Author Archives: Nithin Thomas Prasad
About Nithin Thomas Prasad
Nithin is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Reuters News, he has covered oil, metals and agricultural commodity markets across global markets. He has also covered refinery and pipeline explosions, oil and gas leaks, Atlantic region hurricane developments, and other natural disasters. Nithin holds a Masters Degree in Applied Economics from Christ University, Bangalore and a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from Loyola College, Chennai.
Assam to Install Standalone Solar LED Streetlights Across Four Zones
The Urban Development Department (UDD) of Assam has floated a tender to install standalone solar light-emitting diode (LED) street lighting systems with seven-meter galvanized octagonal poles in the city. The ...
NTPC Issues Notice Inviting Tender for 1.2 GW of Solar Projects
The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has floated an invitation for bids for the selection of solar power developers for setting up 1,200 MW Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) connected solar ...
Andhra Proposes to Raise Deviation Settlement Charges for Renewable Projects
The Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (APTRANSCO) has issued a notice to the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) seeking amendments to the existing regulations for forecasting, scheduling, and deviation ...
Himachal Pradesh Floats a Tender for 10,000 Solar Lanterns
The Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA) has floated a tender for 10,000 solar lanterns in the state. The scope of work under the contract includes supplying the solar lanterns ...
BIS Certification Can Clean the Solar Market of Small, Weak Players: Growatt Interview
The extension of BIS standards certification for solar inverters was met with mixed responses. Some believe that it was essential because it gave them more time to go through the ...
NIWE Announces Tender to Assess Wind and Solar Resources in India
The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has invited tenders for sensors and data loggers with accessories to assess wind and solar resources across the country. The scope of work ...
Impact of Basic Customs Duty on Solar Cells and Modules: Winners and Losers
Basic customs duty (BCD) on the import of solar cells and modules was announced at 20% in the Union Budget for 2020-21. While the exemption on this duty remains in ...
Tender Announced for 4.43 MW of Rooftop Solar at a Mumbai Metro Station
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has floated a tender for 4.43 MW of rooftop solar projects at a station site of the Mumbai Metro Rail Project. The scope ...
Telangana Issues Tender to Install ABT and SCADA Facilities for 60 MW of Solar Projects
The Transmission Corporation of Telangana Limited (TSTRANSCO) has floated two tender notices to set up availability-based tariff (ABT) metering along with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) facilities at interconnection ...
Karnataka Electricity Regulator Reduces Tariff for a Delayed 10 MW Solar Project
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has dismissed a petition by Shorapur Solar Power Limited that argued its 10 MW solar project was delayed due to force majeure (unforeseeable) events ...
Indian Oil Partners with Israeli Battery Manufacturer to Produce Metal-Air Batteries
The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has announced that it has partnered with Phinergy, an Israeli battery manufacturer, to produce metal-air batteries which could potentially be used in electric vehicles ...
Gujarat Transmission Corporation Invites EPC Contractors for 185 MW of Solar Projects
The Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) has floated a tender for 185 MW of grid-connected solar projects ranging between 20 MW and 40 MW in capacity at various substations ...
EESL Set to Procure 1,000 Electric Cars
The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has floated a tender to procure 1,000 electric cars with a driving range over 180 km on a pan-India basis. EESL is a joint ...
Hindustan Petroleum Issues Tender for a 2 MW Solar Project in Bengaluru
The Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a state-owned oil and natural gas company, has floated a tender for setting up a 2 MW (AC) solar project under Phase- II of ...
Reimburse Costs Incurred by Solar Developer Due to Safeguard Duty Imposition: CERC to NTPC
Responding to a recent petition, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) declared that the imposition of Safeguard Duty (SGD) in July 2018 was covered under the “Change in Law” clause ...
NTPC to Provide Consultancy Services for Solar Projects in Togo
The Ministry of Power announced that the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) had been awarded the letter of engagement as the project management consultant (PMC) for the development of 300 ...
Solar Inverter Companies Facing Strong Downward Pricing Trends: Sineng Interview
India has significant potential to generate solar energy, thanks to high solar irradiation in most parts of the country. The hurdles mostly lie in the market and policy environment. These ...
Gujarat Announces 500 MW Solar Tender with a Ceiling Tariff of ₹2.65/kWh
The Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has issued a request for selection (RfS) for the purchase of power from 500 MW of grid-connected solar projects (Phase VIII). The maximum ...
BHEL Seeks Contractors for a 100 MW Floating Solar Project in Telangana
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has issued a notice inviting tender for contractors to set up a 100 MW AC floating solar project for the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) ...
CERC Asks SECI to Compensate Azure Power for Cost Incurred Due to Safeguard Duty
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has ruled in favor of Azure Power in its petition against the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) that sought to invoke the ‘Change ...
Solar Tender and Auction Activity Surged in January 2020
Tender activity in January 2020 saw an increase of over 70% from the previous month with over 4 GWs of solar projects announced, according to Mercom India’s Solar Tender Tracker, ...
GE T&D to Set Up Gas-Insulated Substation in Jaipur to Evacuate 1 GW of Solar Power
GE T&D India Limited, a transmission, and distribution company, announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) to construct a 765 ...
Component Manufacturers in Renewable Industry Need More Support: Sungrow Interview
Solar inverter manufacturers have not had the easiest of times in the Indian market lately, given an uncertain policy environment and rising competition from foreign players. The ambiguity of the ...
Tender Issued to Solarize 504 Agricultural Pumps Under KUSUM Program in Jodhpur
The Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) has floated a tender for the solarization of 504 agricultural pumps to be distributed to 17 select 11 kV feeders of the Jodhpur ...
NTPC Raises $750 Million Syndicated Loan to Reduce Emissions from Power Projects
The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) announced that it had raised a syndicated loan worth $750 million (~₹53.5 billion) in Japanese Yen to fund capital expenditure for the installation of ...
