Government Mandates Use of Key Wind Turbine Components from RLMM

Key Takeaways

The Indian government has mandated the use of wind turbine components from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) to enhance quality and reliability.
New wind turbine manufacturers will be exempt from using ALMM components for 800 MW capacity over the next two years to encourage innovation.
The amendment also requires the establishment of Wind Turbine R&D and Data Centers in India to improve cybersecurity in the sector.

Government Mandates Wind Turbine Component Standards

The Indian government has instituted new regulations requiring the use of wind turbine components from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). This decision, announced by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), aims to enhance the quality and reliability of wind turbines deployed across the country.

The ALMM will replace the previously utilized Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM), which served to protect consumer interests while bolstering energy security. The ministry emphasized that compliance with the ALMM is crucial for major components—including blades, towers, gearboxes, generators, and various special bearings—in the manufacturing of listed wind turbines.

To support this initiative, the MNRE will issue a separate list detailing the ALMM components. The government has also mandated that Wind Turbine Research and Development (R&D) Centers and Data Centers be established within India, in a move that is expected to strengthen the cybersecurity framework for wind energy projects.

Notably, these amendments do not affect wind projects that have already been bid or those that are commissioned under captive, open access, commercial and industrial, or third-party sales within 18 months of the amendment’s issuance. This exemption aims to cushion existing projects from the transition.

Additionally, new manufacturers and models will be allowed to forgo the use of ALMM components for up to 800 MW of total capacity during the next two years. This provision is intended to promote the adoption of innovative technologies that may not yet be available within India, effectively supporting advancements in performance efficiency.

These changes represent a significant step toward reinforcing quality control and enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities in the wind energy sector. The new policies illustrate the government’s commitment to fostering a robust and reliable wind energy infrastructure while ensuring that consumer interests are prioritized.

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