Central Electricity Authority Approves 2,600 MW Pumped Storage Projects

Shakti Pumps Wins Order to Supply 12,537 Solar Pumps in Uttar Pradesh

CEA Seeks Stakeholder Inputs on Updated Transmission Planning Guidelines

REC Invites Bids for Land Due Diligence of 150 MW Solar Project

Bengaluru Apartment Complex Adopts Solar, Saves ₹4 Million in Power Costs

Daily News Wrap-Up: SECI Tenders 2 GW Solar Projects with Storage

Power-Hungry Data Centers Drive Demand for Renewable Energy in India

China Adds 57 GW of Solar Power Capacity in Q2 2024, Up 24% YoY

Enabling Policies Drive Rajasthan’s Solar Open Access Projects in Q1 2024

Goldman Sachs Alternatives Invests $440 Million in BrightNight

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					</table>Engineering and consulting firm <a href="https://www.gensol.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gensol Engineering</a> has secured an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for a 33 MWac (50 MWdc) captive solar power project from the steel and ferro alloys manufacturer <a href="https://www.seml.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sarda Energy and Minerals</a> to meet power requirements for its Kharora plant in Chhattisgarh.
The project is expected to cost about ₹1.50 billion (~$18.06 million), according to Sarda Energy.
Gensol will undertake the design engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of the solar power project with the order valued at ₹1.39 billion (~$16.7 million). The project is scheduled for completion within a six-month timeline, Gensol said in a statement.
Gensol has installed ground-mounted and rooftop solar power projects with a combined capacity of over 600 MW to date.
“Known for its rich mineral deposits and burgeoning industrial sector, Chhattisgarh presents a dynamic market with immense potential for renewable energy integration,” said Ali Imran Naqvi, CEO (Head – BD &amp; Projects) of Gensol Engineering.
“This project aligns with our vision to tap into such high-growth areas and to contribute to a greener, cleaner tomorrow,” he added.
Chhattisgarh has made rapid strides toward expanding the solar open access market during the third quarter of 2023. The state accounted for 3.5% of India’s total open access solar capacity, making it the ninth highest in the country, according to the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/q3-2023-mercom-india-solar-open-access-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Q3 2023 Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report</a>.
The state’s recent policy adjustments, particularly focused on green open access, have <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/chhattisgarhs-open-access-solar-surge-with-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boosted</a> the state’s overall solar capacity. It added 28 MW open access solar in the third quarter alone.
India added 907.3 MW of open access solar capacity in Q3 2023, up 36.1% from 666.4 MW in the previous quarter.
Textile, mining, packaging, telecommunications, steel, cement, information technology, automotive, chemicals, pulp and paper, fast-moving consumer goods, and a few other industries, along with flour mills, contributed to the open access solar capacity additions in Q3 2023.
Captive and group captive projects continue to drive the open access solar capacity additions. Several consumers are switching to captive and group captive projects instead of exchange-based procurement, according to Mercom India Research.
Electricity constitutes a major portion of the operational expenses of the cement, steel, and mining industries. The opportunity to reduce costs and meet the net zero targets are incentives for open access solar adoption.

