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Top Developments that Shaped the Electric Vehicle Industry in 2024

MEDA Invites Bids for 1 MW Rooftop Solar Systems in Maharashtra


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					</table><p><a href="https://www.h2epower.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">H2ePower Systems</a> has won Oil India’s (<a href="https://www.oil-india.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OIL</a>) tender to establish a 1 MW green hydrogen project in Himachal Pradesh.</p>
<p>The project is expected to be commissioned within 18 months of receiving the letter of award.</p>
<p>In December 2023, Oil India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/oil-india-green-hydrogen-himachal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to establish the 1 MW green hydrogen project in the state with a 17 kg/hr generation capacity. The company uses an h2e steam electrolysis system based on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology, showing lower onsite hydrogen production costs than legacy technologies. The hydrogen output can vary between 0 and 125%.</p>
<p>The overall supply of green hydrogen will be accounted for quarterly, based on the green hydrogen production guaranteed in the offer. For any shortfall in supply, the bidder must pay ₹350.00(~$4.16)/kg to the owner.</p>
<p>In 2023, the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program was launched under the Green Hydrogen Mission with an outlay of ₹174.9 billion (~$2.08 billion)</p>
<p>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has <a href="https://mnre.gov.in/national-green-hydrogen-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allocated</a> ₹4 billion (~$47.64 million) for developing green hydrogen hubs and other projects. The government plans to set up two such hubs in the initial phase. It aims to identify and establish regions capable of supporting large-scale production and utilization of hydrogen as green hydrogen hubs.</p>
<p>The MNRE has defined green hydrogen as having a well-to-gate emission of less than 2 kg CO<sub>2 </sub>equivalent/kg H<sub>2</sub>.</p>
<p>The MNRE <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mnre-450000-mtpa-green-hydrogen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> guidelines for incentive disbursement for up to 450,000 metric tons per annum of green hydrogen production under Component II of the SIGHT program.</p>
<p>In August 2024, the National Institute of Solar Energy also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/nise-funding-green-hydrogen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> proposals to develop testing facilities, infrastructure, and institutional support to develop standards and regulatory frameworks under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.</p>


H2e Power Systems to Build Himachal Pradesh’s First Green Hydrogen Project


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					</table><p><strong><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/madhya-pradesh-pumped-hydro-storage-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rewa Ultra Mega Solar has issued a request for proposal to select a developer for 13.8 GW of pumped hydro storage projects across different sites in the state.</a></strong> The last date to submit the bids is June 7, 2023, and they will be opened on the same day. The bidding document is priced at ₹295,000 (~$3563). The successful bidder must submit a bid security of ₹1 million (~$12,079). The project development fee payable for each site is ₹25,000 (~$302)/ MW of the estimated capacity.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/himachal-pradesh-tender-12-mw-solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation invited bids for the design, supply, construction, installation, and commissioning of a 12 MW solar power project</strong></a> at Bella Ludhiarchan in the Kangra district of the state. The developer must also oversee the project’s operation and maintenance for 12 years. The last day to submit the bids is June 1, 2023. The bids will be open on the same day. Bidders should submit an earnest money deposit of ₹13.2 million (~$159,434).</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-allows-%e2%82%b92-90-kwh-solar-power-500-mw-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) approved the tariff of ₹2.90 (~$0.035)/kWh for procuring 500 MW of solar power</strong></a> on a long-term basis from projects developed within the state. The Commission allowed the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) to enter into a power purchase agreement with the successful bidder for 25 years.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/maharashtra-tariff-150-mw-solar-power" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MERC also approved MSEDCL’s proposal to procure 150 MW of solar power at ₹3.3 (~$0.040)/kWh from projects under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana.