Renewbale Energy Generation Unit - EOU / SEZ

[Ramakrishna Malapaka]

As we all know, the current trend is ...transition to new technologies in power sector for achieving net zero position. One amongst them is making Green molecules such as Hydrogen / ammonia / etc., Making of green molecules is nothing but using of Renewable Energy as a source and produce said items. And this sector has been given much importance and promotional support with many incentive proposals.

At the same time setting up of RE unit (such as Wind / Solar / etc.,) in DTA and supply power to Green Molecules manufacturing unit would be a very expensive proposition in terms of levy of very high rates of Indirect taxes i.e., Customs & GST on the capital goods required for the same and duties paid cannot be setoff as no output GST on supply of Electricity.

Therefore is it possible for one to setup RE units in EOU/SEZ with duty exemptions and undertake to supply RE power to such Green molecules manufacturing units in EOU/SEZ, since there seems to be no restrictions imposed in Chapter 6 of FTP or SEZ Policy, for setting up of a stand alone (non-captive) RE unit as an EOU / SEZ, by undertaking to export offshore or to SEZ or from an EOU to SEZ/EOU/STP,etc and meets positive NFE.

For information, currently, some of thermal power generation units already setup in SEZ with duty exemption benefits and supplying to Offshore and also to other SEZs.

AI Summary

Special economic zone power exemption: standalone renewable generators eligible for fiscal benefits when dedicated to exports and meeting NFE.
SEZ guidelines permit power plants in the processing area, including standalone renewable generation units, to receive fiscal exemptions when established on an exclusive export basis and meeting positive NFE requirements; captive consumption in the processing area is covered, but supply to the domestic tariff area is constrained. EOUs lack similar explicit clarifications, so duty exemption applicability for standalone RE units in EOU structures remains uncertain and requires confirmation from the Development Commissioner.