COVID-19 Update: MNRE Extends Approved List of Models & Manufacturers Deadline By 6 Months

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended the deadlines for the approved list of models and manufacturers (ALMM) by the next 6 months to provide aid to the renewable energy firms from considering disruption of the sector due to the spread of coronavirus pandemic. The list includes solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and solar PV cells.

The last date for enlistment for both ALMM List-I and ALMM List-II is extended from March 31, 2020, to September 30, 2020. 

On 2nd January 2019, MNRE had issued an order to ensure the reliability of solar PV manufacturers, protect the consumers’ interests and to ensure larger energy security of the country. The order provides for the enlistment of eligible models and manufacturers of solar PV cells and modules complying with the BIS Standards and publishes the same in a list called the ALMM(Approved List of Models and Manufacturers).

MNRE stated that “Due to temporary disruptions due to COVID-19 epidemic and the current lockdown and the prevailing situation due to such epidemic, it has been decided with the approval of MNRE & Power Minister to extend the effective dates for ALMM List-I (solar PV modules) and ALMM List-II (solar PV cells) by six months.”

The order also stated that all government projects or projects which are under government programs and schemes installed in the country including projects set up for sale of electricity to the government will have to source their modules from models and manufacturers included in ALMM List I (for modules). Further, for the deployment of solar modules after the effective date (i.e. March 31, 2020), the solar PV module manufacturers enlisted in ALMM List-I will have to mandatorily source solar cells from the manufacturers enlisted in ALMM List-II (for cells).

Recently, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued the circular on time extension in the scheduled commissioning date of RE projects considering disruption of the supply chains due to the spread of coronavirus in China or any other country as a force majeure event.