Latest news with #MinistryofNewandRenewableEnergy
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
MNRE revises norms for biomass programme to boost clean energy in India
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued revised guidelines for the biomass programme to promote cleaner energy solutions, ease of doing business, and accelerate the adoption of biomass technologies across India. The norms are revised under Phase-I of National Bioenergy Programme, applicable for the period FY 202122 to 202526. These amendments aim to promote cleaner energy solutions, ease of doing business, and accelerate the adoption of biomass technologies across the country, a ministry statement said. Under the new framework, the ministry has simplified several processes, such as cutting down on paperwork and easing approval requirements, which will enable the industry, especially MSMEs to enhance their production. These changes align with improvement of stubble management and India's broader goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. One of the major highlights of the revision is technological integration by enabling the use of IoT-based monitoring solutions or quarterly data submissions instead of expensive and high-tech systems like SCADA. This promotes digital monitoring and accountability, especially for smaller business operators. The guidelines also encourage significant simplification of documentation. Developers of briquette and pellet manufacturing plants will no longer be required to submit a number of documents related to clearance matters. This change will save time, and promote ease of doing business. In a move to enhance operational flexibility, the earlier requirement for a two-year briquette or pellet sale contract has been replaced with a general sale agreement. This change will allow project developers to respond more dynamically to market conditions without being constrained by long-term contracts, it stated. The amended guidelines allow flexible selling of biomass products, which means businesses no longer need long-term contracts to get started. Furthermore, the subsidy disbursement mechanism under the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) component has been made performance-based and transparent. Projects that run efficiently, above 80 per cent will receive full financial assistance, while below 80 per cent will receive on pro-rata basis. The performance inspection period has been simplified. Earlier, it had to be done within a period of 18 months from the date of commissioning, but now, it can be carried out within 18 months either from the commissioning date or from the date of in-principle approval, whichever is later. Additionally, to cater on-ground operational challenges of developers, Secretary, MNRE may extend the time period. During inspection, performance report was made on the basis of operation plant at an average of 80 per cent of rated capacity measured over a period of three consecutive days, taking average to 16 hours per day. However, now it has been reduced to just 10 hours as the inspection process primarily aims to verify the claimed and operational capacities and inspection for 10 hours continuous operation would suffice this purpose. Recognizing the urgent need to address air pollution, especially from stubble burning in northern India, the new guidelines include a provision allowing biomass pellet producers in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and NCR districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to choose the most beneficial support scheme, either from MNRE or CPCB. These revisions will not only support the smooth implementation of the biomass programme and timely delivery of approved financial support to commissioned plants, but also encourage the sector to establish more biomass-based plants, it stated. This would ultimately help in addressing the menace of crop residue burning and ensure sustainable management of agricultural waste. In another statement MNRE has issued revised guidelines for the waste-to-energy programme under the National Bioenergy Programme. These revisions aim to foster a more efficient, transparent, and performance-oriented ecosystem for biowaste-to-energy deployment in India. By simplifying procedures, expediting financial assistance, and aligning support with plant performance, the updated guidelines are designed to significantly enhance the ease of doing business for private as well as public sectors. Under the new framework, the ministry has simplified several processes, such as cutting down on paperwork and easing approval requirements, which will enable the industry especially MSMEs to enhance their production of CBG, biogas & power. A key highlight of the revised guidelines is the improved system for releasing Central Financial Assistance (CFA). Considering the challenges faced by the developers to achieve 80 per cent generation, flexible provisions have been made in the scheme for release of CFA based on plant performance. Previously, companies had to wait until the entire waste-to-energy project attains 80 per cent generation to receive support. Moreover, as per the revised guidelines, there is a provision to release the CFA in two stages. Based on performance of the projects, 50 per cent of total CFA will be released after obtaining the Consent to Operate certificate from State Pollution Control Board, against the bank guarantee, while the balance CFA would be released after achieving the 80 per cent of the rated capacity or the maximum CFA eligible capacity, whichever is lesser. Even if a plant does not achieve 80 per cent generation for above both conditions during performance inspection, provision is made for pro-rata based disbursement based on the percentage output. However, no CFA will be given if the PLF (plant load factor or capacity utilisation) is less than 50 per cent. The inspection process has also been refined to ensure greater credibility, transparency and accountability. The revised norms mandate joint inspections led by National Institute of Bio-Energy along with any one agency among respective State Nodal Agencies, Biogas Technology Development Centers. For developers not opting for advance CFA, only a single performance inspection is required, reducing procedural delays.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
MNRE updates biomass and waste-to-energy guidelines, links subsidies to plant performance
