The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has issued detailed procedures, guidelines, and terms for establishing off-grid solar, wind, and wind-solar hybrid power projects.

The guidelines aim to help isolated entities meet Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) requirements through off-grid renewable solutions, encourage using sustainable energy in areas without grid connectivity, and expand diverse energy technologies to enhance energy security and environmental sustainability.

The detailed registering and commissioning process for off-grid renewable energy projects is as follows:

• Provisional Registration
  Developers must apply online through GEDA’s renewable energy portal (http://srtgeda.gujarat.gov.in/). The provisional registration fee is ₹50,000 (~$578) plus GST for wind and hybrid and ₹10,000 (~$115) plus GST for solar projects. These fees will be adjusted later against the developer’s final registration or application fee.
• NOC from DISCOM/GETCO
  A No Objection Certificate (NOC) must be obtained from the respective power distribution Company (DISCOM) and/or Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO). This certificate confirms that the proposed off-grid project site is not physically connected to the state grid. The DISCOM or GETCO will verify the project’s ownership, ensuring it aligns with state policies and whether it is set up as a captive power project or under a third-party or renewable energy service company model. The site layout plan must also be reviewed and approved, including storage components and transmission routes. Before issuing the NOC, the applicant must submit an undertaking declaring that the project will remain disconnected from the grid and that any changes to the project’s commercial arrangement will be pre-approved by the DISCOM.
• Wind Turbine Generator Coordinate Verification
  For wind and hybrid projects, developers must verify the coordinates of the proposed wind turbine generator locations through GEDA’s portal. The verification request must be submitted in the prescribed format, along with a non-refundable fee of ₹1,000 (~$12) plus GST per wind turbine generator location and the required supporting documents.
• Development Permission and Final Registration
  Once the NOC is secured and the legal possession of land is confirmed, developers must apply for development permission, with detailed project reports, for wind and hybrid projects or final registration for solar projects with GEDA.
• Approval of Electrical Drawings
  Depending on the specific requirements, developers must seek approval for their electrical drawings and associated equipment from the Chief Electrical Inspector or the Central Electricity Authority.
• Charging Approval for Electrical Installations
  The Chief Electrical Inspector or Central Electricity Authority will inspect and grant charging approval for the electrical installations of the projects. This approval covers all peripheral components and ensures that the installations meet safety and operational standards.
• Sealing of Energy Generation Meters
  The DISCOM will seal the project’s energy generation meter and notify GEDA of the sealing status at the site.
• Project Site Inspection
  Developers must submit a commissioning request to GEDA, upon which the agency will conduct a site inspection to witness the operational readiness of the project.
• Certification
  After successful a site inspection and the submission of proof of legal land ownership, GEDA will issue a certificate of energy generation for the commissioned project.
• Data Submission
  Project owners must submit monthly energy generation data to GEDA for RPO compliance. This data must be certified by the Chief Electrical Inspector.
• Adherence to MNRE Guidelines
  Off-grid wind and wind-solar hybrid projects must adhere to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s “Guidelines for Development of Onshore Wind Power Projects.” For wind-solar hybrid projects, the capacity of each resource must comply with the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy.

Fee Structure

Registration and processing fees vary depending on the project’s capacity and type:

Gujarat’s Energy and Petrochemicals Department will have the final say if there are any disputes or ambiguities regarding interpreting these procedures. Their decisions will be binding on all stakeholders.

In October 2024, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy allocated an additional financial outlay of ₹9.15 billion (~$108.82 million) to provide off-grid solar systems for 100,000 households in particularly vulnerable tribal group areas.

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