MNRE to Review Solar Project Delays Amid Tightening ALMM Deadlines

MNRE to Review Solar Project Delays Amid Tightening ALMM Deadlines

April 9, 2026

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is taking a hard look at the construction timelines of major solar projects across the country. As the re-implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) takes full effect, the government is initiating a high-level review to identify and address delays that could hamper India’s 2030 renewable energy targets. This move is seen as a “pre-emptive strike” to ensure that the transition toward mandatory use of domestic solar modules doesn’t lead to a bottleneck in project commissioning.

The review is particularly significant because it addresses the tension between two national priorities: rapid solar deployment and the growth of domestic manufacturing. By enforcing the ALMM, the government aims to reduce dependence on imported modules; however, developers have expressed concerns over domestic supply capacity and price parity. The MNRE’s intervention aims to distinguish between “genuine” delays—such as land acquisition hurdles or transmission connectivity issues—and “strategic” delays caused by developers waiting for global module prices to drop further.

For the industry, this review signals a tightening of the leash. Projects that have been granted extensions in the past will now face stricter scrutiny, and the results of this assessment could dictate the government’s stance on further deadline relaxations. As India pushes for nearly 50 GW of new capacity annually, the MNRE is making it clear that the “grace periods” of the pandemic era are over. Developers must now align their procurement strategies with the domestic ALMM framework or risk facing penalties for non-compliance with commissioning schedules.