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Himachal Regulator Allows DISCOM to Procure 550 MW Solar Power from SECI

Agri-Solar Solutions Provider GK Energy Files Papers for ₹5.01 Billion IPO

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					</table>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/">MNRE</a>) plans to install rooftop solar systems on all central and state government buildings by December 2025 as part of the recently approved PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
With an outlay of ₹750 billion (~$9.04 billion), the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/pm-surya-ghar-to-offer-%e2%82%b978000-for-3-kw">program</a> aims to increase residential rooftop solar capacity and empower households to generate electricity until 2026-27.
In a document issuing guidelines for the comprehensive program, the MNRE called for “saturation” of all government buildings with rooftop solar.
The document said that the rooftops of all government buildings, including those of autonomous bodies and subordinate offices, will be equipped with solar panels to the maximum extent technically feasible.
Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) with experience in renewable energy will assist the Central Ministries in deploying rooftop solar on their assets. MNRE will take charge of monitoring and tracking installations across the government sector.
The guidelines outline several implementation mechanisms to suit different needs and scenarios.
<ul>
<li>CPSE-owned deployment, where CPSEs invest their own resources to install, own, and operate rooftop solar projects: The power generated at these sites will be sold to the building under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with tenures of between ten and 25 years. Any surplus will be fed into the local DISCOM grid for additional compensation.</li>
<li>CPSE as an intermediary aggregator involving bidding out projects to Renewable Energy Service Companies: The power generated at these sites will be sold to the CPSE under a PPA, which will then sell it to the building under a power sale agreement of tenures between ten and 25 years. Any surplus will be fed into the local DISCOM grid for additional compensation.</li>
<li>Process Management Consultant, where CPSEs assist in designing bid documents and managing the bid process, along with “handholding” until the commissioning is completed. CPSEs will be paid 3% of the project cost for their services.</li>
<li>Turnkey Project, where ministries or departments fund the project and assign work to CPSEs on a turnkey basis. The CPSE and its sub-contractors will provide operation and maintenance services for at least five years.</li>
</ul>
The CPSEs that have been considered under the program are <a href="https://ntpc.co.in/">NTPC</a>, <a href="https://www.nhpcindia.com/">NHPC India</a>, <a href="https://sjvn.nic.in/">SJVN</a>, <a href="https://thdc.co.in/en">THDC India</a>, Power Grid Corporation of India (<a href="https://www.powergrid.in/">PGCIL</a>), Energy Efficiency Services (<a href="https://eeslindia.org/en/">EESL</a>), Solar Energy Corporation of India (<a href="https://www.seci.co.in/">SECI</a>), North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (<a href="https://neepco.co.in/">NEEPCO</a>), <a href="https://www.dvc.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Damodar Valley Corporation</a>, <a href="https://www.remcltd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REMC</a>, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (<a href="https://www.nvvn.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NVVN</a>). This list is not final, however.
The government has also established a national-level Steering Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, which oversees overall progress. State Level Monitoring Committees, led by Chief Secretaries, track progress in their respective states. A digital tracking system through the PM Surya Ghar National Portal will also monitor installations and progress in real time.
No Central Financial Assistance will be provided under the program.
Recently, the MNRE <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mnre-guidelines-solar-modules-inverters" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> a framework for the enlistment of solar photovoltaic modules and inverters under the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to assist consumers in making informed choices when selecting high-efficiency products with better warranties for their rooftop solar installations.

