Duty on solar modules, cells to continue; don’t want imports: Power Minister

There are “no plans” to review the basic customs duty (BCD) levied on solar modules and cells, Union Power Minister R K Singh has said. “I don’t want any Chinese imports and want everything Made in India,” Singh, who is also the Minister of New and Renewable Energy told PTI in reply to a question related to the duty levied on the two items.

Last year, the government had announced imposing 40 per cent BCD on solar modules and 25 per cent on solar cells with effect from April 1, 2022. Singh said as a result of the duty, the domestic manufacturing capacity of modules and cells has started going up. However, developers of renewable energy projects have been raising concerns that the domestic capacity is not enough to meet their needs of modules and cells, and were expecting relief from the government.

Also read: IMF says it is concerned by food, fertilizer export restrictions; welcomes India’s decision to relax ban on wheat exports

When asked about plans of reviewing the decision to impose duty, the Minister replied: “By and large this will remain. I don’t want any Chinese imports. No plans (of reviewing the decision or modifying it).” According to research firm Mercom India Research, the domestic module manufacturing capacity was around 18-20 GW as of March 2022.