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has revised guidelines for the Biomass and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) programmes under Phase-I of the National Bioenergy Programme. The updates simplify compliance and tie financial support to actual plant performance. Biomass programme: Eased requirements, performance-based subsidy Effective for FY 2021–22 to 2025–26, the new Biomass Programme norms reduce documentation and relax approval procedures. Developers of briquette and pellet plants are no longer required to submit multiple clearances or long-term sale contracts; a general sale agreement now suffices. SCADA systems are no longer mandatory for monitoring. Developers may opt for IoT-based solutions or submit quarterly performance data. Central Financial Assistance (CFA) will be disbursed based on operational efficiency. Plants running above 80 per cent efficiency will receive full assistance; others will be supported on a pro-rata basis. The inspection window is now 18 months from commissioning or in-principle approval, whichever is later, with provisions for extension. The operational benchmark has been lowered—from three days at 80 per cent capacity for 16 hours a day to a continuous 10-hour run—to validate plant capacity. Biomass pellet producers in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and NCR districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh can choose between MNRE or CPCB support. Waste-to-Energy programme: Staggered CFA, simplified inspections Under the revised WtE guidelines, 50 per cent of the CFA will be released upon securing Consent to Operate from the State Pollution Control Board, against a bank guarantee. The remainder will follow after the project reaches 80 per cent of its rated or CFA-eligible capacity. If this is not achieved, support will be offered on a pro-rata basis; projects operating below a 50 per cent plant load factor will receive no subsidy. Joint inspections will now be led by the National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), along with SNAs, Biogas Technology Development Centres, or empanelled bodies. Only one inspection will be required for those not availing advance CFA. Developers have 18 months from commissioning or in-principle approval to claim the subsidy. According to the Ministry, these changes are aimed at improving bioenergy adoption , agricultural residue management, and renewable energy deployment .
Mint
7 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
MNRE revises norms for biomass programme
New Delhi, Jun 28 (PTI) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued revised guidelines for the biomass programme to promote cleaner energy solutions, ease of doing business, and accelerate the adoption of biomass technologies across India. The norms are revised under Phase-I of National Bioenergy Programme, applicable for the period FY 2021–22 to 2025–26. These amendments aim to promote cleaner energy solutions, ease of doing business, and accelerate the adoption of biomass technologies across the country, a ministry statement said. Under the new framework, the ministry has simplified several processes, such as cutting down on paperwork and easing approval requirements, which will enable the industry, especially MSMEs to enhance their production. These changes align with improvement of stubble management and India's broader goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. One of the major highlights of the revision is technological integration by enabling the use of IoT-based monitoring solutions or quarterly data submissions instead of expensive and high-tech systems like SCADA. This promotes digital monitoring and accountability, especially for smaller business operators. The guidelines also encourage significant simplification of documentation. Developers of briquette and pellet manufacturing plants will no longer be required to submit a number of documents related to clearance matters. This change will save time, and promote ease of doing business. In a move to enhance operational flexibility, the earlier requirement for a two-year briquette or pellet sale contract has been replaced with a general sale agreement. This change will allow project developers to respond more dynamically to market conditions without being constrained by long-term contracts, it stated. The amended guidelines allow flexible selling of biomass products, which means businesses no longer need long-term contracts to get started. Furthermore, the subsidy disbursement mechanism under the Central Financial Assistance (CFA) component has been made performance-based and transparent. Projects that run efficiently, above 80 per cent will receive full financial assistance, while below 80 per cent will receive on pro-rata basis. The performance inspection period has been simplified. Earlier, it had to be done within a period of 18 months from the date of commissioning, but now, it can be carried out within 18 months either from the commissioning date or from the date of in-principle approval, whichever is later. Additionally, to cater on-ground operational challenges of developers, Secretary, MNRE may extend the time period. During inspection, performance report was made on the basis of operation plant at an average of 80 per cent of rated capacity measured over a period of three consecutive days, taking average to 16 hours per day. However, now it has been reduced to just 10 hours as the inspection process primarily aims to verify the claimed and operational capacities and inspection for 10 hours continuous operation would suffice this purpose. Recognizing the urgent need to address air pollution, especially from stubble burning in northern India, the new guidelines include a provision allowing biomass pellet producers in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and NCR districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to choose the most beneficial support scheme, either from MNRE or CPCB. These revisions will not only support the smooth implementation of the biomass programme and timely delivery of approved financial support to commissioned plants, but also encourage the sector to establish more biomass-based plants, it stated. This would ultimately help in addressing the menace of crop residue burning and ensure sustainable management of agricultural waste. In another statement MNRE has issued revised guidelines for the waste-to-energy programme under the National Bioenergy Programme. These revisions aim to foster a more efficient, transparent, and performance-oriented ecosystem for biowaste-to-energy deployment in India. By simplifying procedures, expediting financial assistance, and aligning support with plant performance, the updated guidelines are designed to significantly enhance the ease of doing business for private as well as public sectors. Under the new framework, the ministry has simplified several processes, such as cutting down on paperwork and easing approval requirements, which will enable the industry especially MSMEs to enhance their production of CBG, biogas & power. A key highlight of the revised guidelines is the improved system for releasing Central Financial Assistance (CFA). Considering the challenges faced by the developers to achieve 80 per cent generation, flexible provisions have been made in the scheme for release of CFA based on plant performance. Previously, companies had to wait until the entire waste-to-energy project attains 80 per cent generation to receive support. Moreover, as per the revised guidelines, there is a provision to release the CFA in two stages. Based on performance of the projects, 50 per cent of total CFA will be released after obtaining the Consent to Operate certificate from State Pollution Control Board, against the bank guarantee, while the balance CFA would be released after achieving the 80 per cent of the rated capacity or the maximum CFA eligible capacity, whichever is lesser. Even if a plant does not achieve 80 per cent generation for above both conditions during performance inspection, provision is made for pro-rata based disbursement based on the percentage output. However, no CFA will be given if the PLF (plant load factor or capacity utilisation) is less than 50 per cent . The inspection process has also been refined to ensure greater credibility, transparency and accountability. The revised norms mandate joint inspections led by National Institute of Bio-Energy along with any one agency among respective State Nodal Agencies, Biogas Technology Development Centers. For developers not opting for advance CFA, only a single performance inspection is required, reducing procedural delays.
