Power Plant News

Power Plant

Gujarat’s New Renewable Energy Policy Targets 150 GW by 2035

ByArticle Source LogoMercom India12-27-20257 min
Mercom India
Power Plant

The

has notified the Integrated Renewable Energy Policy, 2025, marking a significant step toward consolidating the state’s renewable energy ambitions under a single, unified framework.

The policy is designed to support large-scale deployment of renewable power, energy storage, and emerging clean technologies, while strengthening Gujarat’s position as a national and global hub for clean energy development.

The policy will be in force until December 31, 2030.

Renewable energy projects commissioned during the operative period will be eligible for incentives and benefits for 25 years from the date of commissioning, or for the projects’ useful life.

The policy

the Gujarat Renewable Energy Policy, 2023. Projects already under implementation under the 2023 policy may continue within the timelines specified in their existing approvals or within six months from the notification, after which the new framework will govern them.

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam has been designated as the implementing and monitoring agency for the policy, while Gujarat Energy Development Agency will act as the state nodal agency responsible for project registration, certification, and coordination with regulators.

A single-window clearance mechanism is proposed to improve ease of doing business, supported by provisions for periodic review, dispute resolution, and the issuance of clarifications or amendments by the state government as required.

The policy sets out ambitious capacity and decarbonization targets that align with national climate commitments.

Gujarat aims to achieve more than 150 GW of installed renewable energy capacity by 2035 and scale this to 300 GW by 2047.

The state also aims to meet over 50% of its total energy consumption from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.

In addition to capacity growth, the policy focuses on reducing Gujarat’s carbon intensity by more than 45% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.

The policy adopts a technology-neutral approach and applies to renewable energy projects with or without energy storage. It allows individuals, companies, cooperatives, associations, and special purpose vehicles to develop projects for captive consumption, third-party sale, sale to distribution companies, or under the renewable energy certificate mechanism, without any capacity restrictions linked to a consumer’s sanctioned load.

The policy covers a wide range of renewable energy technologies, including solar and wind projects, wind–solar hybrid installations, battery energy storage systems, and pumped hydro storage projects.

Emerging sources such as tidal and wave-based ocean energy and geothermal energy are also included.

The policy further covers rooftop solar, floating and canal-based solar, agriphotovoltaics, distributed solar projects for agricultural feeders, rooftop wind systems, and off-grid renewable energy projects.

Renewable energy projects linked to green hydrogen and green ammonia production are recognised. However, green hydrogen production units and pumped storage hydro projects will be governed under separate policies to be notified by the state government.

The policy expands beyond conventional ground-mounted and rooftop installations. It introduces group net metering and virtual net metering, subject to regulatory approval, to enable participation by apartment complexes, housing societies, and consumers with limited rooftop space.

The policy also promotes distributed solar projects for the solarisation of agricultural feeders under the PM-KUSUM, with distribution companies responsible for network strengthening and substation upgrades.

Wind energy projects may be set up within or outside designated wind parks on government or private land. The policy promotes wind resource assessment through met masts and automatic weather stations. It provides for the extension of wheeling agreements for wind projects beyond their initial tenure, subject to regulatory approval, through the project’s 25-year life.

The policy provides detailed classification for wind–solar hybrid projects, including type-A projects involving the hybridization of existing or under-construction wind or solar assets, and type-B projects covering new hybrid installations. Hybrid projects may be developed with or without battery energy storage systems, subject to grid feasibility and regulatory approvals.

The policy specifies technical norms for AC integration, metering architecture using ABT-compliant meters, energy apportionment between wind and solar components, and limits on total power injection based on sanctioned transmission capacity. Rooftop wind–solar hybrid projects are also recognised, with separate implementation guidelines to be issued.

Battery energy storage systems have been identified as a cornerstone of Gujarat’s renewable energy strategy. The policy allows both co-located and standalone BESS projects, enabling their deployment alongside renewable generation and within the grid as independent assets.

BESS projects will be governed under energy storage obligation regulations issued by the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission, with the state retaining the ability to mandate higher procurement levels where required for grid stability.

The policy enables BESS participation in ancillary services and emerging capacity markets, with charging energy sourced through mutually agreed arrangements.

