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					</table><p>The Ministry of Power (<a href="https://powermin.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MoP</a>) has released draft guidelines for designating a company as a Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA).</p>
<p>Stakeholders can submit their comments and suggestions within 15 days.</p>
<p>REIAs, as market makers, are responsible for carrying out the renewable energy project bidding process, signing power sale agreements with developers and power purchase agreements with the distribution licensees or consumers, and ensuring payment security to developers.</p>
<p>Solar Energy Corporation of India, NTPC, NHPC and SJVN will continue as REIAs.</p>
<p><strong>Eligibility Criteria</strong></p>
<p>The applicant company should have a valid Category-l electricity trading license issued by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).</p>
<p>It must demonstrate a net worth comprising subscribed capital and reserves exceeding ₹5 billion (~$57.6 million). The company should also possess a long-term credit rating of A or higher and receive approval from its board of directors for designation as REIA.</p>
<p><strong>Period and Termination </strong></p>
<p>The company will be designated as a REIA for five years at a time, subject to termination by the government if it does not perform its duties as per the relevant rules and guidelines.</p>
<p>If any company’s designation as REIA is terminated, it must continue to meet its obligations to the developers and procurers as outlined in the bidding documents and agreements until they are concluded.</p>
<p>The MoP may modify these guidelines in consultation with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.</p>
<p>The designated REIA must adhere to the procurement process according to the guidelines established under the Electricity Act of 2003. The procurement process should be conducted solely through the e-bidding platforms designated by the CERC.</p>
<p>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/government-bid-solar-wind-fy24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set</a> a target of project bids of a cumulative 50 GW annually for the financial years 2024-28, which includes at least 10 GW of wind tenders, for the four REIAs.</p>
<p>In the financial year 2024, the REIAs collectively <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-seci-overachieve-renewable-tender-targets-fy24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> 53.32 GW of renewable energy tenders, or 6.6% more than the target of 50 GW. Of the 10 GW tenders reserved for wind projects,11.6 GW were issued.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.</p>


Power Ministry Issues Draft Guidelines to Designate REIAs  


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					</table><p>The designated Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIA) by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) issued 35.51 GW of project tenders until December 2023, against the 50 GW target for the financial year (FY) 2023-24.</p>
<p>The MNRE shared the information in its year-end review published recently.</p>
<p>In April 2023, MNRE <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/government-bid-solar-wind-fy24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> an agency-wise bidding calendar for the REIAs – the Solar Energy Corporation of India (<a href="https://www.seci.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SECI</a>), <a href="https://www.ntpc.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC</a>, <a href="https://www.nhpcindia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NHPC</a>, and <a href="https://sjvn.nic.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SJVN</a> &#8211; to deploy 50 GW of renewable energy projects every financial year till FY 2027-28.</p>
<p>The calendar entails a schedule of 30 GW of renewable energy capacity for the first two quarters and 20 GW in the last two quarters.</p>
<p>According to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a>, NTPC accounted for ~42% of the total capacity tendered during the period, SECI accounted for ~34%, SJVN ~13%, and NHPC the remaining 11%.</p>
<p>A total of 4.96 GW of wind project tenders were issued during the period by SECI and NTPC.</p>
<p>Out of the total projects tendered by these REIAs during the implementation period, 7 GW capacity was auctioned between April and December.</p>
<p>According to MNRE, India stood fourth globally in renewable energy installed capacity and fifth in solar power capacity.</p>
<p>During the year, the Ministry also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cabinet-green-energy-corridor-in-ladakh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved</a> Interstate Transmission System projects to evacuate 13 GW of renewable energy in Ladakh. POWERGRID is carrying out the front-end engineering design study, which is expected to conclude in December 2024. The agency will then invite bids for the construction of the project in the region.</p>
<p>The Ministry also provided an update on the solar module manufacturing setup under the production-linked incentive program.</p>
<p>It said that FS India Solar Ventures (First Solar) has begun production of thin film solar photovoltaic modules at its facility in Sriperumbudur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu. Other manufacturers have also started productions at their respective facilities &#8211; ReNew Photovoltaics (ReNew) at Mahindra World City, Jaipur, Rajasthan; Grew Energy at Dudu, Jaipur, Rajasthan; and Tata Power Solar at Gangaikondan, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.</p>
<p>Mercom recently listed the major developments in 2023 that impacted the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/major-events-solar-sector-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">solar</a> and <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/top-developments-wind-hybrid-market-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wind-solar hybrid</a> sector in India.</p>


