Odisha Solar Energy Policy

OBJECTIVE

Objectives of Odisha Solar energy policy 2013 includes:-

• Productive use of wastelands, thereby utilizing the non-industrialized areas that receive abundant sunshine for creation of Solar power hubs.
• Creating favorable conditions to Solar manufacturing capabilities by providing fiscal incentives.

APPLICABILITY

LAND BASED SOLAR PROJECTS

Various industries, CPPs, IPPs have been allotted with huge chunks of land, a large portion of which remains unutilized. Focus should be more on these patches of land to setup solar plants for generation of power which will be cost effective.

PROJECTS UTILIZING WATER BODIES

Considering the constraints in land acqu-isition, areas covered under water bodies can be considered for development of solar projects. Water reservoirs for hydro electric power generation, are excellent spots to generate solar power through floating solar plants. On canal tops solar PV can be mounted on structures as has been done in Gujarat and other states.

SOLAR PARK

Odisha hosts a high capacity of captive power projects (CPPs) which are obligated entities and are required to meet the solar purchase obligation (SPO) specified by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC). It will be necessary for these ther-mal captive power projects to set up solar projects to meet their SPOs.

PROJECTS ON CONSUMER SIDE OF METER

The primary objective of these projects would be to use the solar power within the institution/ household during the day in tandem with grid power and export excess power, if any, or the power generated during holidays and other off days to the grid at tariffs determined by OERC. Investors/ consumers who want to develop rooftop PV projects in Odisha can set up their facility by connecting to the grid either at 33kV/11 kV three phase lines or at 440/220 Volt three/single phase depending on the size of the system.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Developers to be selected through com-petitive bidding process only on basis of application invited by OREDA from time to time.
• Selected developers to approach the single window for statutory clearances such as land, water, power evacuation etc.

SECURITY

• Solar Power producers to pay Grid con-nectivity charges as finalized by OREDA to DISCOMS/ GRIDCO as applicable.
• Charges to be paid by the power producer to GRIDCO/DISCOMS within 3 months of final approval of the project.
• Charges to include cost of complete line bay (including civil works) and interconn-ection with existing electrical system and associated switchgear.
• In case, power producer want to supply power at a higher voltage at a later date, the modifications involved to be done by OPTCL as deposit work on behalf of power producer.
• In case, power evacuation is made through temporary arrangement, no charges to be paid by power producer for shifting to the approved evacuation system.
• In case, producer connects his feeder to Discom sub-station and later wants to connect the feeder to OPTCL sub-station, the additional line shall be constructed by producer and substation work done by OPTCL as deposit work on behalf of the producer.
• Producer to submit time frame for con-struction of their plant for grid connectivity along with bank guarantee equivalent to cost of bay and transmission /distribution line with an undertaking to use the system within prescribed period.
• In case of delay in utilization of system, a penalty at 12% per annum for the period of delay on amount of bank guarantee to be levied by OPTCL/Discom.
• Bank guarantee to be returned to producer after commissioning of the project on dep-ositing amount of penalty (if any) on account of delay in utilization of system.

INCENTIVES

Power generating plant set up after the effective date shall be deemed to be a new industrial unit and not liable to pay Electricity duty.

Government land earmarked for Industry under the “Land Bank” scheme and other Government land wherever applicable will be allotted for units generating power from Nonconventional Sources.