Loading...

Finally, a manual to understand the challenges of project development in India


20 December 2012 | Akhilesh Magal

Finally, a manual to understand the challenges of project development in India

Mr. Akhilesh Magal heads the Project Development team as Senior Consultant at BRIDGE TO INDIA.

Since the announcement of the National Solar Mission (NSM) in early 2010, there has been considerable development in the Indian solar market.

  • The Indian solar market is poised for further growth with the announcements for new solar policies
  • New policies provide several opportunities, each with different sets of permits, clearances and approvals.
  • The absence of structured information deters new entrants into the market and imposes challenges on players that are already in the market

The overall installed capacity has increased from 22 MW in 2010 to over 1,050 MWtoday. This growth was propelled largely by the NSM and the Gujarat State Solar Policy. The market is now poised for further growth with the announcements of solar policies from states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and draft policies of phase two of the NSM. Meanwhile, the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mechanism provides an alternative to the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) policies. This provides investors, project developers and EPC players several opportunities. The challenge is that each of the policies requires different set of permits, clearances and approvals – at different timelines and costs. Navigating through these procedures and assessing their relative risks and returns can be challenging.

At the same time, an un-structured, ill-informed approach to project development jeopardizes project timelines and affects the profitability of projects. From a bankability perspective, structured and well-documented information is key to achieving financial closure. Although information is available, it is often distributed, haphazard and uncritical. This absence of structured information deters new entrants into the market and imposes challenges on players that are already in the market.

The Project Development Handbook from BRIDGE TO INDIA aims to present relevant information in a structured manner to provide a sound overview of the processes, timelines, costs, challenges and opportunities in project development in India. The manual shall help in the assessment of projects in terms of profitability and bankability across various off-take options. The handbook is meant for investors, project developers and EPC players.

Click here to download BRIDGE TO INDIA’s latest INDIA SOLAR DECISION BRIEF, ‘The Project Development Handbook’.


Recent reports

India Solar Map | December 2023

India Solar Map | December 2023

India Solar Map 2023 is an info-graphic report covering growth of utility scale solar sector – national and state-wise commissioned and pipeline capacity, leading market players and portfolio details of top 16 project developers. Capacity addition in 2023 fell 51% YOY to 5,924 MW taking total utility scale solar capacity to 59,840 MW. Total project pipeline stands at a record 74,161 MW.

India Corporate Renewable Brief | Q4 2023

India Corporate Renewable Brief | Q4 2023

This report provides an update on key trends and developments in the corporate renewable market including capacity addition, key players, policy & regulatory issuance, financing, PPA tariffs and other market trends.

India PV Module Intelligence Brief | Q4 2023

India PV Module Intelligence Brief | Q4 2023

This report captures quarterly trends in module demand and supply, import and domestic production volumes, supplier market shares, break-up by technology and rating, global market scenario, pricing trends across the value chain, key policy developments and market outlook.

India Solar Compass | Q4 2023

India Solar Compass | Q4 2023

This report provides a detailed update of all key sector developments and trends in the quarter – capacity addition, leading players, tenders and policy announcements, equipment prices, financial deals and other market developments. It also provides market outlook for the next two quarters.

Inter-state OA — opportunities and challenges

Inter-state OA — opportunities and challenges

Inter-state transmission system (ISTS) open access (OA) renewable market is growing strongly on the back of multiple drivers including a waiver from ISTS charges together with decarbonisation pressure on corporates and streamlined transmission connectivity approval process. However, the ISTS route savings are viable only for projects commissioned by June 2026 (at least 75% ISTS charge waiver).

India Corporate Renewable Brief | Q3 2023

India Corporate Renewable Brief | Q3 2023

This report provides an update on key trends and developments in the corporate renewable market including capacity addition, key players, policy & regulatory issuance, financing, PPA tariffs and other market trends.

To top