The government has enabled timeline extension for solar projects facing disruptions in supply of imported solar modules, mainly from China, where severe power cuts imposed on industries have led to abrupt cost increase and retraction of several signed binding contracts.
The renewable energy ministry has empowered the Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) to look into any time extension requirement for projects under implementation through ministry agencies and having scheduled commissioning date before April 1, 2022, and make recommendations on a case-to-case basis. As a one-time special dispensation, DRC is authorised to take up the projects directly without waiting for the decision of renewable energy implementing agencies, the ministry said in an order issued last week. “The concerned project developer can apply to DRC within one month of this order,” it said. “Such projects shall only be required to pay minimum fee of Rs 1,00,000.”
