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					</table><p>Four years after the disconnection of Greenko Maha Wind Energy’s (<a href="https://www.greenkogroup.com/windpower.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Greenko</a>) 2 MW Wind Turbine Generator (WTG), the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (<a href="https://aptel.gov.in/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">APTEL</a>) has ordered its reconnection to the grid.</p>
<p>APTEL also directed the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (<a href="https://www.mahadiscom.in/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MSEDCL</a>) to sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Greenko within two weeks and allow reconnection within one week from the PPA signing.</p>
<p>The Tribunal said MSEDCL must issue credit notes for the energy injected from the WTG into the grid from the date of commissioning and disconnection.</p>
<p>It noted that the WTG should be deemed registered with the Maharashtra Energy Development Authority (<a href="https://www.mahadiscom.in/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MEDA</a>) on November 23, 2015, and a formal registration certificate should be issued in a week.</p>
<p><strong>Background </strong></p>
<p>The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://merc.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MERC</a>) ordered the Maharashtra State Load Despatch Centre (MSLDC) to disconnect the 2 MW WTG located in Sangli district in Maharashtra because Greenko did not execute a PPA with MSEDCL.</p>
<p>Greenko set up 17 WTGs in the Sangli district in 2015. Each WTG had an installed capacity of 2 MW. Sixteen of the 17 WTGs were covered by PPAs signed in 2017. Eleven were commissioned on October 31, 2015, and the PPAs were signed on March 22, 2017.</p>
<p>Five WTGs were commissioned in March 2017, and the PPAs were executed in August 2017. The last 2 MW WTG was commissioned, but the PPA was not executed. The PPA was not signed due to a delay in issuing a certificate of registration from MEDA which had withheld the registration because the WTG was erected near the road and against micrositing guidelines.</p>
<p>A joint inspection with the petitioner, MSEDCL, and MEDA found that the distance between the WTG and PWD road was above the minimum required, i.e., 157.5m.</p>
<p>The WTG was commissioned in 2015 after getting permission from MEDA and MSEDCL. It generated power until 2020 without receiving objects from MSEDCL and MEDA. For some time, MSEDCL also issued credit notes for the power supply from the WTG. However, after five years of injecting power, the WTG was disconnected.</p>
<p><strong>Commission’s Analysis</strong></p>
<p>The Tribunal observed that the PPA was not signed due to MEDA&#8217;s ‘casual and unwarranted’ approach, for which the petition cannot be at fault. The petitioner also injected power into the grid without any objection from MSEDCL, MSLDC, or MEDA.</p>
<p>Hence, the tribunal ordered the WTG to be registered with MEDA on November 23, 2015. It ordered MEDA to issue a formal registration certificate to the Based on a previous MERC order, it was held that a generator could not feed electricity into the grid without having consent / contractual agreement with the distribution licensee and without approvals/scheduling of the power by the state load despatch center, and injection of such energy by the generator is not entitled to payment.</p>
<p>The Tribunal ruled that MSEDCL cannot evade payment to Greenko for the power received in its grid.</p>
<p>In October 2024, the APTEL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/aptel-rebukes-merc-force-majeure-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reprimanded</a> the MERC for failing to conduct a thorough, case-specific examination of a petitioner’s grievances and provide clear reasoning when applying precedents.</p>
<p>In the same month, APTEL <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/banked-energy-cannot-units-of-the-same-company-aptel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruled</a> that a company&#8217;s banked energy at one facility cannot be adjusted against the electricity consumption of its other units.</p>


