Andhra Pradesh HC Allows State to Buy Power from Spot Market
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has allowed the state to buy electricity from spot markets, toppling a direction by the Centre that curtailed such arrangements if distribution companies were not able to maintain bank guarantees in favour of power plants. The Andhra Pradesh High Court, in a recent order, has allowed the distribution companies (DISCOMs) of the state to operate through power exchanges and to secure power through open access. The high court said in an order issued that the Centre’s directive was “suggestive of forcing and coercing the petitioners to yield to the demands of the power generators, to pay the dues”. The order also said the Union power ministry and the ministry of new and renewable energy are not empowered under Section 37 of the Electricity Act, 2003 to enforce contracts signed between discoms and power generating companies. The power of regional load despatch centres is confined to efficient performance of the grid, it said.
Coal India Tenders for 100 MW Solar Plant in Gujarat
Coal India Limited (CIL) the state-owned coal mining corporate came into being in November 1975. CIL functions through its subsidiaries in 84 mining areas spread over eight (8) states of India. Coal India Limited has 352 mines (as on 1st April 2020) of which 158 are underground, 174 opencast and 20 mixed mines has issued a tender – seeking developers for undertaking the work of complete development and handing over of a 100 MW solar PV power plant in Gujarat. Scope of Work: Acquisition and Handover of Land, Design, Engineering, Supply and Procurement, Construction, Erection, Testing, Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance of Solar Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Power Plant of capacity 100 MW(AC) including Evacuation Infrastructure in Gujarat
Estimated Cost of Work (Including GST) (In INR): 4,50,00,00,000/-
Anti-dumping Investigation Initiated by DGTR Against Imports of Fluoro Backsheet
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF TRADE REMEDIES (DGTR) DGTR has initiated an anti-dumping investigation on Fluoro Backsheets used in the manufacturing of solar modules exported from China. The application was filed by Renewsys India Private Limited. The applicant has stated that the subject products are predominantly imported under Chapter Heading 39 “Plastics and articles thereof”. They have further stated that the subject goods are imported under different codes from company to company and country to country (majorly under the headings 3920 and 3921). The Authority notes that the custom classification is indicative only and in no way, it is binding upon the product scope and the product description prevails in circumstances of conflict.
KERC Approves Tariff of Rs 8.40/kWh for Delayed Solar Project
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has approved a tariff of Rs 8.40 /kWh as per the power purchase agreement (PPA) signed between Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) and the project developer, Cambria Solar. The Commission also approved the extension of six months granted by BESCOM.
Cambria Solar had filed a petition for approval of six months extension in the scheduled commercial operation date and had requested to approve the tariff of Rs 8.40/kWh from the project’s commercial operation date for the entire term of the PPA. As per the PPA, the scheduled date of completion was to be achieved within 18 months from the signing of the PPA.
India-US Agree to Revamp Energy Partnership Ahead of Climate Summit
India and the United States have agreed to revamp their strategic energy partnership to focus on greater collaboration in cleaner energy sectors such as biofuels, and hydrogen production. India and the US decided to revamp the existing energy cooperation framework to focus more on clean energy keeping advanced American technology and the rapidly growing Indian energy market in mind to reflect new priorities set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden, an official said. The two countries will intensify efforts to take advantage of advanced U.S. technologies and India’s rapidly growing energy market, the statement was issued after a virtual meeting of Indian oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan and U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
SECI Issues Extension II in EOI of RE Based Solutions In Himalayas
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) issued Clarifications II for EOI Submission for Renewable Energy (RE) based Solutions/ System/ Technology at Himalayas, India.
This is in reference to the EOI No. SECI/SD/EOI/20-21 regarding the Expression of Interest for “Renewable Energy (RE) based Solutions/ System/ Technology for meeting energy requirements in remote areas (HAA) of Himalayas, India”. The EOI document including its Annexures have been uploaded on CPPP Portal. Prospective bidders are requested to refer to CPPP and SECI websites for details. An e-consultation meeting with all the prospective participants had held at SECI OFFICE on 05.10.2020 through Online Mode.
MNRE Issues Clarification on Time Extension in Scheduled Commissioning Date of RE Projects
MNRE has issued Clarification on Time Extension in Scheduled Commissioning Date of Renewable Energy (RE) Projects considering disruption due to lockdown due to COVID-19. The ministry had earlier provided a blanket extension of 5 months to all RE projects on account of Covid 19. The order stated that, the MNRE had issued directions to treat lockdown due to COVID-19, as Force Majeure. It was also instructed that all RE projects under implementation as on the date of lockdown, i.e. 25th March 2020, through RE Implementing Agencies designated by the MNRE or under various schemes of the MNRE, shall be given a time extension of 5 months from 25th March 2020 to 24th August 2020. This blanket extension, if invoked by the RE developers, was given without case-to-case examination and no documents/ evidence was to be asked for such extension.
NTPC Launched 25 MW Floating Solar Plant in Vizag
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) launched the 25 MW floating solar power plant in its water storagereservoir the Simhadri unit as part of its diversification into the solar segment. The project is being developed in resorvoir spread over 150 acres. The first 5 MW block was completed and inaugurated by head of the unit, Diwakar Kaushik. Addressing a media conference, Group General Manager of NTPC’s Simhadri plant, A R Maiti, said the NTPC Simhadri had four units (of 500 MWs each) and the plant was operating at 70.98 plant load factor this yearas against last year’s 67.2 per cent.
