New Delhi : IFCCI Energy Roundtable With Secretary, MNRE

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Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Energy & Utilities Committee) organized the Roundtable Meeting with Shri Anand Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, on 4th September 2019 at the Taj Palace, New Delhi. The objective of the Meeting was to discuss policies and regulations in the renewable energy sector.

Mr. Sylvain Martino, Chairman, IFCCI Energy Committee welcomed Shri Anand Kumar and the members of the Committee. He apprised the Secretary about IFCCI and its various forms of engagements by way of seminars and interactive sessions focused on knowledge sharing, best practices as well as issues and concerns of the Industry.

France being a major player in India’s energy sector, Shri Anand Kumar enlightened the participants on the diverse opportunities for French Companies in this sector. He emphasized on manufacturing solar cells and solar modules in India rather than importing to India and also mentioned that the Government of India is addressing issues related to PPAs by making amendments, giving relief from termination and by introducing the system of LC. He also asked the companies to appeal in the court for pending dues. He apprised the companies on the two Ultra Mega Solar Parks being set up in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.

Over 20+ major French Energy companies such as A Raymond Fasteners, Citelum India, Eden Re, EDF India Liaison Office, ENGIE (EDF SUEZ ENERGY), Essilor Manufacturing India Pvt Ltd, JLTM Energy India Pvt Ltd, Mailhem Ikos, Schneider Electric India, Suninfra Energies Pvt Ltd. and Vikram Solar participated in the meeting.

Member companies highlighted several issues pertaining to the sector such as delay in state approvals, restrictions on holding agricultural land by foreign companies and applying for conversion, delays in issuance of approvals by electricity utilities, penalty by CTU for delay in LTA operationalization, appraisal of waste to energy projects, amongst many others. He urged French companies to write to him on the specific issues faced by them.

Shri Anand Kumar also suggested IFCCI to be a part of the Monitoring Committee of the Ministry to engage in regular interactions pertaining to the sector.

The Session was moderated by Mr. Neeraj Menon, Trilegal. Trilegal had prepared a Recommendation Document on issues and challenges faced by the member companies in this area, for discussion with the Secretary, MNRE.

Mr. Patrick Pillon, Deputy to the Head of Regional Economic Services & Regional Financial Counsellor – Economic and Financial Division graced the occasion and shared his thoughts on the subject. He was accompanied by Mr. Thomas Salez, Economic Counsellor – Energy and Industry Division from the Embassy of France. Mr. Manu Bishnoi, Vice Chairman, IFCCI Energy Committee and Ms. Prajya Sharma from Invest India also attended the meeting. Ms Payal S Kanwar, Director General, IFCCI delivered the Vote of Thanks.