Interstate transmission (ISTS) charges will not be waived for Solar, Wind Projects Commissioned after June 2028

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) issued a time frame for waiving interstate transmission (ISTS) charges. Renewable energy generation projects based on wind, solar, or hybrid sources commissioned on or before June 30, 2025, will receive a full waiver for 25 years, reported Mercom.

Projects commissioned in successive years up to June 30, 2028, will receive progressively lower waivers, reducing from 75% to 25%. Projects commissioned after June 30, 2028, are not eligible for a waiver, the outlet said.

Energy storage systems (ESS). Pumped storage projects awarded for construction by June 30, 2028, will receive a 25-year waiver. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) co-located with renewable power projects at the same substation and charged from such sources are eligible for a 12-year full waiver, Mercom report said.

Closed coal mines can host 300 GW of solar energy

A new study by the Global Energy Monitor estimated that 446 coal mines and 5,280 km square of abandoned mines could be suitable for being converted into solar energy projects, reported CarbonCopy. These projects equal nearly 300 GW of solar potential, or 15% of the globally installed solar capacity.

In China, 90 former coal mines have been converted into solar- power facilities, generating 14 gigawatts GW of energy. An additional 46 projects, with a combined capacity of 9 GW are in the works as well. It is “leading the world in such conversion”, according to GEM. 

Besides China, 14 other countries like Australia, the US and Greece are attempting such conversion projects totalling 11GW of solar capacity, but most are in early stages, according to GEM. The report outlined that such projects can address land-utilisation issues, as roughly 6,000 coal mines have been closed since 2010, and more are expected to close as other countries are gradually phasing out coal.

China Solar Additions Surge to Record in May Ahead of Deadline

China’s solar installations surged in May, setting a new monthly record as companies rushed to finish projects before the start of new rules that threaten to slash renewable power prices.

The country installed 93 gigawatts of panels last month, according to data released by the National Energy Administration, four times more than in the same period in 2024. The previous record was 71 gigawatts in December. The May figure means China installed more solar capacity in a single month than any other country did in all of 2024, according to BloombergNEF data.

China’s installations of solar power surged in May, reaching a “new monthly record” of 93 gigawatts (GW), “four times more than in the same period in 2024”.

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