Centre for Economic Policy Research, CEPR along with Swadeshi Jagran Manch, SJM conducted Stakeholder’s meeting on “Solar Energy & India: Boon or Bane” on November 17th, 2018 at The Claridges, New Delhi.
This was a closed door meeting which focused on the challenges faced by the solar Industry in India. Largely, with an agenda to find solution to make country’s solar segment stringer and bigger. For the meeting, target was on developing the country’s manufacturing base, more robust business models for operators, equitable space for the EPC players. India recently imposed safeguard duties on the import of the panels, but the manufacturers are complaining them not enough and the operators claim that this is increasing the capital expenditure.
This stakeholder consultation assisted in developing understanding the recent developments globally, in the financial markets and technological space as well. Solutions were provided for the logical questions; does India require changing the policy trajectory to achieve 100 GW solar capacities, does India require a better protection mechanism to help manufacturing, does India require a better mechanism to make cheaper capital available for the solar projects (manufacturing as well as execution). What will be the best choice for our country? Do we need to change our mind-set to get there? What more is required?
Our lists of invitees included best of the minds in the solar, power and infrastructure finance sector. The platform was created as an exchange of ideas and suggestions which can prove vital in resolving several of the issues. At the end various suggestions were given by the participants, includes senior leadership of RSS, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, and National BJP along with the professionals from the sector, academicians, ex-bureaucrats & industry leaders.