Tender & Policy Buzz India: Central Government Overhauls Electricity Rules with 2025 Amendments; Railways Releases Tender for the Purchase of 695 MW Continuous Renewable Power and More

Central Government Introduces Sweeping Amendments to Electricity Rules, 2025

In a significant development, the Central Government, in exercise of its authority under Section 176 of the Electricity Act, 2003, has introduced amendments to the Electricity Rules, 2005. These modifications, titled the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024, are set to be effective upon their official publication in the Gazette. One of the key changes involves the renumbering of the existing Rule 21 to Rule 24 in the Electricity Rules, 2005. Additionally, two new rules, 21 and 22, have been introduced. Rule 21 outlines the provisions for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of dedicated transmission lines. Notably, entities such as generating companies, those setting up captive generating plants, Energy Storage Systems, or consumers with a load of at least 25 MW (for Inter State Transmission System) or 10 MW (for Intra-State Transmission System) are exempt from obtaining a license under the Act for their dedicated transmission lines, provided they comply with specified regulations and standards.

Railways Releases Tender for the Purchase of 695 MW Continuous Renewable Power

REMC Limited has issued a call for bids to acquire 695 MW of round-the-clock (RTC) power from grid-connected renewable energy projects, with or without storage, to complement the existing 500 MW Ircon Renewable Power (IRPL) and 195 MW Rewa Ultra Mega Solar (RUMSL) solar projects. The envisioned RTC power supply will integrate with the ongoing power supply from the IRPL and RUMSL solar projects. The chosen project developer is expected to supply power during time blocks when the existing projects are not generating power, ensuring fulfillment of annual and time block availability requirements. Separate bids are required for the two tandem projects, and the deadline for bid submission is February 14, 2024, with bid opening scheduled for February 16.

India Proposes 5-Year Extension of Anti-Dumping Duties on Chinese EVA Backsheets: A Shield for Domestic Growth

India’s Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has proposed a five-year extension of anti-dumping duties on Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) backsheets imported from China. Following a recent investigation, DGTR found that these EVA backsheets from China were being sold in India below normal prices, constituting dumping. The recommended anti-dumping duty is $590 per metric ton for products from Changzhou Sveck Photovoltaic New Material Company and $897 per metric ton for other producers. In 2019, India had imposed anti-dumping duties on EVA backsheets from China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand, set to conclude in March 2024. The DGTR observed a 400% increase in India’s capacity to produce these goods since the imposition of duties. Despite this, evidence suggested significant unutilized capacities among Chinese exporters, hinting at a risk of oversupply in China’s EVA market.

Maharashtra Initiates Tender for the Acquisition of 366 MW of Solar Energy

MSEB Solar Agro Power (MSAPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Maharashtra State Electricity Board MSEB Holding Company, is seeking proposals for the procurement of 366 MW of solar power as part of Component C under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) program for feeder-level solarization. This initiative falls under the second phase of the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana program. The bids must be submitted by February 27, 2024, at the latest. The comprehensive scope of work involves ownership, financing, development, design, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the project, including the evacuation infrastructure up to the delivery point.

NTPC Green Energy Calls for Bids to Oversee Operations and Maintenance of 225 MW Solar Project

NTPC Green Energy, a subsidiary of NTPC, is seeking bids for the supervision of operation and maintenance (O&M) as well as civil works for a 225 MW solar power project situated in Bilhaur, Uttar Pradesh. The outlined scope of work includes the prediction and planning of activities, supervision of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, management of project preventive maintenance, execution of general operations and maintenance tasks, and fulfillment of daily site/project office responsibilities. Bidders have until January 15, 2024, to submit their bids, with the bid opening scheduled for the following day. Remarkably, both the tender fee and earnest money deposit are exempted for this particular tender.

THDC Invites Consultancy Tender for 1000 MW Solar Park Project in Rajasthan

THDC India has opened the bidding process for consultants to create a detailed project report (DPR) for the development of the 1000 MW Phase-I ultra mega solar power park within a larger 2000 MW solar park in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The estimated cost of the project is ₹96.2 lakhs, and the selected consultant is required to submit the DPR within 90 days of receiving the work order. Bids must be submitted by January 30, 2024, and the opening of bids will take place the following day. To participate, bidders need to provide an earnest money deposit of ₹96,200. The project will be executed at Bodana Village, Nachana-I Tehsil, in Jaisalmer, covering an expansive area of about 10,000 acres.