As part of Atmanirbhar Bharat scheme, govt proposes changes in import policy for power equipment

In line with the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision, the Centre proposes to make major changes in the import policy for power equipment in a bid to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce import content in large infrastructure projects.

Further, it seems that the government will not keep itself limited to the policy action, as it is going a step further and asking the industry participants to shun import dependence.

As part of the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan”, the Power Ministry has asked all power developers to completely stop imports of items where domestic capabilities are existing.

Moreover, Power Minster RK Singh also asked the power developers that if import has to take place in case of other equipment, it should be allowed only for a fixed timeframe of two-three years during which indigenous manufacturing of these items would be developed by an enabling policy and a set of tax incentives, vendor development programme and other R&D (research and development) initiatives.

To dissuade imports further, all imported items will need to be tested in Indian laboratories for adhering to Indian standards and also to check the presence of malware that becomes critical for sensitive sectors such as power.

Also, in respect of equipment required to be imported, the import of such equipment from prior reference countries would be done only after obtaining prior approval of the government.

These initiatives were announced by Power and Renewable Energy Minister RK Singh during his video conference with developers of generation and transmission projects in the power and renewable energy sector.

The Union Minister further informed the meeting about the ministry’s proposal to impose Basic Custom Duty (BCD) beginning August, 2020 on solar modules, solar cells and solar inverters. He said that a clear trajectory of BCD would be declared so that there is no uncertainty about the government policy.

Further, the approved list of models and manufacturers in respect of Renewable Energy will be made effective from October 1, 2020, as declared earlier.

This will ensure that all solar power projects which are bid out as per the standard bidding guidelines will be required to procure solar cells and solar modules and other equipment from the manufacturers figuring in the approved list, the minister added.

Interestingly, Chinese imports play a major role in India's solar power industry and sector players have off late raised concerns over the immediate halt in imports from the country as India still does not have the required infrastructure to produce the imported products.

Singh also said that financing from Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) will be structured in such a manner that lower rates of interest will be charged on the developers using domestically manufactured equipment..