Tata Power Solar, Jakson Green, Ashoka Buildcon, Gensol Engineering, and InSolare Energy emerged as the top utility-scale solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) service providers in the first half (1H) of the calendar year 2024, according to Mercom’s recently released India Solar Market Leaderboard 1H 2024.

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has approved the Uniform Protection Protocol to ensure grid stability, reliability, and security and safely integrate 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and 2,100 GW by 2047. The National Power Committee, in consultation with the Regional Power Committee, prepared the Uniform Protection Protocol.

The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has exempted solar module manufacturing units, solar power projects, wind power projects, and mini hydel power projects less than 25 MW from obtaining both Environmental Clearance (EC) and Consent to Establish (CTE). Under the notification, projects with an EC will no longer need to obtain a CTE or Consent to Operate, reducing the compliance burden and eliminating duplication of approvals.

The Katihar Division of the North East Frontier Railway has issued two tenders to install a cumulative capacity of 3.4 MW rooftop solar systems across railway stations, level crossing gates, service buildings, and residential buildings. The tenders are divided into two capacities: one for 1.75 MW and another for 1.718 MW. The last date for the submission of bids is December 9, 2024. The estimated value of each tender is ₹90.7 million (~$1.07 million).

The Lumding Division (Electrical) of the North East Frontier Railway has invited bids for the provision of 2.5 MW rooftop solar systems at various buildings, service stations, and parking areas in Guwahati. The last date to submit the bids is December 6. The bids will be opened on the same day. Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹859,300 (~$10,182). The advertised value of the tender is ₹142 million (~$1.68 million). The project must be completed in 180.

The Lumding Division (Electrical) of the North East Frontier Railway has issued two tenders for the provision of cumulative 3.2 MW rooftop solar systems at various buildings, service stations, staff quarters, and parking areas in Guwahati. The last date to submit the bids is December 6, 2024. The project must be completed in 180 days. The scope of work for both tenders includes designing and supplying on-grid solar systems without battery backup. The successful bidder must supply 545 Wp or above solar modules using IEC-certified monocrystalline cells.

ACME Sun Power, a wholly owned subsidiary of ACME Solar Holdings, has secured a ₹37.53 billion (~$444.68 million) loan from REC Limited to develop 320 MW Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy projects in collaboration with SJVN. The project is located in high-resource potential regions, with the solar capacity situated in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, and wind power generation at Bhuj and Jam Khambhaliya in Gujarat. A Power Purchase Agreement  has been signed with SJVN, and the project’s grid connectivity is already in place. The land acquisition process is at an advanced stage.

Energy job growth was fuelled by record levels of investment across a wide range of energy sources in the wake of the global energy crisis. Job growth in clean energy sectors increased by 1.5 million in 2023, bringing total energy employment to 34.8 million jobs, according to the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Employment 2024 report. Clean power jobs accounted for 40% of all energy job growth in 2023. Clean energy job growth represents over 10% of economy-wide job growth in China and 4-6% in advanced economies.

China has announced it will lower the export tax rebate rate for solar photovoltaic products and batteries from 13% to 9% starting December 1, 2024. It also eliminates export tax rebates for aluminum and copper. The announcement was jointly made by China’s Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration. This taxation intervention addresses global concerns over overcapacity in its renewable energy sector, a factor contributing to escalating trade tensions.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has invited bids for advisory services to develop a 1,600 MW solar photovoltaic project integrated with a 1,000 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The BESS will deliver six hours of energy storage capacity. Bids must be submitted by December 17, 2024. The project is in line with DEWA’s broader initiatives, including a 250 MW pumped-storage plant in Hatta and energy storage within its flagship Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which combines PV and concentrated solar power technologies.

The global energy sector is undergoing transformative technological, social, and economic shifts, a reality emphasized during the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference. This month, the world’s largest energy gathering brought together over 200,000 participants in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the critical changes reshaping the industry. While there is much to celebrate with the energy sector’s ongoing progress, from breakthrough innovations to increased investment, the event spotlighted emerging trends that position nearly everyone as a stakeholder in the future of energy and demand immediate attention.