Caught In Tangle, Gujarat's Solar Stakeholders Blame Outdated Siting Criteria

However, there have been no updates in the criteria, particularly in the boiler category, due to which new solar power factories are struggling to obtain their NOCs. As industries begin expanding their use of renewable energy, Gujarat's solar producers are becoming increasingly vocal about their absence in the committees that decide the siting criteria.

In 2006, the GPCB implemented a policy for granting NOCs to new industries, which included among others, a set of siting criteria. Over time, amendments have been made to this policy with a recent one too to adapt to changing circumstances, but there hasn't been a substantial upgrade.

Existing CPCB provisions

According to the GPCB’s existing criteria, industrial units must maintain specified distances from residential areas, schools, rivers, ponds, natural drains and monuments. For industrial units in the CPCB's 'red category', this distance is 500 m. For the 'orange category' it is 250 m, and for 'green category' units, it is 200-150 m.

Similarly, the distance from roads, railways, canals and historical structures must adhere to the control lines determined by relevant government departments, such as roads and buildings, panchayats, National Highway Authority roads, and structures administered by the archaeological department.

Regarding distances from forest areas or coastlines, specific minimum distances are prescribed, based on the category of the area, such as sanctuaries, national parks, reserved forests, eco-sensitive zones and CRZ zones, the siting criteria follows those announced by the government from time to time.

Since 2006, there have been significant technological advancements in industries, especially with the emergence of solar energy taking place of coal or oil fired boiler-based power units, which cause significant pollution, and newly-established industries leaning more towards solar suppliers. Therefore, it is only natural that the siting criteria applicable to boiler-based units should not apply to these new-age power suppliers.

Yet, while granting NOCs, the GPCB continues to apply the siting criteria for boiler-based units, denying NOC if the specified distances from these units are not met, even though the reason for imposing the distance criteria — pollution — is not applicable to solar plants.

The primary intention behind maintaining specific distances from residential areas, schools, rivers, ponds, natural drains and monuments is to prevent harm to human life due to industrial activities. The smoke emitted from boilers was a concern for human health. While the objective is commendable, if solar energy replaces boilers, the potential for smoke or other forms of pollution is significantly reduced. Yet, neither GPCB nor CPCB has taken steps to amend these regulations. If the siting criteria are revised promptly to accommodate solar-based industries, hundreds of units could benefit.

Need For Revision In Regulations

Despite repeated representations from industrialists to the GPCB, no satisfactory resolution has been reached. And the state board is not alone. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has taken no steps to amend these regulations to encourage low or non-polluting industries in the state.

Commenting on the impasse, environmental consultant Tushar Patel said Gujarat has always been at the forefront of industrial development, alongside its commitment to environmental conservation. He urged the GPCB to consider making allowances for solar power producers in the siting criteria.

"While there should be no leniency for units that could cause pollution, the government should either upgrade the rules or allow waivers for units that do not pose any environmental risk. Although minor updates have been made to the siting criteria, the key issue remains the lack of inclusion of solar energy, which the GPCB seems to have overlooked. The future belongs to solar energy. The sooner it is incorporated, the better for those looking to establish industries in Gujarat," he said.

D M Thakar, Member Secretary, GPCB, was unavailable for comment.

Case Study: Goodluck Industries, Vapi

Goodluck Industries, a new firm seeking to establish a solar power unit in Gujarat's Vapi, had applied for Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consolidated Consent and Authorisation (CCA) from the GPCB. Upon checking the siting criteria, it was found that a primary school was located 400 m from the unit. As a result, the CTE was rejected. The applicant argued that their unit is solar-based and does not have a boiler, requesting a waiver in the siting criteria, but to no avail.