Russian Nuclear firm Atomstroyexport plans to set up JV with L&T for construction of atomic power plants...

According to market reports, Russia's global nuclear project company Atomstroyexport is holding talks with Larsen and Toubro (L&T) for setting up a joint venture (JV) to manufacture equipments required for construction of atomic power plants.

Atomstroyexport, which has recently completed construction of 1 unit of 1000 MW out of 2 units at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, has decided to set up an equipment manufacturing unit in India.

Spark Network believes that the decision of Atomstroyexport is to tap the USD 100 Bn civil nuclear market of India considering the boom in the nuclear business and cut down timeframe for construction of atomic reactors.

At present, L&T manufactures reactor vessels for pressurised heavy water reactors and fast breeder reactors. It has also designed technology and critical equipment and systems for heavy water plants, fuel re-processing plants and plasma reactors.

Atomstroyexport has already built 31 nuclear power units in seven countries, including China and Iran.

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Construction of 1000 MW Kundakulam Nuclear Plant completed...

Construction of India's first large nuclear power plant has been completed at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu and it will be made operational by early next year, a top Russian official has said.

Construction of 1,000 MW Nuclear Power Plant of NPCIL at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu has been completed and will be made operational by early next year.

As posted in Spark Network; NPCIL was construction a 1000 MW nuclear power project at Kudankulam area in Tamil Nadu with the Russia’s state-run nuclear firm Atomstroyexport.

Main equipment at the 1,000 mw capacity reactor has already been installed and currently various tests are being conducted to make it operational.

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NPCIL plans to set up a consortium for exporting pressurized heavy water reactors to emerging economies...

Spark Network learnt that NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd) has initiated talks with Indian companies and financial institutions to form a consortium for exporting pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) to emerging economies.

The consortium will facilitate export of PHWRs to less developed countries including Myanmar, Cambodia, Kazakstan, Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia.

NPCIL is at present working on increasing India’s nuclear capacity to 63,000 MW by 2032, from the present 4,460 MW.

NPCIL will provide technology support, manage projects and be responsible for human resource in the proposed consortium, while other partners would take care of nuclear and turbines and balance of plant island.

According to Spark Network, NPCIL has adequate experience and a proven technology in the form of PHWRs. These reactors are of 220 MW and 540 MW. Countries which we are targeting will need such reactors as their grid cannot take capacity of 1,000 MW reactors. The exports can be possible through a consortium, as NPCIL alone cannot fulfill country-specific requirements. The consortium will be formed along the lines of the French reactor supplier Areva.

According to NPCIL, India has 20 PHWRs with a capacity of 4,460 MW and in addition to this 200 PHWRs of 700 MW have been planned. Of these 20 PHWRs, 10 are planned based on domestic uranium fuel, out of safeguards. The remaining 10 PHWRs are planned to be fuelled with reprocessed uranium obtained from light water reactors that would be set up with international cooperation.

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NTPC to buy power equipments of 25,000 MW in next 2 years...

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) , the country’s biggest power producer is planning to buy equipments worth USD 36.6 billion in the next two years to more than double installed capacity and help reduce blackouts.
As per the NTPC chairman, NTPC is planning to add 25,000 MW of power capacity and order for which will go out in two years time. The costs of the equipments shall be Rs. 1.65 Lakh Crores.

Spark Network found that NTPC, which has about 20% of India's installed power-generation capacity, failed to meet its addition target in the year ended March 31 after delays in equipment supplies. The utility has targeted 75,000 MW by 2017.
NTPC want to become a 40,000 MW company by the end of this fiscal. So then the rest of the 35,000 MW will have to be ordered in bulk next year. The company has about Rs 30,000 crore in cash and shouldn't have problems funding equipment purchase.

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) , the country’s biggest power producer is planning to buy equipments worth USD 36.6 billion in the next two years to more than double installed capacity and help reduce blackouts.
As per the NTPC chairman, NTPC is planning to add 25,000 MW of power capacity and order for which will go out in two years time. The costs of the equipments shall be Rs. 1.65 Lakh Crores.

Spark Network found that NTPC, which has about 20% of India's installed power-generation capacity, failed to meet its addition target in the year ended March 31 after delays in equipment supplies. The utility has targeted 75,000 MW by 2017.
NTPC want to become a 40,000 MW company by the end of this fiscal. So then the rest of the 35,000 MW will have to be ordered in bulk next year. The company has about Rs 30,000 crore in cash and shouldn't have problems funding equipment purchase.