Gensol Secures ₹1.39 Billion Solar EPC Contract from Sarda Energy

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					</table><a href="https://mercomindia.com/50-indias-planned-solar-module-to-be-gujarat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">As India prepares to build out its solar module manufacturing capacity, Gujarat has emerged as an overwhelmingly favorite destination for domestic manufacturers, accounting for more than half</a> of the country’s module-making capacity and roughly 30% of cell manufacturing capacity. The state has benefited from friendly industrial policies in the form of expedited and simpler compliance procedures. Additionally, the electricity tariff in the state is competitive and attracts manufacturing companies. The details emerged in Mercom’s State of Solar Manufacturing in India report, released last month. It is a 58-page document and covers all facets of India’s solar manufacturing.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-subsidiary-issues-epc-tender-for-500-mw-of-solar-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC Renewable Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC, has invited bids for the engineering, procurement, and construction package with land development for 500 MW of inter-state transmission</a> system-connected solar projects anywhere in India. The scope of work also includes the operation and maintenance of complete solar projects, including switchyard and power evacuation system until the interconnecting grid substation, along with consumables and spare parts for three years from the date of commissioning.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/guvnl-bids-500-mw-solar-projects-greenshoe-option/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam has invited bids for purchasing power from 500 MW of grid-connected solar power projects (Phase XIX) to be set up anywhere in India with a greenshoe option</a> of an additional 500 MW. The last date to submit the bids online is March 13, 2023. Bids will be opened on March 16. Bidders will have to deposit ₹300,000 (~$3,637) plus 18% GST as a processing fee. Also, bidders must furnish ₹400,000 (~$4,849)/MW as an earnest money deposit.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/government-330-mw-waste-to-energy-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing 90 projects under its Waste to Energy program, Union Minister of Power R.K Singh informed the Lok Sabha. </a>These projects include seven biogas generation projects with a cumulative production capacity of about 83,400 cubic meters per day, 34 BioCNG projects with a cumulative production capacity of about 248,000 kg/day, and 49 power projects with a cumulative production capacity of about 330 MW. Earlier this month, the government, in its budget, announced 500 new ‘waste-to-wealth’ projects under GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) program, which will be established to promote a circular economy.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/indore-raise-%e2%82%b92-45-billion-through-green-bonds/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In probably a first for an urban local body, the Indore Municipal Corporation is floating a green bond on February 10, 2023, to raise ₹2.45 billion (~$29.5 million ) for a 60 MW ground-mounted captive solar</a> photovoltaic project in Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh. The issue will close on February 14. The tenor of the green municipal bonds will be for 3, 5, 7, and 9 years with a coupon rate of 8.25%. The bonds will have a base issue size of ₹1.22 billion (~$14.77 million) with a green shoe option of a similar amount.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-aims-at-9-fold-in-public-ev-charging-2030/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The government aims to install a total of 46,397 public charging stations (PCS) for electric vehicles in nine major cities by the end of the decade. The information was provided by R.K. Singh, Union</a> Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has prepared an action plan for the installations. The country currently has only about 5,254 PCS under operation. BEE has been selected as the central nodal agency to undertake various initiatives.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/uttarakhand-bids-for-9-5-mw-of-solar-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UJVNL, a government of Uttarakhand enterprise, has invited bids to set up 9.5 MW of grid-connected solar projects near the Kulhal powerhouse in the Dehradun district.</a> The projects will be connected to the 33/11 kV substation at the Kulhal powerhouse under the Solar Energy Policy of Uttarakhand-2013 for the sale of power to UJVNL. The last date to submit the bids online is February 24, 2023. Bids will be opened on February 27.
<a href="https://mercomindia.com/assam-discom-for-10-mw-solar-project/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited has invited bids from solar power developers to set up 10 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power projects under Phase II</a> of the Central Public Sector Undertaking program. The last date for submission of bids is  February 20, 2023. Bids will be opened the following day. The scope of the work includes the design, construction, and supply of solar power-generating systems and the operation and maintenance of the project for 25 years.
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Daily News Wrap-Up: Gujarat to Dominate India’s Planned Solar Module Capacity

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					</table><a href="https://www.syngeneintl.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Syngene International</a>, an integrated research, development, and manufacturing services company has signed an agreement to acquire a 26% stake in <a href="https://www.ampyrenergy.com/">Ampyr</a> Renewable Energy Resources Eleven to procure power from the open access solar project in Koppal district, Karnataka.
The estimated acquisition cost is ₹32 million (~$401,956).
Ampyr Renewable Energy Resources Eleven is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) of Ampyr India Asset Holdings to generate and supply solar power.
The captive solar project under the acquisition will be commissioned in one or more tranches.
Ampyr is developing the 50 MW solar project in Benkanhal village of Kanakagiri taluk in the Koppal district of Karnataka.
According to the company’s ESG report, during 2020-21, 82% of electricity was procured from renewable energy sources delivering a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 53,280 tons from operations compared to the previous year.
Commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) entities are in constant pursuit of energy sources that are clean, green, and also lower in cost compared to the grid power tariffs. With several emerging models, there is a renewed interest in going solar by large C&amp;I entities and micro, small and medium enterprises alike.
For industrial consumers, captive solar projects are a viable option as manufacturing units have poor quality or small roofs on which to install solar systems, which may allow them to meet only 10-15% of their energy needs.
The Ministry of Power recently <a href="https://mercomindia.com/no-load-limit-energy-open-access-captive-consumers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the Green Energy Open Access Rules, which can catalyze the transition of small-scale industries, commercial entities, and large households to renewable energy. As per the new regulations, consumers will be eligible for green energy open access if they have a contracted demand and sanctioned load of 100 kW or more. For captive consumers, there will be no load limitation.
Mercom is hosting the <a href="https://mercomindia.com/event/solar-summit-2022/register/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Solar Summit 2022</a> in Delhi on July 28 and 29, 2022. On July 29, the summit will have a session ‘Commercial and Industrial Sector Going Solar – Potential Market, Policies and Opportunities,’ where panelists will share views on how C&amp;I entities can benefit from adopting solar energy.
Mercom India also <a href="https://mercomindia.com/open-access-solar-industries-uninterrupted-power/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hosted</a> the C&amp;I Clean Energy Meet 2022 in Bengaluru to discuss how open access renewables have been the most viable option for various sectors needing low-cost power.
Mercom plans to <a href="https://mercomindia.com/event/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">host</a> more industry-focused C&amp;I events in Pune, Chennai, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, and Noida.

