In Brief
Three batches of civil appeals challenged orders of the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) regarding wheeling charges, grid support charges, and incentives for non-conventional energy developers. The Supreme Court held that APERC possesses statutory authority under the Reforms Act, 1998, to determine wheeling and grid support charges as part of its tariff-fixation power. The court rejected the doctrine of promissory estoppel, finding that Government Orders granting time-limited incentives did not create unequivocal commitments. Statutory regulations supersede prior contracts. The appeals were allowed, orders of APERC were restored, and judgments of the High Court and APTEL were set aside.
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