Madhya Pradesh

State-owned NLC India Ltd – formerly the Neyveli Lignite Corporation – has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Tamil Nadu to set up a 1 GW solar project in the state.

With the announcement of a historic low tariff of Rs 1.38 ($0.019) per unit for a rooftop PV project and a new 1.5 GW solar project, Madhya Pradesh has upped its solar game plan.

Azure Power has announced the early closing of a financing deal worth INR 4 billion (around US$58 million) for a 100 MW solar plant in the Indian state of Karnataka; and INR 6 billion (around $88 million) for a 200 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan. It also signed 415 rooftop solar PPAs in Madhya Pradesh.

The recent 35.29 MW rooftop solar tender, floated by Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) hit a historic low tariff of Rs. 1.58 (US$0.022) per unit. Overall, it attracted 31 bidders, and was oversubscribed by 630%.

As of July, Acme Solar had about 2.8 GW solar projects at different stages of development across India. Recently, it won another 600 MW of SECI’s 3 GW interstate transmission system (ISTS) tender, at a tariff of INR 2.44/unit (USD 0.036/unit).

The 750 MW Rewa solar power project, one of the world’s largest single-site solar power plants, has started operations.

Madhya Pradesh recently floated a tender for the implementation of grid connected rooftop solar PV projects under the RESCO (renewable energy service company) Model. Manu Srivastava, principal secretary and commissioner, New and Renewable Energy Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, and managing director of Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam (MPUVNL), speaks to pv magazine about the tender and initiatives taken by the state government.

For two separate projects, Madhya Pradesh state is witnessing delaying and associated losses. In one, ReNew Power has been slapped with $1.68 million fine for delays to a 51 MW PV project, and in another case, BHEL’s proposed 10 MW solar plant obstructed by state government.

The scheme was sanctioned in 2014 for empowering underserved communities of the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Under the World Bank and IREDA’s $100 million proposals for solar park development, IREDA has approved its first loan of $33 million to Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL) in Madhya Pradesh.