RRECL revokes a policy that allows developers to block land without ownership, aiming to ensure transparency and protect farmers’ interests
The Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RRECL) has scrapped its policy that permitted wind and hybrid power developers to reserve project sites without possessing or owning the land. The decision is expected to bring greater transparency to land acquisition and curb speculative hoarding of renewable project sites across the state.
Under the previous rule, developers could “freeze” land coordinates for up to six months, often without formal consent from landowners. This practice, according to officials, had enabled some companies to block prime land parcels, limiting competition and distorting fair price negotiations with farmers.
In a recent review, RRECL examined all previously reserved sites and cancelled those that showed no evidence of investment or progress within the stipulated period. The state body has clarified that future land transactions will take place only through private agreements between developers and landowners. Reservations alone will not confer any development rights.
The move follows growing concerns from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), which had highlighted similar practices in other states, including Maharashtra, and urged state agencies to establish transparent procedures that safeguard both investors and local communities.
Industry observers believe the revocation will reset project development dynamics in Rajasthan’s renewable energy sector. While developers will now be required to secure possession or formal agreements before project registration, farmers are expected to gain stronger bargaining power and better protection from speculative land blocking.
The state, one of India’s leading renewable energy hubs, has been central to the country’s wind and solar expansion. By removing the land-freezing provision, RRECL aims to streamline project development and align its framework with national standards for fair competition and responsible land use.
The revised approach marks a significant shift in renewable land policy, reinforcing Rajasthan’s commitment to transparent governance and equitable growth in the clean energy sector.
