Ranjit Gupta, CEO, Azure Power, speaks to pv magazine about solar development in India against the backdrop of Covid pandemic and government’s push for self-reliant India, and the progress of their manufacturing-linked project.
As of June 30, the country installed 90.5 GW of renewable energy capacity from solar (utility-scale and rooftop), wind and biomass resources.
Low solar tariff trends can be attributed to developers’ desperate attempt to take advantage of the current situation wherein only safeguard duty of 14.9% is applicable, according to JMK Research.
With this, the NYSE-listed developer has been awarded 4 GW in total as part of an auction won in December, which is one of the largest solar projects ever awarded globally.
Solar and wind projects commissioned beyond the year 2022—at least till mid of 2023—may be eligible for interstate transmission charges waiver on the electricity generated.
The New Delhi based developer posted a net loss of Rs 394 million (US$5.2 million) for the three-month period from January to March, mainly on account of higher charges amounting to Rs 551 million (US$ 7.3 million) that were partially offset by higher revenue.
The developer is reported to have exercised an option to double the 4 GW of solar generation capacity and 1 GW of cell and module production facilities it secured in the manufacturing-linked solar tender carried out by the Solar Energy Corporation of India in November.
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.
Norwegian analyst Rystad Energy has predicted the stop on PV tenders in Karnataka will see Rajasthan become India’s leading solar state this year. The market research firm expects India to add only 10 GW new solar in 2020, however, and the same figure in 2021.
The investment raises CDPQ’s equity interest in Azure Power to 49.4% from 41.4%. The proceeds will be used by the developer to fund its current projects.
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