The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline for finalising solar and wind-solar hybrid projects for which bids were finalised before March 9, 2021. The extension is valid until March 20, 2024. On April 1, 2022, the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on the import of solar modules and cells went into effect. Many projects whose bids were finalised prior to the announcement but were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting supply chain disruptions now fall under the purview of the BCD. While the decision on bids finalised prior to the BCD announcement is still pending, the extended commissioning dates of many projects have expired.
Recently in January 2023, The Grid Solar Power Division under the MNRE notified the time extension to solar PV and solar PV-wind hybrid power projects bid out on or after April 10, 2021. According to the notice, solar PV power developers and associations had represented to the MNRE that there is a supply chain disruption in the solar PV sector and requested for appropriate reliefs to tackle the same. This issue was examined in the Ministry and it has been now decided that MNRE’s Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies that includes SECI, NTPC and NHPC may extend the scheduled commissioning date (SCD) till March 31, 2024 of such solar PV and solar PV wind hybrid power projects wherein the last date of bid submission was on or after April 10, 2021 and whose SCD is before March 31, 2024.
