The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has responded to the pleas of stakeholders and State implementing agencies by extending the waiver of the domestic content requirement (DCR) for solar cells under Component C of the PM KUSUM Scheme. In a recent development, the ministry has announced that the DCR provision, which was initially waived off for projects awarded on or before June 20, 2023, will now be relaxed until March 31, 2024.
This decision comes in light of the ongoing bidding processes and the difficulties faced by stakeholders in meeting the DCR requirements for solar cells. Component C, also known as Feeder Level Solarisation, is a critical part of the PM KUSUM Scheme, aimed at promoting solar power generation at the feeder level.
The extension of the DCR waiver is expected to provide a much-needed relief to project developers, State implementing agencies, and other key players involved in the solar energy sector. It will allow them more time to plan and execute their projects without the constraints of DCR compliance, thus fostering the growth of renewable energy in India.
This move underscores the government’s commitment to promoting clean and sustainable energy sources, contributing to India’s ambitious renewable energy targets. It also reflects the government’s responsiveness to industry feedback and the evolving needs of the renewable energy sector.