PM Surya Ghar to Cover Government Buildings with Rooftop Solar by 2025-end

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					</table>The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (<a href="https://www.ireda.in/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IREDA</a>) has been elevated from &#8216;Schedule B&#8217; to &#8216;Schedule A&#8217; Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), providing the agency greater financial autonomy and enabling strategic decisions to enhance its mission of expediting renewable energy adoption nationwide.
The upgrade, as announced by the Department of Public Enterprises in the Ministry of Finance, has received formal endorsement from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. It empowers the agency with increased financial autonomy to advance renewable energy adoption in India and facilitate green projects in various states.
The upgrade sets the stage for IREDA&#8217;s potential transition to &#8220;Navratna&#8221; status, given its consistent growth and financial achievements.The Navratna classification for CPSEs hinges on criteria like Mini Ratna I and Schedule A status, excellent or very good MOU ratings, and a composite score of 60 or more, providing increased financial and operational authority to foster their global potential.
IREDA, which is currently a &#8220;Mini Ratna (Category– I),&#8221; has a  consistent track record of robust growth, business performance, and sound asset quality, as highlighted by the following achievements:
<ul>
<li>Term Loans Outstanding: ₹278.54 billion ($3.3 billion) (Mar 2021) to ₹472.07 billion ($5.67 billion) (Jun 2023), reflecting a 30.00% CAGR from Fiscal 2021 to 2023.</li>
<li>Loans approved increased from ₹110.01 billion ($1.32 billion) (2021) to ₹325.87 billion ($3.916 billion) (2023).</li>
<li>Loans disbursed surged from ₹88.28 billion ($1 billion) (2021) to ₹216.39 billion ($6 billion) (2023).</li>
<li>Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) decreased from 8.77% (Mar 2021) to 3.08% (Jun 2023) as a percentage of Term Loans Outstanding.</li>
<li>Net NPAs as a percentage of Net Term Loans Outstanding reduced from 5.61% (Mar 2021) to 1.61% (Jun 2023).</li>
</ul>
IREDA, a green finance non-banking Finance company, has recently secured significant external funding to support projects related to new and renewable energy, energy efficiency, and conservation across the country. With this elevation in position, IREDA has become the 67th company on the list of Schedule A companies.
In June, India Ratings upgraded the credit rating of the IREDA to &#8216;AAA&#8217; with a stable outlook, signifying a high degree of creditworthiness, and this upgrade applies to various debt instruments, including tax-free bonds, taxable bonds, taxable green bonds, unsecured taxable bonds, and others.
The CPSE is even <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ireda-plan-finance-renewable-projects-foreign-currency" target="_blank" rel="noopener">planning</a> to finance renewable energy projects in foreign currency by establishing an overseas office in Gujarat&#8217;s GIFT City in Gandhinagar, aimed at reducing foreign exchange hedging costs and raising around ₹250 million ($3 million) for green projects by the end of the decade.
In March, IREDA received <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/government-approves-iredas-ipo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approval</a> for its IPO stock exchange listing, involving a partial government stake sale.  The IPO aims to secure funds for IREDA&#8217;s expansion, reduce its dependence on public funds, and improve governance through heightened market discipline and transparency mandated by listing requirements.

IREDA’s Status Upgraded to ‘Schedule A’ CPSE, Paving the Way for ‘Navratna’ Status

The <a href="http://www.recindia.nic.in/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">REC Limited</a> (Formerly, Rural Electrification Corporation of India), a public sector enterprise under the Government of India, has raised $700 million through initial foray of its $5 billion global medium-term-note (GMTN) program into the 144a market (US Securities and Exchange Act 1933).
Proceeds of the bond will be used to finance power projects in accordance with the approvals granted by the Reserve Bank of India (<a href="https://www.rbi.org.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RBI</a>) from time to time and in accordance with the European Central Bank (<a href="https://www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ECB</a>) guidelines.
Per REC, the five-year benchmark has a semi-annual coupon of 5.25 percent per annum and a maturity date of November 13, 2023. It offers investors a reoffer spread of 240 basis points over the five-year UST.
The transaction saw an oversubscription of approximately 2.5 times with active participation from more than 90 major international investor accounts. REC decided to upsize the deal to $700 million from the earlier benchmark target to accommodate keen investor interest in this maiden 144A issuance from REC.
Per a release shared by REC, “The final Order Book has been over $1.1 billion from over 90 accounts with United States contributing 41 percent, 21 percent from European Union and 38 percent from Asia. Subscription amounting to 42 percent were made by asset/fund managers, 21 percent were made by banks, 26 percent were made by by INS/PEN/Pub Sec and 11 percent by PB.”
This is the largest dollar transaction from any Indian non-banking finance company (NBFC) and the first issuance under 144A by an Indian NBFC and Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE). In the backdrop of weak Emerging Markets headlines and recent volatility in the Indian NBFC sector, the global investors have reaffirmed strong confidence in the corporate governance, sound management, strong fundamentals of REC.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. P.V. Ramesh IAS, Chairman and Managing Director, REC said, “We are very delighted on the successful launch and completion of this transaction which establishes REC Limited’s status with largest USD bond transaction for a non-bank financial institution. This transaction is also the first 144A deal completed by an Indian NBFC and Indian CPSE. I would like to take this opportunity to commend on the hard work by the team which allowed the company to tap the markets in record time from mandate to execution.”
Ajeet Kumar Agarwal, Director (Finance), REC Limited said, “the transaction allows the company to diversify funding sources and tap into the US investor base. REC Limited now has established a robust investor base across onshore and offshore loan as well as bond markets.”
REC had launched its $5 billion GMTN program on the Global Securities Market (GSM) in <a href="https://mercomindia.com/rec-launches-globl-medium-term-note-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">October 2018</a>.
Image Credit: REC India Limited

