Bengaluru: Only 222 mw of solar capacity and 25 mw of wind capacity was installed in March as activities came to a halt following the Covid-19 outbreak, and installation would remain slow for another two months, said industry.

Construction work began to slow down around the first week of February, they said. Immediately after the extension of the Chinese New Year holiday, problems cropped up. “Up until February, module shipments were happening more or less uninterrupted,” said a solar developer, requesting anonymity.

In February, only 62 mw of wind projects and 370 mw of solar projects were installed, said Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) officials.

The relatively better showing of solar was mainly due to some projects which should have been commissioned in February but spilled over into March.

“It was in March that everything came to a halt. Supply chain issues intensified. Things dramatically worsened in March although signs may have been visible before that too,” said the developer cited earlier.

Projects that were in construction between mid-March and end of April would have certainly come to a stop, said the person.

An MNRE official said the trend of low installation is expected to continue for another two months. “We have seen slightly lower installation for February and March. We will see it continue up to June,” said the official, who did not wish to be identified. “The biggest challenge going ahead for the next two or three months will be movement of trucks and labour across states because of different zone classifications within the country.”

The Union home ministry released a notification late April allowing construction of renewable energy projects. But work hasn’t really begun, according to those in the know. “Developers need engineers from other districts who are unable to come. They are applying to district magistrates and being asked questions. We will have to see how things turn out after May 3,” said the official.

However, wind and solar installation is expected to gain momentum by June. “Chinese manufacturing hubs have commenced operations. Everything will be fine within two months,” said the official.