Utility Scale PV

The Solar Energy Corporation of India should amend the 400 MW round-the-clock supply tender to make co-location of solar, wind and storage mandatory in order to ensure optimal utilization of transmission infrastructure, says NSEFI chairman.

Cleansolar Renewable Energy, Divine Solren and Neo Solren—all of which were formed to set up and operate solar plants in Telangana—would be sold for around Rs 340 crore. The transaction is expected to be completed by May 31, 2020.

Lobby group the National Solar Energy Federation of India says around 4 GW of solar plant capacity is likely to be affected by component shortages after the outbreak of the virus in China.

The projects—to be established on a build, own, operate basis—will be awarded through e-bidding and a reverse auction with a tariff ceiling of Rs 2.78 per kWh. Bidding closes on March 19.

Consultancy Bridge to India has looked into its crystal ball to predict India will add 10 GW of solar capacity this year and the same next year before deployment slows to 7 GW per year in 2022 and 2023, dogged by hurdles such as an inexplicable ongoing demand for new coal-fired power plants.

The New Delhi-based developer posted a Rs136 crore loss from October to the end of December but has managed to shift current liabilities into the long grass as it aims to continue on an expansionist trail, backed by the Canadian pension fund which holds almost half its shares.

Tariff ceiling is fixed at Rs 4 per unit for ground-mounted, grid-connected solar projects that will come up across four regions of the state. The projects are to be developed on build-own-operate basis for supply of power to Assam Power Distribution Company Limited for a period of 25 years. Bidding closes on February 21.

Delay in sourcing of PV modules from China can cause project cost and time overruns, inviting penalties for missing the commissioning date.

Removal of solar trade duties, discom reforms, and better central-state government coordination are prerequisites to increase renewable project development in the country.

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd has invited global bids to set up 500 MW of grid-connected solar projects. It shall enter into a 25-year PPA with successful bidders. Tariff ceiling is set as Rs 2.65/unit. Another tender for 185 MW—floated by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited—seeks to select EPC contractors for plants ranging from 20 MW to 40 MW, which shall come up at various substations of Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited.