Markets & Policy

The state’s Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) announces tender for 43 individual solar plants located in taluks – small districts dotted across the state of Karnataka.

The International Solar Alliance has launched three new solar programs: Scaling Solar Applications for Agriculture Use, Affordable Finance at Scale, and Scaling Solar Mini-grids. The programs will be under operations ahead of the ISA’s official accreditation on December 6.

Four more countries have ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA) framework agreement, taking the total number to 19. On Wednesday December 6, the ISA will be established as a legal international intergovernmental body.

175,000 households of Manipur will receive 24×7 electricity supply. The scheme is scheduled to be completed by March 2019. The electricity will be produced through various sources – including renewable resources like solar micro and mini-grid applications. However, BNEF says that the 24×7 energy supply seems far away.

MNRE minister Raj Kumar Singh has announced plans to ramp up India’s domestic renewable energy manufacturing industry via an auction for facilities totaling 20 GW. Bridge to India and IHS Markit have shared their insights on the auctions, which are expected to solely comprise solar. They envisage capital subsidies, and increased interest by foreign manufacturers in setting up solar facilities.

The threat of India’s government imposing anti-dumping duties (ADD) against solar cells and modules from China, Taiwan and Malaysia is very real, and runs counter to its own ambitions of hitting 100 GW of solar by 2022. Or does it? Could duties help to boost India’s solar industry in other ways? And does the ongoing political uncertainty create opportunity or trepidation for industry?

The anti-dumping hearing was scheduled to be held on November 30. It has, however, been postponed to December 12, 2017. The India Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) still expects a result in its favor.

Despite the 250 MW solar project securing a record low bid of INR 3.15 ($ 0.05)/kWh in April, Andhra Pradesh refused to buy the generated power, after tariffs fell further in subsequent auctions. This decision has now been rescinded, according to The Economic Times, with the affected parties having reached a compromise.

India needs to create around 330,000 jobs over the next five years if it is to achieve its ambitious renewable energy goals, according to a new report by the World Resources Institute. Several methods have been recommended for boosting jobs in the sector, while also tackling poverty eradication.