नवीन और नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा मंत्रजलय

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

December
Policy & Regulatory Updates 2024
Issued by Central Government & its organizations:

I. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

1. Updated List-I under ALMM order for Solar PV Modules 02nd December 2024

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has updated List I of the Approved List of Models
and Manufacturers for Solar PV modules. Only such models of Solar PV Module Manufacturers
are enlisted under ALMM, which comply with the BIS standards and are having the following
minimum module efficiency:

Minimum Module Minimum Module

Efficiency required for Efficiency required
Category Application/Use crystalline-Silicon Cadmium Telluride Thin
technology based Solar Film technology based Solar
PV modules PV modules
Category I Utility/Grid Scale 20% 19%
Power Plants
Category II Rooftop and Solar 19.50% 18.50%
Pumping
Category III Solar Lighting 19% 18.00%

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12021125462083.pdf

2. Amendment to ALMM Order for Implementation of ALMM 09th December 2024

for Solar PV cells

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an Office Memorandum (OM)
regarding an amendment to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) Order
dated 02.02.2019. The ALMM Order originally specified List-I for solar PV modules and List-
II for solar PV cells, but List-II was not issued earlier due to insufficient domestic manufacturing
capacity. It anticipates a substantial increase in solar PV cell manufacturing capacity by next
year and the OM proposes issuing List-II for solar PV cells, effective from June 1, 2026. The
OM issued mandates the following:
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Existing Projects: Projects with bid submission deadlines on or before this order's issuance
must use solar PV modules from ALMM List-I but are exempt from using cells from ALMM
List-II, even if commissioned after June 1, 2026.

New Projects: Projects with bid submissions after this order must use both List-I modules and
List-II cells, regardless of commissioning dates. Amendments needed in case the tenders issued
prior to the date of issuance of this order, but the last date of bid submission is after the issuance
of this order.

Compliance Rules: Only solar PV modules using solar PV cells from ALMM List-II will
remain in List-I. Failing to comply, such PV module manufacturers will be delisted from
ALMM List-I. After May 31st, 2026, a separate ALMM List-I(a) for solar PV modules will be
maintained. ALMM List-I(a) will apply only to projects that are Mandated to use solar PV
modules from ALMM List-I or List-I(a) and are exempted from using solar PV cells from
ALMM List-II.

Net-metering and open-access RE power projects are mandated to follow ALMM requirements.
All the Net-Metering Projects and Open Access RE Power Projects which get commissioned on
or after 1st June 2026, shall have to mandatorily source their solar PV modules from ALMM
List-1 and solar PV cells from ALMM List-II. Thin-film modules from integrated
manufacturing units in List-I are deemed compliant.

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12091249816174.pdf

3. Operational Guidelines for Implementation of Payment Security 28th December

Mechanism Component, Central Financial Assistance Component 2024
for RESCO/Utility Led Aggregation Models of PM-Surya Ghar
Muft Bijli Yojana

The MNRE has issued Operational Guidelines for implementing the “Payment Security
Mechanism” (PSM) and “Central Financial Assistance” (CFA) components for rooftop solar
installations through RESCO and Utility Led Aggregation (ULA) models under the PM-Surya
Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The scheme will run until 31st March 2027.

Eligibility: The residential RTS plant would be the grid connected solar power system tagged
to a particular residential power connection of the local DISCOM and will only include
installations on a roof/terrace/balcony or on top of elevated structures. Special RTS installations
such as Building Integrated PV (BiPV) systems shall also be considered eligible for CFA
support. Installations under metering mechanisms such as Group Net Metering and Virtual Net
Metering shall be eligible for CFA and if the metering arrangement is approved by the DISCOM.
CFA for ULA proposals shall be released against those households for which the capacity
installed is up to 3 kW.

MNRE: Policy & Regulatory Updates, December 2024

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These guidelines cover two implementation modes.

1. RESCO Mode: A Renewable Energy Service Company procures, installs, operates, and
maintains the rooftop solar system for a minimum of 5 years. Consumers do not need to
invest in the system. The consumer only pays to RESCO on a tariff basis for the
electricity used from the PV system. the RESCO may enter into an arrangement with the
DISCOM for sale of balance power, leftover post consumption by consumer to the grid
under a power purchase agreement.

2. ULA Models: In this approach, DISCOMs, State Governments, or other designated state
entities install rooftop solar projects on behalf of individual residential sector
households. the Utility may aggregate demands of interested consumer of eligible
categories and implements the installation of the system on behalf of individual
residential households as a RESCO entity under Utility Owned Asset model. The Utility
may aggregate demands of interested consumer of eligible categories and implement the
installation of the system on behalf of individual residential households as an EPC entity
under Consumer Owned Asset model.

Payment Security Mechanism: There will be a Rs. 100 crore corpus that will be managed by
NPIA to ensure timely payments to RESCO developers. ULA selected RESCOs must contribute
a one-time fee of Rs. 2000/installation to the PSM corpus. Payments will be settled by utilities,
but if delays exceed 15 days, the NPIA will step in to make payments as per agreements between
RESCO and utilities.

