The Madras High Court has halted Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited’s (TPREL) wind power transmission project, citing procedural lapses in the approval process. The project, which involves the installation of power transmission lines to carry electricity generated from wind power plants, was to pass through Karur and Tiruppur districts in Tamil Nadu.The project, part of TPREL’s ambitious 198 MW wind power generation initiative, was aimed at linking the wind energy plants to the substation. The transmission line, spanning a distance of 17.75 km from Senapathipalayam village in Tiruppur district to the Karur power station, is essential for transporting power generated by wind turbines to the grid.
The court’s decision stems from a failure by TPREL to follow established legal procedures before proceeding with the construction of the transmission towers and laying the power lines. Specifically, TPREL had issued a public notice about the project in relatively obscure newspapers with limited circulation, which raised concerns among local landowners and stakeholders.According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), which initially granted approval for the project, no objections had been raised by any parties. However, the CEA’s approval was questioned by landowners, who objected to the entry of TPREL into their agricultural land for setting up the transmission infrastructure. These landowners filed petitions challenging the approval and the subsequent permissions granted by the authorities.In response to these concerns, the Madras High Court quashed the order issued by the CEA, which had granted TPREL the powers of a telegraphic authority under Section 164 of the Electricity Act. Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy, while disposing of the petitions filed by the landowners, directed TPREL to restart the project from the stage where public notices should be issued in widely circulated newspapers, both in English and Tamil. The court ruled that the objections of landowners must be duly considered before a fresh license is granted for the project.
This ruling has significant implications for the wind power sector in India, as it highlights the need for strict adherence to procedural requirements when executing infrastructure projects, especially those impacting agricultural lands and local communities. It also underscores the importance of transparent communication with affected stakeholders, a key principle for ensuring smoother project rollouts in the future.The judge allowed TPREL to proceed with the necessary steps to issue new publications in prominent newspapers and hold public hearings to address any objections or representations from affected parties. Only after this process can the company apply for a fresh license under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003.This legal setback for TPREL has raised concerns about the impact on the timeline of the wind power project, which was expected to contribute significantly to India’s renewable energy capacity. It also highlights the challenges faced by developers in acquiring land and ensuring the timely completion of large-scale infrastructure projects in rural and semi-urban areas, where land acquisition and stakeholder consent can often become contentious.In light of the court’s decision, Tata Power will have to reassess its approach to project implementation, ensuring that future projects adhere to all legal and procedural standards, as well as address the concerns of local landowners and communities. This case sets a precedent for other renewable energy developers, urging them to engage more comprehensively with stakeholders before embarking on projects that impact local land use.
The delay in this critical wind power transmission project could potentially affect the region’s renewable energy targets and the company’s broader sustainability goals. While Tata Power has yet to comment on the court’s ruling, the decision highlights the ongoing tension between development and landowner rights in India’s fast-growing renewable energy sector.This case serves as a reminder of the fine balance between accelerating infrastructure projects to meet energy demands and respecting the legal rights and concerns of those impacted by such initiatives. With India pushing forward on its green energy transition, ensuring transparency, stakeholder involvement, and procedural fairness will be key to the successful and sustainable implementation of renewable energy projects.
