Solar industry asks President to withhold assent to Punjab PPA revision bill

The solar industry has requested President Ram Nath Kovind’s office to withhold assent to the Punjab renewable energy security, reform, termination and redetermination of power tariff bill, 2021, which aims to revise the tariffs of renewable energy plants located in the state. The bill was introduced and passed in the Punjab state assembly on November 11, and is said to have referred to the President of India for his final assent.

Questioning the constitutionality validity of the bill — which the industry claims conflicts with some provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003 — the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) has written to the President’s office requesting not to grant assent to it. Through NSEFI’s letter, reviewed by FE, the industry also demanded a wider discussion on this issue with stakeholders.