Amendment to Procedure for inclusion-updating Wind Turbine Model in the Approved list of Models and Manufacturers of Wind Turbine – EQ
Summary:
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**1. Subject & Purpose**
– **Objective:** To amend the procedure for inclusion/updating of Wind Turbine Models in the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) for Wind Turbines.
– **Reference:** Amendment to the original OM dated 31.07.2025.
– **Effective Date of this Amendment:** 16th February 2026.
– **Key Driver:** To provide additional compliance time for **Special Bearings** (Main Bearings, Yaw Bearings, and Pitch Bearings) due to prevailing **supply chain constraints**.
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**2. Background Context (Original OM dated 31.07.2025)**
– The original OM mandated compliance with para 4(h) of the ALMM procedure, which likely required domestically sourced or certified special bearings for wind turbine models.
– The 16.02.2026 amendment introduces **relaxations and extended timelines** for compliance, recognizing supply chain challenges.
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**3. Key Amendments & Revised Deadlines**
| **Category** | **Original Clause (31.07.2025)** | **Amended Clause (16.02.2026)** | **Business Impact** |
|—|—|—|—|
| **Already Bided Projects** (Bids closed before 31.07.2025) | Compliance required within 3 years of OM issuance (i.e., by 31.07.2028) | **Main Bearings exempted** for projects bided before 31.07.2027. Compliance mandated only after review post-2 years. | Developers with legacy projects get breathing room; no immediate need to source compliant main bearings. |
| **Projects to be Bided Before 31.07.2027** | Not explicitly covered | **Main Bearings exempted** for projects bided up to 31.07.2027. Compliance to be reviewed after 2 years. | Future bids (up to July 2027) can proceed without main bearing compliance, ensuring project pipeline continuity. |
| **Captive/Open Access/C&I/Third-Party Projects** (To be commissioned within 18 months of 31.07.2025, i.e., by 31.01.2027) | Full compliance required | **Yaw & Pitch Bearings:** Exempted up to **31.01.2028** (1-year extension).<br>**Main Bearings:** Exempted up to **31.01.2029** (2-year extension). | Commercial and industrial projects get extended timelines, reducing immediate procurement pressure. |
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**4. Detailed Breakdown of Relaxations**
**A. For Already Bided Projects (Bids closed before 31.07.2025)**
– **Condition:** Project must be commissioned within 3 years of 31.07.2025 (i.e., by 31.07.2028).
– **Main Bearings:** Exempted from compliance under para 4(h) for all projects bided **before 31.07.2027**.
– **Future Mandate:** Compliance will be reviewed after 2 years (post-July 2027) based on supply chain scenario.
**B. For Projects Bided Before 31.07.2027**
– **Main Bearings:** Exempted for projects where bids are closed **on or before 31.07.2027**.
– **Review Mechanism:** Mandate to be re-evaluated after 2 years.
**C. For Captive/Open Access/C&I/Third-Party Projects**
– **Eligibility:** Projects to be commissioned within 18 months from 31.07.2025 (i.e., by **31.01.2027**).
– **Yaw & Pitch Bearings:** Exemption extended to **31.01.2028**.
– **Main Bearings:** Exemption extended to **31.01.2029**.
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**5. Strategic Business Insights**
– **Supply Chain Realities:** The amendment acknowledges persistent global supply chain constraints for specialized wind turbine bearings, particularly main bearings, which are critical components.
– **Project Viability Protection:** By exempting projects bided before 31.07.2027 from main bearing compliance, MNRE ensures that the **project pipeline remains unaffected** while domestic manufacturing capacity scales up.
– **Segmented Approach:** Different timelines for different project categories (already bided, future bids, C&I) reflect a **nuanced understanding of market segments** and their respective lead times.
– **C&I Sector Boost:** The extended exemptions for Captive/Open Access/C&I projects (up to 2029 for main bearings) provide **greater flexibility** to commercial and industrial off-takers, who often have tighter project timelines.
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