Covering 27 December 2025 to 2 January 2026. A quiet holiday week with one new central document. As this is the first edition of the year, three late-December decisions that shape 2026 are included as catch-up items. Every item is checked against the issuing authority's own document.
1. Ministry of Power proposes changes to captive generation rules
Ministry of Power · 2 January 2026
The Ministry issued draft amendments to Rule 3 (Requirements of Captive Generating Plant) of the Electricity Rules, 2005, with an explanatory note, and asked for comments by 17 January 2026.
Why it matters for wind: Rule 3 sets the ownership and consumption tests that captive and group captive projects must meet. Group captive is a common structure for commercial and industrial wind and wind-solar hybrid supply, so any change affects how those deals are structured.
Source: MNRE Policy & Regulatory Updates, January 2026
Catch-up
2. CERC issues guidelines for Virtual Power Purchase Agreements
CERC · 24 December 2025
Under a VPPA, the renewable generator sells its power physically through any authorised route, while the Renewable Energy Certificates go to the corporate buyer for RPO or RCO compliance. The contract is bilateral, over the counter, non-tradable and at least one year long. The difference between the agreed strike price and the settlement price is settled between the parties.
The generator must be registered under the CERC REC Regulations, 2022. The guidelines take effect from a date CERC will notify separately.
Why it matters for wind: VPPAs give corporate buyers a way to contract wind output without physical open access. That is a new route to market for merchant capacity, including the additional output from repowered projects.
Source: CERC Guidelines for Virtual PPAs
Catch-up
3. Gujarat's new RE policy sets out repowering terms
Government of Gujarat · 24 December 2025
The Gujarat Integrated Renewable Energy Policy 2025 targets more than 150 GW of renewable capacity by 2035 and 300 GW by 2047. For wind repowering it aligns with the national policy, allows repowering or refurbishment without dismantling old turbines, extends the repowering timeline to 24 months, and requires turbines over 25 years old to register with the State Nodal Agency within six months.
Incentives include extending the existing PPA during repowering (up to two years), waiving transmission charges on unused capacity during changeover, priority for connectivity enhancement, and flexible micro-siting. The policy also opens wind resource assessment and met station installation to private players, with a transparent registry.
Why it matters for wind: Gujarat has 4.67 GW of repowering potential by NIWE's estimate, and this is the most detailed state framework so far. See the national repowering policy explainer for how the two fit together.
Source: MNRE Policy & Regulatory Updates, December 2025
Catch-up
4. MNRE warns developers over SCADA switch-off systems at IAF airfields
MNRE · 11 December 2025
Ministry of Defence NOCs for wind projects require a SCADA-based remote control system at earmarked IAF stations so that turbines can be switched off when they interfere with air defence radar. MNRE said work orders for the system had still not been placed, asked developers for an implementation schedule, and warned that inaction may lead to revocation of the MoD NOC.
Why it matters for wind: NOC revocation is a direct risk to operating and under-construction projects near IAF stations. It belongs on the due diligence checklist.
Source: MNRE notice, 11 December 2025