The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released a draft Green Hydrogen Certification program for stakeholder consultation. Stakeholder can share their comments on the draft by September 27, 2024. The program aims to establish a comprehensive framework for measuring, monitoring, and certifying green hydrogen production. It outlines governance structures, certification procedures, and guidelines for calculating greenhouse gas emission intensity. The program recognizes two eligible hydrogen production pathways – Electrolysis and Conversion of Biomass. Stakeholders can propose new pathways for technical committee consideration.

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued guidelines to address calculating electricity units exported by solar net meter consumers during periods when meters are defective or non-functional. This clarification aims to ensure fair and consistent billing practices for prosumers with grid-interactive solar rooftop photovoltaic systems. APERC said all provisions of the General Terms and Conditions of Supply), the Supply Code, and relevant regulations apply to prosumers. By providing clear instructions on estimating energy export during meter defects, APERC aims to minimize disputes and promote the smooth operation of solar net metering systems in Andhra Pradesh.

Purvah Green Power, a subsidiary of Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC), has been selected by CESC to develop 300 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar power projects across India. Of the total capacity, 150 MW will be developed through tariff-based competitive bidding, while the remaining 150 MW will be executed under a greenshoe option. Purvah has accepted the letter of award from CESC, according to a bourse filing. As part of the agreement, Purvah will sign a 25-year power purchase agreement within 30 days of receiving the letter of award. The company must identify suitable land for project installation, secure ownership, connect to the ISTS network, and obtain approvals and connectivity to supply power to CESC. The tender was issued in July this year.

The Tata Group is planning to set up a 20 GWh battery manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat, through its clean energy subsidiary Agratas. The group has invested ₹9.51 billion (~$113.2 million) in Agratas. Agratas is setting up a 40 GWh battery manufacturing plant in the UK. In its annual report 2023-24, Tata Group said it is creating critical manufacturing capabilities by setting up manufacturing plants in India and the UK. Agratas’ UK vehicle battery manufacturing facility will be located near Bridgwater in Somerset. Construction on the gigafactory, which covers 224,710 sq.m. of built area, is underway. Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors are the anchor customers for this venture, with supplies scheduled to commence in 2026.

INKEL, a public-private partnership initiative promoted by the Kerala government, has invited expressions of interest for the engineering, construction, and procurement of 14 MW of wind power projects at Ozhalapathy and Vadakarapathy in the Palakkad district of Kerala. The last day to submit the bids is September 20, 2024. The scope encompasses the project site’s design and supply of wind turbine generators, including insurance, transportation, and secure logistics. It also involves the erection, testing, and commissioning of 14 MW (±10%) wind power project, along with power evacuation to the pooling station.

The Forest Department of Maharashtra has invited bids to commission 1.5 MW of rooftop or ground-mounted solar projects for Chandrama Forest Academy under Renewable Energy Service Company mode. The estimated work cost is ₹100 million (~$1.19 million). The project must be commissioned within six months of receiving the work order. The projects can be commissioned in two categories: i) 100-1,000 kW and ii) 1,200-1,500 kW. The last day to submit the bids is September 26, 2024. Bids will be opened the next day. Bidders must furnish an Earnest Money Deposit of ₹500,000 (~$5,956) and a tender form fee of ₹3,540 (~$42). The department will sign 25-year power purchase agreements with the developers. Forest Academy, Chandrapur, and SABV Botanical Garden, Chandrapur, will be beneficiaries.

Singapore-based hydrogen company Horizon Fuel Cell Group is setting up a 1 GW electrolyzer factory in India in a joint venture with Indify Fuel Cell. HET Hydrogen, an electrolyzer subsidiary of Horizon Fuel Cell Group, will establish assembly facilities capable of turning out GW capacities of electrolyzers in two phases. The company plans to assemble at least 100 MW annually in the initial phase. The unit is expected to be operational by early 2026. HET has commercialized MW-scale Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and is preparing to launch MW-scale AEM electrolyzers based on proprietary membrane and stack technology. The technology provides target capital costs around the level of traditional alkaline systems and operating costs substantially lower than PEM systems.

Oriana Power, through its subsidiary, Truere Surya, has secured a ₹5.2 billion (~$61.94 million) contract from Dalmia Cement to develop a 128 MW ground-mounted solar power project under the open access captive arrangement in Tamil Nadu. Dalmia Cement will acquire 26% shares for ₹448 million (~$5.34 million) in Truere Surya, Oriana said in a filing on the National Stock Exchange. The share acquisition agreement will help Dalmia Cement source solar power as a captive consumer. The transaction is expected to be completed in four to six months. The project is part of Dalmia Cement’s efforts to achieve its RE100 goals by 2030 and turn carbon negative by 2040.

Energy and environment solutions company Thermax has acquired 100% equity share capital of Onix-Two Enersol (OTEPL) through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Energy. The acquisition is valued at ₹100,000 (~$1,190), with Thermax acquiring 10,000 equity shares. OTEPL, founded in March 2023, is a renewable energy firm specializing in constructing, developing, and maintaining solar and wind energy projects. OTEPL’s net worth as of August 2024 was reported at ₹100,000 (~$1,190), with a paid-up capital of the same amount. OTEPL reported a turnover of ₹25.66 million (~$305,512) for the financial year 2023-2024, with a profit of ₹209,200 (~2,490). Its business operations focus on the renewable energy sector, particularly solar parks, wind turbines, and solar energy projects.

In Q2 2024, 9.4 GW of new solar power capacity was added in the US, a record second quarter. Solar module manufacturing capacity in the U.S. increased by over 10 GW to 31.3 GW, according to the latest report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie. In a quarter-over-quarter comparison, the capacity addition was down 21% but was 29% higher than the same quarter in 2023. This expansion is largely attributed to ongoing federal clean energy initiatives boosting solar manufacturing and project deployment. Solar accounted for 67% of all new power capacity added to the US grid in the first half of 2024.