APTEL Orders Reconnection of Greenko Maha Wind Energy’s WTG to the Grid


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					</table><p><strong><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/sael-ntpc-blupine-win-seci-solar-auction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAEL Industries, NTPC Renewable Energy, and BluPine Energy were winners in Solar Energy Corporation of India’s auction to set up 1.2 GW</a></strong> of interstate transmission system-connected solar power projects across India under Tranche XVI on a build, own, and operate basis. SAEL and NTPC were awarded 250 and 200 MW, respectively, at a tariff of ₹2.48 (~$0.0295)/kWh. BluPine Energy quoted a tariff of ₹2.49 (~$0.0297)/kWh to win 50 MW. Only 500 MW of capacity was auctioned.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cea-temperature-range-wind-turbines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Ministry of Power has instructed that Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) that operate at full capacity up to 40°C, without losing efficiency,</a></strong> in line with the IEC 61400-1 standard, should be considered when determining the extent of grid connectivity. If WTGs start losing efficiency before 40°C, the original equipment manufacturers will be given a chance to modify the turbine design to deliver full output up to at least 40°C for connectivity consideration. For WTGs that operate at full capacity up to 40°C but lose efficiency at the extreme temperatures specified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) regulations, grid connectivity will be granted based on their reduced efficiency at these extreme temperatures.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/uttar-pradesh-1200-mwh-battery-storage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has invited bids to set up a 300 MW/1,200 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System.</a></strong> The last day to submit the bids is September 22, 2024. Bids will be opened on September 25. Bidders must furnish a document fee of ₹25,000 (~$297) and a document processing fee of ₹100,000 (~$1,191). They must also submit an earnest money deposit of ₹740,000 (~$8,813)/MW. Selected bidders must submit $1.85 million (~$22,033)/MW/project as a performance bank guarantee.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ongc-invites-bids-solar-hybrid-power-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has floated a tender to set up captive ISTS-connected, co-located wind-solar hybrid power projects</a></strong> with a capacity of 1,000 MW (500 MW solar + 500 MW wind) anywhere in India, with operation and maintenance for ten years. The last date to submit bids is October 23, 2024. Bids will be opened the next day. The project must be commissioned within 36 months of the letter of award. Bidders must provide a bank guarantee for ₹80 million (~$952,795).</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/sjvn-green-issues-land-acquisition-tender" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SJVN Green Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJVN, has invited bids for the outright purchase/lease of up to 2,000 acres of land for 28 years</a></strong> in the 765/400/220 kV Bikaner-IV Pooling Station area, Rajasthan. The land will be used to set up solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of 500 MW. The last day to submit the bids is September 3, 2024. Bids will be opened on the same day. Bidders must pay an earnest money deposit of ₹4 million (~$47,641.28) for 400 acres, ₹8 million (~$95,283.46) for 800 acres, ₹12 million ($142,938) for 1,200 acres, ₹16 million (~$190,582) for 1,600 acres and ₹20 million ($238.21 million) for 2,000 acres and above.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/gensol-doubles-revenue-yoy-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Engineering and consulting firm Gensol Engineering reported a 105% year-over-year (YoY) increase in revenue to ₹2.97 billion (~$35.3 million) in the first quarter </a></strong>of fiscal year 2025 from ₹1.45 billion (~$17.2 million). Consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization also rose by 143% YoY to ₹890 million (~$10.6 million). The company’s profit before tax increased by 86% YoY to ₹270 million (~$3.2 million), and its profit after tax grew by 50% YoY to ₹150 million (~$1.7 million), despite the impact of new business segments.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: SAEL, NTPC, BluPine Win SECI’s 1.2 GW Solar Auction