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Spark's Power Trading update (Dec 09,2010)...

 

The day ahead market snapshot of power trading on Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) is as below:

 

 

 

Time (Hours)	Purchase Bid (MWh)	Sell Bid (MWh)	Unconst. MCV (MWh)	Const. MCV (MWh)	Unconst. MCP (Rs/MWh)
00-01	1149.9	3563.7	1149.9	1149.9	999.58
01-02	1125.2	3660.7	1125.2	1125.2	999.41
02-03	1125	3935.7	1125	1125	999.4
03-04	1124.5	3965.7	1124.5	1124.5	999.4
04-05	1099.6	3702.7	1099.6	1099.6	999.4
05-06	1281.3	3004.7	1281.3	1281.3	999.72
06-07	1485.6	2766.8	1454.6	1454.6	1999.25
07-08	1688.8	2450.2	1645	1645	2499.44
08-09	1784.3	2349.3	1740.7	1740.7	2499.99
09-10	1914.6	2431.7	1777.8	1777.8	2600.08
10-11	1612.7	2294.7	1513.5	1513.5	2499.71
11-12	1598.3	2333.6	1499.1	1499.1	2499.59
12-13	1689.2	2604	1593.1	1593.1	2499.47
13-14	1522.1	2855.7	1429.3	1429.3	2199.11
14-15	1621.2	2946.7	1526.2	1526.2	2498.81
15-16	1512.4	2861.7	1417.4	1417.4	2498.68
16-17	1145.8	2496.7	1095.8	1095.8	1499.94
17-18	1029.1	1995.3	946.96	946.96	2000.28
18-19	1357.5	2231.7	1230.9	1201.8	3249.2
19-20	1457.3	2216.7	1306.2	1214.08	3249.16
20-21	1162.8	2517.7	1128.9	1100.8	2499.05
21-22	1232.1	3545.7	1205.1	1189.3	1799.4
22-23	1088.1	3261.7	1088.1	1088.1	1299.61
23-24	989.4	3780.8	989.4	989.4	1099.93

The summary of the above table is as follows:

Time (Hours)	Purchase Bid (MWh)	Sell Bid (MWh)	Unconst. MCV (MWh)	Const. MCV (MWh)	Unconst. MCP (Rs/MWh)
Total	32796.8	69773.9	31493.56	31328.44	-
Max	1914.6	3965.7	1777.8	1777.8	3249.20
Min	989.4	1995.3	946.96	946.96	999.40
Average	1366.53	2907.25	1312.23	1305.35	1957.82

To read the full report click here

The day ahead market snapshot of power trading on Power Exchange India Ltd (PXIL) is as below:

 

Time (Hours)	Purchase Bid (MWh)	Sell Bid (MWh)	Unconst. MCV (MWh)	Const. MCV (MWh)	MCV (MWh)
00:00-01:00	46.21	456.7	1000.00	46.21	46.21
01:00-02:00	46.21	456.7	1000.00	46.21	46.21
02:00-03:00	46.21	506.7	1000.00	46.21	46.21
03:00-04:00	46.21	506.7	1000.00	46.21	46.21
04:00-05:00	46.21	506.7	1000.00	46.21	46.21
05:00-06:00	94.21	506.7	1150.00	71.7	71.7
06:00-07:00	189.71	471.7	2400.00	171.7	171.7
07:00-08:00	189.71	471.7	2500.00	187.61	187.61
08:00-09:00	279.21	471.7	2700.00	171.7	171.7
09:00-10:00	444.21	621.7	2800.00	421.7	421.7
10:00-11:00	594.21	621.7	2750.00	321.7	321.7
11:00-12:00	594.21	521.7	2990.00	231	231
12:00-13:00	592.01	521.7	2990.00	228.8	228.8
13:00-14:00	462.01	521.7	2750.00	221.7	221.7
14:00-15:00	376.01	521.7	2600.00	221.7	221.7
15:00-16:00	291.01	621.7	2500.00	238.91	238.91
16:00-17:00	241.01	521.7	2500.00	38.91	38.91
17:00-18:00	241.01	421.7	2600.00	121.7	121.7
18:00-19:00	368.92	456.7	3600.00	255.82	254.37
19:00-20:00	366.42	456.7	3600.00	255.82	207.38
20:00-21:00	366.42	456.7	3500.00	325.82	262.89
21:00-22:00	269.17	556.7	2500.00	268.29	240.55
22:00-23:00	144.61	656.7	1300.00	121.7	105.93
23:00-00:00	44.61	806.7	1180.00	44.61	44.61
Total	6379.73	12640.8	--	4151.94	3995.61

