470 MW of solar thermal power project commisioned under batch-I of phase-I of JNNSM

The total capacity of solar thermal power projects allocated under batch-I of phase-I of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) is 470 MW. 

The guidelines for allocation of Grid Connected Solar Thermal Projects under Batch-I, Phase-I of JNNSM stipulate allocation of minimum and maximum capacity of the Solar Thermal Project to be 5 & 100 MW respectively. The total capacity to be allocated to a Company including its Parent, Affiliate or Ultimate Parent-or any Group Company was limited to 100 MW. 

However, an article appeared in the magazine “Down to Earth” in its issue dated 1-15 Feb. 2012 in which allegations were made about violation of the above guidelines. In this article, it was alleged that a private Company got 9 projects aggregating to 235 MW allotted in violation of these guidelines. 

The Government had appointed an inter-Ministerial Committee comprising of representatives from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power and Ministry of Corporate Affairs to inquire into the above allegations. 

The Committee has submitted its report and based on the recommendations of the Committee, suitable provisions have been made in subsequent tender.