The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has undertaken a scheme to develop Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) under the existing Solar Park Scheme.
Key features
- The scheme for “Development of Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects” was rolled out by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy on 12-12-2014.
- Under this scheme, it was proposed to set up at least 25 Solar Parks and Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects targeting over 20,000 MW of solar power installed capacity within a span of 5 years starting from 2014-15.
- The capacity of the Scheme has been enhanced from 20,000 MW to 40,000 MW vide this Ministry’s order dated 21-03-2017. These parks are proposed to be set up by 2021-22.
- The scheme envisages supporting the States/UTs in setting up solar parks at various locations in the country with a view to create required infrastructure for setting up of solar power projects.
- The solar parks provide suitable developed land with all clearances, transmission system, water access, road connectivity, communication network, etc.
- The scheme facilitates and speeds up the installation of grid-connected solar power projects for electricity generation on a large scale.
- All the States and Union Territories are eligible for getting benefit under the scheme.
- The capacity of the solar parks shall be 500 MW and above.
- However, smaller parks are also considered where contiguous land may be difficult to acquire in view of difficult terrain and where there is an acute shortage of non-agricultural land.
- Collaboration: The solar parks are developed in collaboration with the State Governments and their agencies, CPSUs, and private entrepreneurs. The implementing agency is termed as Solar Power Park Developer (SPPD). There are 7 modes for selection of SPPDs.
- Central Financial Assistance (CFA) Pattern:
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of up to Rs. 25 lakh per solar park for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR).
- Besides this, CFA of up to Rs. 20.00 lakh per MW or 30% of the project cost, including Grid-connectivity cost, whichever is lower, is also provided on achieving the milestones prescribed in the scheme.
- Further, the CFA of Rs. 20 Lakh /MW is apportioned on 60:40 basis towards the development of internal infrastructure of the solar park to the SPPD and for development of external transmission system to Central Transmission Utility (CTU)/ State Transmission Utility (STU) respectively i.e. Rs. 12 lakh per MW or 30% of the project cost whichever is lower is provided to the SPPDs towards the development of internal infrastructures if the solar parks and Rs. 8 lakh per MW or 30% of the project cost whichever is lower is provided to the CTU or STU as the case may be towards the development of external transmission system.
- The above CFA pattern is applicable only for Mode 1 to Mode-5. Mode-6 is without CFA by private entrepreneurs. Further, under Mode-7 the entire CFA of Rs. 20 Lakh/MW is only for External Transmission Infrastructure System.
