ALMM Order Clarification Means No Impact on Approved Projects, Says MNRE

16 Oct 2024 CW Team

Originally introduced to regulate the quality of solar photovoltaic modules in large-scale solar projects, the ALMM Order requires manufacturers to be listed on an approved list maintained by MNRE. However, this order raised concerns among stakeholders in the renewable energy sector, especially regarding its applicability to projects that had already received approvals.

The memorandum specifically stated that the exemption applies to projects where the first application for critical permissions—such as in-principle approval, no objection certificate (NOC), government order, or any other relevant approvals—was made before the October 1, 2022 deadline. These approvals must have been sought from entities such as distribution licensees, state transmission utilities (STUs), state load dispatch centres (SLDCs), or other pertinent state and central agencies, in accordance with the respective state or Union Territory policies or electricity regulatory commission rules.

This clarification aimed to alleviate concerns from developers and stakeholders involved in open access and net-metering projects, as several projects initiated before the 2022 amendments were uncertain about the applicability of the updated ALMM regulations. With this clarification, MNRE confirmed that such projects would not be subject to the ALMM listing requirement, provided the necessary permissions were obtained before the specified cut-off date.

An energy expert remarked that this move by MNRE provided much-needed clarity and relief to on-going projects that were in an uncertain regulatory environment due to the changes introduced in 2022. The clarification also applied to projects with existing applications for open access or net-metering in line with the rules of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) or the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). This is expected to benefit a range of renewable energy developers, including those involved in large-scale solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued a clarification regarding the applicability of the Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules (ALMM) Order, 2019, particularly concerning open access and net-metering renewable energy projects. According to an office memorandum dated October 14, 2024, the ALMM Order will not apply to renewable energy projects that had already obtained key approvals before the cut-off date of October 1, 2022. Originally introduced to regulate the quality of solar photovoltaic modules in large-scale solar projects, the ALMM Order requires manufacturers to be listed on an approved list maintained by MNRE. However, this order raised concerns among stakeholders in the renewable energy sector, especially regarding its applicability to projects that had already received approvals. The memorandum specifically stated that the exemption applies to projects where the first application for critical permissions—such as in-principle approval, no objection certificate (NOC), government order, or any other relevant approvals—was made before the October 1, 2022 deadline. These approvals must have been sought from entities such as distribution licensees, state transmission utilities (STUs), state load dispatch centres (SLDCs), or other pertinent state and central agencies, in accordance with the respective state or Union Territory policies or electricity regulatory commission rules. This clarification aimed to alleviate concerns from developers and stakeholders involved in open access and net-metering projects, as several projects initiated before the 2022 amendments were uncertain about the applicability of the updated ALMM regulations. With this clarification, MNRE confirmed that such projects would not be subject to the ALMM listing requirement, provided the necessary permissions were obtained before the specified cut-off date. An energy expert remarked that this move by MNRE provided much-needed clarity and relief to on-going projects that were in an uncertain regulatory environment due to the changes introduced in 2022. The clarification also applied to projects with existing applications for open access or net-metering in line with the rules of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) or the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs). This is expected to benefit a range of renewable energy developers, including those involved in large-scale solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects.

Infrastructure Urban

17 Sep 2025

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..

Real Estate

17 Sep 2025

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 ..

Infrastructure Transport

17 Sep 2025

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..