New Delhi: Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), today chaired a crucial monthly meeting with solar developers at the Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan. The session centered on resolving critical challenges hindering the progress of solar projects across the nation.
A wide range of pressing issues took center stage during the discussion. Paramount among these were the delays in signing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), connectivity challenges faced by developers, and the implications of the General Network Access (GNA) regulations. Developers also sought greater clarity regarding case-to-case waivers for Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges and voiced specific concerns pertaining to various states.
Several key highlights emerged from the meeting, signaling a proactive approach by the MNRE to address the developers’ concerns. Shri Sarangi emphasized the urgent need to expedite the signing of pending PPAs to ensure timely project commissioning. Recognizing the impact of unforeseen delays, the possibility of granting extensions for Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (SCOD) was also actively explored.
In a significant move towards tailored solutions, the Secretary MNRE underscored the importance of identifying inherent differences among various projects. This approach aims to enable differentiated actions and facilitate more effective problem-solving. Furthermore, discussions delved into exploring viable pathways to facilitate Power Sale Agreements (PSAs) and the surrender of pending PPAs without incurring financial penalties, offering much-needed flexibility to developers.
The MNRE Secretary stressed the commitment to addressing these issues in a systematic manner through regular periodic reviews. Setting clear priorities for the issuance of Letters of Award (LOA) was also highlighted as a crucial step towards streamlining project development. To ensure smoother execution and enhanced accountability, the meeting also focused on establishing appropriate checks and balances for both Commercial & Industrial (C & I) PPAs and Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) PPAs.
Today’s meeting reflects the MNRE’s continued engagement with solar developers to foster a conducive environment for the growth of the renewable energy sector. The emphasis on collaborative problem-solving and proactive measures signals a positive step towards overcoming the existing hurdles and accelerating the deployment of solar power across India. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to have a significant impact on the pace of solar project development and the achievement of India’s ambitious renewable energy targets, said sources.