The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the commissioning timelines for solar projects to be developed under Tranche III of the Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) programme (Phase-II) by 6 months, that is, from the existing 24 months to 30 months. In addition, the MNRE has also increased the timeline for engineering, procurement and construction of solar projects under Tranche I and Tranche II by 6 months, that is from the existing 6 months to 12 months.
In May 2021, the MNRE has issued amendments to the CPSU Scheme (Phase-II) for setting up 12,000MW grid-connected solar power projects with viability gap funding (VGF) support. These projects would be set up by government producers for self-use or use by government entities, either directly or through distribution companies. As per the amendments, the power produced by these projects can be used on payment of mutually agreed usage charges of not more than ₹2.45 per unit, instead of the earlier ₹2.80 per unit.
