The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the implementation timeline of 40 GW of solar parks in India.

Per an MNRE order, “The timeline for development of solar parks and ultra-mega solar projects totaling 40 GW has been extended from 2019-20 to 2021-22 without any additional financial implication.”

This order will provide ample time for the development of solar parks and ultra-mega parks. It will also give enough time to the implementing agencies to tender, auction and implement the photovoltaic (PV) projects.

In March 2017, the President of India had approved the implementation of a program to enhance solar park capacity from 20,000 MW to 40,000 MW to develop a minimum of 50 solar parks of 500 MW and above capacity each by financial year 2019-20.

The government will provide a total of ₹81 billion (~$1.23 billion) in central financial assistance (CFA) for the development of these solar parks.

When contacted, an MNRE official told Mercom, “The MNRE is having regular review meetings with state governments and solar power park developers to ensure the timely completion of solar parks. Last year, the solar park programs target was doubled. And up to the first few months of 2018, just above 21 GW of solar PV capacity had been approved under the solar park program. This left less time for implementation and such mega projects require time to be studied, for project reports to be made and then only can the implementation begin. Keeping this is mind, we (MNRE) extended the timeline for this program.”

“Plus, as the capacity is same, there will be no extra cost incurred,” added the MNRE official.

According to MNRE, up to January 24, 2018, solar parks aggregating 21,194 MW had been approved under the solar park program.

Mercom previously reported that, 34 solar parks across 21 states aggregating 20 GW are under various stages of construction and completion, but have been affected due to the non-availability of proper infrastructure.

Image credit: Waa Solar