</strong></a> The Commission has also allowed the solar power procured from these projects to count towards meeting MSEDCL’s solar renewable purchase obligations. MSEDCL had sought approval to adopt a tariff for the long-term procurement of 150 MW solar power from 2 MW to 10 MW capacity projects connected to the distribution network. Initially, MSEDCL had a ceiling tariff of ₹3.30 (~$0.040)/kWh for decentralized projects under MSKVY, which was later revised to ₹3.10 (~$0.038)/kWh.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/pfc-tender-evacuate-renewable-energy-karnataka"><strong>PFC Consulting invited bids to develop an interstate transmission system (ISTS) for integration of renewable energy zone</strong></a> (Phase-II) in Koppal-II (Phase A&amp;B) and Gadag-II (Phase A) in Karnataka. The transmission projects will be developed on a build, own, operate, and transfer basis. The last date to submit the bids online is July 17, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day. Within ten days of the letter of intent, the selected bidder must submit ₹1.26 billion (~$15.25 million) to the nodal agency as a contract performance guarantee.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/canadian-solar-q1-net-income-grows" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solar module maker Canadian Solar‘s net income surged 809% year-over-year (YoY) to $84 million for the first quarter (Q1) of the financial year 2023</strong></a>, fueled by increased module shipments and improved margins. The module manufacturer’s engineering, procurement, and construction subsidiary CSI Solar shipped 6.1 GW of solar modules to 70 ‘countries in Q1, a 66% rise YoY. The top five markets ranked by shipments were China, Brazil, the U.S., Spain, and Germany. Net revenues for the January-March quarter were up 36% YoY to $1.7 billion. The increase was mainly driven by a significant increase in solar module shipments, partially offset by lower module ASPs and lower revenues from utility-scale battery storage solutions and project sales due to the timing of projects.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/corporates-decarbonization-efforts-favorable-regulations-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The recent policy tweaks enacted by the government, mainly the exemption on fees for wheeling electricity across state borders and General Network Access rules, have fueled the decarbonization efforts by corporates</strong></a>, making them commercially viable, Nishit Mehta, Chief Business Development Officer, Serentica Renewables, said on the sidelines of the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/funding-for-electrolyzer-rd-key-to-indias-green-hydrogen-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Renewables Summit 2023</a>. Mehta listed delays in land acquisition and grid connectivity as the most pressing problems for renewable developers.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/floating-solar-appealing-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>To achieve India’s national targets for solar capacity additions, alternatives such as the floating solar need to be explored and established, considering their lower levelized cost of electricity</strong></a> (LCOE) and operation and maintenance costs, which is further complemented by easier deployment, Deepak Ushadevi – MD &amp; CEO – Ciel &amp; Terre India, said in an interview on the sidelines of the <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/india-urgency-meet-clean-energy-transition-targets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Renewables Summit 2023</a>. He added that the extra 5-7% generation from floating solar due to panel cooling also reduces the LCOE.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/iit-madras-finds-redox-flow-batteries-capabilities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras) have said that all-organic redox flow batteries (NORFBs) could achieve enhanced energy density, stability, and solubility by introducing</a></strong> pyrylium salt into the mix. This development could pave the way for cleaner and more efficient grid energy storage systems. The team’s research focuses on non-aqueous all-organic redox flow batteries (NORFBs), which have gained significant interest due to their environmental friendliness and higher energy density than aqueous batteries.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: RUMSL’s Tender for 13.8 GW of Pumped Hydro Storage Projects


