New solar auction norms cap max capacity at 50% for single bidder, PPA for 20 years

The Centre introduced new guidelines for competitive bidding for grid-connected solar power projects. New norms will apply to all upcoming solar power projects, with or without energy storage. There were no guidelines for energy storage earlier. The power purchase agreement (PPA) is set at 20 years, earlier it was 25 years. Bidders will be allocated the power capacity they offered only if their tariff offers fall within 2-5% of the lowest bidder’s tariff. Now, a maximum of 50% of the total capacity can be allocated to a single bidder. Previously, there were no restrictions. For projects up to 1,000 MW capacity, the power supply must begin within 24 months of signing the PPA, while for above 1,000 MW capacity, projects should start within 30 months of PPA. If delayed, the contracted capacity will be reduced to the project capacity that has already started supplying power within the scheduled commissioning date plus six months. The PPA for the remaining contracted capacity that has not started supplying power will be terminated.

House panel asks govt action-taken report on tidal energy production ‘without delay’

A Parliamentary standing committee asked the Centre to report on action taken on starting tidal energy production in the country. In theory, the estimated potential of tidal and wave power in India is 12,455 MW and 41,300 MW, respectively. A study, Tidal and Wave Energy in India — Survey on Potential and Proposition of Roadmap, conducted jointly by IIT-Chennai and Credit Rating Information Services of India Ltd, suggested a roadmap to set up commercial tidal power projects by 2030. The house panel asked the Centre to submit an action-taken report on the findings of the study and the proposed roadmap, without delay.

Down to Earth reported that on August 22, 2019, that the government issued a notification clarifying that energy produced using various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave, ocean thermal energy conversion, etc. shall be eligible for meeting non-solar renewable purchase obligations.

The panel also asked to be apprised about the proposed share of tidal power in the renewable energy targets for 2030 in the report.

Kerala to set up ₹30,000 crore green hydrogen, green ammonia plants for export and domestic use

Kerala received proposals to set up green hydrogen and green ammonia production plants for export and domestic use. One of the companies have proposed to export one lakh tonnes of green ammonia to Germany from Vizhiniam Adani port in the state.  The plant will run on solar power with pumped-hydro storage to assure round-the-clock (RTC) energy supply. ]The pumped-storage power plant with RTC renewable energy will be set up by Kerala State Electricity Board.

The other company proposed to set up a ₹8,763 crore 252-MW electrolyser plant along with a green hydrogen and ammonia generation plant.  Earlier this year, the state released its draft green hydrogen policy and also announced a ₹200-crore scheme for setting up two green hydrogen hubs.

RE trades 53.3% low in July compared to 2022, short-supply due to rise in coal production

Renewable energy traded 275 million units (MU) in July 2023 at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), a year-over-year (YoY) decline of 53.3% from 589 MU and marginally increasing from 272 MU in June, Mercom reported. The total traded volume reached 8,522 MU, by July-end, which was a year-over-year (YoY) increase of 19%. The trading price settled at ₹4.55 (~$0.055)/kWh, 16% down from the previous year. A low supply situation persisted throughout July due to increased coal production, decreased costs of e-auctioned coal, and lower imported fuel prices.

Solar installations down 48% YoY during Q1 2023, generation up 21% same period

The first quarter of 2023 saw solar installations fall by 48% compared to the same period last year. Quarter-on-quarter, the drop recorded is 30%. India added more than 4.1 GW of overall power capacity in the quarter, of which 45% came from solar energy sources. The cumulative solar capacity in India presently is 64.5 GW.

Despite the sharp decline in new installations, solar generation grew to 30 billion units (BU) in the second quarter of 2023 — a 20.8% year-on-year increase and a 5.5% increase quarter-on-quarter. Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Gujarat were the top solar energy-generating states. Over the first half of 2023, the country generated 59.79 BU of solar energy— a 25.5% increase from the 47.64 BU generated over the same period last year.

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