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					</table><p>The <a href="https://powermin.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ministry of Power</a> has instructed that Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) that operate at full capacity up to 40°C, without losing efficiency, in line with the IEC 61400-1 standard, should be considered when determining the extent of grid connectivity.</p>
<p>If WTGs start losing efficiency before 40°C, the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) will be given a chance to modify the turbine design to deliver full output up to at least 40°C for connectivity consideration.</p>
<p>For WTGs that operate at full capacity up to 40°C but lose efficiency at the extreme temperatures specified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) regulations, grid connectivity will be granted based on their reduced efficiency at these extreme temperatures. If there is no de-rating of WTGs up to the stipulated extreme temperature at the site, their full capacity will be considered when determining connectivity.</p>
<p>In hybrid wind-solar projects, the combined capacity of wind turbines and solar inverters at the extreme temperatures specified by the CEA will determine grid connectivity.</p>
<p>These directives followed a meeting held by the CEA to address pending applications for grid connectivity (CON-4) and Facility to Connect (FTC) approvals for wind power projects. The meeting was convened in response to concerns the Wind Power Producers Association raised regarding difficulties in securing these approvals.</p>
<p>The challenges primarily arise from stringent conditions that require wind turbines to operate without de-rating at the extreme temperatures specified by CEA&#8217;s procedures for wind locations across India.</p>
<p>As of the latest data, ten projects with a combined connectivity capacity of approximately 3,000 MW are awaiting approval. They include three wind power and three wind-solar hybrid projects with a total capacity of 1,995.9 MW in the Southern Region and four wind power projects with a combined capacity of 947 MW in the Western Region.</p>
<p>During the meeting, CTUIL representatives explained that the IEC 61400-1 standard, which applies to wind turbines, sets the normal operating temperature range between -10°C and +40°C, with an extreme range of -20°C to +50°C. They discussed whether the reduced efficiency of turbines at 40°C should be considered when determining grid connectivity.</p>
<p>CTUIL officials emphasized that while IEC standards are globally recognized, CEA&#8217;s regulations require adjustments to account for Indian conditions, including local temperatures. Wind turbines must be designed to withstand the harsh environmental conditions specific to their locations.</p>
<p>Grid-India emphasized that wind turbines must meet IEC standards while also being capable of operating under the severe conditions expected at their sites, even for specialized turbines designed for specific environments.</p>
<p>India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/indias-wind-energy-installations-fell-32-yoy-in-q2-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a> 770 MW of wind energy capacity in Q2 2024, down 32% year-over-year from 1,139.9 MW in Q2 2023. The capacity additions fell 33% quarter-over-quarter, according to <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Research</a>.</p>
<p>In December 2023, MNRE <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mnre-unveils-revised-wind-power-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revised</a> its 2016 policy for repowering wind power projects to facilitate the replacement of older turbines.</p>


CEA Clarifies Temperature Range for Operation of Wind Turbines


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					</table><p><a href="https://ntpcrel.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC Renewable Energy</a> has invited bids to supply and install wind turbine generators (WTG) for a 960 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected wind energy project in Karnataka (Tranche III).</p>
<p>The invitation for bids encompasses two separate blocks.</p>
<p>Block I will have 164 WTGs for a capacity of 492 MW, and Block II will have 156 WTGs for 468 MW.</p>
<p>The last day to submit the bids is August 6, 2024. Bids will be opened on the same day.</p>
<p>The cost of the bidding documents is ₹22,500 (~$269).</p>
<p>For each bid submission, the following bid security requirements must be met:</p>
<ul>
<li>For Block I and Block II (separate), bidders are required to provide an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹500 million (~$5.9 million) each.</li>
<li>For Block I and Block II (combined), bidders must submit ₹1 billion (~$11.9 million).</li>
</ul>
<p>The project scope includes designing, engineering, manufacturing, supplying, erecting, installing, testing, and commissioning the WTGs with a 3 MW or higher rating.</p>
<p>Bidders are responsible for the comprehensive operation and maintenance of the entire system for ten years from the project’s commissioning. This includes supplying spare parts and consumables and repairing or replacing faulty equipment.</p>
<p>They must obtain the statutory approvals and clearances for power evacuation, grid connectivity, and coordination with state nodal renewable energy agencies, as needed.</p>
<p>Bidders must be manufacturers of approved WTGs with a minimum rating of 3 MW, as listed in the latest Revised List of Models and Manufacturers issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy before the bid opening date.</p>
<p>Bidders must have a minimum average annual turnover of not less than ₹8.98 million (~$107,547 million)/ MW of quoted capacity.</p>
<p>They should have a positive net worth on the last day of the preceding financial year.</p>
<p>Recently, NTPC Renewable Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-rel-wind-karnataka/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for a Balance of System package for a 1 GW ISTS-connected wind energy project in the Davangere region, Karnataka (Tranche-IV).</p>
<p>NTPC Renewable also <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-renewable-energy-invites-bids-wind-project/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for a BoS package for a 1 GW ISTS-connected wind energy project in the Bellary region, Karnataka (Tranche-V).</p>