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					</table><p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/reliance-renew-tata-power-pli-tranche-ii/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solar module manufacturers, including Reliance Industries, ReNew Power, and Tata Power, are among the bidders for the second phase (Tranche II) of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) program</strong></a> under the ‘National Program on High-Efficiency Solar Modules’ to achieve gigawatt-scale high-efficiency solar modules manufacturing capacity.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/himachal-pradesh-32-mw-solar-project/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation (HPPCL) has invited bids to commission a 32 MW solar power project in Una, Himachal Pradesh</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The selected bidders must also provide eight years of comprehensive operation and maintenance services. The last day to submit the bids is March 25, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day. Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹37 million (~$448,297). The scope of work includes end-to-end work on the solar project on a turnkey basis. The contractor must provide all necessary equipment, materials, and services for the satisfactory operation of the project and its integration with the evacuation system provided by the state electricity authority.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/kerala-regulator-sets-appc-fy23/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission has set ₹2.97(~$0.036)/kWh and ₹2.69(~$0.033)/kWh as the average power purchase cost (APPC) for financial years (FY) 2019-20 and 2022-2023</a></strong>. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had filed a petition with the Commission to determine the APPC for FY20 and FY23. According to KSEB, the Commission did not endorse the APPC for FY19 to FY22 in the multi-year tariff order that was issued in 2019. Therefore, KSEB computed the APPC for FY20 at ₹2.97 (~$0.036)/kWh by considering the cost of power purchase and self-generation approved in KSERC’s 2019 truing up order.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/revenue-loss-due-to-solar-rising-globally-report/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reduced power generation because of equipment underperformance has resulted in a loss of $.2.5 billion for the global solar industry, according to Raptor Maps</strong></a>, an analytics, insights, and productivity software provider. “We are progressively losing more power and more money, with an estimated annual revenue loss of $82 million across the 24.5 GW analyzed by Raptor Maps in 2022, translating to $2.5 billion in losses for the entire solar industry. When coupled with other learnings from the field – solar assets are chronically underperforming relative to pro forma assumptions – there is an enormous financial impact that the industry needs to address,” the Raptor Maps’ Global Solar Report said.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/ftc-solar-loss-narrows-by-14-yoy-in-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United States-based solar tracker systems provider FTC Solar posted a net loss of $20.5 million in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022, a year-on-year (YoY) improvement of 14.15%</strong></a> compared to a loss of $23.88 million during the corresponding period in 2021.The company recorded a revenue of $26.22 million, a drop of 74.2% YoY from $101.72 million in Q4 2021. FTC Solar attributed the drop in revenue to the lower demand environment in the U.S., as customers struggle to navigate the regulatory environment and get a line of sight to solar modules.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/eos-energys-q4-loss-on-higher-interest-expenses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The net loss of Eos Energy, a sustainable zinc-based energy storage solutions provider, widened to $56.6 million for Q4 of FY 2022</a></strong> compared to the net loss of $30.6 million in the same quarter of the previous year. The company said that the total interest expense increased by 485% YoY to $7.6 million due to increased borrowing from the senior secured term loan, resulting in a net loss for Q4. The total loss for the period includes a $4.4 million write-down of property, plant, and equipment that are long-term assets.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/module-warranty-insurance-key-solar-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Warranty of solar modules is a crucial part of any solar installation, as modules account for nearly 40% of project cost. Warranty covers both the product and its performance</strong></a>. While warranty is a business enabler, it is yet to grain traction in the industry, experts at a webinar hosted by Mercom India said. The webinar was titled ‘Solar PV Performance Warranty: Building Market Confidence.’ The panelists were Burzin Umrigar, SVP-Head Construction Insurance &amp; Renewable Energy, Howden India; Punit Mehta, Director at Pixon Green Energy; Sudhanshu Kamboj, VP-Project Development at Radiance Renewables; and Vineet Mittal, Director, and Co-founder at Navitas Solar. Priya Sanjay, Managing Director, Mercom India, moderated the session.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/clean-energy-growth-co2-emissions-in-2022-iea/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose by under 1% during the year 2022, which is lower than initially expected, the International Energy Agency said in a report.</a></strong> The impact of the increase in use of coal and oil amid the energy crisis was offset by the growth of solar, wind, and electric vehicles, heat pumps, and energy efficiency, the report said. The report covers CO2 emissions from all energy combustion and industrial processes, providing a picture of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in 2022.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Reliance, ReNew, Tata Bid Among Bidders for Module PLI


