MNRE amends guidelines for 12,000 MW CPSU phase-II solar project scheme

The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has amended the guidelines for implementation of Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) scheme phase-II for setting up 12,000 MW grid-connected solar projects with viability gap funding (VGF).
According to the amended guidelines, power produced by the government producers could be used on payment of mutually agreed usage charges of not more than Rs 2.45 per unit. Earlier, it was mutually agreed usage charges of not more than Rs 2.80 per unit.
Further it said that the maximum permissible VGF has been kept at Rs 0.55 crore per MW, which was kept at Rs 0.70 crore per MW earlier. VGF is provided under the scheme with the objective of covering the cost difference between the domestically produced solar cells and modules and imported solar cells and modules.
Regarding project commissioning timelines, the fresh guidelines state that solar power projects would have to be commissioned within a period of 30 months from the date of letter of award.
It, however, added that in order to expedite the implementation of the scheme and to give impetus to domestic solar PV manufacturing, a shorter timeline can also be specified by MNRE.
Earlier guidelines had set a projects commissioning timeline of within 24 months from the date of letter of award for projects upto 500 MW capacity and for projects more than 500 MW it was 24 months while for the balance capacity it was to be commissioned within next six months.