Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:

State-owned THDC India has signed a Letter of Intent to build 10 GW solar power projects entailing an investment of ₹100 billion (~$1.33 billion) in Rajasthan. The Government of Rajasthan will allocate the land bank through Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL). The renewable energy parks will be implemented through a special purpose vehicle in terms of a joint venture company with RRECL in the ratio of 74:26. The project will be commissioned between the third and fifth year in a phased manner. These mega ventures by THDC India and RRECL will boost the socio-economic development of the project areas and also bring in cheap solar electricity in the region. With the above intent of investment in the energy sector by THDC India, it is expected that around 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created during the peak time of construction, which will boost the local economy.

The Ministry of Power issued amendments to the guidelines for tariff-based competitive bidding process for procurement of round-the-clock power from grid-connected renewable energy power projects, complemented with power from any other source or storage. As per the amendment, bidders will be selected based on the least quoted weighted average levelized tariff. The bidder (L1 bidder) quoting the least weighted average levelized Tariff (L1 tariff) will be allocated the capacity of power they offer. Suppose the allocated capacity is less than the total capacity to be contracted. In that case, the capacity allocation will be based on bucket filling, i.e., capacity quoted by the L1 bidder at L1 rates will be allocated first. Then the capacity quoted by the next lowest bidder (L2 bidder) at the rates quoted by him (L2 rates) will be allocated until the tendered capacity is fully exhausted.

The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) directed the industries located in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Rajasthan to switch to piped natural gas (PNG) or biomass fuel. The order was directed at companies that have still not shifted to PNG or other cleaner fuels despite the availability of natural gas infrastructure and supply. Industries located in the NCR of Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan, will have to completely switch over to PNG or biomass fuels by September 30, 2022. Non-switchover will result in the closure of industries using other fuels. Until the transition to fuels as above is affected, such industries will use only fuels approved by the respective state governments for industrial operations.

Telecommunication company T-Mobile signed a long-term agreement with Nexamp to participate in a community solar program qWith subscriptions to ten separate Nexamp solar farms representing more than 50 MW of total project capacity across Maine, Massachusetts, and New York, T-Mobile will receive savings through the discounted credits applied to its electric bills. Local electric customers interested in clean energy can subscribe to these projects and receive discounts on their bills. NRG served as the RFP consultant for T-Mobile, which selected Nexamp for its community solar portfolio. Nexamp will be the long-term owner of the projects.

The UK Government will change the frequency of its Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme to every year rather than every two years to accelerate the roll-out of renewables. The Government said the move would support renewable electricity producers and boost the UK’s renewable energy infrastructure. CfDs are the Government’s primary method of supporting renewable energy, driving down the cost of technologies and playing an essential role in leveraging £90 billion (~$122.12 billion) of private investment by 2030. The auction scheme has already proved successful at bringing down the per-unit price of offshore wind by around 65% since the first auctions were held – helping the UK become one of the world’s largest wind power generators. In the last allocation round, 12 new contracts were awarded, with the potential for nearly 6 GW of additional capacity.

KPI Global Infrastructure bagged an order from Greenlab Diamonds LLP for executing solar power projects of 25 MWdc capacity under the captive power producer segment. Earlier, the company had bagged orders from Veekey Prints, Priyanshi Creations, and Navnidhi Dyeing and Printing Mills for executing solar power projects of 2.964 MWdc capacity under the captive power producer segment.