New Guidelines from Home Ministry: No Renewable Energy Projects Near Borders

New Regulations on Renewable Energy Projects

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced new guidelines that prohibit the establishment of solar, wind, and hybrid renewable energy projects within a 1 km radius of the Line of Control, Line of Actual Control, and International Border.

These regulations, issued by the Internal Security division of the ministry, also restrict the hiring of engineers, staff, and labor from neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China, without prior approval from the central government.

Designated sensitive areas include regions within 50 km of the LoC, LAC, or International Border, with a specific focus on the 20 km zone where a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Defence is mandatory.

Any projects needing to reapply under these new guidelines will be subject to the same restrictions.

All renewable energy initiatives within 50 km must obtain security clearance from the MHA, with the 1 km zone being strictly off-limits for any project activities.

Security assessments for projects located between 1 km and 50 km, as well as for NOC applications in the 1 km to 20 km range, will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by both the MHA and the Ministry of Defence.

The guidelines also stipulate that land cannot be transferred to foreign entities without the central government's consent, including security clearance from the MHA.

This decision comes in response to a rising number of applications for renewable energy projects in border regions, which could pose national security risks.

The MHA had previously issued an office memorandum on June 5 regarding this matter and has now formalized these guidelines.

The ministry emphasized that these transparent guidelines for renewable energy projects in border areas were developed with national security in mind while also considering the ease of doing business through consultations with stakeholders.

Projects that have already received security clearance from the MHA before these guidelines were issued will not need to reapply.

Similarly, those who have obtained an NOC from the Ministry of Defence will also be exempt from reapplying.

Applications for all such projects must be submitted to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, which will then forward the proposal, along with the state government's initial approval for land allotment, to the MHA for security clearance and to the Ministry of Defence for an NOC.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will ensure that land allocation is managed so that construction does not extend excessively parallel to the international border.

Projects must implement comprehensive security measures, including anti-drone systems, operated by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) or state police, with costs borne by the project proponent.

If foreign investment is involved, a separate application must be submitted to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Foreign Direct Investment Policy of India.

Final decisions on projects will only be communicated to the proponent after obtaining security clearance from the MHA and an NOC from the Ministry of Defence.

Each project must have a dedicated police post to monitor construction activities, and the entry of foreign nationals into these areas will be closely monitored.

Staff involved in project implementation must adhere to directives from local police and the Border Security Force stationed at the international border.

The ministry also stated that employees must be pre-verified before entering the project site and must comply with instructions from local authorities.

When executing the proposed plans, roads should be adequately wide to accommodate Border Security Forces in case of emergencies.

No facilities that could attract large crowds, such as accommodations or cafeterias, will be allowed within this area; accommodations must be located at least 5 km from the border, while cafeterias should be situated within the plant premises.

The guidelines also set height restrictions for civil infrastructure in sensitive areas: 3 meters for zones within 1 to 8 km, 5 meters for 8 to 20 km, and 15 meters for areas from 20 to 50 km.