UERC Rejects Pleas Over Cancelled 200 MW Solar Awards

01 Aug 2025 CW Team

The scheme, launched by the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) under the 2013 solar policy, aimed to help Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) meet its renewable purchase obligations through tariff-based competitive bidding.

The projects—classified under the Type I category—had original commissioning deadlines in 2019–2020, later extended multiple times until 31 December 2024. However, in March 2025, UERC cancelled the LoAs citing lack of progress and incomplete documentation.

In response, developers filed review petitions citing obstacles such as land acquisition challenges in hilly areas, delays in power purchase agreements and transmission clearances, and procedural concerns, including the lack of personal hearings.

They also argued their projects aligned with the Uttarakhand Solar Energy Policy 2023, which aims to install 2,500 MW by 2027, and claimed the LoA cancellations exceeded the Commission’s jurisdiction.

UERC dismissed these arguments, noting the petitions offered no new evidence or errors in the original order. Most developers failed to submit valid lease deeds or other key documents. The Commission maintained it had sufficient grounds and authority to cancel the LoAs in the interest of regulatory oversight and policy enforcement.

The affected projects will no longer proceed under the old 200 MW scheme, and developers must reapply under the 2023 solar policy.

UERC also clarified that previously discovered tariffs under the cancelled programme are void, and any future project approvals will follow new competitive rates.

Separately, the Commission recently turned down a petition to install an additional 600 kW rooftop solar unit under net metering, which would have exceeded the 1 MW cap set by the Renewable Energy Regulations, 2023.

The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has rejected review petitions filed by 12 solar developers against the cancellation of Letters of Award (LoAs) issued under the state’s 200 MW Solar Programme.The scheme, launched by the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) under the 2013 solar policy, aimed to help Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) meet its renewable purchase obligations through tariff-based competitive bidding.The projects—classified under the Type I category—had original commissioning deadlines in 2019–2020, later extended multiple times until 31 December 2024. However, in March 2025, UERC cancelled the LoAs citing lack of progress and incomplete documentation.In response, developers filed review petitions citing obstacles such as land acquisition challenges in hilly areas, delays in power purchase agreements and transmission clearances, and procedural concerns, including the lack of personal hearings.They also argued their projects aligned with the Uttarakhand Solar Energy Policy 2023, which aims to install 2,500 MW by 2027, and claimed the LoA cancellations exceeded the Commission’s jurisdiction.UERC dismissed these arguments, noting the petitions offered no new evidence or errors in the original order. Most developers failed to submit valid lease deeds or other key documents. The Commission maintained it had sufficient grounds and authority to cancel the LoAs in the interest of regulatory oversight and policy enforcement.The affected projects will no longer proceed under the old 200 MW scheme, and developers must reapply under the 2023 solar policy.UERC also clarified that previously discovered tariffs under the cancelled programme are void, and any future project approvals will follow new competitive rates.Separately, the Commission recently turned down a petition to install an additional 600 kW rooftop solar unit under net metering, which would have exceeded the 1 MW cap set by the Renewable Energy Regulations, 2023.

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