The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an important clarification regarding the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) regulations to address disruptions affecting renewable energy projects across India. The move is expected to provide immediate relief to several utility-scale and commercial and industrial (C&I) renewable power projects that have been facing delays in commissioning.
The issue emerged after an earlier memorandum issued by the ministry on May 25, 2026, stated that no blanket extension would be granted for compliance with ALMM List-II requirements beyond June 1, 2026. Following this announcement, several state agencies, State Nodal Agencies (SNAs), and power distribution companies (DISCOMs) stopped approving the commissioning of certain renewable energy projects. Many project developers had already completed the installation of their projects before the June deadline, but were unable to secure commissioning approvals due to pending ALMM-related clearances.
As a result, a large number of projects remained stranded despite being physically ready for operation. The situation created delays in grid connectivity and slowed renewable energy capacity additions in different parts of the country.
To address the problem, MNRE has introduced a temporary relief mechanism. According to the new clarification, non-rooftop renewable energy projects that were installed before June 1, 2026, but could not be commissioned due to valid reasons, may now seek provisional commissioning. However, developers must have already applied for an exemption from ALMM List-II through the government’s official portal and should be awaiting a final decision on their application.
The ministry has authorized the concerned commissioning authorities to verify the eligibility of such projects using relevant documentary evidence. After verification, these projects may be granted provisional commissioning permission using solar PV modules listed under ALMM List-I. This approval will remain subject to the final decision on the exemption application submitted by the developer.
MNRE has clarified that this relaxation is only a temporary measure and will remain valid for one month from June 23, 2026. All eligible projects must complete their commissioning within this period. In cases where delays occur because of the commissioning authority, the reasons must be officially recorded on the commissioning certificate. The ministry has also stated that no requests will be considered after the expiry of this one-month window.
The clarification further directs that pending exemption applications should not prevent projects from generating electricity, injecting power into the grid, wheeling, banking, or settling energy under the existing Open Access framework. Authorities at both the central and state levels have been instructed not to withhold approvals, Commercial Operation Date (COD) recognition, or scheduling registrations solely because an ALMM List-II exemption certificate is still under review.
MNRE emphasized that this decision is a limited and transitional intervention intended only to resolve the current bottleneck. The ministry reiterated that the June 1, 2026, implementation date for ALMM List-II remains unchanged and that all other provisions of the original May 25 memorandum continue to apply.
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