MNRE amends guidelines for solar power projects under VGF programme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has amended the guidelines for the implementation of the viability gap funding programme for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects under the National Solar Mission (Phase II). According to the new amendment, if there is a delay in land allotment or connectivity by the government, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) can extend the time for the financial closure and the commissioning date of the project, without any financial implications to the solar power developer, after recording due justifications for the same. However, in the case of SECI being the developer, the extension will be given by the MNRE. Earlier, in the case of such delays, SECI could extend the time for financial closure and the commissioning date by up to three months without any financial implications to the developer; while for extensions beyond three months, SECI was mandated to approach the MNRE. These amendments will apply to over 2,000 MW of grid-connected PV projects under Batch III of the NSM (Phase II).