The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadline for complying with and implementing the Quality Control Order 2017 for solar photovoltaic inverters. The self-certification for solar photovoltaic inverters has been extended from December 31, 2022 to June 30, 2023 given the availability of limited test facilities and providing more time for compliance. The central government issued the “Solar Photovoltaics, Systems, Devices, and Components Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2017” on September 5, 2017.. According to the notification, manufacturers must have valid International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certificates and test reports from accredited labs in order for the order to be implemented smoothly.
In the same month, the MNRE 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.
Also, the MNRE revised the auction process for wind energy projects. The MNRE had constituted a committee to examine proposals for ensuring faster capacity addition in the wind sector. The committee has submitted its report and the recommendations have been examined. The bids for a cumulative capacity of about 8 GW will be issued each year from January 1, 2023 onwards up to 2030. To ensure that wind energy capacity comes up in all the 8 windy states, every bid will be a composite bid consisting of state specific sub-bids for each of the 8 windy states. The power generated from capacity established in each of the state sub-bids will be pooled and offered at pooled tariff to all procurers. The pooling of tariff will be as per the notified Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2022.
