Maharashtra Renewable Energy Policy 2015

Maharashtra Government has finalized its final Renewable Energy Policy. The policy will be known as Maharashtra Renewable Energy Policy 2015. Regional committee will be established to monitor the overall progress of the policy and will be headed by the principal secretary of energy. The brief details of the guidelines and targets defined in the policy are given in the below-mentioned points:
Targets: The new policy announced, has set some ambitious targets for different Renewable Energy sources. The targets defined under the policy are listed in the table below:

Project Specific Guidelines and Incentives:
1. Wind Energy: A total of 5000 MW capacity of wind energy projects shall be commissioned, out of that initial 1500 MW will be used to fulfil RPO of distribution companies and the rest 3500 MW capacity of wind project can be utilized open access for interstate/ intrastate open access/captive consumption/REC etc.
Incentives:

1. Wind generators will be given permission for re-powering.
2. Land acquired for commissioning of the wind project will be deemed as Non-Agricultural land.
3. Concessions will be granted for these projects to get NOC from pollution control board.
4. Supervision charges for grid evacuation will be waived off.
5. Wind energy projects can register themselves as industrial unit.

2. Sugarcane /Agricultural co- generation projects: Target of 1000 MW has been set for power generation through sugar co-gen/agricultural co-gen projects. Distribution companies shall have first right to fulfil their RPO at fix rate decided by MERC.
Incentives:

1. Exemption from Supervision charges for grid evacuation.
2. Exemption from E-duty for captive power plants for 10 years from the date of commissioning
3.  Exemption from sales tax on purchase of sugarcane for all projects having capacity more than 3MW (35 lacs units).
4. Promotional elements will be applicable on project which has got consent for infrastructure after the announcement of policy.
5. MahaGenco will give consent for basic infrastructure and evacuation facility to establish co-gen project

3. Small Hydro projects: A target of 400 MW is set up for small Hydro projects. All the small hydro projects will be obligated to sale power firstly to any distribution company within Maharashtra so that they can fulfil their RPO at rates prescribed by MERC, after this they can go on interstate /intrastate third party power sale through REC route.
Incentives:

1. Exemption from E-duty for captive power plants for 10 years from the date of commissioning
2.  Promotional elements will be applicable on project which has got consent for infrastructure after the announcement of policy.
3. MahaGenco shall give subsidy of Rs.50000 per KW to maximum up to Rs. 1. Cr from green energy fund.

4. Agricultural manures based power generation projects: Target of 300 MW is set up for Agricultural manures based power generation projects. MSETCL/MSEDCL will help developers with grid evacuation of LV/HV/EHV projects and Grid.
Incentives:

1. Exemption from E-duty for captive power plants for 10 years from the date of commissioning.
2.  Promotional elements will be applicable on project which has got consent for infrastructure after the announcement of policy.
3. All projects shall get capital subsidy up to 1 Cr from green energy fund.

5. Solar Power:  A total of 7500 MW of Solar energy projects shall be commissioned, out of that 2500 MW will be used to fulfil RPO through Public private partnership in association with MahaGenco. And rest 5000 MW will be developed by other developers.

1. A total 10 % of all PPP projects i.e. 250 MW will be established on canals, lakes and irrigation project. Minimum of project capacity will be 1MW.
2. Minimum of project capacity will be 1MW.
3. Development of Solar Park.

Incentives:

1. Land acquired for solar projects will be granted deemed status of Non-agricultural land.
2. Solar projects having capacity up to 2 MW can be given land 4 hectors as per availability and 50 % discount shall be given on rental/ lease charges. All such transactions will be governed as per Maharashtra land acquisition act.
3. Government land if available requires for manufacturing of solar modules/panels/etc. shall also be given 50 % discount on lease/rental charges.
4. Concessions shall be granted for these projects to get NOC from pollution control board.
5. Solar project developers can sell electricity generated from solar projects to distribution companies /captive use/third-party sale/ REC.
6. Open Access shall be granted for interstate as well as intrastate projects as per MERC regulations
7. Exemption from Supervision charges for evacuation.
8. Projects can register themselves as industrial units.
9. Exemption from E-duty for captive power plants for 10 years from the date of commissioning.
10. Developers will be given the necessary support for development solar projects, but there will separate provisions for interstate power transfer.

The Policy Document can be accessed here.