Govt Issues Revised Guidelines for Waste-to-Energy Projects to Boost Efficiency and CFA Disbursal –

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has issued revised guidelines for the Waste-to-Energy projects to enhance performance monitoring and speedier Central Financial Assistance (CFA) disbursal. Under the new framework, the Ministry has simplified several processes, such as cutting down on paperwork and easing approval requirements. Flexible provisions have been introduced in the Scheme for release of CFA based on plant performance. Previously, companies had to wait until the entire Waste-to-Energy project attains 80% generation to receive support. However, under the new guidelines, those provisions have been relaxed and the Financial Assistance will be now released in two stages. 50% of the total CFA will be released after obtaining the Consent to Operate certificate from State Pollution Control Board, while the remaining amount would be released after achieving the 80% of the rated capacity or the maximum CFA eligible capacity, whichever is lesser. The move will enable the industry, especially MSMEs to enhance their production of Compressed Bio Gas, Biogas and Power. It added that these revisions aim to foster a more efficient, transparent, and performance-oriented ecosystem for Bio Waste to Energy deployment in India.