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					</table><p>Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation (<a href="http://www.hppcl.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HPPCL</a>) has invited bids to commission a 32 MW solar power project in Una, Himachal Pradesh.</p>
<p>The selected bidders must also provide eight years of comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&amp;M) services.</p>
<p>The last day to submit the bids is March 25, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day.</p>
<p>Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹37 million (~$448,297).</p>
<p>The scope of work includes end-to-end work on the solar project on a turnkey basis. The contractor must provide all necessary equipment, materials, and services for the satisfactory operation of the project and its integration with the evacuation system provided by the state electricity authority.</p>
<p>Bidders should have participated in at least one contract similar to the proposed project, with a minimum capacity of 25 MW and a value exceeding ₹1.47 billion (~$17.8 million) as a contractor, joint venture partner, or subcontractor in the last 10 years.</p>
<p>Those who have participated as a contractor, joint venture partner, or subcontractor in at least two contracts with a minimum capacity of 16 MW each for a project value of ₹915 million (~$11.1 million) in the last 10 years will also be eligible to bid.</p>
<p>Alternatively, bidders who have participated as a contractor, joint venture partner, or subcontractor in at least three contracts with a minimum capacity of 13 MW each for a project value of ₹730 million (~$8.8 million) in the last 10 years can also submit bids.</p>
<p>All bidders must have completed O&amp;M services for at least two solar projects, each with a minimum capacity of 16 MW, for one year during the last 10 years.</p>
<p>They should have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹3.66 billion (~$44.3 million) for the last three financial years. They must also have access to financial resources such as liquid assets, unencumbered real assets, lines of credit, and any other financial means apart from contractual advance payments to meet the cash-flow requirement of the project amounting to ₹915 million (~$11.1 million).</p>
<p>Himachal Pradesh’s agency to promote the development of renewable energy, HIMURJA, had recently <a href="https://mercomindia.com/himachal-pradesh-bids-set-100-mw-solar-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids to set up 100 MW of grid-connected solar projects ranging from 250 kW to 5 MW.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> to stay on top of tender activity in real time.</p>


Himachal Pradesh Invites Bids for a 32 MW Solar Project


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					</table><p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/anert-100-mw-rooftop-solar-kerala/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kerala government’s Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology  has invited bids to develop rooftop solar projects with a cumulative capacity of 100 MW in Thiruvananthapuram.</a></strong> The scope of work includes supplying, installing, and commissioning multiple solar power systems ranging from 1 kW to 500 kW atop public buildings in Thiruvananthapuram under the Solar City Project. Vendors should commission the solar systems within 45 days of receiving the work order. They must also provide five years of comprehensive operation and maintenance services. The last date to submit the bids is March 3, 2023. Bids will be opened the next day.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/mercom-webinar-module-performance-warranty-insurance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solar modules account for nearly 40% of the total project cost. Maintaining their quality and efficiency for the entire lifetime (25-30 years) becomes critical so that the project is economically viable.</strong></a> The manufacturers’ warranty on solar modules becomes crucial for any solar installations as they build confidence among project developers and investors who own the assets for a long time. Mercom’s webinar ‘Solar PV Performance Warranty: Building Market Confidence’ will explore some of these issues on March 1 at 3 PM. You can register for the webinar by clicking <a href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1155881818944469077?source=Article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/energy-storage-fluence-plans-manufacturing-in-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>U.S.