The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new security guidelines restricting the development of solar, wind and hybrid renewable energy projects within 1 km of India's international borders, the Line of Control and the Line of Actual Control.
Under the guidelines, areas within 50 km of the LoC, LAC or International Border have been designated as sensitive for renewable energy projects. All such projects will require security clearance from the MHA, while those proposed between 1 km and 20 km of the International Border will also require a no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Defence.
The government said the rules were framed in response to a growing number of applications for renewable projects in border areas that could have national security implications. The guidelines aim to establish uniform procedures while also taking into account ease of doing business.
Projects located between 1 km and 50 km of the border will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the MHA and, where applicable, the Defence Ministry.
The guidelines also restrict the employment of engineers, staff, workers and other personnel from countries sharing a land border with India, particularly Pakistan, Bangladesh and China, without prior approval from the central government.
Applicants will also require approval before transferring project land to a foreign company. Where foreign investment is involved, a separate application will be required under India's foreign direct investment policy.
Projects that had already received security clearance from the MHA or an NOC from the Defence Ministry before the new guidelines were issued will not need to reapply.
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The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will act as the nodal agency for applications and forward proposals, along with state government approval for land allocation and project coordinates, to the relevant ministries.
The guidelines prescribe additional security measures in sensitive areas, including dedicated police posts, pre-verification of project staff and monitoring of foreign nationals entering the area. Security equipment will have to be funded by project developers.
Infrastructure will also face restrictions. Roads at project sites should be sufficiently wide to allow use by border or armed forces during emergencies. Accommodation and hotels must be located at least 5 km from the border, while cafeterias will be allowed within plant premises.
Height restrictions have also been prescribed for civil infrastructure: 3 metres for areas 1-8 km from the border, 5 metres for 8-20 km and 15 metres for 20-50 km.
The guidelines further state that renewable energy projects should not involve construction extending over long distances parallel to the international border, reflecting security concerns in sensitive border zones.
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