The summary of the above table is as follows:

Time (Hours)	Purchase Bid (MWh)	Sell Bid (MWh)	Unconst. MCV (MWh)	Const. MCV (MWh)	MCV (MWh)
MAX	594.21	806.7	3600.00	421.7	421.7
MIN	44.61	421.7	1000.00	38.91	38.91

To read the full report click here

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L&T's energy efficient equipments for Jaypee's project to be commissioned by 2013...

Engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is manufacturing energy-efficient turbines and auxiliaries for Jaypee Group’s Thermal Power Project of 1,500 MW in Bina (Madhya Pradesh). (See the related post). L&T on Tuesday announced that the equipments would be commissioned in 2013.

L&T currently manufactures power equipment that can generate 4,000 MW of electricity and would suitably enhance the capacity by building energy efficient and environment- friendly ultra supercritical machinery.

Spark Network found that the current manufacturing capacity of L&T is around 4,000 MW and planned to enhance it about 5,000-6,000 MW. Current order-book of the company stands at Rs 30,000 crore spread over the next four-year with supply requirements of around 12,000 MW.

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Hinduja signs agreement for Solar Projects with French firms...

The Hinduja Group on Tuesday signed agreements with leading French firms for road infrastructure projects as well as development of solar energy in India.

Hinduja Group is one of the largest diversified groups in the world spanning all the continents. The Group employs over 40,000 people and has offices in many key cities of the world and all the major cities in India. Merchant Banking and Trade were the first two businesses of the group. Since the company has diversified and is now active in Banking & Finance, Transport, Energy (Oil & Power) as well as the new economy of Technology, Media and Telecom.

The joint venture for development of road infrastructure projects was signed with France-based Vinci Group.

Spark Network believes that Hinduja Group has signed the agreement with the French energy major Areva.

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Ganga Power signs an MoU with BSEB for 1320 super critical power project...

Ganga Power & Natural Resources of Adhunik Group has signed an MoU with Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) for setting up a 1320 MW super critical thermal power project at Pirpainty in Bhagalpur district. The power project has qualified for long term coal linkage. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has sent a recommendation to the coal ministry for 6.9 million metric tonnes of coal per annum (MTPA) to the project. Bihar government has allotted 60 million cubic meter of water for this plant. A no-objection certificate has already been received from the Central Water Commission. For environment clearance, a project report has been sent to the Bihar State Pollution Control Board. The public hearing is expected by the month-end, said an official.

An application has been submitted to the department of industries for acquisition of 900 acres of land spread over Jairambandhu, Rajganj, Govindpur, Laxmipur, Hiranand and Roshanpur villages in Pirpainty.

The power project is expected to be commissioned in December 2014.

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KERC increases power tariff...

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) today issued an official notification for increase in power tariff.

The tariff hike is in the range of 28.54 paise/unit to 30.75 paise/unit in various Distribution Companies (Discoms)

Bhagya Jyothi and Kutir Jyothi schemes have been exempted from hike so far.

To make matters worse, in all the ESComs, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCom), Mangalore Electricity Supply Company ( MESCom), Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company (GESCom) and Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Compamny (CHESCom) power will be curtailed and only single phase power will be supplied for during 6 am to 6 pm .

Click on the below links to download tariff order’s of various Discoms.

1. BESCOM

2. MESCOM

3. HESCOM

4. GESCOM

5. CESC

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Bharti's Cell towers to go green...

Telecom major, Bharti Airtel has undertaken a pilot project to run its telecom towers using environment friendly hydrogen as fuel. The project will be developed with French industrial gas company Air Liquide.

In the first phase, the French firm will test the technology with 10-15 sets, which will be expanded to most towers.

The investment will be around 200 to 500 Mn EURO depending on the rate of penetration of the hydro-fuelled towers.

According to Spark Network, around 30% of telecom towers in India run by diesel. Hence, there is a huge opportunity for renewable energy based technology.

With diesel generators that power over 4 lakh towers in the country consuming fuel worth over Rs 6,400 crore every year, the government has recently set up a panel to promote renewable energy to slash costs as well as hazardous carbon emissions.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) plans to provide subsidies and incentives to operators using renewable energy.

