MNRE rescinds March 2024 order on ALMM implementation timeline
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has rescinded with immediate effect its Office Memorandum (O.M.) No. 283/16/2023-GRID SOLAR dated March 29, 2024, which had clarified the implementation timeline for the Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) requirement for solar PV modules.
Renewable power projects that have not yet been commissioned may continue to seek exemption under the provisions of the earlier O.M. MNRE said requests received from developers within a reasonable period will be examined on a case-to-case basis. However, the provision is intended only as a “removal of difficulties” mechanism and does not constitute a general exemption from ALMM requirements.
ALMM framework
Under the existing ALMM provisions, only solar PV module models and manufacturers enlisted in ALMM List-I are eligible for use in government projects and government-assisted projects, projects implemented under government schemes and programmes, open access and net-metering projects, and projects established for sale of electricity to the government under Section 63 of the Electricity Act, 2003.
For these provisions, “Government” includes the Central Government, State Governments, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), State Public Sector Enterprises, and Central and State organisations and autonomous bodies.
The ALMM Order had earlier been held in abeyance for FY 2023-24 through an O.M. dated March 10, 2023. That decision exempted projects commissioned by March 31, 2024, from the ALMM requirement.
MNRE subsequently issued the March 29, 2024 O.M., clarifying that the ALMM requirement would take effect from April 1, 2024. It also provided for examination of cases where solar modules had been received at project sites by March 31, 2024, but commissioning could not be completed by that date due to circumstances beyond the developer’s control.
With the March 29, 2024 O.M. now rescinded, MNRE will consider pending exemption requests from uncommissioned renewable power projects individually, provided they are submitted within a reasonable period. The mechanism is limited to addressing difficulties arising in individual projects rather than providing a broader exemption from the ALMM framework.
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