Gujarat Government has announced Wind-Solar Hybrid Power Policy-2018. In pursuance of the Gujarat Government crossing new milestones in producing pollution-free, non-conventional clean energy, State Energy Minister Saurabhbhai Patel today announced the new Policy in Gandhinagar.

Giving details of the policy, Mr. Patel said, the benefits of the new policy can be accrued for 25 years or till its life or whichever is shorter. It entails the developers can set up wind power unit on the land meant for existing solar power unit, or vice versa. He said, the objective of the new policy is optimum utilization of land and grid land for clean energy - a new initiative worth emulating by other states.

Mr. Patel said, the electricity produced from such hybrid wind and solar units will be exempted from electricity duty, allowing land use for dual purposes. Under this policy, the Minister has announced 50 per cent concession in cross-subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge while selling electricity to any third party.

For captive power plants under hybrid projects, it entails total exemption from cross subsidy surcharge and additional surcharge, and 50 per cent relief in wheeling charges and distribution loss. At present, Gujarat produces approximately 5,500 MW of wind power and 1,600 MW solar power, totalling 7,100 MW of non-traditional energy.