Competitive landscape evolves as RE sector grows

The renewable energy (RE) sector has seen the emergence of a hierarchy among players over the years, with those consistently participating in allocations leading the pack. The initial decade of the sector’s growth, therefore, was also a period of stabilisation, establishing…

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A balancing act on PPA tenure, flexibility and tariffs

The Ministry of Power has proposed amendments to its guidelines for tariff-based competitive bidding with an aim to streamline procurement of power from renewable energy (RE) projects. These include the guidelines for firm and dispatchable power projects with energy storage notified on June 9, 2023, solar projects notified on July 28, 2023, wind projects notified on July 26, 2023, and wind-solar hybrid projects notified…

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RE on growth path despite hiccups

The renewable energy sector has seen project momentum and has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The installed base of renewable energy (excluding hydro) has grown at a CAGR of 15% between 2014-2024. Taking a deeper view of the project level momentum in space, an analysis on 57.6 GW of commissioned and under construction projects suggests the segment has managed to avoid excessive…

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Shining through the roof

Sharper policy focus has placed the rooftop solar segment in a sweet spot as India works towards meeting clean energy targets and bring down power costs.

In February this year, the government enhanced the central subsidy programme and announced a scheme to provide 1 crore households with rooftop solar power support. The scheme seeks to reduce initial capital costs through direct subsidies and easing regulatory hurdles to rooftop solar implementation.

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End of ISTS waiver to push up RE tariffs ~Rs 1.5 per unit

The government’s decision to remove the waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for renewable energy (RE) generation projects will push up the costs for developers and consumers. The waiver, aimed at promoting RE and reducing the overall cost of these projects, was first implemented in 2018 under the National Tariff Policy and extended to solar and wind power projects commissioned before December 31, 2022. The government later extended the waiver to include projects commissioned…

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RE auctions losing steam

Tendering and allocation of renewable energy (RE) projects have slowed down this fiscal, indicating a possible loss of momentum in commissioning next fiscal. After an impressive show last fiscal, when a total of 101 GW of RE capacity was tendered and 60.2 GW allocated, in the first of this fiscal only 36 GW has been tendered and 3.5 allocated. If the trend continues, it is likely to have a...

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Powering RE with flexibility

Renewable energy (RE) procurement has advanced from pure solar and wind to hybrids and now Firm and Dispatchable RE (FDRE), which combines solar and wind energy sources with energy storage, enabling procurement in more flexible manner.

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Giving solar cells the ALMM boost

The draft amendment to the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) Order issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will help boost domestic manufacturing of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells substantially in years to come…

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Not captivating enough

Captive power plants (CPPs) are established alternative to the national grid for domestic industries looking to optimise costs and ensure continuous supply.

Between fiscals 2019 and 2023, while India’s electricity requirement grew by 15% from 1,581 terrawatt hours (TWh) to 1,824 TWh, consumption via CPPs rose faster at 25% to 318 TWh…

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The PSP boost to renewable energy

India’s rapid transition to renewable energy has made energy storage a crucial component for grid stability and integration of intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid. Pumped hydro storage (PHS) offers a flexible and efficient long-duration energy storage solution, essential for the country’s…

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Solar glass beaming bright

India’s solar glass market is heating up as recent policy changes, aimed at bolstering domestic production, encourage multiple players to enter the fray.

Among the policy measures, the Ministry of Finance has imposed a 10% basic customs duty (BCD) on import of solar glass effective October 1, 2024, citing sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity in progress. To recall, the anti-dumping duty imposed in 2017 by the government on imports of solar glass…

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RE states levying “resource tax”, making it harder on peers

India’s ambitious energy quest risks stumbling on the additional charges being levied by key states on generation of electricity from renewable sources. Rajasthan was the first to impose such a levy, followed by Madhya Pradesh. More recently, Tamil Nadu has announced its own.

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