The Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL) has released a draft procedure for renewable energy developers seeking to change the declared energy source of their projects after receiving connectivity to the interstate transmission system (ISTS).

The draft procedure follows the provisions of the CERC Connectivity and GNA Regulations, 2022. It applies to solar, wind, hybrid, and storage projects seeking to modify their source composition without altering the connectivity quantum.

Stakeholders can submit their comments by December 27, 2025.

Scope

The procedure covers projects that already possess ISTS connectivity and now wish to shift from solar to wind, convert to a hybrid configuration, or add or remove storage.

Such changes are permitted only when the total megawatt capacity remains unchanged.

Only projects that are not yet commissioned or injecting power are eligible to apply.

Key Conditions

Developers may request a change of source only once per connectivity grant. The request cannot be for the increase in approved connectivity or to extend the start date.

Applications must be submitted within 18 months of in-principle connectivity approval or 18 months before the firm’s start date for connectivity, whichever is later.

CTUIL has also aligned the timelines with the one-time relaxation issued by CERC on December 8, 2025.

Requests must be filed through the National Single Window System portal using the format CONN SC. Until the portal is updated, applications will be accepted and timestamped at midnight on the date of submission.

For projects with solar-hour-based access, a source change can be approved only if the non-solar-hour access has not already been allocated to another entity. When both a source change request and a new connectivity application for non-solar hours are received at the same location, priority will be based on their timestamps.

Developers cannot seek approval for configurations that require more land than what has already been submitted. The only exception is when the power purchase agreement or letter of award mandates the new source. No application fee is charged for source change proposals.

Obligations After Approval

Once CTU approves a source change, the developer must submit updated technical connection data at least one year before the scheduled commissioning of the reconfigured project. Failure to do so can lead to the revocation of connectivity for that capacity.

A revised connectivity agreement reflecting the new configuration must be signed within 30 days of approval.

Rejection

Requests can be rejected if the revised configuration requires more capacity than is available at the relevant substations or in the transmission network. Proposals can also be turned down if system studies indicate technical infeasibility.

CTU is required to record and communicate reasons for rejection in each case.

Required Documents

Applicants must provide a cover letter explaining the need for a source change, a board resolution, updated project and land details, revised financial closure information, and updated technical parameters. A declaration confirming that connectivity capacity remains unchanged and that CEA standards will be met is also mandatory.

Recently, CTUIL issued a draft procedure for seeking approval of changes in control of grid connectivity grantees before the commercial operational date of renewable energy projects.

Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time Regulatory Updates to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.