TN textile units with captive solar projects oppose ALMM directive
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

TN textile units with captive solar projects oppose ALMM directive

Textile units in Tamil Nadu, equipped with solar projects for captive consumption, are opposing a recent directive from the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (TNGECL) that mandates the use of solar modules listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). The Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Association has urged the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to withdraw this directive and has threatened legal action if their request is not met.

The Non-Conventional Energy Sources (NCES) wing of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) recently mandated that only ALMM-approved solar modules can be used for solar projects that are to be commissioned, with grid tie-up approvals to be granted only after verification. Companies such as Kaiser Green Energy and Armstrong Spinning Mills were instructed by TNGECL to adhere to the ALMM-approved module requirement in their applications to wheel power for captive use under the Intra-state Open Access System.

The Spinning Mills Association has urged the MNRE Secretary to revoke the Chief Engineer-NCES?s directive and permit the importation of solar modules for private projects. They argue that the ALMM mandate should not apply to private entities, which rely heavily on captive solar power due to the unreliable power supply from distribution companies. The association?s chief advisor, K Venkatachalam, emphasised that the ALMM list was originally intended for government-related projects, but TANGEDCO has extended its restrictions to private companies as well. TANGEDCO has stated that entities not complying with the ALMM mandate will be denied connectivity.

The association warned that this measure could lead to significant financial losses for companies that have already placed orders for solar modules from other countries. Many companies are at various stages of establishing captive solar projects, with some imports stuck at Indian ports and others ready to be installed after clearing import duties.

Textile units prefer importing solar modules due to their cost efficiency and higher performance. The textile industry, which accounts for 75% of installed renewable energy capacity in Tamil Nadu, argues that relying on domestic procurement would increase costs by nearly 30%.

However, a senior NCES official maintained that the ALMM mandate applies to both private and government entities. "There was a temporary exception for private entities, but as of April 1, 2024, the mandate applies universally. We are enforcing this order in accordance with MNRE regulations," the official stated. (Mercom)

Textile units in Tamil Nadu, equipped with solar projects for captive consumption, are opposing a recent directive from the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (TNGECL) that mandates the use of solar modules listed in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). The Tamil Nadu Spinning Mills Association has urged the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to withdraw this directive and has threatened legal action if their request is not met. The Non-Conventional Energy Sources (NCES) wing of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) recently mandated that only ALMM-approved solar modules can be used for solar projects that are to be commissioned, with grid tie-up approvals to be granted only after verification. Companies such as Kaiser Green Energy and Armstrong Spinning Mills were instructed by TNGECL to adhere to the ALMM-approved module requirement in their applications to wheel power for captive use under the Intra-state Open Access System. The Spinning Mills Association has urged the MNRE Secretary to revoke the Chief Engineer-NCES?s directive and permit the importation of solar modules for private projects. They argue that the ALMM mandate should not apply to private entities, which rely heavily on captive solar power due to the unreliable power supply from distribution companies. The association?s chief advisor, K Venkatachalam, emphasised that the ALMM list was originally intended for government-related projects, but TANGEDCO has extended its restrictions to private companies as well. TANGEDCO has stated that entities not complying with the ALMM mandate will be denied connectivity. The association warned that this measure could lead to significant financial losses for companies that have already placed orders for solar modules from other countries. Many companies are at various stages of establishing captive solar projects, with some imports stuck at Indian ports and others ready to be installed after clearing import duties. Textile units prefer importing solar modules due to their cost efficiency and higher performance. The textile industry, which accounts for 75% of installed renewable energy capacity in Tamil Nadu, argues that relying on domestic procurement would increase costs by nearly 30%. However, a senior NCES official maintained that the ALMM mandate applies to both private and government entities. There was a temporary exception for private entities, but as of April 1, 2024, the mandate applies universally. We are enforcing this order in accordance with MNRE regulations, the official stated. (Mercom)

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

Next Story
Real Estate

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?