The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released draft guidelines for selection of project developers for the 3,000 megawatt (MW) grid-connected solar PV power projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Public and interested parties can send their comments and suggestions on the guidelines. The projects are to be allocated under batch II, tranche I of State Specific Bundling Scheme, under which the more expensive solar power would be bundled with less expensive thermal power from coal power plants chosen by states.
This is the first official document that mentions that government of India is planning to enhance the target for solar power apart from announcements from energy minister Piyush Goyal. In November 2014, Goyal had announced that JNNSM’s 20 gigawatt (GW) target by 2022 was being reset to 100 GW. The scheme document, however, does not give a specific number for the new target in spite of Goyal’s announcement.
The ministry plans to implement solar PV capacity of 3,000 MW through NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN). In the draft released in October 2014, 15,000 MW were divided into three tranches (see table).
Break-up of 15,000 MW of Phase II, Batch II of JNNSM
| Tranches | Capacity | Years | Scheme |
| Tranche-I | 3,000 MW | 2014-15 to 2016-17 | Bundling with 1,500 MW unallocated NTPC Power from Coal Station allocated by MoP |
| Tranche-II | 5,000 MW | 2015-16 to 2017-18 | Selection mechanism to be decided later |
| Tranche-III | 7,000 MW | 2016-17 to 2018-19 | Selection mechanism to be decided later |