NTPC Renewable Energy Invites Bids for 960 MW Wind Project in Karnataka

<p>The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has invited bids for the development of wind-solar hybrid power project at NTPC, located in Kudgi, Karnataka.</p>
<p>The tender is for 60 MW (minimum) wind and 130 MW (minimum) solar hybrid energy project to be developed on a turnkey basis.</p>
<p>The scope of work includes the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, packing and forwarding, transportation, unloading, storage, installation and commissioning of grid connected capacity. Operation &amp; maintenance (O&amp;M) would be for a duration of one year.</p>
<p>The bid-submission deadline is November 21, 2018 and all the bids should be accompanied by the bid security of ₹100 million (~$1.36 million).</p>
<p>To qualify for the bid under technical criteria (wind), a bidder should have manufactured, supplied, installed and commissioned wind turbine generators under RLMM (Revised List of Models and Manufactures issued by MNRE) of a minimum rating of 600 kW.</p>
<p>Similarly, to qualify under technical criteria (solar), a bidder should have designed, supplied, installed and commissioned solar photovoltaic (SPV) based grid connected power projects of cumulative installed capacity of 40 MWp or above, out of which at least one project should have been of 10 MWp capacity or above.</p>
<p>Under the financial criteria, the average annual turnover of the bidder should not be less than ₹ 2.35 billion (~$31.94 million).</p>
<p>According to Mercom India <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-project-tracker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Solar Project Tracker</a>, NTPC has 870 MW of large-scale solar in operation across the country. Recently, NTPC won 160 MW of solar projects in <a href="https://mercomindia.com/upneda-solar-auction-500-mw-l1-tariff-3-17/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UPNEDA&#8217;s 500 MW solar auction</a>.</p>
<p>Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/mnre-definition-storage-wind-solar-policy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> previously that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has now amended the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy to remove the word ‘battery’ from the relevant clauses in order to broaden the definition of the term “storage” and facilitate the growth of the sector.</p>
<p>Image credit: Flickr</p>


NTPC Issues Tender for 60 MW Wind and 130 MW Solar Hybrid Project in Karnataka

<p>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="http://www.mnre.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has charted a course of action for wind turbine generators (WTGs) to follow in order to get low voltage ride through (LVRT) certification.</p>
<p>MNRE <a href="http://mnre.gov.in/sites/default/files/webform/notices/OM-WTG-CEA-RLMM_01032018.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> the course of action as part of an order that pertains to the compliance of WTG models to the technical standards of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for grid connectivity.</p>
<p>The proposed course of action comes after MNRE examined the issues and difficulties WTG manufacturers face in obtaining their needed statements of compliance (SoC) or conformity statements (CS) within the stipulated time period.</p>
<p>According to MNRE, self-certification for compliance with CEA certification standards will be accepted for WTG manufacturers in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM) until March 31, 2019.</p>
<p>To be included in the RLMM, WTG manufacturers can apply for the LVRT certification to any internationally accredited testing body or the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) for testing by March 15, 2018.</p>
<p>For WTG models for which self-certification has already been provided, a certificate from NIWE must be obtained to demonstrate their compliance with the technical standards of the CEA.</p>
<p>During the self-certification period, the RLMM list will have two tables, one will be for wind turbines that have a valid SoC/CS and the other will be for self-certified wind turbine models for which NIWE certificates have been issued.</p>
<p>If discrepancies are found in the compliance of a self-certified wind turbine model, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) will be barred from installing wind turbines in India for five years, the wind turbines will be disconnected from the grid, and an additional penalty of ₹20 million (~$306,848) will be levied.</p>
<p>Stall regulated wind turbines and wind turbines with capacities of less than 500 kW that are connected at voltage level of 22kV/11kV and below are exempt from submitting SoC/CS documentation to demonstrate their compliance with CEA technical standards for their connectivity to the grid.</p>
<p>In 2017, Mercom <a href="https://mercomindia.com/solar-top-renewable-source-india-2017/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that wind was the second most installed power source in India after solar, and accounted for 19.6 percent of new installations. Solar and wind together made up for almost 65 percent of new generation capacity last year.</p>
<p>Renewable energy capacity additions continue to gain momentum in India and now account for 19.4 percent of India’s total capacity mix, according to data compiled by <a href="https://mercomindia.com/research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mercom India Research</a>.</p>
<p>Image credit: Flickr</p>


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