To meet the looming 2030 renewable energy target and demand of developers to have predictable bidding trajectory, the government issued an agency-wise bidding calendar for 50 GW of renewable energy projects for the current financial year (FY 2023-24), reported Bloomberg and Mercom. The Centre designated SJVN (joint venture of central government and state government of Himachal Pradesh) to float tenders and act as the intermediary procurer of power. SJVN will work with SECI, NTPC, and NHPC to open bids to avoid concurrent bids.
The Centre plans to bid 30 GW of renewable capacity in the first two quarters and 20 GW in the last two quarters. The SECI and NTPC will issue tenders for 12.5 GW of solar/Hybrid/Round-the-Clock (RTC) projects and 2.5 MW of wind projects each. NHPC and SJVN will issue tenders for 7.5 GW of Solar/Hybrid/RTC projects and 2.5 MW of wind projects each. The bidding calendar is expected to attract international investment, and iron out grid connectivity issues and provide certainty to developers. According to the US-based Mercom Capital, India needs to add 30 GW of solar energy capacity annually to meet the 280 GW solar target by 2030.
Kerala State Electricity Board proposes green energy premium for consumers
A proposal submitted by the state power utility company Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to the state electricity commission includes plans to introduce an additional tariff for those who want to switch over exclusively to green energy. KSEB proposed an additional tariff of Rs2.54/ unit over the existing tariff. While DISCOM acknowledged the demand for the switch, particularly among the industrial and commercial segment of consumers, it also listed challenges and additional costs that would be incurred to facilitate a 100% green power supply. Storage/baking alone is estimated to add Rs1.54/unit, almost two-thirds of KSEB’s proposed premium.
Gujarat clears 1.99 lakh hectare land for green hydrogen projects, Adani, Reliance biggest gainers
Gujarat cabinet cleared land allocation policy for green hydrogen projects, which earmarks 1.99 lakh hectares for 5 key players: Adani (84,486 ha), Reliance (74,750 ha), Torrent Power Limited (18,000 ha), ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Limited (14,393 ha) and Welspun Group (8,000 ha), reported the ET.
The companies demanded 3.26 lakh hectare, and got Cabinet approval for 1.99 lakh hectare at the rate of Rs15,000 per hectare on a 40-year lease basis. The government will earn an estimated Rs299 crore from these land parcels. The government will receive Rs2,998 crore as security deposit from these five companies. The total renewable power generation using green hydrogen on the proposed land is estimated to be 99,814 MW with 39.95 lakh metric tonne green hydrogen production.
Advantage India solar exports? US House panel votes to restore ban on solar imports from South-East Asia
In a move that indirectly benefits Indian solar exports, a United States House of Representatives panel voted to restore tariffs on solar panel imports from four Southeast Asian nations, reversing the Biden administration’s decision to allow more solar imports from China into the U.S. The panel said that by allowing solar products through Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, “China is obviously circumventing American tariffs designed to ensure a level playing field for American workers.” The house panel dubbed the decision to suspend tariffs on solar imports from these countries for two years as “misguided.”
Industry groups in the US had criticized the investigation contending that the pipeline projects in the country would be impacted adversely, as domestic manufacturing capacity was not in a position to cater to the increasing demand. The ban on imports of Chinese-made panels has benefited Indian manufacturers. India’s solar module exports witnessed an unprecedented 321% hike year-over-year, totaling $561.6 million, driven by US demand, accounting for over 95% of the shipments.
No plans to extend ALMM for renewable energy player: Official
The government has no plans to further extend the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) of solar photovoltaic modules at the moment, news agency PTI reported quoting a senior government official speaking at the annual ‘Mercom India Renewables Summit 2023. The Joint Secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Lalit Vohra said: “ALMM was only deferred for a year. As of now, we are very clear we are not extending it.”
The government earlier extended the ALMM by one year till March 2024 amid industry raising concerns over raw material availability and supply chain. ALMM was introduced to boost domestic manufacturing. On a question related to include the ancillary and downstream industry under the production-linked incentive scheme for solar module manufacturing, he said the government evaluates any request brought to it and accordingly takes steps.
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