The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has declared a change in policy concerning the authorisation procedures for solar park infrastructure development and the charges for operations and maintenance. The objective of this policy change is to simplify procedures and accelerate the establishment of solar and renewable energy parks nationwide. The state government committee’s approval will no longer be required for central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) and Joint Ventures of CPSUs to review detailed project reports (DPRs).
The direct submission of these DPRs to Solar Energy Corporation of India, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited, and MNRE is now permissible. These organisations still have to get board approval, though, in order to charge for land leases, infrastructure, operations and maintenance, and other expenses, and to make sure that the rules are followed. State government PSUs will require approval from the Department of Power, Energy, or Renewable Energy for their DPR and related charges to ensure compliance with specified norms. On the other hand, private developers will still need approval from the state government committee in accordance with the previous guidelines.
