Twelve firms allotted solar projects under Uttarakhand’s 2013 Solar Energy Policy have suffered a major blow after the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) rejected their review petition against project cancellations. These firms, allotted solar projects via tender in 2019–20 by the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA), failed to complete construction within the given timelines.
Though deadlines were extended—first until March 31, 2024, and later to December 31, 2024—UREDA couldn’t justify the repeated extensions before the commission. The commission reviewed the progress reports and found serious discrepancies, including shared lease accounts and manipulated project locations using Google Maps.
Taking suo moto cognizance, UERC canceled the project allocations on March 27, 2025. The firms later filed a review petition, but the commission, led by Chairperson M.L. Prasad and Legal Member Anurag Sharma, found no new evidence or valid justification. The responses from UREDA and UPCL were also found unsatisfactory. Thus, the review was dismissed.
Firms affected include: PPM Solar Energy, AR Sun Tech, Pashupati Solar Energy, Doon Valley Solar Power, Madan Singh Jeena, Dardaur Technology, SRA Solar Energy, Prisky Technology, Harshit Solar Energy, GCS Solar Energy, Devendra & Sons Energy, and Dailyhunt Energy.
While this cancellation affects the state’s 2023 solar policy target of 2,500 MW by 2027, officials note it prevents UPCL from buying delayed power at outdated, higher rates—ultimately avoiding financial losses.
