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.
Wood Burning Can Be A Clean Source of Energy With Net Carbon Benefits: Report
A recent study published in Science Advances, a peer-reviewed multidisciplinary open-access scientific journal, concluded that the harmful effects of burning wood for energy on the climate could be mitigated with ...
Africa’s Mali Announces Tax and Duty Exemptions on Renewable Energy Equipment
The Republic of Mali, a country in West Africa, has announced that it will exempt renewable energy equipment from value-added taxes (VAT), duties, and other taxes to boost the reduction ...
Top Solar and Power-Related Apps to Help Consumers During COVID-19 Lockdown
The Indian solar industry is shut down because of the nationwide lockdown in place because of the Coronavirus outbreak. Current restrictions have disrupted day-to-day business activities. The Ministry of New ...
Additional Costs Borne by Solar Developers Due to GST Imposition to be Reimbursed
In a recent order, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission declared that the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) fell within the scope of the “Change in Law” clause for ...
Maharashtra Will No Longer Set Generic Tariffs for Renewables
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), going forward, will determine tariffs for wind, solar, non-fossil fuels-based co-generation, biomass-based, and hybrid renewable power projects only through a transparent process of competitive ...
SECI Issues Tender for 15 MW of Floating Solar Projects at Singareni Collieries in Telangana
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for 15 MW of floating solar projects at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in the state of Telangana. The projects ...
SECI to Reimburse Additional Charges Incurred by Hero Solar Due to GST Enactment
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has said that the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) falls under the scope of the “Change in Law” clause of power ...
AfDB Extends €12.46 Million for Expansion of Renewables in an African Island
The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced that it would donate €12.46 million (~₹1.05 billion) to finance the Energy Transition and Institutional Support Program (ETISP) in the Democratic Republic of São ...
DISCOMs’ Obligation to Pay for Power Within 45 Days of Raising Letter of Credit Remains
The Ministry of Power (MoP) has issued a clarification regarding letters of credit (LoC) to be given by distribution companies (DISCOMs). It stated that DISCOMs are expected to deposit LoCs for ...
MNRE Addresses Invoicing Issues Faced by Renewable Generators Due to Coronavirus Pandemic
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a memorandum addressing problems that domestic renewable energy generating stations are facing while invoicing for renewable energy supplied amid the ...
Month in a Minute: Top Headlines from India’s Renewable Sector in March 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc globally. All industries and economic activity have felt the repercussions of the outbreak. Mercom is covering the effects of Coronavirus on the industry to ...
Andhra DISCOM Invokes Force Majeure Due to Cash Crunch During Coronavirus Pandemic
The Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) is the latest addition to the group of power distribution companies (DISCOMs) seeking refuge under the force majeure clause following the ...
Manufacturers Need Extension for ALMM as Solar Industry Copes with Coronavirus
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) decision to mandate the implementation of the approved list of models and manufacturers (ALMM) for government projects starting March 31, 2020, may ...
Punjab Claims it is Curtailing Power Under Force Majeure Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has issued a ‘force majeure’ notice stating that it has been forced to curtail power purchase and generation due to the ongoing nationwide ...
Sterling and Wilson Solar Receives ₹5 Billion Against Outstanding Loans
Sterling and Wilson Solar Limited (SWSL), a solar engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company, has announced that it has received ₹5 billion (~$66.8 million) towards the outstanding loans from its ...
Maharashtra Not to Levy Grid Support Charges on Rooftop Solar
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has approved the revised retail electricity tariffs for the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) for the fourth control period from FY 2020-21 ...
Shipping Lines Asked Not to Impose Detention Charges on Containers Due to Coronavirus
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Mumbai, has issued an advisory to shipping lines asking them not to impose any container detention charges on import shipments at Indian seaports to ...
SECI Says UP DISCOMs Can’t Claim Force Majeure Amid COVID-19 for Insufficient Funds
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) issued a letter to the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) stating that its claim of 'force majeure' for its inability to pay ...
Modhera Sun Temple Gets ₹650 Million Grant for 6 MW Solar, 15 MWh Battery Energy Storage System
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a grant of ₹650 million (~$8.63 million) towards a program for the solarization of the Sun Temple in Modhera, Gujarat, ...
Ministry of Power Revises Local Content Requirements in Power Distribution Components
The Ministry of Power (MoP) has issued a public procurement order with revised requirements for locally made components in electrical equipment used in the power distribution center. The Ministry issued ...
Fourth Partner and Lithium Urban Technologies to Set up Solar EV Charging Stations
Fourth Partner Energy, a distributed solar energy management company, announced that it has partnered with Lithium Urban Technologies, a commercial electric vehicle (EV) fleet provider, to set up solar-powered EV charging ...
AfDB and Nigeria Launch National Electrification Project to Boost Energy Access
The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Nigeria announced the launch of their National Electrification Project (NEP), which aims to help improve access to energy by promoting private ...
COVID-19 Lockdown: MNRE Extends Deadline for All Renewable Projects Under Construction
All renewable energy projects currently under implementation will be given an extension of time in light of the ongoing lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Anand Kumar, Secretary of the ...
Karnataka Issues Tender for an 11.5 MW Waste to Energy Project in Bidadi
The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has floated a tender for an 11.5 MW waste to energy project at Bidadi in the Ramanagar district of the state. The scope of ...
Raipur Smart City Seeks Agencies to Set up EV Charging Stations in the City
Raipur Smart City Limited (RSCL) has floated a tender to select an agency for setting up electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at multiple locations in the city on an annual ...
