MNRE’s May Highlights for Union Cabinet

In its monthly summary of key highlights shared yesterday, the MNRE has focused on renewable energy additions, extension of deadlines due to Covid second wave, and the start of the process for PLI (production Linked Incentive) scheme for solar manufacturing.

First up, the ministry shares that 643.66 MW of renewable energy capacity was added in May, taking the country’s cumulative RE capacity to 95.66 GW. Of this, Solar is 41.09 GW, Wind Energy is 39.44 GW, Bio Power comes in at 10.34 GW, and small hydro at 4.79 GW. The report adds that 50.89 GW of projects are under implementation, while 29.52 GW are under bidding process.

The ministry also found it worth highlighting that on May 12 it allowed for extension of project deadlines on account of Covid disruptions, besides waiving the need for hard copy of invoices. Most of April and May was a period when regular posts and couriers barely functioned, which probably led to this.

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IREDA”s opening up of the process of applications for manufacturing of high efficiency modules and other solar equipment also finds mention. The last date for submissions is June 30, and the ministry hopes to see final selections completed by July 30, 2021.

Similarly, SECI’s last big tender for Wind Energy, the 1200 MW ISTS connected Tranche XI project also made it to the achievements list, issued on May 25. Madhya Pradesh has committed to be a key buyer state here, enabling the tender.

News of the draft National Hydrogen Energy Mission document, released on May 31, was also shared. Besides this, a draft note prepared for the cabinet that seeks to mandate green hydrogen use in the petroleum refining and fertilisers industry was also shared. This would be applicable for the period 2023-24 to 2029-30.

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The summary report, as one would expect, is one of the briefest ones in recent months, pointing to the challenge the sectors under the MNRE have been facing. The note also indicates the unfortunate reality of covid and other delays that will ensure that the coveted 175 GW target for 2022 is not going to be achieved. Considering how even the 50.89 GW projects at various stages of implementation are not going to be completed by the end of next year, as targeted.