Some of the incentives include 30 per cent subsidy on the total cost of making 200 towers eco-friendly in a certain area and supporting the rollout of eco-friendly towers in rural areas.

Other benefits include the reduction in pollution, cutting down on diesel dependence and a decline in operating costs, he said.

A number of operators are already experimenting with alternative source of energy such as wind power and biofuels.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is looking at reducing the sector’s impact on the environment by introducing a carbon credit policy, the details of which are being worked out.

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Tariff hike in Bihar by BERC....

Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) on  Monday announced a marginal increase in power tariff with effect from January 2011 bills.

A common domestic consumer consuming 100 units of power per month will now have to pay around Rs 10 more than what s/he is paying. Application fee for new connections, meter rent, service connection charges, meter testing fee and other existing miscellaneous charges have been left untouched.

According to Spark Network distribution transformers are one of the important areas for reducing distribution losses.

BERC has asked BSEB to fix a target of maintaining 32% line loss this year. The commission has also directed BSEB to go in for procurement of distribution transformers of up to 200kVA with 'two star' rating to minimize the losses.

BERC has also recommended meters in every 33kV and 11kV feeder and distribution transformer so that proper energy audit and accounting can be done. For energy saving, BERC has favored power supply to BPL (Below Poverty Line) consumers with CFL lamps. This will save a lot of energy with there being 7.76 lakhs BPL consumers.

A rebate of 15% has been allowed to commercial consumers for availing power supply during off-peak hours from 11pm to 5am. A surcharge of 20% would be levied on power consumption during peak hours from 5pm to 11pm.

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Nuclear agreement between Indian and France signed...

India and France were planning to enter into a framework agreement on nuclear sector. On Monday, both the countries inked the agreement for sourcing two reactors from French nuclear major Areva SA along with an assurance on uranium supplies.

The framework agreement envisages the sale of nuclear reactors, fuel and services worth about EURO 7 billion (or around Rs 42,000 crore at current exchange rates).

The units are of 1650 MWe each. Units will be supplied to Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). Areva said it will take around 5-6 years to commission these units. The units are planned in Jaitapur (Maharashtra)

It also envisages partnerships between the Areva and the (NPCIL) to prepare for the construction of the two reactors from early 2011, she said. Details of the pricing of the reactor units, and the terms of the fuel sales are to be worked out in the final contract.

The French firm has assured India on the supply of uranium fuel for the 60-year life of the reactor, with the initial fuel pact spanning 25 years for the two units that are slated to come on stream in 2018.

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APL and NTPC's Supercritical units to go on stream soon...

Adani Power Limited (APL), a Gujarat based power sector major is setting up supercritical units at its Mundra (Gujarat) site. Also, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) a Navratna Power sector company is setting supercritical units at its Sipat site. Supercritical units are the units of 660 MW. Supercritical units are being set up first time in India.

Both of the above sites, the units are in the final stage of commissioning and likely to be connected to grid in end December.

APL is using Chinese technology while  NTPC is using Russian and Korean super critical technologies.

Generally, a unit with more than 500 MW capacity is referred as supercritical. The technology has derived its name from use of supercritical pressure for generation of steam — which rotates the generator — by firing coal.

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JV of BHEL, NPCIL and Alstom to be approved by Union Cabinet...

The joint venture of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Alstom (France based company) is likely to be approved by the Union cabinet soon.

According to Spark Network each of these three companies well hold 33% equity stake. BHEL, the power equipment maker, already has a tie-up with Alstom for its boiler business.

Spark Network believes that the JV would not require much capital investment and it would function as a front-end company, responsible for marketing and engineering. BHEL would do manufacturing, with the French partner supplying some parts. The company would place orders on BHEL, which would use its Bhopal and Hardwar facilities to enhance its equipment capacity for the nuclear sector.

BHEL’s boiler capacity at Tiruchirapalli would also be used for catering to the nuclear sector. The power sector constitutes 76-77 per cent of BHEL’s total business, of which coal comprises 83 per cent, gas another three to four per cent and hydro, two per cent.

Initially, the JV would supply turbines to eight units of 700 Mw each being developed by NPCIL. The value of supplies is likely to be Rs 6,000 crore.

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A2Z IPO price band set at 400 - 410 Rs.

Mumbai based Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) firm A2Z Group has filed a DHRP with SEBI on July 29 for Rs. 750 Crs IPO to fund its power foray programs.