-based energy storage products and services provider </strong><strong>Fluence will localize its products in India by the end of 2024.</strong></a> However, the complex process of manufacturing batteries in the country may take longer, the company’s President and CEO, Julian Nebreda<strong>,</strong> said in an interview with Mercom. Fluence’s SVP &amp; President, APAC, Jan Teichmann<strong>, </strong>spoke about the company’s partnership with ReNew and its plans for India. Read the full interview.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/himachal-pradesh-bids-set-100-mw-solar-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency has invited bids to set up 100 MW of grid-connected solar projects ranging from 250 kW to 5 MW in the state.</a></strong> The last date to submit the bids is March 15, 2023. Bidders must submit an application fee of ₹10,000 (~$120.6) for projects up to 1 MW and ₹100,000 (~$1,206) for projects above 1 MW and up to 5 MW. Bidders must submit ₹100,000 (~$1,206) as an earnest money deposit for solar projects up to 1 MW and ₹200,000 (~$2,441) for solar projects above 1 MW and up to 5 MW.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/sri-lanka-awards-wind-power-projects-adani-green/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adani Green Energy, the renewable energy arm of Adani Group, has been awarded the letter of approval for two wind energy projects to be developed in the Mannar and Ponneryn areas of northern Sri Lanka.</a></strong> The two projects will be developed at a total investment of $442 million. The wind energy project to be developed in Mannar will operate at a capacity of 250 MW, and the other project in Pooneryn will operate at a capacity of 100 MW, according to the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/india-to-partner-with-fraunhofer-hydrogen-tech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) have signed a letter of intent for a long-term collaboration focusing on hydrogen and other clean technologies.</strong></a> The partnership is expected to lead to the development of higher Technology Readiness Level for hydrogen energy clusters that are being set up by DST, and also identify existing technologies and potential interventions from Fraunhofer in green hydrogen. The partnership aims to integrate the interventions with indigenous technologies and deploy or calibrate them for Indian conditions. DST will provide the framework for cooperation in the hydrogen valley cluster projects and support activities, and facilitate resources.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/ireda-plan-finance-renewable-projects-foreign-currency/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) plans to finance renewable energy projects in foreign currency for which an office would be established in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT city) in Gandhinagar.</strong></a> Addressing a panel discussion on ‘Scaling up Clean Energy Investment in Emerging Economies’ under the aegis of G20 events at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, IREDA Chairman and Managing Director Pradip Kumar Das said the office in Gandhinagar would be classified as an overseas office. The minister said that the office will help IREDA avoid foreign exchange hedging costs.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/87-5-million-fund-solar-development-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">France-based fund manager Rgreen Invest and investment advisor Echosys Invest have raised €87.5 million (~$92.2 million) as part of their Afrigreen Debt Impact Fund to finance on and off-grid solar power projects for small and medium-sized commercial and industrial consumers in Africa.</a></strong> The first closing includes commitments from the European Investment Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries, and PROPARCO, a subsidiary of Agence française de développement Group. Private banks Societe Generale and BNP Paribas also participated in the funding round. Afrigreen targets raising €100 million (~$105.4 million) from development finance institutions and private investors.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/gujarat-bids-921-mw-solar-projects-under-kusum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paschim Gujarat Vij Company has invited bids to develop 921 MW of solar projects to solarize 11 kV feeders of selected 66/11 kV substations under Component C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.</a></strong> The successful bidder will also have to take care of the project’s operation and maintenance for 25 years. The last date to submit the bids online is March 17, 2023. Bids will be opened the following day. Bidders will have to submit ₹100,000 (~$1,206)/MW of the quoted capacity as an earnest money deposit. The successful bidder must submit ₹500,000 (~$6,029)/MW as a performance bank guarantee within seven days from the date of the issuance of the letter of award.