Jharkhand Unveils Ambitious Solar Energy Policy

The Jharkhand Government is poised to unveil its Solar Energy Policy 2022. The policy, launched by the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, will seek to augment the capacity of clean energy to 4000 MW in the financial years 2022 to 2023 and 2026 to 2027.

Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) has revealed a detailed solar energy policy that will help the state achieve energy transition and de-carbonization of energy sector in Jharkhand through the establishment of solar park, canal top solar, floating solar projects and so on in the next five years.

The government has announced the installation of 3000 MW of utility scale solar power in the given period. Under this bracket, solar parks will constitute 700 MW and non-solar park panel installations will generate 1 GW of power in Jharkhand. The state has also made plans for the construction of floating solar facilities of 900 MW and canal top solar worth 400 MW.

Jharkhand will also boast of 720 MW of distributed solar installations comprising 250 MW of rooftop solar, 220 MW of captive solar and solar irrigation of 250 MW. The state said that it will also develop facilities of 280 MW of off-grid solar power. In this category, mini and microgrids will be worth 110 MW, while 50 MW will be employed for livelihood and another 120 MW for solar pumps.

Attracting Investors

The Jharkhand Government looks for an influx of private investors by announcing a slew of policy measures like a single window system, payment security mechanisms and land arrangements through land banks.

A dedicated solar power cell, statutory approval within a maximum of 60 days and setting up of 1000 solar villages have been announced by JREDA. There will be a provision for the setting up of a State Level Empowered Committee for decisions and approvals of projects above 25 MW and a State Level Screening Committee for approving projects of less than 25 MW at one place. There will be exemption in cross subsidy from third parties as well as captive usage.

The Jharkhand government is also guaranteeing 100 per cent exemption of State GST for the next 5 years. Also indexation up to 25 years at the rate of 1 per cent will be done. The government will also give exemption in the electricity bill.