The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has adjourned the case relating to the petition filed by domestic renewable energy project developer Azure Power for the extension of scheduled commissioning date and construction of evacuation system for 40 MW solar power project in the state’s Jalaun district.

Azure recently announced that it has commissioned a 40 MW solar power project in Uttar Pradesh, which was auctioned by SECI.  Spread across an area of approximately 225 acres, the project has been setup under the government’s National Solar Mission Phase-II Batch-III Tranche III.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, Azure had won the 40 MW capacity in SECI’s tender by quoting a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹9.995 million (~$0.15 million)/MW, along with a fixed tariff of ₹4.43 (~$0.067).

The current order is the second by UPERC on this matter. In the earlier order passed in January 2018, the UPERC had stated, “The commission raised the issue that the bidding in this case has been done by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) which is a Government of India undertaking, therefore this commission does not have the authority to settle this case.”

The UPERC had then asked Azure Power to establish the maintainability of the petition, explaining why the petition must be entertained by the commission. The petitioner had sought some time to make its submission. The UPERC had granted 15 days’ time to the petitioner to make its submission in the matter.

Meanwhile, SECI also communicated to UPERC requesting that once Azure Power files its reply, SECI should also be given time to file its submission to the bench.

As implored by Azure Power, UPERC in its current order, has now put a stay on the case and provided 10-day duration to Azure Power to submit its response.

UPERC has also asked Azure Power to provide a copy of the submission to SECI, Lucknow Solar Power Development Corporation Limited, chief engineer (PPA), and U.P. Power Transmission Corporation Ltd, who are the respondents in this case.

According to the order passed by UPERC, the case will be listed again after 15 days of receipt of submission by Azure Power.

Image credit: Azure Power