commissioned the entire 198 MW in phases between October 2025 and February 2026. The Committee constituted under Regulation 13(2)(h) of the CERC (Sharing of Inter-State Transmission Charges and Losses) Regulations, 2020 recommended a first six-month extension by its Report dated 26 November 2025 and, by its Report dated 11 March 2026, a second extension treating the SCOD as 4 February 2026, after finding that the delay was solely due to non-availability of the CTS and RoW issues beyond TPREL’s control.
CERC examined the three conditions under Regulation 13(2)(h): an SCOD on or before 30 June 2025; delay on account of force majeure, including non-availability of the transmission system, or reasons not attributable to the generator; and achievement of COD on or before the extended date, within the limit of two extensions of six months each. Finding each condition satisfied, the Commission accepted the Committee’s recommendations and granted the relief sought.
The order affirms that renewable developers who execute their projects diligently will not forfeit the full ISTS waiver on account of delays in the transmission network, and reinforces the Committee route under Regulation 13(2)(h)(ii) as an effective remedy for projects outside the competitive bidding framework.
Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited v. Central Transmission Utility of India Limited, Petition No. 169/MP/2026, CERC, order dated 1 November 2026.
The SKV Law Offices team that represented TPREL comprised Shri Venkatesh (Founding Partner), along with Suhael Buttan (Partner), Punyam Bhutani (Senior Associate) and Nikunj Bhatnagar (Senior Associate).