The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has extended the deadline for compliance with and implementation of the Quality Control Order, 2017, for solar photovoltaic inverters until June 30, 2023. The self-certification deadline extension was provided in view of the availability of limited test facilities, which would mean more time for compliance. According to the notification, the manufacturers should have valid International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) certificates and test reports from accredited test labs for the smooth implementation of the order.

Distribution companies owed power generators ₹329.72 billion (~$4 billion) in overdue payments for the monthly billing cycle at the end of January, according to Ministry of Power data. The total outstanding owed to power generators is ₹562.41 billion (~$6.84 billion). This is 22% less than ₹719.58 billion (~$8.75 billion) DISCOMs owed power generators in December. The current outstanding due, excluding the latest monthly dues, is ₹232.69 billion (~$2.83 billion).

Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has invited bids for maintaining the 390 kW and 650 kW rooftop solar systems located at its North, South, East, and Anik Chembur yards. The maintenance contract for the 390 kW rooftop solar system will be until December 10, 2024, and for the 650 kW system, it will be until March 21, 2025.

The last day to submit the bids is February 21, 2023. Bids will be opened the next day.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has directed four distribution companies to compensate a solar developer for the additional cost incurred due to the imposition of the goods and services tax (GST) regime under the ‘Change in Law’ clause. The petitioners— Azure Power and its special purpose vehicles— sought reimbursement of GST incurred on operation and maintenance (O&M).

In a move that could significantly hamper the energy transition goals globally, China is contemplating restricting exports of critical technology related to solar photovoltaic components. The proposal was open to the public for comments, for which the deadline was January 28. If implemented, local manufacturers would be restricted from exporting the technology over which China has a stranglehold. China’s Commerce and Science and Technology ministries recently invited public feedback on the proposed changes to the Catalogue of Export Restricted Technologies, which could include a ban or restriction on exporting technology related to the production of solar wafers, black silicon, and ingots.

The European Commission has published the Green Deal Industrial Plan based on the idea of developing a ‘Single Market,’ which will utilize €250 billion (~$274.96 billion) of existing EU funds to safeguard and enhance the competitiveness of its clean energy industry. With the help of proposed strategies like the Net Zero Industry Plan, Critical Raw Materials Act, REPowerEU, the EU Sovereignty Fund, and the revised Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, the plan will help keep a majority of investments for cleantech within the region. The Commission plans to mobilize the existing funds of €250 billion (~$274.96 billion) available under the REPowerEU plan and another €372 billion (~$409.14 billion) under the InvestEU plan.

Spain-based wind turbine maker Siemens Gamesa’s net loss widened to €884 million (~$971.9 million) for the first quarter of the financial year (FY) 2023 compared to €403 million (~$443.2 million) year-over-year. The company detected an upward trend in the failure rate of certain components that resulted in higher-than-expected warranty and service maintenance costs leading to the loss during the quarter. Additionally, the economic performance during this period was severely impacted by the outcome of the evaluation of the installed fleet, mostly impacting the service business, the company said in a statement.

Denmark-based wind developer Orsted swung into a loss of DKK 329 million (~$48.19 million) in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2022, compared with a net profit of DKK 3.26 billion (~$482 million) year-over-year. The company said the quarterly loss was due to delays at two of its projects — Hornsea 2 and Greater Changhua 1 and 2a. Adverse impacts from ineffective hedging compounded the quarterly loss, the company added. For the October-December quarter, the company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) stood at DKK 6.7 billion (~$981 million), a decline of 18.78 % YoY.