Developers skip solar-wind hybrid auction for fifth time, ‘tariff ceiling’ the main issue

The Centre’s solar-wind hybrid power auction has failed to attract bids for the fifth time, as investors stayed away mainly over the issue of tariff ceiling (set at a maximum of Rs2.60 per unit). The government says the tariff limit is feasible for the 1,200 MW project (halved from 2,500 MW). The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) extended the date to November 14.

Over 10.8 GW of aggregate capacity has been annulled till date. This could deal a blow to the Centre’s target (175 GW renewable energy by 2022). The government has blamed
“cartelisation by bidders” to jack up tariffs. Investors say capping of tariff turns investments unviable, and that “competition, wind density and solar irradiance” should instead determine tariffs.

ReNew Power wins 3 MW floating solar project in South India

Solar firm ReNew Power has won 3 MW floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project to be set up in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, to generate around 4.2 million units of power annually.
Meanwhile, real estate firm Ajmera Group will invest $10 million in solar and e-commerce start-ups.

Haryana waives off taxes for solar power developers

Haryana has waived off state levies for solar power developers. This includes wheeling charges, cross-subsidy charges, transmission and distribution charges along with additional surcharges. The waivers are expected to enable faster solar capacity expansion in the state.

Solar developers win project delay cases in South India’s Telangana

In a rare win, Telangana has ruled in favor of solar project developers in four  cases of commissioning delays. The grid-connected solar projects, totaling 55 MW, were running on late schedules. 

Maharashtra approves 200 MW of bagasse-based projects

Meanwhile, Maharashtra will procure 200 MW bagasse-based (sugarcane pulp) power as a non-solar renewable energy project. The upper tariff ceiling was fixed at ₹4.00 ($0.054)/kWh.

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