Cabinet approves INR 18,100-crore incentives for advanced battery storage production
The production-linked incentive scheme for battery storage, with an outlay of INR 18,100 crore (US$ 2459 million), is intended to build a cumulative 50 GWh of advanced chemistry cell (ACC) and 5 GWh of ‘niche’ ACC production facilities in India.
Renewables accounted for 64% of India’s electricity generation capacity addition in FY21
India added 7.7 GW of new renewable energy (RE) capacity in FY2020-21, out of which 5.5 GW (71%) came from solar (grid-scale and rooftop) alone. Overall power generation capacity addition for the year stood at 12.1 GW.
Green hydrogen supply chain concerns
With South Africa holding 63,000 of the world’s estimated 69,000 metric tons of platinum reserves – according to the Statista.com website – and Russia and Zimbabwe a further 5,100 between them, the European Commission has cited the metal as an example of a potential supply chain bottleneck that could handicap its grand plans for renewables-powered hydrogen production.
Odisha tenders 500 MW of farmland solar under KUSUM program
Solar power generators have until June 22 to bid for the development of projects, on a build-own-operate basis. The ceiling tariff payable for the electricity generated has been fixed at INR3.08 INR/kWh in the tender.
Vikram Solar commissions largest single-site PV project of Uttar Pradesh
Following a 140 MW solar capacity, the EPC contractor has commissioned an additional 85 MW for NTPC at Bilhaur in the Kanpur district. This takes the total project capacity to 225 MW, making it the State’s largest single-site PV plant.
‘Hydrogen as a universal climate solution might be a bit of false promise’
Hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels will not be able to move forward fast enough to replace fossil fuels and tackle climate change, according to a German-Swiss research team that claims direct electrification alternatives are cheaper and easier to implement. The scientists cite too-high prices, short-term scarcity and long-term uncertainty, as the main reasons for their skepticism.
Production-linked solar incentive scheme to support just 8-13% of 240 GW panel demand till FY30
India has set a ‘280 GW by 2030’ solar target, out of which 240 GW is yet to be implemented. India Ratings estimates the PLI scheme shall provide incentives to the beneficiary facilities for an aggregate sales of 20-30 GW over a five-year period, which is just 8%-13% of the planned 240 GW requirement.
Tesla shifts battery chem for its Megapack energy storage system
The US electric car manufacturer is reportedly shifting to cobalt-free lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for its utility-scale battery.
JSW’s steel production dips as it prioritizes medical oxygen supply
The company’s capacity utilization was 5% lower than in March as it prioritized medical oxygen supply over augmenting steel production.
States must plan now for utility-scale battery storage
A new report says the Indian States must develop plans to incentivize investments into the deployment of utility-scale battery storage—just as they did for solar.