Syngene to Procure Power from Ampyr’s 50 MW Open Access Solar Project in Karnataka

Digital communications solutions provider Bharti Airtel announced that it will begin sourcing power from a 14 MW captive solar project to meet the energy requirements of its core and edge data centers in Uttar Pradesh.
The facility in Tilhar is the first of the two solar projects being set up by Airtel in partnership with AMP Energy. The second project at Begampur is expected to go live in the next quarter.
These projects are being set up as part of its mission to reduce its carbon footprint.
Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/airtel-makes-foray-solar-group-captive-model/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> in 2019 that Bharti Airtel had entered into an agreement with AMPSolar Evolution, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AMPSolar Technology, to acquire 26% equity shares and compulsorily convertible debentures as part of a group captive solar project deal.
Data centers, which play a crucial role in the digital ecosystem, have large power requirements. ‘Nxtra by Airtel’ currently operates ten large and 120 edge data centers across India. During FY 2022, it aims to meet over 50% of its power requirements through renewable energy sources and contribute to Airtel’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Rajesh Tapadia, CEO, Nxtra Data, said: “As a responsible corporate, green energy is a top agenda for Airtel. We take pride in being ahead of the curve when it comes to implementing sustainability initiatives. We will continue to accelerate our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint through multiple interventions.”
Airtel said that it was aligned to the Paris Climate Accord. The company proactively implements clean fuel-based power solutions for its towers, data centers, switching centers, and other facilities. In FY 20, the company has achieved an average Carbon Emission reduction (CO2 /PB) of ~114% from the base year 2011-12 against the Department of Telecom’s target of 30%.
As part of its commitment to using clean energy, Airtel had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/airtel-buys-stake-in-avaada-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acquired</a> equity shares in Avaada MHBuldhana Private Limited, a special purpose vehicle owning and operating a captive solar power project in Maharashtra.
Many large corporations in India are slowly getting into renewable energy. As most states have made it extremely difficult to procure solar energy through open access by adding a slew of additional charges on consumers, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/group-captive-solar-market-2019/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">group captive</a> has become a more attractive model.
Unlike an individual captive or third-party sale power project, a group captive is an arrangement through which a developer sets up a power project for the collective use of multiple industrial or commercial consumers who have 26% equity in the project and must consume 51% of the power produced.

Airtel’s Data Centers Go Green Sourcing Power from a 14 MW Captive Solar Project

Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements from around the world:
<a href="https://www.lg.com/global" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">LG Electronics</a> <a href="http://www.lgnewsroom.com/2020/12/lg-and-magna-enter-joint-venture-agreement-to-expand-in-powertrain-electrification-market/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> its plans to set up a joint venture (JV) with Canada-based automotive supplier <a href="https://www.magna.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Magna International</a> to manufacture electric motors, inverters, and on-board chargers. It also plans to manufacture related electronic drive systems to support the growing global shift toward vehicle electrification for specific automakers. The JV will be tentatively called ‘LG Magna e-Powertrain’ and aims to capture the market for these components, which is expected to grow significantly before 2030.
Government-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (<a href="https://www.bhel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BHEL</a>) said it has <a href="https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/4b69a3d8-0196-4090-812f-c0752eadf712.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">secured</a> electro-mechanical (E&amp;M) work orders worth ₹32 billion (~$437.4 million). The orders are for a hydroelectric project in Andhra Pradesh, and E&amp;M works for pump-motor sets for lift irrigation programs in Telangana. The E&amp;M order in Andhra Pradesh is for manufacturing and supplying Kaplan hydro turbines – the country’s largest unit-rated turbines. BHEL received these work orders from engineering, procurement, and construction contractors of the projects &#8211; Megha Engineering and Infrastructure.
<a href="https://www.filatex.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Filatex India Limited</a>, a polyester filament yarn manufacturer, <a href="https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/97f69a89-b446-4e1d-a4fe-3f41969f1327.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> that it completed and commenced commercial operation of its captive rooftop solar power projects at Dahej and Dadra on December 30, 2020. The Dahej project was rated at 1 MW in capacity, while the one in Dadra was rated at 400 kW.
The Ministry of Finance of the People’s Republic of China (<a href="http://www.mof.gov.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MOFPRC</a>) <a href="http://jjs.mof.gov.cn/zhengcefagui/202012/t20201231_3638812.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">issued</a> a notice aimed at improving the financial subsidy policy for the promotion and application of new energy vehicles. It said that the current framework for purchase subsidies would remain unchanged in 2021 to help create a stable policy environment. It also proposed to improve the methods and standards for new energy vehicle testing.  It plans to instill a sense of responsibility in manufacturers to encourage them to voluntarily carry out defect investigations and recalls. The ministry said the notice would come into effect starting January 1, 2021.

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