MNRE Tweaks ALMM Rules, Grants 800 MW Exemption for New Wind Models

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to govern the process for all wind energy entities applying for enlistment in either the ALMM-Wind or ALMM-WTC lists.

The MNRE revised the latest ALMM-WTC Enlistment Process, which covers the enlistment of major wind turbine components, including blades, special bearings (main, pitch, and yaw bearings), gearboxes, generators, and towers, into the ALMM-WTC (List 2). The enlistment of these components aims to ensure that their manufacturing and assembly facilities comply with the required quality and technical standards.

A new wind turbine model is defined as a specific turbine design that requires its own distinct enlistment in the ALMM-Wind list. However, a single wind turbine model may be certified under the same Type Certificate (TC) even with alternate components and configurations. These permissible variations include changes in hub height, wind class, tower type, power converter type, output voltage, cut-in and cut-out wind speeds, survival wind speed, ambient temperature range, power derating, noise emission levels, and grid compliance settings.

The revised rule grants new wind turbine models an exemption from government requirements for sourcing major components such as blades, towers, generators, gearboxes, and special bearings (main, pitch, and yaw bearings) from the ALMM (WTC) list. This exemption is limited to 800 MW within a maximum period of two years from the date of enlistment in the ALMM (Wind) list.

Furthermore, the regulation clarifies that models of major wind turbine components that have already been granted an exemption for a particular new wind turbine model will not be eligible for re-exemption under a separate new wind turbine model enlisted or to be enlisted by the same manufacturer.

New Wind Turbine Model Enlistment

Notwithstanding the acceptable variations, a wind turbine model shall not be considered for registration as a new model in the ALMM-Wind list if it meets the following criteria:

• Rotor Diameter and Rated Power: It exhibits a rotor diameter variation of less than 2% and/or a rated power variation of less than 10% when compared with an already-listed wind turbine model under the same manufacturer or designer, within a similar range of rotor diameter and rated power.

However, a wind turbine model may be considered for registration as a new model if it incorporates a distinctly different design architecture. This includes, but is not limited to, a significant change in the turbine’s structural or operational design.

Updation of a Component

MNRE has sought to update the enlistment process for adding components under ALMM-WTC. The regulation mentioned that, when a manufacturer is already enlisted and seeks to update a component, the revised wind turbine Type Certificate model issued by an accredited Certification Body (CB) would serve as the basis for the updation.