MNRE Invites Stakeholders Comments on GERMI’s Findings on Off-Grid & Decentralized CST Scheme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited stakeholders’ comments on the findings and suggestions of Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI) on the ‘OffGrid and Decentralized Concentrated Solar Thermal (CST) Scheme’.

GERMI, as a third party, evaluated the MNRE’s offGrid and decentralized CST scheme and presented its findings in a report and also suggested to provide performance based financial support to CST projects instead of capital subsidy earlier being provided by MNRE.

Thus, MNRE has requested to all concern stakeholders to provide their comments/ suggestions/ views on the same, in word format, latest by September 21, 2020, at aravindh.mnre@gov.in

According to the report findings, the previous financial assistance model is linked to ‘area of CST’, and it hadn’t the control over ‘Project Quality’ and ‘Performance’.

Secondly, there was no accountability in the previous CST scheme, which means, there were no penalty on non-functioning of CST projects.

The report also indicated that, lack of supplier support/commitment or poor-quality supply is the main reasons for the non-functioning of around 80 per cent of the CST projects.

Moreover, at many sites, the proper ‘Demand Supply Gap’ and ‘Committed Heat Output from CST’ were not properly estimated for the project, which raised disputes between supplier and beneficiary. There was no financial penalty mechanism for poorly designed proposals, said GERMI in its report.

The report also highlighted that, in case of supplier and beneficiary disputes due to either of service availability, or committed performance/saving from CST plant, the chances are likely for the system non-functionality. There was no control in this matter in the previous scheme.

Besides, the previous CFA allocation method took long approval process, which many suppliers reported time taken process resulted in the distrust of the beneficiary, it added.

Adding to it, the previous scheme does not evaluate the available technical manpower with the beneficiary for the operation and maintenance of the plant. Lack of technical manpower available at site has also resulted in improper functioning of the CST plant.

Also, the size of the normal CST product is larger than the other solar technologies. Due to the larger size of the technology and the fragile nature of the components like mirrors/glass and reflectors., mandatory rule ‘to test CST system every three year’ should be used judiciously or it should be revised based on actual experience. As an alternate option, mobile testing of CST technology should be promoted.

GERMI also suggested that, MNRE may inform different State Nodal Agencies (SNAs) for having provisions for dedicated (Nodal) officer(s) for CST projects, which will not only help in local monitoring of CST, but this will also help to create awareness on CST technology in their states and its promotion.

It further added, MNRE should focus on CST technology and necessary theme- based conference or exhibition on CST should be promoted. This will increase the CST technology awareness to the larger audience with an impact.

For more information on report finds and suggestions click attached PDF.