MNRE Extends EOI Submission Date for KUSUM Decentralized and Agriculture Solar Pump Schemes

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a notice regarding the extension of date for submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) for evaluation of Component-A and Component-C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Surakshaevem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Surakshaevam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) is a scheme for sustainable development of agriculture in India. It is prominently led by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). 

The PM-KUSUM mainly aims at 3 components which include: Component A– Decentralized Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants on Barren Land, Component B– Stand-Alone Solar Agriculture Pumps and Component C– Grid Connected Agriculture Pumps.

The Ministry stated in the notice that in view of the prevailing situation and lockdown in many parts of the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been decided to provide an extension in time for submission of EoIs. Interested parties may now submit EoIs by 1800 hours on 20-05-2020.

It further stated that. “In case the lockdown is further extended making it difficult for the interested parties to submit EoIs along with the required documents in physical copies, soft copies of the EoI and the documents may be sent on email address shobhit.srivastava@nic.in.”

It highlighted in the notice that, “Due care shall be taken by interested parties not to mention any confidential information not required at this stage. Inclusion of such information may lead to rejection of EoI of the concerned party” 

Recently, The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a notification stating the Extension of date for providing comments/inputs on the draft Standard on Technical requirements for Photovoltaic Grid Tie Inverters to be connected to the Utility Grid in India till 7th May 2020. The Ministry stated that “In view of the requests received from experts and industries, the date for providing comments/inputs on the said draft document has been extended up to 7th May 2020.”

In April, The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government Of India has announced the extension of Off-Grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Program Phase – III. Off-Grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Program Phase – III was launched by the ministry on 07-08-2018 and the scheme was valid for financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20. As per the recent notification by MNRE the program will now continue till 31.03.2021 within the approved financial outlay mentioned in Administrative Approval dated 07.08.2018. The notice states that “The implementation agencies will continue to implement the Scheme as per the approved Guidelines dated 07.08.2018 and amendment(s) thereof. During the extended period i.e. FY 2020-21, the sanction of new projects under the Scheme will be available only in the North-Eastern Region.”