CERC Moves Ahead On Transmission Licence For 2,500 MW Khavda Project

15 May 2026 CW Team

The scope covers HVDC terminal stations at KPS3 and South Olpad and a ±500 kV HVDC Bipole transmission line connecting them. The bid process was coordinated by PFC Consulting Limited and Adani Energy Solutions Limited won with the lowest annual transmission charges of about Rs 23,917.69 million (mn); Adani subsequently acquired the Special Purpose Vehicle and furnished a contract performance guarantee of Rs 5,537.3 mn to the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL).

Local objectors challenged the public notice as vague for lacking exact revenue survey numbers and detailed route maps, contending that affected landowners could not determine whether their holdings were involved. The Commission explained that the licence application stage requires only a general description under the 2024 Transmission Licence Regulations and that detailed route alignment and land survey matters are addressed separately under Section 164 of the Electricity Act; the petitioner has issued a separate public notice on February 12, 2026 for land-related matters.

CTUIL supported grant of the licence as part of efforts to reach India’s target of 500 Gigawatt (GW) of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and noted that the Khavda Renewable Energy Park has an estimated generation potential of around 32.7 GW. CERC observed that the scheduled commissioning date of December 12, 2029 aligns with projected renewable energy development and directed publication of another public notice inviting final suggestions by May 18, 2026, with the next hearing set for May 19, 2026.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has issued an order on an application for a transmission licence by KPS III HVDC Transmission Limited for the Transmission System for Evacuation of Power from the potential renewable energy zone in Khavda in Gujarat, intended to enable evacuation of 2,500 Megawatt (MW) of renewable energy from the region. The petition identifies the scheme as a key regional grid link and seeks regulatory approval to proceed. The scope covers HVDC terminal stations at KPS3 and South Olpad and a ±500 kV HVDC Bipole transmission line connecting them. The bid process was coordinated by PFC Consulting Limited and Adani Energy Solutions Limited won with the lowest annual transmission charges of about Rs 23,917.69 million (mn); Adani subsequently acquired the Special Purpose Vehicle and furnished a contract performance guarantee of Rs 5,537.3 mn to the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL). Local objectors challenged the public notice as vague for lacking exact revenue survey numbers and detailed route maps, contending that affected landowners could not determine whether their holdings were involved. The Commission explained that the licence application stage requires only a general description under the 2024 Transmission Licence Regulations and that detailed route alignment and land survey matters are addressed separately under Section 164 of the Electricity Act; the petitioner has issued a separate public notice on February 12, 2026 for land-related matters. CTUIL supported grant of the licence as part of efforts to reach India’s target of 500 Gigawatt (GW) of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and noted that the Khavda Renewable Energy Park has an estimated generation potential of around 32.7 GW. CERC observed that the scheduled commissioning date of December 12, 2029 aligns with projected renewable energy development and directed publication of another public notice inviting final suggestions by May 18, 2026, with the next hearing set for May 19, 2026.

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