Gujarat High Court: In a civil application by Distributed Solar Power Association (‘petitioner’), wherein the petitioner was seeking 52 days extension of the operative period of the Gujarat Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Policy, 2018 (‘policy’) which is set to expire on 19-06-2023, the Single Judge Bench of Vaibhavi D. Nanavati, J., issued notice to the Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat.
The Gujarat Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Policy, 2018 was announced by the Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat for reducing dependence on fossil-based energy by promoting renewable energy. The Objective of the Policy was to provide a framework for promotion of large grid-connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilization of the transmission infrastructure and land and reducing variability in renewable power generation thus achieving better grid-stability. The Operative period of the policy was five years from the date of issuance i.e., 20-06-2018.
The petitioner sought extension of the Policy on the grounds that if the operative period is not extended, the policy benefit, which was given to captive power project developers and consumers, will be taken away without benefit being availed by majority of intended beneficiaries for whose benefits this policy was issued.
The Court considered the petitioner’s submission and issued notice to the Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat.
[Distributed Solar Power Association v. Energy and Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat, 2023 SCC OnLine Guj 1660, Order Dated: 12-06-2023]
This is fir testing…