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://mercomindia.com/new-lithium-air-four-times-than-lithium-ion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have developed a lithium-air battery design that could power domestic airplanes and long-haul trucks.</a></strong> The research, published in a recent issue of <em>Science, </em>was funded by the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office and the Office of Basic Energy Sciences through the Joint Centre for Energy Storage Research. The main new component in this lithium-air battery is a solid electrolyte instead of the usual liquid variety. Batteries with solid electrolytes are not prone to safety issues associated with the liquid electrolytes used in lithium-ion and other battery types, which can overheat and catch fire.</p>
<p><a href="https://mercomindia.com/essar-invest-energy-transition-uk-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Multinational conglomerate Essar Group has launched the Essar Energy Transition (EET) initiative with an investment of $3.6 billion to develop a range of low-carbon energy transition projects over the next five years in the United Kingdom and India.</strong></a> Under the EET initiative, Essar will take measures to support the UK government’s decarbonization policy by investing $2.4 billion across its sites at Stanlow oil refinery which produces over 16% of the UK’s Road transport fuels annually. Through EET, Essar targets achieving 75% mitigation of carbon emissions in the  Stanlow refinery by 2030.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Bids for 100 MW Rooftop Solar Announced in Kerala


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					</table><p>Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://hperc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HPERC</a>) has allowed Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (<a href="https://www.hpseb.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HPSEBL</a>) to make up for its hydropower purchase obligation (HPO) deficit with surplus non-solar power it purchased for the financial year (FY) 2021-22.</p>
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<p>The regulation mandates that HPSEBL purchases 10.5% of its total power consumption from renewable power (solar and non-solar) to fulfill renewable purchase obligation (RPO) and 0.18% from hydropower for FY22.</p>
<p>HPSEBL procured 5.697 MU or 98% of its HPO for FY22. The net HPO shortfall was 0.093 MU.</p>
<p>Having bought more than 85% of the obligated hydropower, HPSEBL requested the Commission that it be allowed to bridge the shortfall through non-solar renewable energy certificates (RECs) for the surplus non-solar energy purchased for the period.</p>
<p>HPERC had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/commission-power-purchase-costs-himachal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set</a> ₹2.49 (~$0.030)/kWh as the average power purchase cost for FY22 under the REC mechanism.</p>
<p>Further, HPSEBL told the Commission that it also failed to meet its solar RPO due to delays in the commissioning of projects.</p>
<p>The state had a shortfall of 181.03 MU in solar RPO during FY22 due to non-commissioned solar projects.</p>
<p>Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA) planned to generate 28 MW of solar power through 250-500 kW projects.</p>
<p>HPSEBL signed 34 power purchase agreements (PPA) with these companies for a total of 15.05 MW.</p>
<p>As of now, 23 projects totaling 10.1 MW have been completed.</p>
<p>Eleven companies have not yet completed their projects, which have a combined capacity of 4.95 MW. These projects were supposed to be completed by FY22.</p>
<p>Further, HPSEBL signed four PPAs to Commission 20 MW of solar, but only three projects totaling 1.50 MW have been completed.</p>
<p>HPSEBL calculated the tie-up power by excluding hydro consumption of 2,000 MU, but during FY22, the actual consumption excluding hydropower was about 3,216.34 MU, which is around 160% more than the previous financial year.</p>
<p>As a result, the RPO targets increased significantly.</p>
<p>The increase in RPO − excluding hydropower consumption− was due to the sudden rise in power demand in winter, which was met by thermal power.</p>
<p><strong>Commission’s analysis</strong></p>
<p>Since HPSEBL has fulfilled more than 85% of the HPO compliance, the Commission allowed the adjustment of the deficit with the non-solar power it purchased.</p>
<p>For the non-solar RPO compliance, Commission noted that it was clear that during FY22, HPSEBL had a net surplus of 519.92 MU of non-solar renewable power.</p>
<p>Thus, the Commission allowed the adjustment of a deficit of 0.093 MU in its HPO for FY22 with the surplus of non-solar renewable power.</p>
<p>HPSEBL, after such adjustment, has a net surplus of 519.827 MU of non-solar renewable power.</p>
<p>The Commission directed HPSEBL to offset its solar RPO deficit by January 31, 2023, either through solar RECs and/or procuring additional solar power during the remainder of the current financial year.</p>
