MNRE Grants Extensions to Renewable Projects Delayed by GIB Case

India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has provided relief to renewable energy developers facing delays due to a prolonged Supreme Court case over power transmission lines in habitats of the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB). 

In an order issued on Monday, January 12, 2026, the ministry classified these delays as "force majeure," allowing extensions on project commissioning timelines. This move addresses uncertainties that have stalled wind and solar developments in key regions.

Background of the Supreme Court Verdict

The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling in December 2025 that resolved the multi-year litigation. The court endorsed an expert panel's recommendations to safeguard the Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered species primarily found in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The panel advocated stricter regulations on new wind and large-scale solar projects within bustard habitats. It emphasised undergrounding critical power distribution lines and rerouting high-voltage transmission corridors to minimise ecological impact. Earlier interim orders had restricted overhead lines, causing developers to pause projects pending final clearances.

Order Details 

The MNRE directive instructs renewable energy implementation agencies to grant extensions for delays occurring between March 21, 2024, and December 19, 2025 - the period encompassing the height of the legal standoff.

Notably, the order does not specify the duration of these extensions, allowing for flexibility in case-by-case assessments. It also urges the Ministry of Power and grid operators to offer relief on connectivity fees and transmission charges for affected projects, mitigating financial burdens.

Developers had previously risked disconnection and penalties from the Central Electricity Authority, as highlighted in reports of 17 GW of clean energy projects  worth almost Rs 50,000 crores facing grid access revocation in September 2025.

India Transmission Woes

India’s transmission infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the growth of renewable energy generation. According to a report by IEEFA, over 50 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity are stranded nationwide as of June 2025, delaying projects, inflating costs, and undermining investor confidence.

In FY25, India added 8,830 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines against a target of 15,253 ckm, reflecting a 42 percent shortfall, with inter-state additions hitting their lowest level in a decade. 

Analysis shows up to 71 per cent of India’s interstate corridors operate below 30 per cent utilisation, highlighting the mismatch between infrastructure and power flows.