MNRE extends RE Projects stalled due to lockdown by 30 days

New Delhi: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has extended timeline for completion of RE projects equivalent to the period of lockdown and additional 30 (thirty) days for normalisation after end of such lockdown.

It has directed implementing agencies such as SECI, NTPC to grant such extension with no requirement of case-to-case examination or seeking any evidence from the developers for delaying commissioning of projects.

The Ministry has also said that all Renewable Energy implementing agencies of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) will treat lockdown due to COVID-19, as force majeure that will allow flexibility on adherence to contract stipulation due to pandemic.

Referring to the Renewable Energy Departments (including agencies under Power/Energy Departments of States, but dealing in renewable energy), the Ministry has asked them that they may also treat lockdown due to COVID-19, as force majeure and may consider granting appropriate time extension on account of such lockdown.

The decision was taken after, RE developers represented to the Ministry that they may be granted a general time extension on account of lockdown and additional time required for normalization after such lockdown.

MNRE had, earlier on March 20 issued directions to SECI, NTPC and central and state government officials to treat delay on account of disruption of the supply chains due to spread of coronavirus in China or any other country, as force majeure and that they may grant suitable extension of time for projects, on account of coronavirus, based on evidences/documents produced by developers in support of their respective claims of such disruption of the supply chains due to the spread of coronavirus in China or any other country. (IANS)

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