The policy promotes the development of renewable energy parks with a minimum capacity of 50 MW to optimize land and transmission infrastructure, covering solar, wind, and hybrid projects. Gujarat Power Corporation or other designated agencies may act as park developers.

It also introduces a comprehensive framework for the repowering and life extension of ageing wind projects, encouraging the replacement of old turbines with higher-capacity machines. Incentives include relaxed micro-siting norms, transmission charge waivers during repowering, and priority grid connectivity, subject to feasibility.

Power procurement under the policy may take place through competitive bidding in line with central government guidelines or through pre-fixed tariffs for smaller solar and wind projects based on rolling averages of discovered tariffs. Distribution companies are permitted, but not obligated, to procure additional power resulting from repowering or hybridisation of existing projects.

Energy banking, scheduling, forecasting, and deviation settlement will continue to be governed by existing state and central regulatory frameworks. Energy settlement for banking consumers will be conducted on a billing-cycle basis, while non-banking and renewable energy certificate projects will follow 15-minute time-block-based settlement.

The policy exempts residential solar consumers from banking charges. It clarifies that unutilised energy at the end of the settlement period will be treated as inadvertent flow, except where otherwise specified by regulation.

Recognising the importance of evacuation infrastructure, the policy emphasises grid connectivity and planning. It sets out timelines for the development of transmission and distribution infrastructure, bank guarantee requirements, penalties for delays, and the mandatory installation of smart meters, remote terminal units, and ABT-compliant metering systems.

The policy also supports the development of dedicated green energy corridors and highlights the Akshay Urja Setu Portal as a single-window platform for connectivity and approvals.

The policy notes that there is currently no electricity duty on the consumption of renewable energy in Gujarat. It also clarifies the treatment of carbon credits, stating that renewable energy projects will be eligible for carbon credits, with benefit-sharing governed by tariff orders or power purchase agreements. For rooftop projects implemented under government schemes, carbon credit benefits must be passed on to distribution companies.

To address non-tariff barriers, the policy provides facilitative measures related to land and water availability. Renewable energy projects may be allotted land on a priority basis in Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation estates, subject to availability and feasibility. In contrast, government waste land may be allocated at concessional rates for projects supplying power to state distribution companies.

The policy mandates fair land acquisition practices and supports water sourcing solutions, including desalination infrastructure for energy-intensive applications.

Renewable energy equipment manufacturing, including components for energy storage and advanced technologies, is treated as an eligible industrial activity under state industrial policies. The policy promotes low-carbon manufacturing, green logistics, the use of recycled materials, and circular economy principles, including the recycling and responsible disposal of solar and wind waste.

In line with the rapidly evolving clean energy landscape, the policy actively encourages the adoption of advanced technologies. This includes support for high-efficiency solar modules, artificial intelligence-enabled smart grids, wind technology prototypes, and pilot projects in ocean and geothermal energy, as well as public–private partnerships for research and development and startup-led demonstration projects.

The renewable energy transition is expected to generate significant employment opportunities across Gujarat. The policy estimates creating around 100,000 green jobs by 2030 across manufacturing, installation, operations, maintenance, recycling, and allied services.

Skill development initiatives will be undertaken in coordination with the Gujarat Skill Development Mission and industry partners, with a focus on certified training programmes, apprenticeship-based learning, renewable energy skilling hubs near major project zones, and greater participation by women, local youth, and rural communities.

Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time

to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.

Recent Comments
0

Related News

Donjon Marine clinches US$215M US Navy support contractPower Plant

Donjon Marine clinches US$215M US Navy support contract

Offshore Wind Journal (Riviera)Offshore Wind Journal (Riviera)Jul 16, 20262 min
Principle Power Awarded O&M Contract For Ocean Winds’ Efgl Wind ProjectPower Plant

Principle Power Awarded O&M Contract For Ocean Winds’ Efgl Wind Project

Energy GlobalEnergy GlobalJul 16, 20263 min
Rajasthan Signs Clean Energy Framework With International Solar AlliancePower Plant

Rajasthan Signs Clean Energy Framework With International Solar Alliance

PowerlinePowerlineJul 15, 20261 min
Pne Group Wins Tender In France For The Oinville-Saint-Liphard Wind FarmPower Plant

Pne Group Wins Tender In France For The Oinville-Saint-Liphard Wind Farm

Energy GlobalEnergy GlobalJul 15, 20262 min
Avantus And Clean Power Alliance Sign Ppa To Deliver Clean Energy To CaliforniaPower Plant