<p>If HPSEBL fails to offset the solar RPO deficit in the mandated period, it will not only be liable to deposit an amount corresponding to the RPO shortfall but also the forbearance price set by the Central Commission into a separate fund.</p>
<p>Further, it could face action for non-compliance.</p>
<p>The Commission also ordered the electricity board to better plan its procurement to avoid an RPO deficit in the future.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.</p>


Himachal Regulator Allows DISCOM to Bridge HPO Shortfall with Non-Solar Power

<p>The low landed cost for open access was identified as one of the primary factors contributing to the growth of open access installations across India, as per Mercom’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-open-access-market-report-q4-annual-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Open Access Market Report Q4 and Annual 2021</a>.</p>
<p>The landed cost of open access is defined as the cost including all open access charges, including wheeling charge, additional surcharge, cross-subsidy surcharge, and the tariff set in the power purchase agreement (PPA).</p>
<p>According to Mercom India’s report, the tariffs for long-term open access (LTOA) range from ₹3.50 (~$0.047)/kWh to ₹5 (~$0.067)/kWh in most states, and the landed open access cost ranges between ₹3.70 (~$0.049)/kWh to ₹7.14 (~$0.096)/kWh.</p>
<p>Open access installations are usually driven by demand from consumers wanting to procure power at a lower price in comparison to the power procured from the commercial and industrial (C&amp;I) retail supply.</p>
<p>In Uttar Pradesh, where the C&amp;I retail supply tariff is in the range of ₹7.94 (~$0.10)/kWh to ₹9.91 (~$0.13)/kWh, the comparatively lower landed open access cost is driving the growth of open access. The state also waived off additional surcharges, which led to developers getting considerable margins on the net landed cost. Uttar Pradesh spearheaded the open access solar capacity additions in Q4 2021 with 113 MW, accounting for 38% of the total capacity additions in the quarter. In 2021, 397.5 MW open access projects were installed in the state.</p>
<p>In Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, the growth was primarily driven by energy-intensive industries such as cement, pharmaceutical, metals, and electrical equipment manufacturers, which set up open access projects via captive and group captive models. These industries find open access as an ideal solution to reduce costs as electricity contributes a significant amount to their operating costs. Tamil Nadu installed 217 MW of open access projects in 2021, while Maharashtra witnessed 213 MW.</p>
<p>The C&amp;I retail tariff in Tamil Nadu falls in the range of ₹6.35 (~$0.082)/kWh to ₹8.05 (~$0.105)/kWh. Although the difference between the landed open access cost, and the C&amp;I tariff is moderate, the state is witnessing a lot of upcoming projects under the group captive model.</p>
<p>Maharashtra has a C&amp;I retail tariff ranging from ₹6.96 (~$0.092)/kWh and ₹11.20 (~$0.146)/kWh, which is the highest in the commercial category among the top open access states. This makes open access solar the most viable option.</p>
<p>This year’s <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-open-access-market-report-q4-annual-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> included an analysis of open access installations in two new states, Kerala and Himachal Pradesh, where the installation numbers haven’t increased much during the last year.</p>
<p>The report notes that the tariffs for LTOA in Kerala range between ₹3.50 (~$0.045)/kWh to ₹4.00 (~$0.052)/kWh, whereas in Himachal Pradesh, it is ₹3.50 (~$0.045)/kWh to ₹4.50 (~$0.058)/kWh.</p>
<p>On the other hand, the commercial and industrial retail tariff in Himachal Pradesh falls between ₹4.30 (~$0.057)/kWh to ₹4.85 (~$0.064)/kWh. Kerala has a C&amp;I retail tariff ranging from ₹5 (~$0.066)/kWh to ₹7.10 (~$0.094)/kWh.</p>
<p>The difference between the C&amp;I tariffs and open access landed cost was minimal, leading the consumers in these states to opt for the C&amp;I instead, thus reducing the open access projects commissioned in these states.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-34100" src="https://mercomindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost.png" alt="Open Access Charges as a percent of Landed Open Access Cost" width="2152" height="795" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost.png 2152w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost-300x111.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost-2000x739.png 2000w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost-768x284.png 768w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost-1536x567.png 1536w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost-2048x757.png 2048w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost-650x240.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost-624x231.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Open-Access-Charges-as-a-percent-of-Landed-Open-Access-Cost-600x222.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 2152px) 100vw, 2152px" /></p>
