The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has modified the guidelines for implementation of Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) scheme phase-II for establishing 12,000 MW grid-connected solar projects with viability gap funding (VGF).
As per 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. Previous, it was
mutually agreed usage charges of not more than Rs 2.80 per unit.
Additional it stated that the maximum permitted 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 purpose of erasing the cost difference between the domestically produced solar cells and modules and imported solar cells and modules.
Concerning project commissioning timelines, the new 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, though, added that in order to accelerate the implementation of the scheme and to provide impetus to domestic solar PV manufacturing, a shorter timeline could also be specified by MNRE.
Previous guidelines had prepared a projects commissioning timeline of within 24 months from the date of letter of award for projects up to 500 MW capacity and for projects more than 500 MW it was 24 months although for the balance capacity it was to be commissioned within next six months.
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