Reneweable energy min creates RPO compliance cell to

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has created a renewable purchase obligations (RPO) compliance cell to ensure all states adhere to the RPO targets defined by the goverment till 2022.

As per a recent notification issued by the ministry, Tarun Singh, Scientist C of MNRE has been designated as the nodal officer of the cell, which will coordinate with the Central and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions on matters relating to RPO compliance.

The government's target of achieving 175 GW renewable energy by 2022 is also associated with the fulfillment of RPO of state distribution companies (discoms).

"This step of MNRE to appoint an RPO compliance cell is a welcome move. The cell may monitor fulfillment of RPO along with the timeline of commissioning of renewable energy projects and associated transmission which is mandated by the government to be awarded on tariff-based competitive bidding basis as per guidelines issued on the subject," Electric Power Transmission Association (EPTA) director general Subhash Sethi told PTI here.

Also, the national tariff policy notified in 2016 mandated eight per cent solar RPO for every state to draw an action plan for its implementation in order to achieve 100 GW (only solar energy projects) target by 2022.

However most of the states are not in compliance with it and MNRE is trying to push all states to adopt the targeted RPO, which will in turn increase the demand for solar power generation in order to meet the target.

Only five states including Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and Meghalaya and one union territory Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been meeting targets.

Though India has been making progress over the past few years, the country has installed more than 20 GW and needs to add capacities at the rate of over 19 GW per year to achieve its target of 100 GW.

"The formation of the RPO compliance cell will be highly effective to coordinate with states and ensure stringent implementation of RPO targets especially the solar RPO," an official from the Solar Power Developers' Association said.

The official further said states facing hurdles to implement the RPO will receive focused guidance to resolve the issue and inability in doing so will lead to penalisation.

"States must adhere by to this or else it will create a roadblock in achieving the target for 2020," the SPDA official added.