REC Raises $700 Million Through Global Medium-Term-Note Program

Soon, distribution companies (DISCOMs) might have to pay a penalty for load shedding other than unforeseeable conditions or technical faults.
R.K. Singh, the Minister of Power, apprised the Lower House of Parliament in a written reply that the government is currently mulling the imposition of penalties on DISCOMs for such cases.
“There is a provision for imposing penalties on DISCOMs for power cuts not caused by technical faults in the proposed draft amendments to the National Tariff Policy, 2016. The draft amendments are currently under inter-ministerial consultations,” Singh said.
In <a href="https://mercomindia.com/delhi-compensation-unscheduled-power-cuts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">line with this</a>, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, Anil Baijal, recently approved the proposal put forward by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government regarding compensation for residents in case of unscheduled power cuts. The proposal entails an hourly compensation for unscheduled outages by DISCOMs in the national capital. The compensation earned by consumers will be adjusted against their monthly power bills.
In the first week of the monsoon session, MPs also asked the minister about the steps being taken by the government to provide 24&#215;7 power to every citizen of the country. The minister responded that electricity falls under the concurrent list and providing 24&#215;7 electricity to all the consumers is the primary responsibility of concerned state governments and respective DISCOMs.
“All the state governments and union territories have signed the “24&#215;7 Power for All” to provide electricity to all from April 1, 2019. To achieve this target, the central government is helping through various schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), <a href="https://www.uday.gov.in/home.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ujwal Discoms Assurance Yojana</a> (UDAY), and Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA),” Singh said.
In an effort to encourage the DISCOMs to achieve aggressive <a href="https://mercomindia.com/top-discoms-saubhagya-could-be-rewarded-%E2%82%B9500-mn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">targets</a>, the Ministry of Power (MoP) is also thinking of providing incentives to distribution companies (DISCOMs) and its employees who meet the household electrification target under the <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-power-packs-electrify-remote-areas-new-government-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SAUBHAGYA</a> program at the earliest. A reward of ₹5 million (~$ 0.073 million) for employees of the state utilities and a grant of ₹500 million (~$7.28 million) for DISCOMs are being considered by the ministry.
Image credit: James Rock

