The Government of Assam has notified the Assam Solar Power Promotion Policy 2025, setting an ambitious target of developing a minimum of 3,500 MW of solar capacity by 2030. The comprehensive policy, effective immediately and valid until March 31, 2030, aims to position Assam as a regional energy hub while reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
The policy covers all grid-connected ground-mounted and floating solar power plants, rooftop solar installations, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across the state. The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) has been designated as the nodal agency for implementation.
Beyond the 3,500 MW capacity target, the policy seeks to ensure reliable, affordable, and clean energy supply while attracting both private and public sector investment. The state government has committed to holding up to 27 per cent equity in any project through mutual agreements, demonstrating its active participation in the solar energy transition.
Project allocation will follow three primary methods: Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding Process (TBCB) for market-driven selection, nomination-based allotment to central and state public sector undertakings, and first-come-first-serve basis allocation for private developers.
The policy provides clear guidelines for land allocation, with government land, APDCL land, fallow land, tea estate land, and water bodies available for solar projects. For tea garden land specifically, solar projects cannot exceed five per cent of total landholding, in accordance with the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holding Act, 1956.
Developers must begin construction within one year of project allotment and achieve financial closure within six months. Failure to meet these timelines will result in cancellation and forfeiture of bank guarantees, which range from Rs 50 lakh for projects under 5 MW to Rs 5 crore for projects above 50 MW.
The policy offers substantial financial incentives to promote solar adoption. For captive and open access consumers utilising solar projects commissioned within Assam, the state may waive:
· Transmission charges by up to 25 per cent for five years
· Distribution charges by up to 25 per cent for five years
· Electricity duty by up to 75 per cent for five years, and
· Cross-subsidy surcharges by up to 50 per cent for five years.
Industrial incentives may include benefits under the Assam Industrial and Investment Policy, subject to finance department approval. The state has committed to single-window clearance with state-level approvals within 60 days and will support central-level clearance facilitation.
Recognising the agricultural nature of much of Assam’s land, the policy specifically promotes agri-voltaic systems. Solar panels can be installed in ‘stilt fashion’, with adequate spacing to ensure farming activities continue uninterrupted. Individual farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, panchayats, farmer producer organisations, and water user associations are eligible to establish these dual-purpose installations.
For rooftop solar systems, the policy establishes different metering mechanisms based on capacity. Net metering applies to residential consumers up to 10 kW, while net billing covers all categories above 10 kW. Residential consumers up to 10 kW are eligible for peer-to-peer energy trading, creating opportunities for decentralized energy markets.
Individual rooftop systems can range from 1 kWp to 1,000 kWp, with special provisions for tea, coffee, and rubber category consumers allowing up to 1,000 kW at the AC side.
A Project Monitoring Committee chaired by the chief secretary will oversee implementation, while a project management unit under APDCL will provide technical support. The state has committed to conducting policy reviews after two years and promises time-bound incentive disbursement within 90 days of commercial operation.
Commenting on the policy’s transformative vision, Bhaskarjyoti Das, deputy manager (NRE), APDCL, said: “The policy lays out a bold and transformative vision for clean energy in the state. With an ambitious target of 3500 MW of solar capacity by 2030, the policy prioritises sustainability, attracts strategic investment, and fosters innovation. It positions Assam to emerge not just as a regional leader but as a national hub for solar energy, accelerating the state’s transition to a low-carbon future.”