Covid-19

Advances in solar power and other clean energy technologies have failed to keep up with demand for electricity as economies rebound from the Covid crisis and China and India’s fossil fuel appetite will ensure the world stays well short of what is needed for a net zero 2050 for at least the next three years.

The ministry of New and Renewable Energy has empowered the Dispute Resolution Committee to look into commissioning extension requests for solar projects that are due for delivery before April 1 next year.

The latest edition of a clean power jobs survey produced by IRENA and the International Labour Organization has stressed the important role which will need to be played by the public sector if the energy transition’s employment benefits are to be shared equally.

The input costs of the two biggest contributors to solar plant development expense have gone through the roof since the world began to come out of Covid-19 lockdowns, to leave project developers with some difficult choices.

The solar capacity addition for the calendar year 2021 is expected to touch 14 GW (11 GW utility scale and 3 GW rooftop) if the third Covid wave does not strike between November and December.

The ratings agency expects the energy demand in FY 2021-22 to grow by 8-8.5%. While the increased energy demand will improve the thermal plant load factor (PLF) level, this sector outlook remains negative as the PLF level will remain below 60%.

The three-day renewable energy event, organized from September 15-17, kickstarted today at India Expo Center, Greater Noida, with Covid-19 protocols. To avoid rush and maintain social distancing at the event, attendees have been asked to select from morning and afternoon time slots. 

‘More than 90’ suppliers of appliances such as solar lanterns and home solar panels, as well as mini-grid installers, will be offered low-interest credit by an assortment of government-backed and privately-financed entities.

The solar plant, spread across 380 hectares in the Raghanesda Solar Park, is Engie’s second-largest PV project in India. It was completed within the schedule, despite the multiple challenges during the Covid pandemic.

The latest global PV industry outlook published by trade group SolarPower Europe, has indicated tight supply of the solar panel raw material is expected to persist this year but the trade body said it would be unlikely to drive further price rises.