Gujarat Govt Revises Policy for Wasteland Allocation for RE Parks

Gujarat Notifies Renewable Energy Policy-2023 with Focus on Wind-Solar Hybrid Technologies

The state government of Gujarat has revised its policy for allocating wasteland for renewable energy i.e. wind, solar and hybrid (wind and solar) power parks. According to the new provisions, the renewable project/ park developer(s) will have a period of 3 years from the date of handing over of the sites to build a minimum of 50 percent of the park’s total capacity and two years after that to complete the full work (100 percent capacity) on the RE park.

The state revenue department’s resolution dated September 14, 2020, states that “If a developer is allotted land for 1000 MW, the developer will have to create 500 MW capacity in the first three years. However, if the developer is able to build only 300 MW, the total capacity of the renewable park will be reduced to 800 MW at the end of the 3-year period.

Also, the developer will be allowed to retain the land required only for developing 800 MW and the remaining land parcel will be taken back by the state government as per the recommendations of the high power committee (HPC).” The HPC, however, may provide the extension in exceptional cases. Gujarat Wasteland Policy RE

The state government further made it clear that even the developers who have been awarded projects by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), the nodal agency for implementation of renewable energy projects in the country will have to ensure that they establish 50 percent and 100 percent of the capacity in 3 and 5 years, respectively.

The park developer will be allowed to sub-lease the land to project developers.

The state government will provide the wasteland on lease for 40 years, which includes five years for development and 35 years for power generation. All the benefits announced under the policy will be offered to developers for 40 years from the date the land is leased out to the developer. Gujarat Wasteland Policy RE