Government Mulls Imposing a Penalty on DISCOMs for Unscheduled Power Cuts

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender for 100 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected wind projects, and only Central Public-Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are allowed to participate.
For each wind power project, developers will be allowed to submit bids for a maximum capacity of 100 MW and a minimum capacity of 50 MW. The wind projects vary in size from 50 MW to 100 MW and will be developed on a build, own and operate basis. The power they produce will be sold to the SECI.
The scope of work includes the construction of both the wind project and the transmission network up to the grid connection point. All approvals, permits, and clearances required for development and connectivity – including those required by state and local governments – will be the developer’s responsibility. The maintenance of the transmission system up to the interconnection point will also be the responsibility of wind power project developer.
The SECI has stated that the tariff of <a href="https://mercomindia.com/wind-becomes-competitive-solar-tariff-drops-record-low-%E2%82%B92-64-kwh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">₹2.64 (~$0.0413)/kWh</a> quoted in the second, 1 GW wind auction will be the tariff that is applied to the 100 MW of wind projects. The successful bidder will be chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis based on the order of bid submissions.
The SECI <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tenders-1000-mw-ists-connected-wind-projects-tranche-ii/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously</a> said that an additional 100 MW of capacity could be awarded to CPSEs that are willing to undertake the development of ISTS-connected wind power projects on a “build, own, operate” basis without participating in the bidding process; however, such an allocation would be set at the lowest bid tariff from the reverse auction.
SECI will enter into 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the successful bidders and power sale agreements (PSAs) with the interested buying entities. Buying entities will be responsible for all transmission charges and losses, as well as any other charges as applicable under the respective regulations beyond the delivery point and up to the withdrawal point.
The <a href="https://mercomindia.com/advent-reverse-auctions-wind-player/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">advent of reverse auctions</a> in the wind sector has brought down tariffs very quickly and wind power is now competitive with solar in terms of tariff in India.
According to MNRE, cumulative wind power installations in India had reached 32.6 GW as of August 2017.
&nbsp;

SECI Tenders 100 MW of Wind for Central Public-Sector Enterprises

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) approved a tender of another 1,000 MW under its Wind program on May 4, 2017.
“With the success of the first 1,000 MW wind auction, the MNRE launched another round of wind auction for 1,000 MW capacity wind power projects,” stated a <a href="http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=161539" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">government release</a>.
The MNRE approved the tender as it wants to facilitate fulfilment of non-solar renewable purchase obligations (RPO) through wind. By auctioning wind projects, the MNRE also wants to encourage competitiveness in the wind sector.
An additional 100 MW capacity can be allotted to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) willing to undertake the development of Inter-State Transmission Systems-connected wind power projects on a build, own and operate basis per the provisions in the program without participation in the bidding process. However, the allocation will be at the lowest bid tariff recorded through reverse auction under the program. The minimum capacity that can be allocated to a CPSE will be 50 MW on a first come first serve basis.
The MNRE has <a href="http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/sanction-1000mw-ists-windproject.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mandated</a>, that a developer can bid for a minimum 50 MW and maximum 250 MW capacity. The upper ceiling tariff has been set at Rs.4 (~$0.062)/kWh. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will be the implementing agency and will sign power purchase agreements with developers at the lowest discovered price for a 25-year period. The SECI will also enter into 25-year power sale agreements with buyers at a pooled price of the total capacity tendered.
The project completion timeframe is 18 months from the date the letter of award is issued. If there is a delay of up to six months, the developer will forfeit a proportion of its performance bank guarantee based on the capacity not yet commissioned. If there is a delay of more than six months, the quoted tariff will be reduced at a rate of Rs.0.50 (~$0.0077)/kWh per day for the remaining capacity.
The actual date of project commissioning will be considered the commercial operation date. A project will be declared commissioned upon completion of a minimum of 50 MW capacity or 50 percent of entire project capacity, whichever is higher.
The developer will be responsible for the connectivity of the project to the Interstate Transmission System for long-term access.
Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-invites-tenders-set-1000-mw-interstate-transmission-system-connected-wind-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">previously reported</a>, in November 2016, that SECI tendered the first 1,000 MW of wind at the behest of MNRE. Memorandum of Agreements for the sale of power from these projects were recently signed and only need to be completed by DISCOMs (distribution companies) from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, Odisha, and Assam.
According to Mercom’s recent update on the <a href="https://mercomindia.com/renewable-energy-accounted-17-5-percent-indias-energy-mix-fy-2016-17/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Energy Mix</a>, wind currently accounts for 32,279.77 MW in total installed capacity and 9.88 percent of the overall power generation. At the end of the financial year 2015-16, wind energy made up 8.86 percent of the cumulative energy mix with installed capacity of 26,743.31 MW.
&nbsp;
Image Credit: Ramco Cements

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