The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has formally launched the bidding round for solar module manufacturers to avail of the INR 45 billion production linked incentive (PLI) scheme of the central government (see India Details Production Linked Incentive Scheme For Solar). This follows the application document it floated on May 25, 2021.
Under the tender launched, winners would be required to set up either brownfield or greenfield manufacturing facility, but not mix it up, for the entire capacity allotted under the scheme. Minimum capacity required to be installed will be 1 GW and successful applicants will be given PLI annually for a period of 5 years.
Companies that have already imported capital goods before the last date of submission (June 30, 2021) will not be eligible to participate in the tender round. IREDA plans to complete the selection process by July 30, 2021, according to application documents.
The PLI scheme has been constituted to encourage and incentivize integrated domestic solar PV manufacturing in India in order for the country to lower its dependence on imported solar cells and modules. “The National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules will reduce import dependence in a strategic sector like electricity and as such reinforce the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative,” stated IREDA.
