Punjab Commission Dismisses Solar Company’s Compensation Plea

NVVN Invites Bids for 8 MW Solar Projects at DRDO Hyderabad

MERC Orders Refund of Excess Wheeling Charges to Wind Power Generator

NextEra Energy’s Q4 2024 Revenue Drops 21.69%

Blueleaf Energy, Jakson Partner on 1 GW Rajasthan Solar Projects

Haryana Invites Bids to Procure 500 MW from Solar Power Projects

Adyant Enersol and UPC Renewables Win SJVN’s 600 MW Wind Auction

Daily News Wrap-Up: Solar Power Reaches 21% in India’s Power Mix

NTPC Floats Tenders for 4 MW Solar Projects at DRDO Delhi and Bengaluru

Assam Issues Draft Intra-State Transmission System Connectivity Regulations


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					</table><p>Altra Xergi Power (O2 Power) <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/altra-xergi-seci-fdre-vi-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won</a> the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) auction for the assured peak supply of 8,000 MWh (2000 MW x 4 hours) of renewable energy from interstate transmission system-connected projects under tariff-based competitive bidding (FDRE-VI). Altra Xergi quoted a tariff of ₹8.50 (~$0.099)/kWh to win 200 MW. The other bidders were ACME Solar Holdings and Avaada Energy.</p>
<p>The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cerc-rejects-tariff-for-secis-1000-mwh-bess-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> SECI’s petition to adopt tariffs for its 500 MW/1,000 MWh Standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems pilot projects. Although the bidding process was deemed transparent and compliant with guidelines, the Commission found the proposed tariffs misaligned with prevailing market conditions due to significant delays in project agreements and falling battery costs.</p>
<p>In 2024, Mercom India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mercoms-most-impactful-interviews-in-2024-heres-what-clean-energy-experts-said" target="_blank" rel="noopener">conducted</a> a series of exclusive interviews with top executives from the renewable energy sector and government agencies, bringing out their insights on the industry and the way forward. Here is a look at some impactful interviews that delve into renewable energy policies, the rooftop solar sector, smart metering innovations, commercial and industrial solutions, and parametric insurance for the renewables sector.</p>
<p>ITI, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Telecommunication, has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/iti-invites-bids-polycrystalline-solar-cells" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a tender for the procurement of 738,000 polycrystalline solar cells. The tender specifies the procurement of polycrystalline solar cells with a 5BB design, each having a minimum power output of 3.58 Wp and a tolerance of -0% to +2%. The total capacity of the 738,000 solar cells, each rated at a minimum of 3.58 Wp, amounts to approximately 2.64 MW.</p>
<p>Tata Power Trading Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power, has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/tata-power-issues-eoi-for-500-mw-renewable-energy-procurement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> an expression of interest for the procurement of up to 500 MW of renewable energy (solar, wind, hybrid, hydro) or green attributes up to 25 years. The last date to submit the bids is January 31, 2025. The bidder’s scope of work includes off-taking power/green attributes generated from solar, wind, hybrid renewable energy, and hydroelectric projects for the long term.</p>
<p>The Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/creda-floats-tender-solar-projects-in-chhattisgarh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> expressions of interest to implement approximately 20 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems under the renewable energy service company model for supplying solar power to registered housing societies across the state. Bids must be submitted by January 30, 2025. Bids will be opened on January 31.</p>
<p>The Punjab Mandi Board has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/punjab-mandi-board-floats-tender-for-9-6-mw-rooftop-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> nine tenders for a cumulative 9.6 MW grid-connected rooftop solar projects in Punjab. The scope of work involves supplying, installing, testing, and commissioning on-grid rooftop solar power projects in different locations. The project must be completed within two months. Bidders must submit one bid for one project/work package.</p>
<p>Telecommunications company Bharti Airtel has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/airtel-procure-power-amp-50-mw-hybrid-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the acquisition of a 26% stake in a special purpose vehicle of Amp Energy, which will set up a 50 MW wind-solar hybrid power project in Rajasthan. Airtel will procure power from AMP Energy Green Three’s hybrid power project in Barmer, Rajasthan in captive mode. The project will connect to a 220 KV grid and provide green energy across India using interstate transmission networks.</p>
<p>DISCOMs <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/discoms-dues-december-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">owed</a> power generators ₹672.91 billion (~$7.84 billion) in total dues for the monthly billing cycle in December 2024, according to the Ministry of Power’s payment ratification and analysis portal PRAAPTI. The DISCOMs owed power generators ₹653.51 billion (~$7.71 billion) in November. The current outstanding dues, excluding the latest monthly dues of ₹368.14 billion (~$4.29 billion), are ₹304.77 billion (~$3.56 billion).</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Altra Xergi Power Wins SECI’s 8,000 MWh FDRE VI Auction


