MNRE Drafts Policy Framework To Promote DRE Livelihood In Rural Areas ; Invites Comments By 2nd November
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) recently drafted a Policy Framework for developing and promoting Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Livelihood Applications in Rural Areas – for comments of stakeholders. To promote DRE livelihood applications in rural areas of the country a policy framework is proposed to be brought by the Ministry to provide a conducive environment for development and large-scale adoption of these applications. The Ministry invites comments/ suggestions from all the stakeholders by 02.11.2020 .
MNRE Issues Guidelines for Tariff Based Bidding for Wind- Solar Hybrid Projects
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued Guidelines for Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Process for procurement of power from Grid Connected Wind Solar Hybrid Projects . Some of the guidelines are Individual minimum size of the project allowed is 50 MW at one site and a single bidder cannot bid for less than 50 MW. Further, the rated power capacity of one resource (wind or solar) will be at least 33% of the total contracted capacity. A bidder is allowed to bid for a minimum 50 MW project at one site. The Procurer can also choose to specify the maximum capacity that can be allotted to a single bidder including its Affiliates. The maximum capacity for a single bidder or company or group of companies can be fixed by the Procurer keeping in mind factors such as economies of scale, land availability, expected competition and need for development of the market.
SECI Organizes Vigilance Awareness Week From 27th October To 2nd November 2020
In line with the directives of the Central Vigilance Commission, Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI) is organizing a “Vigilance Awareness Week” from 27th October, 2020 to 2nd November, 2020. In this regard, an Interaction Meeting with all the Suppliers/ Contractors/ Consultants/ Service Providers/ Developers/ Vendors/ Customers of SECI will be held on Monday, 2nd November’2020, through Video Conferencing on Microsoft Teams, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (IST). Following will be the agenda for deliberation during the meeting: – Suggestions/ recommendation on processes/ practices adopted by SECI w.r.t. finalization of various Contracts/ Tenders, To receive and report information w.r.t. any kind of corruptions/ malpractices by officials of SECI.
AC Energy Builds Second Solar Farm in India
Fresh off the back of its maiden investment in India last July 2020, Ayala Corporation’s energy arm, AC Energy, continues to expand its renewables business in the country with the development of the 70 MWp (50 MWac) Paryapt Solar through UPC-AC Energy Solar, the company’s joint venture with UPC Solar Asia Pacific. The estimated US$36 million facility is expected to start power generation in the first half of 2021, and will supply energy to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (GUVNL). UPC-AC Energy Solar won the power supply agreement for the project via a competitive bid at INR 2.55 per kWh, fixed over a 25-year period.
Indian Energy Exchange Announces Unaudited Financial Results for the Second Quarter
In Q2 FY’21, electricity volumes on the Exchange increased 13.2% YoY owing to significant recovery in the energy consumption in India. With high sell side volumes, the Exchange sees 20% YoY decline in power prices enabling significant savings for the distribution utilities and industries. Q2 FY’21 operating revenues increase 5.2% YoY. Overall, the second quarter of fiscal year 2021 saw a sharp recovery in industrial activity and electricity consumption owing to easing of the lockdown restrictions across the country. The start of the second quarter saw a slump in manufacturing due to re-lockdowns in a few States, however, the industrial activity picked up momentum in the months of August and September 2020. In September’20, the Manufacturing PMI rose to 56.8 – the highest in the last eight years. With increase in economic and industrial activity, the power demand also accelerated and returned to the pre-COVID levels. The country witnessed 2% YoY increase in national peak demand and 4.6% YoY increase in energy consumption in September’20.
Indexed Renewable Energy Tariffs Could Save India’s Discoms Up To Rs21,880 Crore (US$3bn) Over Five Years
The inflation indexation of tariffs for future solar capacity could provide much-needed financial respite to the distressed power distribution sector and help India move away from coal-fired power, according to a joint briefing note by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and the CEEW-Centre for Energy Finance (CEF). Zero indexation tariffs have been the norm in India for many years, say co-authors CEEW-CEF Adviser Gagan Sidhu and IEEFA Research Analyst Kashish Shah. Indian solar power tariffs hit a record low of Rs2.36 per unit in June 2020, with zero inflation indexation for 25 years. But the authors say the state-owned power distribution companies (discoms) have not been able to take full advantage of new cheaper renewable energy due to two-part thermal contracts which command a fixed capacity charge even if no power is drawn.
UPERC Accepts 6 Months Delay By SLDC In Implementing Forecasting Rules Due To Coronavirus
Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has recently issued an order accepting delay by the state load dispatch center (SLDC) for 6 months in implementing its procedures for forecasting, scheduling, and deviation settlement due to the barriers caused by the COVID 19. UPSLDC has filed a petition seeking 6 months relaxation for implementation of the procedure of Forecasting Scheduling Deviation Settlement & Related Matter Solar & Wind Generating Sources) Regulation 2018 under UPERC. The Commission noted the submissions made by the SLDC and was of view that there was a genuine reason for the delay due to difficulty faced on account of COVID -19 pandemic. Therefore, the Commission condones the delay and directs SLDC to implement the said Regulation from 14th October 2020.
PFC and JKPCL Signs Agreement for Liquidity Infusion Scheme Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan
Government-owned Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), India’s leading NBFC, has sanctioned Rs 2790 crore to Jammu Kashmir Power Corporation ltd (JKPCL) for clearing its outstanding dues. PFC and JKPCL today signed and exchanged an agreement for Liquidity Infusion Scheme under “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan” for the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. The money sanctioned under the scheme will be used to clear the outstanding dues of CPSU, GENCOs & TRANSCOs, IPPs and RE Generators on 31st March 2020. The exchange agreement was signed in presence of Shri RohitKansal, Principal Secretary, PDD along with senior officers from JKPDD, KPDCL, JPDCL, PFC & REC.
MNRE Issues Summary Of September 2020
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has recently issued a monthly summary for the Cabinet for the month of September 2020. Some important events and developments in the summary are A total of 435.99 MW of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity was added, taking the cumulative installed RE capacity to 89.22 GW as on September 30, 2020. This includes 38.12 GW of Wind capacity, 36.05 GW of Solar capacity, 10.31 GW capacity of Bio-power and 4.74 GW capacity of Small Hydro power. Further, projects of 48.21 GW capacity are at various stages of implementation. Projects of 25.64 GW capacity are under various stages of bidding. An expenditure of Rs. 1710.52 crore has been incurred up to September 30, 2020 which is around 29.73 percent of the total Budget Estimate (BE) for the Ministry for the year 2020-21. Five solar parks of total capacity of 4300 MW were sanctioned under the Ministry’s Solar Parks scheme. These five parks will come up in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
AC Energy, UPC Solar Develops a $36 million Solar Farm in India
AC Energy Inc., the power arm of Ayala Corp. is expanding its footprint in India with the development of a $36 million solar farm through its joint venture with UPC Solar Asia Pacific. The 70 Megawatt peak (MWp) Paryapt Solar is expected to start power generation in the first half of 2021, and will supply energy to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. (GUVNL), an Indian firm engaged in the bulk purchase and sale of electricity. “UPC-AC Energy Solar won the power supply agreement for the project via a competitive bid at INR 2.55 per kWh, fixed over a 25-year period,”AC Energy said, referring to its joint venture company with UPC Solar Asia Pacific. Paryapt solar plant will be set in the Amreli District of the State of Gujarat, one of the first states to develop solar generation capacity in India, with its own target to set up 8,000 MW (megawatt) of solar power by 2022.
