Thinktank gives manufacturers two weeks for EV adaptation blueprint
Central government has thrown down the gauntlet to the nation’s largest motorbike and scooter manufacturers after they resisted a proposal to ban non-electric sales from 2025 onwards.
EU and India step up cooperation on solar parks
The European Union and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy have jointly launched standard operation procedures and monitoring tool for Indian solar parks. While the procedures will help to ensure consistency of standards across solar parks, the online monitoring tool will allow better tracking of the solar parks development and operation.
US investor Encourage Capital raises $40 million to fund rooftop solar for Indian MSMEs
The US-based impact investor will invest in specialized financial institutions in India that can develop and scale commercial rooftop solar finance solutions, serving an estimated US$ 9 billion market opportunity.
French developer Engie reaches 1.5 GW renewables capacity in India
The company recently bagged a total capacity of 480 MW in Gujarat, including 200 MW wind and 280 MWp solar. Its 338 MWp solar project at Kadapa Solar Park in Andhra Pradesh has also gone live.
Akasol plans to build new battery factory near Detroit
The German battery manufacturer will make products for electric trucks and buses at the facility, which is expected to employ 200 workers and produce 400 megawatt-hours of batteries annually.
Group captive solar projects on the rise among corporates
With Karnataka withdrawing open access waivers and the policy not replicated elsewhere, corporate buyers are increasingly favouring group captive projects that are exempt from the cross-subsidy surcharge—the largest and most unpredictable component of grid charges for open access power.
SECI revamps manufacturing-linked mega solar tender
Global bids are now invited to set up 2 GW of solar manufacturing capacity linked to 6 GW of inter-state-connected solar power projects. The projects—to be developed on ‘build-own-operate’ basis—shall be awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding followed by e-reverse auction. Tariff ceiling is fixed at Rs 2.75/kWh for a period of 25 years. Bidding closes on July 26.
Uttar Pradesh to commission 1.5 GW of solar by next year
The state is hoping for 10.7 GW of renewable energy generation capacity by 2022 and rooftop solar is set to play a big role.
Kerala’s water transport authority to launch India’s first solar-powered cruise
The unqualified success of the Aditya solar passenger ferry, which took to the water in 2017, has prompted the water transport body to make plans for a more luxurious form of transport which is due for launch within four months.
Gujarat tenders 950 MW projects across two solar parks
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd has invited bids to set up 750 MW grid-connected solar projects at 1 GW Dholera Solar Park, and 200 MW projects at 700 MW Raghanesda Solar Park. Tariff ceiling for the projects is set as Rs 2.75/kWh and Rs 2.65/kWh, respectively. Bidding closes on July 24.
