India adds 25 GW, ‘best-ever’ solar capacity in 2024

India added 25.2 GW to its solar capacity in 2024, a 204% increase compared to the 8.3 GW added in 2023, according to Mercom, marking the highest annual capacity addition in the country’s history. The outlet stated that this growth was driven by large-scale solar projects, which accounted for over 87% of the total capacity additions, with rooftop solar contributing the remaining 13%.

India to offer $1 billion subsidy to fight solar imports from China 

According to Bloomberg, India is finalising a $1 billion capital subsidy plan to bolster its solar manufacturing industry, as part of a wider effort to cut down on Chinese imports and profit from the global energy transition.

The newspaper said the proposal is being made by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and will target domestic makers of wafers and ingots, one of the weakest segments of the country’s solar industry, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are private.

The outlet said the subsidy package will seek Cabinet approval in coming months. The scheme should help India reduce reliance on Chinese imports, Bloomberg reported. 

India mandates two-hour energy storage integration in solar tenders

The Centre proposed that all Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies (REIAs) and state utilities include a minimum two-hour energy storage system (ESS) equivalent to 10% of the installed solar capacity in all solar tenders, Mercom reported. 

The report cited an advisory to REIAs, state governments, and generating stations, that stated that distribution licensees could also consider mandating two-hour storage with rooftop solar installations. If the proposed mandates are implemented, the government expects approximately 14 GW/28 GWh of storage to be installed by 2030, the report noted. 

The report said this will resolve intermittency issues and provide critical support during peak demand hours. The REIAs may mention the requirement explicitly in the bid document to ensure storage availability during non-solar hours, the report said, 

Grew Solar to set up 3 GW ingot-module factory in Madhya Pradesh 

Ahmedabad-based Grew Solar will invest $3.5 billion to build a three-stage backward-integrated solar module plant in Narmadapuram near Bhopal, PV Magazine reported. The factory will cover 60 acres and produce 3 GW of ingots, wafers, and cells per year. Once operational, it will create more than 1,000 jobs in the region, the report said. Grew Solar currently operates a 3 GW manufacturing facility in Jaipur, with another 5 GW under development in Dudu, Jaipur, bringing the plant’s total capacity to 8 GW.

JSW wins auction to set up 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System in Kerala

JSW Energy will set up a 125 MW/500 MWh standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) in Kerala. The company won the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) auction quoting a tariff of ₹441,000 (~$5,057)/MW/month. Mercom reported that the company will be eligible for viability gap funding of ₹2.7 million  (~$30,963)/MWh or 30% of the project’s capital cost, whichever is lower.

The project will be connected to the Mylatti 220 kV substation in Kasaragod. One bay of 110 kV is available. JSW can extend an additional bay if required.

JSW Energy must ensure the BESS is available for at least one operational cycle per day, maintain a minimum monthly system availability of 95%, and guarantee an AC-to-AC round trip efficiency of 85% monthly.

It must also ensure the BESS is available for two operational cycles daily, maintain a minimum monthly system availability of 95%, and guarantee an AC-to-AC round trip efficiency of 85% monthly.

ONGC targets 10 GW renewable capacity by 2030, plans ₹40,000 crore investment in energy transition

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plans to set up 10 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030, with investments in solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects. The company recently signed an agreement with Ayana Renewables, increasing its clean energy portfolio from 153 MW to 3 GW, ET reported. 

The company is also focusing on importing and trading gas as part of its energy transition strategy. Increasing oil and gas production, ONGC has expanded its capital expenditure beyond ₹30,000 crore in the current financial year, with next year’s investment projected between ₹35,000-40,000 crore. A large portion of the investment will be directed towards exploration and production (E&P) projects, deepwater drilling, and offshore field development.

The company is advancing multiple offshore developments, including the Daman Upside Development Project (DUDP), which is set to commence production by late 2025. The Deepwater Cluster-1 project in the East Coast is also in the pipeline, the report said.

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