Blogs
First battery storage tender needs to be restructured
15 November 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
SECI has issued a first of its kind standalone battery storage tender for 500 MW/ 1,000 MWh capacity. Tendered capacity is split into two projects of 250 MW/ 500 MWh capacity each to be set up in Rajasthan near Fatehgarh inter-state transmission substation. Projects would be awarded...
Surprise bidders in the solar module PLI scheme
08 November 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
Last week, IREDA opened bids received under Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar module manufacturing. Jindal (bid capacity 4 GW, PLI bid of INR 13.9 billion), Shirdi Sai (4 GW, INR 18.8 billion), Reliance (4 GW, INR 19.2 billion) and Adani (4 GW, INR 36 billion) are the top bidders based on their technical score –...
Reliance sets the pace in clean energy
25 October 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
Following up on its mega announcement in June, Reliance Industries (Reliance) has completed a series of acquisitions and investments heralding its entry in the clean energy sector. The company has: a) acquired 100% stake in Norway-headquartered solar panel manufacturer REC for an enterprise value of INR 58...
Need for better planning and more resilience
17 October 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
India is reeling from a power crisis, which no one saw coming even as recently as two weeks ago. A mix of various factors including jump in demand following post-COVID economic recovery, depressed renewable power output, fall in domestic coal production...
“Perfect storm” highlights fragility of global economic order
08 October 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
It has been described as the perfect storm. A mix of global economic rebound after COVID demand slump and trade disruptions has sent energy prices skyrocketing. International prices for coal (USD 150/ tonne), natural gas (USD 5.7/ MMBTU) and crude oil (USD 75/ barrel) have surged by as much as 15% in the last month to reach annual highs. Figure: Prices of coal, crude oil and natural gas,...
Shorter PPAs need of the times
03 October 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
The Ministry of Power is proposing to gradually move away from long-term PPAs and introduce medium and short-term contracts in the market. A committee has been set up to examine feasibility of changes in PPA tenure and relevant changes...
India Renewable Power Tenders and Policies Update – August 2021
01 October 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
This video presents a summary of major sector developments including tender issuance, auctions, policy and regulatory developments, financial deals and related market trends in August...
Solar becomes the milch cow
26 September 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
The GST Council, an inter-governmental decision-making body headed by India’s Finance Minister, has recommended an increase in levy of GST (Goods and Services Tax) on all renewable energy “devices and parts” from 5% to 12%. The increase is expected to be ratified by the Union Cabinet shortly and become applicable from 1 October 2021…
Green bonds offer relief but risks loom
20 September 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
In the last three months, five Indian developers have raised a total of USD 1.7 billion through green bonds. Adani Green raised USD 750 million priced at 4.30% with maturity of three years. Acme completed its first issuance with USD 334 million of bonds priced at 4.7% for a five-year maturity. Azure raised USD 414 million, 5-year money at only 3.58%,
Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh to drive sector growth
13 September 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
Since January 2021, Maharashtra has issued five renewable power tenders with total capacity of 3.3 GW. In the same time, Gujarat has issued seven tenders with total capacity of 1.7 GW. The two states account for a combined 31% share of total tender issuance so far this year. A comparison of renewable power penetration data for 12-month period to June 2021 across states throws some interesting...
Government recognises needs of C&I consumers
05 September 2021 | BRIDGE TO INDIA
The Ministry of Power has issued draft electricity rules for open access (OA) renewable power. This is the first time that the central government has acknowledged increasing potential and needs of this market. The draft rules touch upon various aspects of renewable...
