Solar auctions: Govt relaxes norms to attract bidders

In the wake of tepid response received from the industry towards recent solar auctions, the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) has amended the terms for bidders, allowing developers more time and flexibility to set up projects.

This is the fourth set of revisions since the launch of auctions in August 2017. Major solar tenders have remained under-subscribed recently with issues such as irregular payments, land acquisition and abrupt power curtailment from the state-owned power distribution companies (discoms) making the industry jittery. According to a senior MNRE official, the amendments have been incorporated in the solar bidding norms after extensive consultation with the industry.