CERC Overturns Curtailment of Tata Power, Engie Solar Output

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has overturned curtailment orders issued by the Western Regional Load Dispatch Centre (WRLDC) against Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) and Engie’s Indian arm, Electro Solaire Pvt Ltd, in a dispute over compliance with reactive power regulations at the Raghanesda Ultra Mega Solar Park in Gujarat.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), in an order, ruled that the curtailment directives issued in December 2023 were not applicable to the two developers, as they were not among the 20 renewable energy (RE) projects identified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for enforcement action.

TPREL and Engie, which operate 100 MW and 200 MW capacity respectively within the 600 MW commissioned capacity at the Raghanesda park, had approached the regulator after WRLDC limited their power scheduling, citing non-compliance with grid connectivity norms related to reactive power compensation.

WRLDC had directed the plant’s output to be capped at 492 MW out of a total of 600 MW, citing a CEA letter and multiple meetings from 2023 that called for enforcement against projects that failed to install the required reactive power equipment. The curtailment orders took effect from December 28, 2023.

The petitioners argued that the CEA directives applied only to 20 specific RE developers granted conditional grid connection approvals — a list that did not include them. They also said WRLDC had not responded to their requests for revalidation of reactive power studies based on updated technical guidelines.

CERC, in its final order, agreed with the developers and set aside the curtailment, citing a lack of legal basis to include them under the CEA’s earlier enforcement orders. The Commission noted that it had already issued an interim stay on the curtailment in February 2024, allowing full power scheduling to resume from February 21.

While granting relief, the regulator criticised both firms for delays in fulfilling their commitments to install reactive power devices, which date back to undertakings made in August 2021. The installations were completed only in late 2024.

TPREL commissioned a 30 MVAR Static VAR Generator (SVG) and four inverters by December 31, 2024, while Engie completed a 64 MVAR SVG installation by January 1, 2025. The Commission directed WRLDC to verify compliance with applicable CEA standards.

However, CERC declined to award compensation for curtailment-related losses at this stage, including TPREL’s claim of ₹5.8 million (Rs. 0.58 crore), stating that such claims would require separate petitions.

CERC reaffirmed WRLDC’s authority to act against non-compliant entities in the interest of grid security under the Electricity Act, 2003, but ruled that its past orders targeting TPREL and Engie were “not valid” in this case.