The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has proposed that power transmission lines of up to 33 kV voltage level passing through the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) area should be underground lines. Power transmission lines of above 33 kV voltage level passing through the GIB area should be overhead lines installed with bird flight diverters, according to the draft ‘Construction of Electric Lines in the GIB Area Regulations, 2023.’ Stakeholders can submit their suggestions by March 3, 2023.

Coal India has issued a request for expression of interest from engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors for 810 MW of solar projects in Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam’s solar park in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The last day to submit the bids is February 13, 2023. The scope of work will encompass a complete turnkey EPC solution for the project, including the supply of solar modules and the balance of system. The supply of solar modules could, however, be excluded from the scope.

Central Mine Planning and Design Institute, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coal India, has invited bids for installing and commissioning a 4 MW grid-connected solar project for Central Coalfields in the Giridih area of Jharkhand. The successful bidder will also have to take care of the project’s operation and maintenance for five years. The last date to submit the bids is February 28, 2023. Bids will be opened on March 1.

West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company has invited bids for a three-year operation and maintenance contract for an existing 10 MW solar power project at Santaldih in the Purulia district of West Bengal. The last date to submit the bids online is February 24, 2023. Bids will be opened on February 28. The project’s estimated cost is ₹11.69 million (~$142,679).

Indian Oil Corporation has invited bids for the comprehensive operation and maintenance of a 4.5 MW grid interactive ground-mounted solar power project at Narimanam, Tamil Nadu. The last date for the submission of bids is February 4, 2023. Bids will be opened after four days on February 9. The project’s estimated cost, including GST for four years, is ₹36.3 million (~$444,458).

France-based energy conglomerate TotalEnergies said it had sold 50% of a 234 MW portfolio of renewable projects to insurance group Crédit Agricole Assurances. The company said that the transaction implied an enterprise value of $300 million (100%) for the portfolio, which is equivalent to 16 times the EBITDA. The portfolio includes 29 solar and wind projects, of which 25 projects totaling 180 MW are already operational while four others of 54 MW capacity will be commissioned in the first half of 2023, TotalEnergies said.

Researchers from Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory said they had solved the mystery behind the persistent problem of short-circuit and failure in new lithium metal batteries. The team identified that the problem comes down to nanoscale defects and mechanical stress, especially during potent charging.

The new Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project has commenced operations in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to expand electricity access to millions of consumers in Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The $311 million project, supported by the World Bank, aims to accelerate renewable energy capacity connected to the grid and improve regional integration among participating countries.