India.com
9 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Centre Issues Revised Guidelines For Waste-To-Energy Projects
New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday said it has released revised guidelines for the waste-to-energy programme under the National Bioenergy Programme., which aims to foster a more efficient, transparent, and performance-oriented ecosystem for bio-waste to energy deployment in India. By simplifying procedures, expediting financial assistance, and aligning support with plant performance, the updated guidelines are designed to significantly enhance the ease of doing business for private as well as public sector, said the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Under the new framework, the ministry has simplified several processes, such as cutting down on paperwork and easing approval requirements, which will enable the industry especially MSMEs to enhance their production of CBG, Biogas and Power. These changes align well with improvement of waste management including stubble, industrial waste, and India's broader goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070. A key highlight of the revised guidelines is the improved system for releasing Central Financial Assistance (CFA). 'Considering the challenges faced by the developers to achieve 80 per cent generation, flexible provisions have been made in the scheme for release of CFA based on plant performance,' said a ministry statement. Previously, companies had to wait until the entire Waste-to-Energy project attains 80 per cent generation to receive support. Moreover, as per the revised guidelines, there is a provision to release the CFA in two stages. Based on performance of the projects, 50 per cent of total CFA will be released after obtaining the consent to Operate certificate from State Pollution Control Board, against the bank guarantee, while the balance CFA would be released after achieving the 80 per cent of the rated capacity or the maximum CFA eligible capacity, whichever is lesser. 'In notably, even if a plant does not achieve 80 per cent generation for above both conditions during performance inspection, provision is made for pro-rata based disbursement based on the percentage output. However, no CFA will be given if the PLF is less than 50 per cent,' according to the government. This change acknowledges real-world challenges and supports developers by offering financial flexibility and viability during operations. The revision introduced provides the flexibility to the project developers in claiming CFA either within 18 months from the date of commissioning, or from the date of In-principle approval of CFA, whichever is later.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gujarat surpasses Rajasthan to become India's top renewable energy state
Rajasthan is no longer the number one state in the renewable energy sector. Gujarat has grabbed the top spot in the country, powered by wind power and rooftop solar projects. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy data, Gujarat's renewable energy capacity rose to 35,900 MW against Rajasthan's 35,400 MW by the end of May 2025. While Rajasthan still has the highest capacity in the solar power segment in the country, its poor performance in attracting wind power projects has been the main reason for losing the top position to Gujarat. Similarly, Rajasthan's rooftop solar segment also remains a laggard, unlike Gujarat. The state could have made rapid progress if the subsidy scheme announced in the budget was implemented. In the 2025-26 Budget, the state govt announced that it will provide a subsidy of Rs 17,000 for solar rooftop plants having 1.1 kW capacity (producing 150 units a month). A 1.1 kW capacity plant costs Rs 50,000, and the Union govt is providing Rs 33,000 as a subsidy. However, the approval of the state subsidy is stuck in the finance department, derailing the state's target of covering 5 lakh households. President of the Renewable Energy Association of Rajasthan (REAR), Ajay Yadav, said, "Despite any additional subsidy, Gujarat has become the leader in rooftop solar. Being a leader in the solar segment, Rajasthan should have been closer to the rooftop solar capacity of Gujarat, if not the leader. Sadly, this is not the case." He said Rajasthan announced an additional state subsidy to make up for the lost ground. "Unfortunately, that has again become the victim of the govt's indecisiveness," added Yadav. Rajasthan has been overly dependent on solar and has lost opportunities in the wind energy sector, which is driving renewable energy targets of many states. Solar with wind is more efficient renewable energy than solar alone. Industry experts said that Rajasthan has no strategy to promote wind energy. "Because of wind, Gujarat has been able to beat Rajasthan," said one of the experts.