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12301885500029.pdf

II. Ministry of Power (MoP)

1. Modification of the scheme of Budgetary Support for the 23rd December 2024
cost of Enabling Infrastructure of Hydro Electric
Projects.

The Ministry of Power has issued an Office Memorandum (OM) regarding modifications of the
scheme of Budgetary Support for the cost of enabling infrastructure for Hydro Electric Projects.
To accelerate hydropower development, the Cabinet in its meeting dated 11.09.2024, approved
the modifications as specified in below paragraphs.

Financial Outlay: The scheme has a total outlay of ₹12,461 crores for the period 2024-25 to
2031-32. It aims to support the development of approximately 31 GW of hydro capacity,
including 15 GW of Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs).

To broaden the ambit of budgetary support, Transmission lines from the powerhouse to the
nearest pooling point including upgradation of pooling substations, ropeways, railway sidings,

MNRE: Policy & Regulatory Updates, December 2024

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and communication infrastructure have been included apart from the construction of roads and
bridges.

Applicability: The scheme will be applicable to hydroelectric projects with capacities above 25
MW, including private sector projects. It also covers Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), including
captive/merchant PSPs and projects for which the Letter of Award for their first major package
is issued up to 30.06.2028.

Budgetary Support:

S No. Project Size Budgetary Support

1 Projects up to 200 MW ₹1 crore per MW
2 Projects above 200 MW ₹ 200 crores plus ₹ 0.75 crore per MW

In exceptional cases, when the situation so warrants the budgetary support may be increased to
₹1.5 crore per MW, provided there is sufficient justification based on objective criteria specified
by the Ministry of Power in consultation with the Ministry of Finance.

This budgetary support will be provided after appraisal by the Delegated Investment Board
(DIB) or Public Investment Board (PIB) and approval by the Competent Authority as per the
guidelines.

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nfra_OM.pdf

III. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission

1. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Deviation 17th December 2024

Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters) (First
Amendment) Regulations, 2024.

CERC has issued first amendment to the Deviation Settlement Mechanism and Related Matters
Regulation 2024.

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IV. Central Electricity Authority

2. Facilitating Broadband Expansion by Allowing Leasing of 02nd December 2024

Fibres on OPGW – regd.

MNRE: Policy & Regulatory Updates, December 2024

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With the aim to enhance to provide reliable telecom connectivity to rural areas, The Central
Electricity Authority (CEA) issued letter addressed to CTU (Central Transmission Utility),
POWERGRID, STUs (State Transmission Utilities) and all the TSPs (Transmission Service
Providers) etc. to incorporate the necessary provisions in the technical specifications of their
future transmission schemes supporting the laying of at least 48F OPGW instead of 24F OPGW
for the upcoming TBCB (Tariff Based Competitive Bidding)/ RTM (Regulated Tariff
Mechanism) schemes. It was also advised that schemes which are presently in the bidding stage
may also be modified accordingly by the BPCs (Bid Process Coordinators) wherever applicable.

Download link: https://cea.nic.in/wp-

content/uploads/notification/2024/12/MoP_initmation_48F_rev_approved.pdf

Issued by State Governments & their organizations:

I. Arunachal Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission

1. Arunachal Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Multi 10th December

Year Tariff) Regulations, 2024 2024

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%20EOG%20No.%20443-APSERC,%202024.pdf

II. Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission

1. Draft Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (Renewable 04th December 2024

Purchase Obligation and its Compliance) Regulations, 2010,
(Fourth Amendment), 2024

Download link: https://aerc.gov.in/regulations/1733311808.pdf

III. Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission

1. Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission 17th December 2024

(Terms and Conditions for Green Energy Open Access and
Banking) Regulations, 2024

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MNRE: Policy & Regulatory Updates, December 2024

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IV. Jharkhand Electricity Regulatory Commission

1. JSERC (Rooftop Solar PV Grid Interactive System and Net/ 16th December 2024
Gross Metering) (Fifth Amendment) Regulations, 2024.

Download link: https://www.jserc.org/pdf/regulations/784_2_2024.pdf

V. Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission

1. KERC (Multi Year Transmission, Distribution and Retail 10th December 2024
Supply Tariff) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2024

Download link: https://kerc.karnataka.gov.in/uploads/media_to_upload1734497050.pdf

VI. Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission

1. Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Fees 20th December 2024

and Charges) (1st Amendment) (2 of 2024) Regulations,
2017

Download
link: https://www.mserc.gov.in/regulations/2024/MSERC_FeesCharges_1st_Amendment_2
017.pdf

VII. Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission

1. Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (Deviation 27th December 2024

settlement mechanism and related matters) (Amendment)
Regulations, 2024

Download link: https://www.tnerc.tn.gov.in/Regulation/files/Reg-301220240107Eng.pdf

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MNRE: Policy & Regulatory Updates, December 2024