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The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued an order in response to the petition, filed by the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO). The petition sought relaxation under the Electricity Act 2003 and the General Network Access (GNA) Regulations of 2022 for submitting applications for additional GNA quantum for the fiscal years 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28. GETCO requested the ability to apply for different quantum amounts starting on various dates within the same financial year. The petition was necessitated by technical challenges in the application process through the National Single Window System (NSWS) portal. The portal only allowed applications with one start date per financial year, which did not accommodate the phased requirements of stakeholders like Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) and Indian Railways. Despite multiple requests for guidance, GETCO faced unresolved issues, including a technical error with the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and procedural difficulties. GETCO submitted a hard copy of its application on September 27, 2024, followed by an online submission by the deadline of September 30, 2024. However, the application was rejected due to mismatched authorizations. GETCO argued that these issues were not major deficiencies and reiterated its need for flexibility in applying for GNA with multiple start dates. The petitioner emphasized the precedent of relaxed deadlines under similar circumstances and highlighted the absence of explicit regulatory prohibitions against phased GNA applications. Respondents, including CTUIL, supported the need for regulatory clarity. While CTUIL raised concerns about planning complexity with multiple start dates, it acknowledged that allowing such flexibility could align with demand forecasting. It proposed setting a limit on the number of start dates per application to streamline processes. The Commission considered all submissions and recognized the merit of GETCO’s request. It acknowledged the practical need for phased GNA applications to match varying load requirements within a financial year. The order directed GETCO to submit a fresh application incorporating three distinct start dates for FY 2025-26. CTUIL was instructed to process the application within a month, ensuring alignment with infrastructure planning and system availability. The Commission also called for an amendment to the GNA Regulations to provide a framework for phased GNA applications and address related procedural complexities. The decision highlights the Commission’s commitment to balancing regulatory rigor with operational flexibility, ensuring efficient transmission network management while addressing stakeholders’ genuine challenges. |