Agencies Tender 35.51 GW Renewable Projects in FY24 Under Bidding Trajectory


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					</table><p>The Ministry of New &amp; Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has established a dispute resolution mechanism to handle unforeseen disputes between renewable energy power developers/EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contractors and implementing agencies.</p>
<p>The revised mechanism prioritizes transparency, impartiality, and independence by forming a three-member Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) comprising individuals with impeccable integrity.</p>
<p>It will specifically consider cases related to time extensions due to recognized &#8216;force majeure&#8217; events, unforeseen circumstances not covered by contractual agreements, and disputes unrelated to time extensions.</p>
<p>In case of all disputes, whether or not covered by agreements or contracts, the application must be made first to the renewable energy implementing agency (REIA). REIA would pass speaking orders on such requests to ensure the renewable projects are set up. If the applicant party is not satisfied with the orders of REIA, it can appeal to the DRC.</p>
<p>To initiate an appeal against a decision made by the REIA, developers/EPC contractors must submit an application along with a prescribed fee. The fee structure varies depending on the type of dispute and the presence of a performance bank guarantee. In cases where the appeal is successful, the collected fee will be refunded if recommended by the DRC and approved by the government.</p>
<p>The DRC can convene meetings with a minimum of two members.</p>
<p>The DRC will review referred cases and provide recommendations to the MNRE within 21 days. The MNRE, in consultation with the Integrated Finance Division, will review the recommendations and make a final decision within 21 days of receiving them.</p>
<p>The dispute resolution mechanism will also extend to power purchase agreements between state/union territory governments/entities and developers, provided they agree to bear the DRC&#8217;s sitting fees and associated expenses.</p>
<p>The procedural guidelines for the Dispute Resolution Mechanism are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>The DRC will convene at least once every week, provided there are pending cases/applications to be resolved. The Secretary (DRC) of the REIA will ensure that DRC meetings are scheduled in a manner and frequency that adheres to the 21-day decision period.</li>
<li>In cases where the DRC cannot decide within the 21-day timeframe, the Secretary (DRC) appointed by the REIA will inform MNRE and may request an additional 14 days for the DRC to decide.</li>
<li>The DRC will be free to interact with relevant parties involved in the case and record their views. The presentation of the case before the DRC will not include lawyers. The REIA can present their views and arguments on the applicant&#8217;s pleas. If necessary, the DRC may interact with MNRE, with the MNRE&#8217;s Division handling the Dispute Resolution Mechanism acting as the ministry&#8217;s nodal point.</li>
<li>As per the ORM/DRC Order issued by MNRE, if the developers/EPC contractors wish to appeal the REIA&#8217;s Order, they must do so within 21 days of the REIA&#8217;s Order. Any adverse financial impact resulting from the REIA&#8217;s Order should be put on hold for 21 days after its issuance. If an appeal is not filed within 21 days or is rejected due to insufficient fee payment, the REIA may take appropriate action. No coercive action should be taken on cases brought before the DRC until the final disposal of the appeal by the DRC and MNRE, where applicable.</li>
<li>In cases falling under the DRM/DRC Order issued by MNRE, which pertains to disputes between entities under States and Union Territories and renewable developers, the role of the nodal agency will be assumed by the Secretary (DRC), SECI.</li>
</ul>
<p>Last March, the Ministry of Power <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/power-project-conciliation-committees" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introduced</a> a conciliation mechanism for settling contractual disputes regarding power projects implemented by central public sector undertakings and developers under the administrative control of the ministry.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom&#8217;s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates </a>to ensure you don&#8217;t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.</p>


MNRE Sets Up Mechanism to Settle Disputes Beyond Scope of Agreements

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