The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a notification regarding the modalities and role of distribution companies (discoms) for the second phase of the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) programme. This government programme aims to set up 12,000 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects for self-use or use by government entities.
The implementation of this programme is expected to create an investment of Rs 480 billion and provide direct employment to 60,000 people for about one year in pre-commissioning phase and 18,000 people for the next 25 years during the operations and maintenance period.
In the next three years, a total of 12 GW of solar PV projects is expected to be tendered under the CPSU program Phase-II. Moreover, 4 GW will be tendered in 2019-2020, followed by another 4 GW in 2020-2021 and then in 2021-2022.
All the projects are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2022-2023. Under the CPSU programme, the usage charges should not exceed Rs 3.50 per kWh and will be exclusive of any other third-party charge.
Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) is the implementing agency of this programme, and the maximum viability gap funding allowed under this has been set at Rs 7 million per MW. Moreover, all the solar cells and modules utilised in setting up of solar PV projects under this programme must be domestically manufactured.