Signalling the complete operationalisation of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, non-renewable resources minister Farooq Abdullah and power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde jointly released the guidelines for the selection of new grid connected solar power projects in the Capital on Sunday.
The guidelines for 1,000 MW of solar power scheme have come soon after the launch of the off-grid and roof-top solar applications.
While releasing the guidelines, Abdullah said, “This is only the beginning of a long process. The mission is an ambitious leap of faith at an unprecedented scale. It is therefore evident that, like all pioneers, we furrow our own path and learn as we move along. This is perhaps the underlying philosophy behind some of the more conservative guidelines in the scheme.”
The mission has designated NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) for buying solar power from private developers. For the first year, 2010-2011, the rate will be Rs 17.91 per unit for PV and Rs 15.31 per unit for solar thermal power projects, as fixed by the Central Regulatory Electricity Commission (CERC). The power ministry has committed to provide 1,000 MW of thermal power for bundling with solar power in a bid to bring down its cost to buyers.
The occasion was also marked by handing over signed MoUs to 16 project developers for installing 54 MW of solar PV and 30 MW of solar thermal power, which are already in advanced stages of project development and have now migrated to complete their work under the mission.
While expressing satisfaction with the guidelines, Jagat S Jawa, director-general, Solar Energy Society of India, said, “These are comprehensive guidelines and address concerns of all stakeholders, but there would be some teething issues. For example, acquisition of land is an issue of concern.”
Similarly, while Anil Lakhina, CMD, Forum for the Advancement of Solar Thermal, is happy about the guidelines providing for the selection of solar thermal projects and solar PV projects in the ratio of 50:50, solar PV players like Sunil Jalan, director of OPG Energy, are concerned about equal prominence given to solar thermal. Considering that not a single solar thermal project has been completed in the country as of now, it may delay the realisation of targets, say industry observers.
The guidelines also note that in case the total capacity of solar PV projects shortlisted by NVVN exceeds 150 MW, which are to be selected in the first year, the final selection would be done based on the discounts provided by project developers on the CERC rates. Industry players feel it may trigger a race to the bottom.
While acknowledging that the release of guidelines is a significant step, the chairman of Ficci Solar Energy Task Force and CEO of Tata BP Solar, K Subramanya, said in a statement, “It undermines the authority of the CERC and I hope it does not lead to unviable tariffs being bid.”
Ficcis Solar Energy Task Force co-chair Vivek Chaturvedi, who is also senior VP, Moser Baer Photovoltaics, added in another statement, “With the government having done its bit, now it is up to us — the industry to make India the solar capital of the world in next 3 to 5 years.” The next step would be the call of project applications by the ministry.
Source: The Financial Express
Published on 26 July 2010