Subsequently, A2Z Group has got market regulator's nod to launch the IPO. The IPO is being opened on Dec 8 by the book running managers IDFC Capital, DSP Merrill Lynch, Enam Securities, ICICI Securities and SBI Capital Markets.

A2Z Group was founded in the year 2002 and achieved a turnover of INR 750 Crore during 2008-2009 and INR 1200 Crore for 2009-2010.

The Group covers three business verticals of which the Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Company is the largest entity. Its business operations encompass Electrical Distribution Systems, EHV Switch yards, Transmission lines, Railways Electrification, Discom IT Applications & BOP for Power Plants.

The company has a biomass power generating assets  capacity of about 60MW.  In Punjab, the company was setting up three co-generation power plants in collaboration with sugar mills on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model for a period of 15 years. A2Z will provide steam and power for operating the manufacturing process of the sugar mills during the crushing season. A2Z, which also bagged one of the largest municipal solid-waste management contract from Kanpur municipal corporation, planned to set up 10-15 Mw capacity power plants in various cities, depending on the availability of processed solid waste.

A2Z has has set a price band of 400 rupees to 410 rupees for its initial public offering to raise as much as Rs 8.62 billion ($191.7 million).

The offer comprises a fresh issue of equity shares at the issue price aggregating Rs 6.75 billion and an offer for sale of 4.56 million shares by the selling shareholders.

Click here to read more about A2Z's IPO.

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India’s International Exhibition and Conference for the Solar Industry..

Intersolar India takes place from December 14–16, 2010 in Mumbai's expansive Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC). It is the premier exhibition and conference for the photovoltaics and solar thermal industries in India. The conference takes place one day offset from the exhibition (Dec. 13-15) at Leela Kempinski Mumbai hotel and features over 70 speakers presenting in more than 15 sessions.

Intersolar India brings together industry professionals from the entire Solar eco-system, including: materials, equipment, PV cell and module manufacturers and distributors; inverter and balance of systems suppliers; mounting and tracking systems suppliers; solar thermal manufacturers and distributors; project developers, service companies; the finance and banking community and policy makers.

A brochure for the exhibition can be found below: Inter Solar India 2010 Conference Program

Register for the Exhibition for free!

Register for the Conference!

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Renewable Energy: Technology, Economics and Environment - Martin , Wolfgang and Andreas

Renewable Energy plays a vital role in today’s energy starved age. Every economy around the world seeks an efficient, reliable, cheap and sustainable energy source to cater to energy security requirements. Renewable Energy development can assist the economy in achieving energy security.

Most of the economies have started developing RE sources. Below figure shows the Renewable Energy generation growth of 2009 vs 2008.

With growing demand of Renewable Energy sources, a techno-commercial knowledge of Renewable Energy projects are also required. Spark Network in its efforts to cater to fulfill the resources requirements of growing RE sector found a very useful publication giving detailed analysis of technology, economics and environment aspects of Renewable Energy. The details of the publication are as follows:

Publication Title: Renewable Energy: Technology, Economics and Environment

Authors:

1. Martin Kaltschmitt

2. Wolfgang Streicher

3. Andreas Wiese

Short Description:

This book presents the physical and technical principles of promising ways of utilizing renewable energies. In this context, firstly the main characteristics of the available renewable energy streams are outlined. Subsequently, the book presents the technologies of heat provision from passive and active solar systems, ambient air, shallow geothermal energy as well as energy from deep geothermal sources. In the preceding chapters the book addresses the processes of electricity generation from solar radiation (photovoltaic and solar thermal power plant technologies), wind energy, and hydropower. In addition, a brief discussions of harnessing ocean energies is included.

The authors provide the important data and parameter sets for the major possibilities of renewable energies utilization which allow an economic and environmental assessment. Such an assessment enables us to judge the chances and limits of the multiple options utilizing renewable energy sources.

“CLICK HERE” to know more about the publication and to purchase it.

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SEL acquires tower and O&M business from STSL and SISL...

A corporate announcement has been made by Suzlon Energy Limited (SEL) to National Stock Exchange (NSE) for acquisition of tower business division of Suzlon Tower and Structures Limited (STSL) and Operations and Maintenance division of Suzlon Infrastructure Services Limited (SISL). STSL and SISL bother are wholly owned subsidiaries of SEL.

