The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has allowed NTPC to adopt a tariff within the range of ₹2.60 (~$0.031) – ₹2.65 ($0.0316) for 1,500 MW solar projects connected to the inter-state transmission system. The Commission said trading margins will be determined per the power sale agreement between NTPC and distribution licensees. On July 25, 2023, NTPC issued a request for selection to establish 1,500 MW ISTS-connected solar power projects under tariff-based competitive bidding. NTPC received six bids for an aggregate capacity of 2250 MW. As per the eligibility criteria, five bidders were shortlisted for the e-reverse auction.

Renewable energy costs have decreased in 2023, making clean energy sources more economically viable than fossil fuels. This reflects the broader progress in the global transition toward renewable energy, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 2023 annual report. According to IRENA’s findings, 86% of new renewable power generation capacity in 2023 was cheaper than the most affordable fossil fuel option, underscoring the rapid advances in the competitiveness of green technologies. The report found that the economic viability of coal-fired power projects is diminishing rapidly, with 91% of operating coal capacity now more expensive than new utility-scale solar or onshore wind projects. 2023 saw notable cost reductions across the renewable energy sector, with solar and wind power leading the way.

NTPC has invited bids to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for an 800 MW pumped hydro storage project, Amba PSP, in Maharashtra. The last date to submit the bids is November 16, 2024. Bids will be opened the same day. The scope of work covers preparing a bankable DPR of international standards for maximum annual power generation with a competitive tariff considering economical water usage and overall cost. Bidders must pay a bid security of ₹5 million (~$59,747). Any bidder from a country that shares a land border with India will be eligible to bid in this tender. Bidders should have experience completing the DPR of at least one hydroelectric/ pumped hydro storage project of at least 100 MW in the last fifteen years.

Rewa Ultra Mega Solar has invited bids to develop a 600 MW grid-connected ground-mounted solar power project with a battery energy storage system in Morena Solar Park, Madhya Pradesh. The last date to submit bids is January 20, 2025. Bids will be opened on January 23. The scope of work covers developing, operating, and maintaining two units each of 300 MW of grid-connected ground-mounted solar projects, with BESS, for the supply of an aggregate of 440 MW (220 MW from each unit) of peak power to the procurer during 4-hour peak period (divided into 2-hour morning peak and 2-hour evening peak). The procurer will provide night-time charging power to the solar power developers for the BESS component of the units per the power purchase agreements.

PFC Consulting, a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation (PFC), has issued a Request for Proposal to select a transmission service provider to establish an Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) at Kurnool-III PS, Andhra Pradesh, for the integration of an additional 4.5 GW of renewable energy. The last date to submit the bids is November 29, 2024. Bids will open on the same day. Bidders must pay a non-refundable deposit of ₹500,000 (~ $7,000). The scope of work includes establishing, operating, and maintaining the project on a build, own, operate, and transfer.

Mumbai-based solar glass manufacturer Borosil Renewables will procure wind-solar hybrid power from a 16.5 MW project to be developed by Clean Max Prithvi (CMPPL) in Gujarat. The power generated from this facility will be supplied exclusively to Borosil Renewables under the rules governing captive power consumption. Borosil has acquired a 49% equity stake in Clean Max Prithvi, a special purpose vehicle of Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions, for ₹49,000 (~$586). The two companies will infuse a further ₹178.3 million (~$2.1 million) in CMPPL in one or more tranches to operationalize the hybrid power project.

NTPC Renewable Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC, has invited bids for a land and power evacuation package to develop a 1,000 MW ISTS-connected solar project in Bidar, Karnataka. The last date to submit the bids is November 8, 2024. Bids will be opened on the same day. Arrangement of government/private land (5 acres/MW) on a freehold/leasehold basis near the Bidar Pooling substation. The lease period will be a minimum of 29 years and 11 months. An approach road to the pooling substation, including any interconnection between the plots by self or state machinery. Topography survey for land parcels and any cutting/filling with 95% compaction per the standard Proctor density test to maintain an average slope of 10% to install the tracker-based MMS.

The South Central Railway has invited bids to install rooftop solar systems of a total capacity of 1,237 kW at service buildings across the Hyderabad Division. The initiative aims to enhance renewable energy utilization and reduce dependency on conventional power sources. The last date to submit bids is October 17, 2024. The project’s estimated cost is ₹86.1 million (~$1.02 million). Bidders will have four months to complete it. Bidders must also pay an earnest money deposit of ₹590,900 (~$7,061). The scope of the work encompasses the design, supply, and installation of rooftop on-grid solar systems with Mono PERC Solar Panels (535 Wp or above).

Scientists from the University of Camerino have developed a novel way of extracting silver from end-of-life solar cells. Solar cells use various metals, such as aluminum, steel, copper, zinc, and silver. While aluminum and silver are easily recoverable, copper and silver can be difficult to obtain. By combining hydrometallurgical and electrochemical processes, the scientists have reportedly recovered pure silver with an efficiency of 98%. According to the university’s Environmental Technology & Innovation paper, “Conventional metal extraction techniques, such as open-pit mining, can inflict substantial harm on the environment and neighboring ecosystems. Therefore, employing a metal recovery process based on industrial wastes can mitigate the environmental impact of metal production.”

China’s clash with the U.S. over the latter’s clean energy subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has taken a formal turn, with the World Trade Organization setting up a panel to resolve the dispute. Agreeing to China’s second request, the WTO’s Dispute Resolution Body will determine whether certain tax credits under the IRA align with the rules of the multilateral trading system. Eighteen countries, including the European Union, Russia, United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia, have reserved their third-party rights to participate in the proceedings. China has argued that subsidies for clean energy projects available under the IRA favor U.S. goods and discriminate against imports in violation of WTO rules.