<p>Mercom’s analysis suggests that in Karnataka and Maharashtra, where the landed open access costs are very high, reducing these costs to meet the consumer needs could facilitate even more substantial growth of the segment. In Karnataka, open access charges account for 51% of the overall landed cost and 50% in Maharashtra.</p>
<p>In nine states, including Punjab, Madya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, open access charges account for more than 40% of the overall landed cost.</p>
<p>In sharp contrast, with the lowest landed cost, Chhattisgarh is one the most attractive states for the growth of LTOA. In Chhattisgarh, which did away with additional surcharges and cross subsidy surcharges, open access charges contribute to a mere 5% of the landed cost. Chhattisgarh saw 47 MW of open access installation in 2021, the highest ever in a calendar year.</p>
<p>Telangana, where open access charges contribute to 44% of the landed cost, <a href="https://mercomindia.com/telangana-sets-additional-surcharge-for-open-access-power/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a> its additional surcharge by 20% to ₹1.15 (~$0.015)/kWh. Uttarakhand <a href="https://mercomindia.com/additional-surcharge-open-access-uttarakhand-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduced</a> its additional surcharge by 45% to ₹1.07 (~$0.014)/kWh.</p>
<p>The recently published <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-open-access-market-report-q4-annual-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report Q4 &amp; Annual 2021</a> reported a record growth of 222% year-over-year in open access installations in 2021. The report provides a detailed analysis of trading markets and their impact on the sector.</p>


Low Landed Cost – A Must to Boost Open Access Solar Installations

<p>The Solar Energy Corporation of India (<a href="https://seci.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SECI</a>) has issued a request for selection (RfS) to set up 15 MW of grid-connected floating solar projects in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh.</p>
<p>Interested bidders are expected to pay an earnest money deposit of ₹13.5 million (~$180,781). The last date for the submission of bids is August 3, 2020.</p>
<p>SECI issued the tender on behalf of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). BBMB will enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the successful bidder for 25 years. The tender came with a ceiling tariff of ₹3.41 (~$0.046)/kWh set by the procurer.</p>
<p>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="http://www.mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MNRE</a>) had previously <a href="https://mercomindia.com/no-more-tariff-caps-solar-wind-tenders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">communicated</a> that the upper ceiling tariffs would no longer be prescribed in future bids for solar and wind projects. However, in an earlier tender, SECI had <a href="https://mercomindia.com/seci-tender-solar-projects-rajasthan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">clarified</a> that a tariff cap was applicable if it only floated the tender on behalf of the procurer.</p>
<p>The scope of work of the 15 MW floating solar tender includes setting up the projects at the Nangal Pond, near Neilla Village in Bilaspur. The winning bidder will also have to set up single point connectivity at a voltage level of 66 kV at the interconnection point of the project’s substation with the loop-in-loop-out (LILO) connection of the BBMB.</p>
<p>The scheduled commissioning date (SCD) for commissioning of the full capacity of the project will be 18 months from the effective date of the PPA.</p>
<p>SECI also noted that the cells and modules used in the project should be sourced only from the models and manufacturers enlisted in the MNRE’s Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM). Read about the implications of the ALMM order on the domestic solar industry <a href="https://mercomindia.com/almm-listing-solar-industry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
<p>To be eligible to take part in the competitive bidding process, applicants must have a net worth of at least ₹135 million (~$1.8 million) as of the end of the previous financial year. They must also have had an annual turnover of at least ₹94.5 million (~$1.27 million) in the last financial year.</p>
<p>Applicants were also expected to produce an in-principle sanction letter from a financial institution committing a line of credit for at least ₹23.6 million (~$316,032) towards meeting the capital requirements of the project. The tender document also said that bidders were allowed to submit a single bid for the entire 15 MW of floating solar projects.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Image credit: BayWa re</p>


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