Avantus And Clean Power Alliance Sign Ppa To Deliver Clean Energy To California

Energy GlobalEnergy GlobalJul 15, 20262 min
Vestas Acquires 272 MW St Patricks Plains Wind Farm as Australian Buyers Prioritise Construction-Ready ProjectsPower Plant

Vestas Acquires 272 MW St Patricks Plains Wind Farm as Australian Buyers Prioritise Construction-Ready Projects

EnerdaticsEnerdaticsJul 15, 20264 min
Nadara’s €430 Million Wind Bid Signals Rising Demand for Merchant-Exposed Spanish AssetsPower Plant

Nadara’s €430 Million Wind Bid Signals Rising Demand for Merchant-Exposed Spanish Assets

EnerdaticsEnerdaticsJul 15, 20265 min
Van Oord And Sumitomo Sign Hvdc Subsea Framework Agreement With Ssen TransmissionPower Plant

Van Oord And Sumitomo Sign Hvdc Subsea Framework Agreement With Ssen Transmission

WindfairWindfairJul 14, 20262 min
Turkish group Ciner brings VLAC investment above US$1Bn with three more vesselsPower Plant

Turkish group Ciner brings VLAC investment above US$1Bn with three more vessels

Offshore Wind Journal (Riviera)Offshore Wind Journal (Riviera)Jul 14, 20262 min
A new deal on balcony solar just dropped in the USPower Plant

A new deal on balcony solar just dropped in the US

Canary MediaCanary MediaJul 14, 20267 min
Wfw Advises Elawan On €760 Million Spanish Renewable Energy Portfolio RefinancingPower Plant

Wfw Advises Elawan On €760 Million Spanish Renewable Energy Portfolio Refinancing

Energy GlobalEnergy GlobalJul 14, 20263 min
Giga Storage Secures Financing For 2,800 Mwh Belgian BessPower Plant

Giga Storage Secures Financing For 2,800 Mwh Belgian Bess

Renewable WatchRenewable WatchJul 14, 20261 min
New Partnership Explores Future Collaboration In Geothermal EnergyPower Plant

New Partnership Explores Future Collaboration In Geothermal Energy

Energy GlobalEnergy GlobalJul 14, 20262 min
Nlc, Juniper, Powerica, Cu-Built Win Guvnl’S 250 Mw Wind Power AuctionPower Plant

Nlc, Juniper, Powerica, Cu-Built Win Guvnl’S 250 Mw Wind Power Auction

Energetica IndiaEnergetica IndiaJul 14, 20262 min
Powerchina-Built Solar-Storage Project Launches In EcuadorPower Plant

Powerchina-Built Solar-Storage Project Launches In Ecuador

Power ChinaPower ChinaJul 14, 20261 min
Jsw Energy Arm Bags Rs 4.4 Billion Bess Order From Bondada EngineeringPower Plant

Jsw Energy Arm Bags Rs 4.4 Billion Bess Order From Bondada Engineering

Renewable WatchRenewable WatchJul 14, 20261 min
Flower Acquires 112 MW German BESS Portfolio as Buyers Prioritize Grid-Ready StoragePower Plant

Flower Acquires 112 MW German BESS Portfolio as Buyers Prioritize Grid-Ready Storage

EnerdaticsEnerdaticsJul 13, 20265 min
Survey contract awarded for UK’s first carbon storage projectPower Plant

Survey contract awarded for UK’s first carbon storage project

Offshore Wind Journal (Riviera)Offshore Wind Journal (Riviera)Jul 11, 20264 min
Nlc India And Nalco Sign Jv Agreement For 1,080 Mw Captive Thermal Power Project At AngulPower Plant

Nlc India And Nalco Sign Jv Agreement For 1,080 Mw Captive Thermal Power Project At Angul

PowerlinePowerlineJul 11, 20261 min
Approval Of Uk’S Second-Largest Solar Farm ‘A Step Towards Cheaper Power’ Says Solar Energy UkPower Plant

Approval Of Uk’S Second-Largest Solar Farm ‘A Step Towards Cheaper Power’ Says Solar Energy Uk

Renewable Energy MagazineRenewable Energy MagazineJul 11, 20262 min