The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the implementation timeline of 40 MW of distributed grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects in Andaman & Nicobar, and Lakshadweep islands with capital subsidy from MNRE.

The initial timeline for the program implementation was 2015-16 to 2017-18, which has now been extended to  2016-17 to 2018-19.

MNRE has also issued an amendment for the same. According to the MNRE amendment, an aggregate capacity of 40 MW of distributed grid-connected solar PV projects will be set up in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands in the three-year period; 2016-17 to 2018-19, with an estimated central financial assistance (CFA) of ₹1.922 billion.

The order will be applied retrospectively, dating back to April 5, 2016.

When contacted, an MNRE official told Mercom, “The amendment was required. If you will see, the initial order of April 2016 took into consideration 2015 as the starting point of this program. That was not correct as the program notification happened in 2016, hence this corrigendum was issued to rectify that fault.”

“This amendment will also provide ample time for completion of projects to the agencies and partners involved in the implementation of this program,” added the MNRE official.