MNRE Streamlines Application Process for Waste to Energy Projects

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has eased documentation and procedural requirements under its Waste to Energy Programme, aiming to accelerate project development and simplify the approval process for developers.

The new framework, issued by the Waste to Energy Division, seeks to make applications more transparent and efficient while ensuring timely processing of claims. The decision has been approved by the Minister for New and Renewable Energy.

The changes are part of the ministry’s efforts to promote the generation of biogas, bio-CNG, power, and syngas from urban, industrial, and agricultural wastes and residues.

Under the revised guidelines, documentation has been significantly reduced across all three project stages, application, initial 50 percent claim, and final claim. At the application stage, developers will now need to submit only the Detailed Project Report (DPR), loan sanction letter (if applicable), and an undertaking on a INR 500 non-judicial stamp paper. Earlier requirements such as forwarding letters and techno-economic feasibility reports have been dropped.

For the initial 50 percent claim, the ministry has removed the need for a joint inspection, noting that the claim is secured through an equivalent bank guarantee. The updated list now includes only the Consent to Operate (CTO), bank guarantee, and bank mandate form.

Before final disbursement, a combined plant inspection report will replace multiple separate documents. This report will include the commissioning certificate, performance data for 24 hours and three months, the CTO from the State Pollution Control Board, PESO approval for Bio-CNG plants, and EIA clearance for projects above 15 MW. High-resolution photographs of the plant, SCADA access details, and loan-related certificates will also be required.

MNRE has clarified that the date of commissioning for Waste to Energy projects will be considered as the date when the first unit of biogas, bio-CNG, or power is produced. For biogas plants, a self-declaration by the project developer may be accepted. The ministry has also standardised the Mandate Form and DPR format to ensure uniformity across projects. The updated mandate form now requires certified bank details, confirmation of non-NPA status, and loan disbursement data for projects financed by banks or financial institutions.