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Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel’s step towards fulfilling Hon’ble PM’s mantra of Green Growth

Hon’ble Chief Minister announced Gujarat Renewable Energy Policy 2023

Promoting projects based on wind-solar and hybrid technologies for renewable energy generation in the state

This policy aims to support the nation’s goal of reaching Net Zero Emissions by reducing the state’s carbon footprint, all while promoting economic growth and ensuring energy security

The state aims to harness an estimated 36 GW (Gigawatt) of solar and 143 GW (Gigawatt) of wind capacity

Goal is to attain 50 percent of the state’s total power generation through renewable energy by 2030

Projected investment worth around ₹5 lakh crores through this new policy

Power can be exported outside Gujarat through ISTS Connected Project

This comprehensive policy will encompass ground-mounted solar, rooftop solar, floating solar, canal-top solar, as well as wind, rooftop wind, and wind-solar hybrid projects

Capacity regulations removed for Solar, Wind and Hybrid projects

Gujarat Energy Development Authority (GEDA) to act as Nodal Agency

Gandhinagar, 4th October 2023: Gujarat has taken a significant stride towards actualizing the Green Growth vision outlined by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with the introduction of the Gujarat Renewable Energy Policy – 2023. This forward-looking policy encompasses various key renewable energy sources, marking a substantial commitment to sustainable energy initiatives.
This policy, unveiled by Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel in the presence of Finance and Energy Minister Shri Kanubhai Desai, stands as a prominent initiative aimed at promoting the development of renewable energy generation projects, specifically centered around wind, solar, and hybrid technologies.

Furthermore, this policy encompasses a broad spectrum of projects, including ground-mounted solar, rooftop solar, floating solar, canal-top solar, as well as wind, rooftop wind, and wind-solar hybrid ventures.

As per the announcement made by the Chief Minister, the operational duration of this policy extends until the introduction of a new policy or until 2028.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has charted an ambitious course for India, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070 through a phased transition to cleaner energy sources.

Complementing this long-term vision are shorter-term objectives. By 2030, India is committed to ramping up its renewable energy capacity to 500 GW and meeting 50 percent of the nation’s overall energy demand from renewable sources.

Gujarat’s Renewable Energy Policy – 2023 is poised to harness the state’s full renewable energy potential, making efficient use of approximately 4 lakh acres of land in upcoming projects. This ambitious policy is also expected to attract investments worth five lakh crores, further solidifying Gujarat’s position as a renewable energy leader.

Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, this policy extends its benefits for a duration of 25 years, commencing from the project’s commissioning date or the renewable project’s lifetime, whichever comes first. Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) will serve as the nodal authority responsible for issuing project registration, validation, commissioning certificates, and monthly progress reports in accordance with this policy.

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) will play an important role in implementing, coordinating, and monitoring the policy’s operations.

Salient Features of the Gujarat Renewable Energy Policy 2023 are as under:

1. No capacity restriction for setting up of RE projects with respect to the consumer’s contracted demand.
2. The settlement of renewable energy against consumer’s consumption shall be carried out on billing cycle basis (30 days banking allowed for all RE project)
3. Introduced Green Power Supply – 100% renewable energy supply on consumer requisition at Green Power Supply Tariff as determined by GERC from time to time.
4. Option of net metering or gross metering available for rooftop projects.
5. Offshore wind projects to be promoted.
6. Small scale Wind projects can be installed by consumers on rooftops.
7. The policy aims to facilitate WTG manufacturers and RE developers to install prototype WTGs.
8. The repowering of wind turbine generators will be promoted i.e approvals will be provided to re-power old, small or inefficient wind turbines and convert into more efficient ones. There is no limit on increasing repowering capacity.
9. Conversion of existing or under-construction standalone wind or solar power plants into hybrid projects is allowed.
10. Energy banking facility on billing cycle basis shall be allowed upon payment of applicable banking charges as determined by GERC from time to time.
11. No banking charges shall be applicable on solar power consumed by Residential consumers.
12. The policy promotes RE parks which includes solar park, wind park and hybrid park.
13. Floating and canal based solar projects to be developed in consultation with government authorities having control over canals, rivers, streams etc.
14. Cross-subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge shall not be applicable to captive power projects as per Electricity Rules 2005.
15. DISCOMs to procure power from RE projects selected through competitive bidding process
16. DISCOMs may also procure power from solar projects up to 4 MW at tariff equal to simple average of tariffs contracted under competitive bidding in preceding 6 months + Rs 0.20 per kWh and wind project up to 10 MW at tariff equal to the simple average of tariffs contracted under competitive bidding in preceding 6 months
17. Power can be exported out of Gujarat through ISTS-connected projects.
18. A single web portal under Ease of Doing Business.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, during the COP-26 conference in Glasgow, highlighted the urgent need to address climate change, the ongoing depletion of renewable energy resources, and environmental pollution. He underscored his commitment to transforming the challenges posed by pollution into opportunities for innovative development.

In pursuit of this vision, he reaffirmed his dedication to ramping up the utilization of green energy sources and achieving the ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.

Under the visionary guidance of the Prime Minister, Gujarat has emerged as a frontrunner in policy-driven advancements in green energy sectors such as solar, wind, and hybrid technologies. In line with this commitment to sustainability, the state government, led by Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, has allocated a substantial budget of five lakh crore rupees over the next five years. This significant investment underscores the paramount importance of fostering green growth and sustainability in the region.

The newly unveiled Gujarat Energy Policy-2023 is poised to create Gujarat ‘Atmanirbhar’ in the energy sector, thereby propelling ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat through Atmanirbhar Gujarat’.

Chief Secretary Shri Raj Kumar, Chief Principal Secretary to the CM Shri K.Kailashnathan, ACS Shri Panjak Joshi, ACS Shri J.P Gupta, Principal Secretary Smt. Mamta Verma, P.S Shri Sanjeev Kumar, senior secretaries and officials of energy department were present during the launch of the policy.

Source: Information Department, Gujarat