On 17 April 2020, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India (MNRE) issued an office memorandum (Memorandum II) requiring all renewable energy implementing agencies to treat lockdown due to COVID-19 as ‘force majeure’.
COVID-19 has posed unprecedented challenges and in many cases business continuity plans are being put to test for the first time. The scenario is deteriorating in India with more than 560 positive cases being officially reported. The ‘lockdown’ has been extended to all districts in India till the 14th of April 2020. The restrictions on construction activities, decreased workforce and supply chain disruptions will have a cascading impact on contractual obligations relating to infrastructure projects.
The Budget included several announcements across various verticals of infrastructure projects to expedite necessary holistic development including economic turnaround.
The Government of India, in September 2019, began the process of liberalising the long-standing restrictions imposed on mining activities in India with permitting 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in entities engaged in coal mining activities for sale of coal.
On 13 December 2019, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India (MNRE) issued Guidelines for Development of Decentralised Solar Power Plants (Guidelines). The Guidelines have been issued to promote production of solar energy near sub-stations and to ensure availability of affordable and reliable solar power in the rural areas of the country.
The current Andhra Pradesh regime seems to be poorly advised in going about economising power in the state.
Green energy is critical towards ensuring a better quality of life by bringing down pollution, curbing global warming
The current Andhra Pradesh regime seems to be poorly advised in going about economising power in the state.
While the Electricity Act does not provide a definition of renewable energy, there are other legislation and policies at both central and state level providing the definition of renewable energy sources. Among these, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations 2017 define ‘renewable energy’ as grid quality electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
Under the Electricity Act, generation of energy is a delicensed activity. Prior to the construction of a project, certain site-specific approvals may be required (if applicable) such as forest clearance and approvals from defence establishments, the Airports Authority of India and the Archaeological Survey of India.
