The Government of India has greenlighted new Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) programs totaling ₹135.95 billion (~$1.63 billion) to evacuate 9 GW of renewable energy from Rajasthan and Karnataka. The first program focuses on the Rajasthan renewable energy zone, designed to evacuate 4.5 GW of renewable power. This includes 1 GW in Fatehgarh Complex, 2.5 GW in Barmer Complex, and 1 GW in Nagaur (Merta) Complex. The energy generated from these areas will be transferred to the Mainpuri Region, Fatehpur, and Orai in Uttar Pradesh.

TREDCO Rajasthan, a joint venture between THDC India and Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation, has invited bids to engage consultants to acquire land to develop 2,000 MW ultra mega renewable energy parks in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy’s solar park program. Bidders who were prequalified in the empanelment tender issued by THDC India in July last year are eligible to participate in the bidding process.

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has raised ₹15 billion (~$179.5 million) through bonds, reflecting strong investor confidence in India’s renewable energy sector. The bond issuance, which included a base issue of ₹5 billion (~$59.8 million) and a green shoe option of ₹10 billion (~$119.7 million), received an overwhelming response from investors. The bonds were oversubscribed by 2.65 times. The funds have been raised at an annual interest rate of 7.44% for ten years and two months.

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured an order to build a grid-connected 185 MW solar power project with 254 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Bihar’s Lakshisarai district from the Bihar State Power Generation Company. The tender for the project was floated last December. The tender had specified that the BESS must be set up to deliver a maximum power of 45.4 MW for four hours. L&T will also be responsible for a ten-year operation and maintenance commitment.

The Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has invited bids to select firms for the strategy, planning, and implementation of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities aimed at increasing awareness of PM Surya Ghar Yojana benefits in Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, and Varanasi. The activities are expected to be developed and deployed within 60 days of the work order date, with a one-year contract validity.

The Ministry of Railways has issued a request for qualification to empanel agencies to implement rooftop solar projects for the Indian Railways in Rajasthan. The scope of work includes the design, procurement, erection of civil and structural works, installation, testing, and commissioning of the solar projects. The successful bidders must operate and maintain the projects for 25 years.

Bharat Heavy Electricals has issued a tender for 1.6 MW solar photovoltaic projects at its Heavy Plates and Vessels Plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The project comprises a 1 MW capacity for the factory and 0.6 MW for the township, both with net metering arrangements. The last date for bid submission is July 12, 2024. Bids will be opened on the same day.

France added a record 1 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, up 66% from the same period last year and reaching a total of 21.1 GW, according to Ministry of Energy Transition data. Solar energy production hit 4 TWh in Q1, an 11.2% increase from the same period in 2023, accounting for 2.9% of France’s annual electricity consumption. The pipeline of solar projects awaiting grid connection continues to grow, reaching 27.3 GW by the end of the quarter, an increase of 22% from the previous year.