India Tightens Wind Turbine Norms to Boost Domestic Manufacturing and Data Sovereignty

In a sweeping regulatory overhaul, India has introduced new norms for wind turbine manufacturers aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains, safeguarding operational data, and accelerating its clean energy ambitions.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has replaced the earlier RLMM framework with a more stringent Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). Under the new rules, turbine makers must source critical components—such as blades, towers, gearboxes, generators, and special bearings—from Indian vendors listed in the ALMM.

Local Sourcing Mandate

• Manufacturers must source key components—blades, towers, generators, gearboxes, and special bearings—from Indian vendors listed in the newly created Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).
• This replaces the earlier RLMM framework and strengthens quality control and energy security.

Data Localization & Cybersecurity

• All wind turbine data must be stored within India.
• Real-time operational data transfers abroad are prohibited.
• R&D centers, data centers, and servers must be located in India within one year.

Inspection & Compliance

• A technical team from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will conduct inspections.
• A standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued for compliance.

Innovation Exemptions

• New manufacturers and models are exempt from ALMM sourcing for up to 800 MW over two years, to encourage innovation and tech not yet available domestically.
• Certain bid-out and near-term projects are also exempt.

Strategic Implications

Impact Area	Details
Domestic Players Benefit	Suzlon Energy, Inox Wind, Adani Wind expected to gain market share
Foreign Firms Affected	China's Envision Group may lose ground due to sourcing restrictions
Manufacturing Capacity	India’s wind turbine industry has 20 GW annual capacity
Energy Goals	Supports India’s target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030

Govt Launches ₹200 Cr Scheme for Green Hydrogen Production

The Government of India has launched a ₹200 crore pilot scheme to promote green hydrogen production and usage in decentralized applications. This initiative, led by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), aims to explore innovative methods for producing and utilizing green hydrogen in residential, commercial, and community settings.

The budget of ₹200 crore allocated for the scheme, extending through the fiscal years up to 2025-26.

The MNRE has also issued implementation guidelines to promote innovation in green hydrogen production and usage. These guidelines are part of the broader National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to establish a comprehensive green hydrogen ecosystem in India.

The guidelines outline criteria for pilot projects to assess the technical feasibility and safety of using green hydrogen in various sectors.

The scheme focuses on decentralized uses of green hydrogen, such as cooking, heating, off-grid power, and powering off-road vehicles.

The initiative supports technologies like floating solar-based hydrogen production, hydrogen derived from biomass, and hydrogen generated from wastewater.

These projects will assess the technical feasibility and safety of using green hydrogen as a clean, alternative fuel for household and commercial appliances, local community services, and city gas networks.

The scheme aligns with India's broader mission to promote sustainable energy options and tackle carbon emissions.

This initiative is a significant step towards diversifying India's green hydrogen sector and expanding its applications beyond traditional uses.

Bhubaneswar to Be Transformed Into Solar City Under MNRE's Green City Mission

Bhubaneswar is set to become a Green Energy and Solar City under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's (MNRE) Green City Mission.

The capital city of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, has been chosen by the MNRE for complete transformation. The project aims to maximize the utilization of renewable energy potential to meet the city's electricity requirements.

Implementation partners include the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) and Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL).

Around 42 stretches of road network have been identified for solar-powered street lights integration. Solar trees will be installed at religious and cultural sites to promote green energy.

Additionally, rooftop solar projects, solar-powered water kiosks, and EV charging stations are part of the Initiative.

This move toward sustainability aligns with Bhubaneswar's smart city transformation, which also includes a well-planned waste management system and LED street lights installation.

India Reinstated the ALMM Mandate for Solar Products & Manufacturers To Protect Domestic Industry from China's Dumping

The Indian government has reinstated the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) mandate effective from April 1, 2024. This means that only solar products and manufacturers that are included on the MNRE- approved ALMM List-I are eligible for use in government-backed projects, including government projects, government-assisted projects, projects under government schemes and programmes, open access projects, and net-metering projects installed in the country

The ALMM was initially introduced to protect consumer interests and ensure energy security by verifying the reliability of solar product manufacturers. The policy also protect the domestic industry from the dumping of Chinese products.

The ALMM consists of two lists:

1. List-I: Specifies models and manufacturers of Solar PV Modules.
2. List-II: Specifies models and manufacturers of Solar PV Cells.

As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), only models and manufacturers included in List-I are eligible for use in government-related solar projects. The mandate had been put in abeyance for the financial year 2023-24, but with the recent update, it will be back in force for projects commissioned from April 2024 onwards.

This move is seen as a positive step for domestic solar OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and is expected to support the growth of the local solar manufacturing industry.

However, there are certain exemptions to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) mandate. Here are some key points regarding the exemptions:

• Projects commissioned by the end of March 2024 are exempt from the requirement of procuring solar PV modules from the ALMM list.
• The mandate will be relaxed for solar projects in advanced stages of construction or if the order for modules has been placed before March 31, 2024.
• The ALMM will not apply to projects set up under open access solar or as captive by private parties.
• There is also an exemption from factory inspection in case of enlistment of additional models in ALMM which are similar to those already enlisted by the applicant but having lower wattage.

These exemptions are designed to provide flexibility and support the ongoing development of solar projects while transitioning to the ALMM system.

The ALMM order was previously put on hold for the financial year 2023-24 due to insufficient domestic module manufacturing capacity. However, with the updated mandate, projects commissioned by March 31, 2024, will be exempted from the requirement of procuring solar PV modules from the ALMM.

It's important for stakeholders in the solar energy sector to be aware of these updates to ensure compliance and eligibility for government projects. For the most current list of approved models and manufacturers, you can refer to the MNRE website.