REC Power Development and Consultancy floated a tender to select a transmission service provider through a tariff-based competitive bidding process to establish an inter-state transmission system to evacuate 20 GW of power from renewable energy zones in Rajasthan under Phase -III, Part I. The last date for the submission of bids is October 27, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day. The scheduled commercial operation date of the project is 42 months from the effective date. The bidder must submit ₹500,000 (~$6,026) as the cost of the tender.

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission issued the draft forecasting, scheduling, and deviation settlement regulations 2023, allowing up to 10% deviation for solar power projects and 15% for wind power projects without penalties. The regulations will apply to all wind and solar energy generators (excluding rooftop solar power projects of capacity less than 1 MW) in Tamil Nadu connected to the intrastate transmission system or distribution system, including those connected through pooling substations, and using the power generated for self-consumption or sale within or outside the state.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), in response to a petition filed by the Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre (SRLDC) regarding critical operational challenges of the grid in South India, directed the states to provide quarterly progress reports to SRLDC on action taken to ensure grid stability. However, CERC refrained from imposing any penalties on the states for now but directed SRLDC to approach the Commission if it encounters issues with action plan implementation or non-compliance with directives.

Serentica Renewables achieved financial closure for its upcoming hybrid renewable energy projects in Karnataka. The entire debt funding of ₹26 billion (~$313.3 million) has been secured from power sector lender Power Finance Corporation. Serentica aims to install 4 GW of renewable energy capacity across India. In Karnataka, it plans to set up 400 MW of wind and solar energy capacities. Serentica has already secured connectivity to the inter-state transmission system in the region.

In an exclusive interview with Mercom India, Gaurav Mathur, India Head at Trina Solar, spoke about how the growing demand from the commercial and industrial segment consumers for higher efficiency modules has increased the sales for most manufacturers. Trina Solar was among India’s top solar module suppliers in the calendar year 2022, according to Mercom’s India Solar Market Leaderboard 2023. Mathur talks about the company’s plan to introduce new products, such as its n-type solar modules and AI-based smart tracker system in India.

The European Commission will launch an investigation against cheaper Chinese electric vehicle imports it says are benefiting from state subsidies. The Commission will have up to 13 months to assess whether to impose tariffs above the standard 10% EU rate for these vehicles. “Global markets are now flooded with cheaper Chinese electric cars, and huge state subsidies keep their prices artificially low. This is distorting our market,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The European Parliament approved the update to the Renewable Energy Directive, which raises the share of renewables in Europe’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member states are encouraged to strive for a higher target of 45%. The legislative update was adopted with an overwhelming majority, with 470 votes in favor, 120 against, and 40 abstentions. The next step is for the legislation to be formally endorsed by the Council to become law.

The CERC approved a tariff of ₹2.53 ($0.03)/kWh for a combined capacity of 1,170 MW from wind-solar hybrid power projects of the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI). The commission also approved a trading margin of ₹0.07 ($0.00084)/kWh. The commission has referenced a previous ruling from the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity to assert that the respondents cannot seek relief related to Changes in Law within the scope of the petition submitted by SECI. If they intend to pursue claims associated with changes in law, they must file separate petitions.