Gujarat govt announces wind-solar hybrid power policy

In a bid to ensure optimal use of land and transmission infrastructure, the Gujarat government today announced a policy to promote setting up of wind as well as solar power projects at one location.

The 'Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Policy-2018' will remain in force for five years.

Projects approved under this policy can avail various benefits and rebates as mentioned in the policy document for a period of 25 years or till the life of the project, as per an official release.

Under the policy, developers can set up wind energy units on the land currently in use for solar power units. Similarly, a solar power project can be set up on the land being used for wind farms, it said.

The transmission lines meant for the existing power projects can be utilised for the proposed renewable energy project, as per the release.

"The policy also allows setting up of new wind-solar hybrid power producing unit. The objective of the new policy is the optimum utilisation of land and grid lines. This renewable energy sources will reduce pollution and help us cope up with the future energy demands," the release quoted state Energy Minister Saurabh Patel as saying.

Electricity produced from such hybrid wind and solar units will be exempted from power duty.

The new policy has a provision for 50 per cent exemption from electricity duty for selling the power to a third party, the release said.

For hybrid captive plants, it entails total exemption from cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge, and 50 per cent relief in wheeling charges and distribution loss.

Under this policy, new developers can decide the capacity of wind-solar hybrid unit as per the renewable power purchase agreement with the consumer, it said.

At present, Gujarat produces approximately 7,100 MW of non-conventional energy including 5,500 MW of wind power and 1,600 MW of solar power.