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					</table><p>Telecommunications service provider <a href="https://www.airtel.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bharti Airtel</a>’s data center subsidiary <a href="https://www.nxtra.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nxtra</a> will procure 140 GWh of renewable energy every year for its data centers in Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.</p>
<p>The company has partnered with <a href="https://ampin.energy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AmpIn Energy</a> and <a href="https://amplussolar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amplus Energy</a> to set up captive solar and wind power projects totaling 72.3 MW<sub>dc</sub> capacity to power its data centers under 25-year agreements and reduce carbon footprint by around 99,547 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year.</p>
<p>“The additional clean energy supply will increase our renewable energy share to approximately 70% in the overall energy mix for our core data centers. As we work towards building more capacity in coming years and gear up for Generative AI-powered loads, we are fully cognizant of our responsibility towards the environment and are prepared to mitigate the impact on climate,” said CEO Ashish Arora in a statement.</p>
<p>Nxtra’s data center in Tamil Nadu will be powered by 24.3 MW wind and 28 MW<sub>dc</sub> solar projects built in partnership with Amplus Energy. The company said it will result in about 77,957 tonnes of CO2e emissions reduction every year.</p>
<p>In Uttar Pradesh, a 12 MW<sub>dc</sub> solar project will be built in partnership with AmpIn Energy, resulting in an annual reduction of about 12,694 tonnes of CO2e emissions. As for Odisha, Ampln Energy will build an 8 MW<sub>dc</sub> solar project, which will reduce emissions of about 8,896 CO2e annually.</p>
<p>Nxtra has 12 large and 120 edge data centers across India.</p>
<p>Last year, the company said it would <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/airtels-data-center-renewable-power-in-fy24" target="_blank" rel="noopener">purchase</a> 23,000 MWh of renewable energy by the fourth quarter of the financial year 2023-24 through the open access route, where Airtel will invest in Continuum Green’s project company, ensuring a sustainable supply of green power from solar and wind energy projects to Nxtra’s Edge data centers in Madhya Pradesh.</p>
<p>In 2022, Nxtra said it has <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/nxtra-partners-bloom-energy-deploy-fuel-cell" target="_blank" rel="noopener">partnered</a> with solid-oxide fuel cell manufacturer Bloom Energy to deploy a low-environmental impact fuel cell installation at its data center in Karnataka. The company claimed it would be the first Indian data center to deploy fuel cell technology to mitigate carbon emissions through a cleaner, hydrogen-ready fuel supply.</p>


Airtel’s Nxtra to Procure 140 GWh Clean Energy for Data Centers in Three States


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					</table><p><a href="https://www.airtel.in/business/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airtel Business</a>, the B2B arm of <a href="https://www.airtel.in/about-bharti/about-bharti-airtel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bharti Airtel</a>, announced that it would supply Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to power over 20 million smart meters for Adani Energy Solutions (<a href="https://www.adanienergysolutions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AESL</a>).</p>
<p>Airtel’s smart metering offerings are powered by Narrowband-IoT, 4G, and 2G technologies to ensure real-time connectivity and uninterrupted transfer of critical data between smart meters and headend applications.</p>
<p>AESL’s 20 million smart meter order book is spread across power utilities of Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand.</p>
<p>The smart meters will be installed with Airtel’s IoT platform called Airtel IoT Hub, enabling smart meter tracking and monitoring with advanced analytics and diagnostic capabilities. It will also provide real-time insights and services to empower consumers with enhanced control over energy consumption.</p>
<p>Ganesh Lakshminarayanan, CEO of Airtel Business (India), said, “India’s smart metering program is one of the most significant policy reform measures undertaken by the Government. These meters are critical building blocks for smart grids and fundamental enablers for the digitalization of the power sector. Airtel expects its NB-IoT technology to play a significant role in the Utilities space to connect and manage smart meters at scale with enhanced coverage, high reliability, and security.”</p>
<p>Airtel, in the past year, has partnered with Secure Meters to deploy 1.3 million NB-IoT-powered smart meters in Bihar and 20 million smart meters with IntelliSmart Infrastructure.</p>
<p>Kandarp Patel, CEO of AESL, said, “This strategic tie-up leverages the best of both worlds: our deep domain expertise in the T&amp;D sector and Airtel&#8217;s robust nationwide network and comprehensive suite of IoT offerings, including NB-IoT and 4G LTE. This powerful combination will enable us to seamlessly deploy our current order book of over 20 million smart meters across India, empowering millions of consumers with real-time consumption data and control while simultaneously driving down inefficiencies in the distribution network.”</p>
<p>According to the recent data <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/discoms-atc-losses-drop-15-41-fy23" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published</a> by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme’s prepaid smart metering intervention, 197.92 million prepaid smart meters, 5.22 million distribution transformer meters, and 188,491 feeder meters worth a total ₹1.3 trillion (~$15.61 billion) have been approved as of December 2023.</p>
<p>The prepaid smart meter program has an estimated outlay of ₹1.5 trillion (~$18.01 billion) with a government budgetary support of ₹230 billion (~$2.76 billion) and a target of installing 250 million prepaid smart meters.</p>
<p>In December, AESL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/adani-wins-transmission-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured</a> a letter of intent to acquire Halvad Transmission, a special-purpose vehicle established by PFC Consulting to evacuate 7 GW of renewable energy from the Khavda Renewable Energy park in Gujarat.</p>


Airtel’s IoT Solutions to Power Adani Energy’s 20 Million Smart Meters

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