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Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Transmission body seeks flexible ISTS waiver phase-out for RE sector
As India advances towards its ambitious target of 500 GW renewable energy (RE) capacity by 2030, the Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA), the apex body for transmission companies, has urged the government to adopt a more flexible approach to the planned withdrawal of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) waiver. It has also suggested that the government explore alternative viable options to offer critical relief to renewable energy developers. Since its introduction in 2016, the ISTS waiver—critical to India's green energy transition—has been extended only once and is now slated for phased withdrawal starting July 1, 2025. EPTA has proposed a milestone-based eligibility framework that would allow projects with significant progress, but delayed due to external challenges, to continue availing themselves of the ISTS waiver, G P Upadhyaya, director general of the association, told reporters on Monday. According to EPTA, such projects should be granted a few more months to complete construction so they may qualify under the current waiver regime. Alternatively, the association recommended a more gradual phase-out of the waiver, beginning with a 10 per cent withdrawal every year instead of the proposed 25 per cent. The industry believes that a 25 per cent annual withdrawal would disrupt ongoing projects, jeopardise investments and undermine cost competitiveness, especially for commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers who already pay among the highest electricity tariffs globally. 'Such a calibrated approach would significantly ease the impact of the waiver's withdrawal on the cost of green power, thereby allowing RE power to stay competitive and attract more investments in this key sector,' Upadhyaya said. 'We are not seeking a blanket extension. We are only proposing that the projects which have achieved key development milestones—such as securing financial closure, acquiring at least 50 per cent of required land, and placing key equipment orders—should be granted a six-to-nine-month window to avail themselves of the ISTS waiver benefits,' he added. This request aligns with Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar's announcement at a press conference earlier this month extending the ISTS waiver on pumped hydro and battery storage projects till June 2028 from the earlier deadline of this June. Among other key issues in the transmission sector, EPTA stressed the critical need to scale up domestic manufacturing of 765 kV HVDC equipment under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, given that European imports are currently fully booked and expensive, while restrictions on Chinese imports continue. The association also highlighted the planned offshore transmission line from the Andaman Islands to Paradip in Odisha under the One Sun, One World, One Grid initiative. This project will help shift power in the islands from fossil fuel-based sources to green energy from the mainland. EPTA further noted India's growing grid strength and its potential for future cross-border connections, including possible links from Andaman to Singapore and from Gujarat to the UAE.
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Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
EPTA urges extension of ISTS charges waiver for green projects to 2026
Apex industry body Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA) on Monday urged the government to safeguard the viability of around 30 GW clean energy projects facing risks from delays beyond the control of developers by extending the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges waiver till March 2026. Investments of about Rs 2 lakh crore will be impacted if a relief is not given to the players in the form of extension in the waiver, G P Upadhyaya, the Director General of EPTA said while speaking to the media in the national capital. The government had announced a waiver for solar and wind projects to be set up and commissioned by June 30, 2025. Upadhyaya said "around 30 GW green capacity are under advance stages of development across various states. These projects are unlikely to be set up before June this year on account of multiple reasons". The capacity has been delayed due to reasons beyond power companies' control and they may move to CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission) for solutions that may further delay in commissioning of these projects spread over states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra among others. In some places there is issue of land availability, local issues, Great Indian bustard (a bustard is especially found in Rajasthan and Gujarat), he said in reply to a question on reasons for delay in projects. On a solution, the DG said, "We are not seeking a blanket extension. We are only proposing that the projects which have achieved key development milestones, such as securing financial closure, acquiring at least 50 per cent of required land, and placing key equipment orders, should be granted a 6-9 month window to avail the ISTS waiver benefits." As another alternative, Upadhyaya suggested recommended a more gradual phase-out of the waiver, starting with a 10 per cent withdrawal every year instead of the proposed 25 per cent. Such a calibrated approach would significantly ease the impact of the waiver's withdrawal on the cost of green power, thereby allowing RE power to stay competitive and attract more investments in this key sector. The industry is of the view that the proposed withdrawal at 25 per cent per year will disrupt ongoing projects, jeopardise investments, and undermine cost competitiveness, especially for commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers who already pay among the highest electricity tariffs globally, he said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mint
23-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Apex industry body EPTA urges govt to extend ISTS charges waiver till March 2026
New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) Apex industry body Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA) on Monday urged the government to safeguard the viability of around 30 GW clean energy projects facing risks from delays beyond the control of developers by extending the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges waiver till March 2026. Investments of about ₹ 2 lakh crore will be impacted if a relief is not given to the players in the form of extension in the waiver, G P Upadhyaya, the Director General of EPTA said while speaking to the media in the national capital. The government had announced a waiver for solar and wind projects to be set up and commissioned by June 30, 2025. Upadhyaya said "around 30 GW green capacity are under advance stages of development across various states. These projects are unlikely to be set up before June this year on account of multiple reasons". The capacity has been delayed due to reasons beyond power companies' control and they may move to CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission) for solutions that may further delay in commissioning of these projects spread over states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra among others. In some places there is issue of land availability, local issues, Great Indian bustard (a bustard is especially found in Rajasthan and Gujarat), he said in reply to a question on reasons for delay in projects. On a solution, the DG said, "We are not seeking a blanket extension. We are only proposing that the projects which have achieved key development milestones, such as securing financial closure, acquiring at least 50 per cent of required land, and placing key equipment orders, should be granted a 6-9 month window to avail the ISTS waiver benefits." As another alternative, Upadhyaya suggested recommended a more gradual phase-out of the waiver, starting with a 10 per cent withdrawal every year instead of the proposed 25 per cent. Such a calibrated approach would significantly ease the impact of the waiver's withdrawal on the cost of green power, thereby allowing RE power to stay competitive and attract more investments in this key sector. The industry is of the view that the proposed withdrawal at 25 per cent per year will disrupt ongoing projects, jeopardise investments, and undermine cost competitiveness, especially for commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers who already pay among the highest electricity tariffs globally, he said.
News18
25-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Is India Missing The Spark? Transmission Sector Needs Private Surge
Authored by GP Upadhyaya, IAS (Retd.), DG – EPTA and Dr Manvendra Deswal, DDG – EPTA: India's power transmission sector is poised for significant growth with an estimated Rs 10 lakh crore ($120 billion) investment envisaged by 2032 to achieve the stated NEP (National Electricity Plan) goals. Transmission capacity is expected to increase fivefold in the next eight years itself with over 90% of projects expected to be awarded through TBCB (Tariff Based Competitive Bidding) instead of RTM (Regulated Tariff Mechanism) highlighting the importance of private sector. This ambitious expansion is fuelled by rising electricity demand, renewable energy integration and infrastructure modernization. News18 Private sector participation in India is not a recent phenomenon – in fact, Electricity Act, 2003 and Tariff Policy, 2006 (amended in 2016) laid down the legal framework to encourage private sector participation in the transmission sector. Besides, the Ministry of Power (MoP) issues periodic guidelines and amendments to Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) to facilitate competition and attract private investment. An Empowered Committee oversees the identification and bidding process for interstate transmission (ISTS) projects, with several of them already awarded and under implementation via private Transmission Service Providers (TSPs).
