MNRE Renames RLMM As ALMM (Wind), Revises Norms

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has revised the procedure for the enlistment of wind turbines in India. It has also renamed the enlistment list from Revised List of Models and Manufacturers of Wind Turbines (RLMM) to Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM-Wind).

It has also amended clause 4(g) of the procedure. The new ALMM norms demand details of the vendors/sources for blades, towers, generators, gearboxes, and special bearings (main, pitch, and yaw bearing) while applying for enlistment of wind turbines under the new ALMM (Wind).

New Mandate

The ministry has also proposed inspection of the manufacturing facilities for blades, towers, gearboxes, and other items. It said that a separate list will be issued after inspection of such facilities.

“A technical team constituted by MNRE shall inspect the manufacturing facilities for blade, tower, gear box, generator and special bearings. A separate list named ALMM (Wind Turbine Components) will be issued after inspection of such facilities."

The ministry said that a separate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this will also be issued. These components, the MNRE said, should only be sourced from such facilities which are included in ALMM (Wind Turbine Component).

New Provisions

The ministry has also introduced a new provision for boosting the cybersecurity ecosystem in the sector. This includes mandatorily locating data centres and servers in India, and all the data pertaining to wind turbines must be stored and maintained within India.

“Transferring real-time operational data outside India shall be prohibited. Operational control of wind turbine must be conducted exclusively from a facility located in India,” MNRE said.

It also added that turbine makers must mandatorily locate an R&D center in India within one year from the issuance of this order.

Exemptions

The following types of projects are exempted from these provisions:

1. Already built projects, subject to commissioning within three years from the issuance of this order.

2. Wind projects to be commissioned within 18 months under captive/open access/C&I/third-party sale mode.

3. New wind turbine manufacturers or models, as per SOP, are allowed a maximum capacity of 800 MW for two years from the date of enlistment in ALMM (Wind).

4. A component sourcing portal will be developed for monitoring the manufacturing and supply of wind turbines. All enlisted manufacturers must register and regularly submit data on this portal.

5. Enlisted manufacturers must submit quarterly progress reports demonstrating compliance with clause 4(h) of the OM. Failure to do so may result in delisting of the model.