The Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL) has released a draft procedure outlining the conditions and process for renewable energy projects to change their source of generation while retaining their granted connectivity. This initiative, published under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) Regulations of 2022, aims to provide clarity and flexibility to developers in the renewable energy sector. The draft procedure is currently open for stakeholder consultation until December 27, 2025.
The primary objective of this draft procedure is to specify the documentation and conditions necessary for projects that wish to modify their declared renewable energy sources, either fully or partially, within the same connectivity quantum. This provision applies to various renewable energy generation projects, including those with or without Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Developers can request changes in the megawatt (MW) capacity of solar, wind, or hybrid components, as well as add or remove ESS components.
The draft procedure outlines several strict general conditions for such requests. A key condition is that a change in source is allowed only once for each connectivity grant, and the requested change should not increase the total connectivity quantum already granted. Additionally, the process is only applicable to projects that have not yet been commissioned or have not begun injecting power into the grid. Applications for changing the source of generation must be submitted within 18 months of receiving the in-principle grant of connectivity or 18 months before the firm start date, whichever comes later.
The draft procedure also specifies technical reasons for rejection, including exceeding available margins for solar or non-solar hour access at specific substations or within the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS). If an application is approved, the applicant must comply with several technical and administrative requirements, including submitting technical connection data for the reconfigured source at least one year prior to the scheduled commercial operation date.
Stakeholders and developers can access the full draft procedure on the CTU website and submit comments and suggestions to the office of the Chief Operating Officer (CTUIL) in Gurugram or via email. This initiative is expected to provide clarity to renewable energy developers on how to efficiently modify their project configurations while preserving the connectivity granted by CTU, fostering greater adaptability in India’s renewable energy sector. The draft procedure is a significant step in streamlining the management of renewable energy projects and ensuring flexibility for developers while maintaining grid stability and compliance with regulatory norms.