The has been made to facilitate reduction in costs, product improvement in operations, maintenance and services, overall advantage from vendors and suppliers of materials and services through common procurement facilities of SEL and efficient material management.

Price of Suzlon Energy on exchanges when the news was posted. [Suzlon Energy - BSE:Rs. 53.40 NSE:Rs. 53.45 ]

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CLP plans big for India-coal, gas and wind projects...

A massive power generation capacity planned by China Light and Power (CLP), the largest foreign power company in India. The capacity shall include thermal projects, wind projects and transmission projects. The investment planned is around Rs. 30,000 Crs; Rs 10,000 Crs have already been invested by the compnay in past eight years in gas, coal and wind projects.  

CLP  is one of the largest power companies in the Asia-Pacific region, with over 50 generation, transmission and distribution assets and retail businesses, with over 19,000 MW of capacity in Hong Kong China, Australia, Philippines and Laos.

CLP entered India in 2002 by acquiring a 655-Mw gas/naphtha based combined cycle plant, Gujarat Paguthan Energy Corporation (GPEC) at Bharuch from Power Plc of the UK. It is planning to expand the capacity by another 1,000 Mw, with gas as fuel.

CLP India has been pre-qualified for two ultra mega power projects (UMPP)s proposed at Orissa and Chattisgarh, revealed Mishra. CLP had not participated in the earlier allocation of UMPPs at Mundra (Gujarat), Sasan (MP), Krishnapatanam (AP)and Tilaiya (Jharkhand).

Spark Network also found that the company is setting up a 1,320 Mw (2x660 Mw) domestic coal-based power project at Jhajjar in Haryana. It plans to commission the first unit by next year and the project is to be fully commissioned by May 2012.

The company is also planning big investments in wind energy. CLP is planning to add an average of 300 Mw every year in the coming years to take its capacity in wind power generation to about 2,000 Mw

It is already the largest wind power generator in the country, with close to 500 Mw of projects. It has operational wind farms at Knadke in Maharashtra (50.4 Mw), Samana in Jamnagar (88.8), Sundatti at Belgaum in Karnataka (20.8 Mw) and Theni in Tamil Nadu (90 Mw). It is also setting up a 12-Mw wind farm in in Samana, 61.6 Mw at Belgaum, 113.6 Mw at Andhra Lake in Maharashtra and 39.6 Mw at Harapanahalli in Karnataka.

Most of these will be executed Enercon and Vestas and the company will sign more development deals with Suzlon, said the executive.

CLP plans to foray into transmission projects in a tie-up with Gammon India. The partners bid for two projects unsuccessfully and are in the final round of bidding for two mega transmission projects scheduled to be awarded this month and in January.

Read More...

Update on Solar Projects in Andhra Pradesh...

Spark Network found that around 1,184 MW of Solar power projects have been proposed by various private developers in Andhra Pradesh.

The proposals have been considered by AP Transco of issuance of evacuation clearances to facilitate the developers to participate in Request for Selection (RfS) to be invited by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN) for final allotment.

Currently, three projects of 5 MW each under solar photovoltaic (Solar PV) and one project of 50 MW under solar thermal (CSP) route have been allotted in phase one of RfS called by NVVN.

The price quoted recently by companies like Megha Engineering at about Rs 12 is quite aggressive considering a high of Rs 19 barely two years ago.

This price is also lower than the price fixed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) at Rs 17.91.

In addition, 11 proposals have been selected with a capacity of 10.5 MW under rooftop photo voltaic and small solar power generation programme (RPSSGP).

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77.8 MW Solar PV projects receives go ahead from IREDA...

Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) projects of around 77.8 MW capacity by Independent Power Produces (IPPs) under phase-1 of the National Solar Mission (NSM) received a  go ahead from Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).

IREDA is a program administrator for 100 MW rooftop SPV Projects under Phase-1 of NSM. IREDA had received initial responses from over 330 developers during the registration process held on July 15. Subsequently during the final registration process, the initially shortlisted 96 project developers applied online.

Spark Network found that the top four States where they are at different stages of implementation include Rajasthan with a total of 12 MW capacity, Andhra Pradesh (10.5 MW), Haryana (8.8 MW), and Punjab (8.5 MW),” he said.

The development of these 100 MW is different from those which are being handled by the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN).

“The program that is being handled by IREDA is based on State-led initiatives. The States where the respective regulators have been pro-active and come out with attractive tariff rates for solar power within specified timelines, the programs have taken off, as the powers generated through these source will be purchased by the State utilities,” he added.

The role of IREDA is to monitor the performance and pass on the GBI, apart from financing the projects, he added. The projects have to be commissioned by September 2011. The installation cost of solar PV units is about Rs 15 crore per MW.

IREDA, which is under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), is to promote, develop and extend financial assistance for renewable energy projects. Apart from these 100 MW projects, IREDA is also extending loans to those projects developers, implementing projects being handled by NVVN.

Under the National Solar Mission it is being planned to develop plants for 1,100 MW in the first phase and to have 20,000 MW installed capacity by 2022.

Read More...

Nuclear contract for 2 N-Reactors is likely between Indian and France.

Spark Network found that France and India are likely to sign a framework contract during President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India for the sale of at least two French atomic reactors but a final deal could take another six months.

The deal is for French nuclear group Areva to supply two reactors estimated at around 7 billion euros ($9.4 billion).

Areva has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nuclear Power Corp of India (NPCIL) for the sale and India has given the green light for construction.

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JSPL’s Raigad expansion project gets in-principle green nod…

Jindal Power’s Rs. 13,140 Crorer expnasion project in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh received an in-principle clearances from the MoEF. This will pave the way for engineering and construction work to resume at the plant site.

The clearance is only for the first two units of 600 MW each under the expansion project. The total capacity of expansion project is 2,400 MW having 4 units of 600 MW each at Tamnar Thermal Power Project in Gharghoda tehsil of Raigarh district.

According to MoEF website "Environmental clearance shall be applicable for 2x600-MW only. However, at a later stage, when firm coal linkage for the third and fourth unit of 600 MW are also available, the project proponent may request the ministry for inclusion of 2x600-MW, which the ministry may consider appropriately on merit.”

The preliminary clearance had been withdrawn by MoEF after some allegations that Jindal Power had not followed the Terms of Reference (TOR) stipulated by the government.

Among the conditions stipulated by the ministry for the grant of final environmental clearance, the company has been asked to secure certain permissions from the Coal Ministry, as some of the plant area falls in coal-bearing area.

In addition, the Environment Ministry has directed the company to finalise a vision document outlining its plans for the site within six months.
The Environment Ministry clearance also makes it mandatory for the company to establish a three-tier green belt around the plant, as well as undertake specific schemes for the welfare of tribals affected by the project.

The company will have to earmark Rs 53.60 crore as a one -time investment on corporate social responsibility activities and recurring expenditure on CSR initiatives shall not be "less than Rs 10.7 crore per annum till the operation of the plant", as per the ministry's clearance.
"The proposed project is to entail an investment of Rs 13,410 crore, of which over Rs 10,000 crore debt has been tied up," the company said after getting the Environment Ministry's nod.

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MTSL 1980 MW Thermal Project at Raigarh - 8 companies in the race…

Spark Network found that around 8 power companies have bided for the 1980 MW Thermal Power Project of Maha Tamil Collieries. The project is proposed to be set up at Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh.

Eight power companies are known to have bid for the 1,980-Mw thermal power project of Maha Tamil Collieries, in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh.

The list of the companies include Reliance Power, GVK, Lanco Infratech, GMR, L&T, Sterlite Energy, JSW Energy and Indiabulls Power. The cost of the project estimated at Rs. 15,000 Crore. The project being a pit-head will be located right at the attached coal mine. The mine, Gare Pelma – II produces 15 mt annual output and having reserves of around 768 million tonnes.

Maha Tamil Collieries is a joint venture company of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and the Mahrashtra State Mining Corporation, each an arm of their respective state governments. TNEB has 77 per cent of the equity and MSMC the rest. The JV will allow the successful bidder to use coal from the mine to put up the power capacity. The developer must, after satisfying obligations to the host state (Chhattisgarh), sell half the remaining power produced to the state electricity boards of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The other half can be sold on a “merchant basis” though the two boards will have first right of refusal on these, too. And, any extra coal from the mine should be diverted back to the joint venture company.

The bid rules asked for companies with at least three years experience in mining 10 million tonnes in the past three years, either in India or abroad. Bidders who have been selected to develop a coal mine with geological reserves of 250 million tonnes are also qualified.

Spark Network believes that the bid qualifications are very strict and very few companies can qualify,  but the project has generated huge interest because it is one the biggest power projects seeking bids after the Tilaiya (in Jharkhand) ultra mega power project (UMPP) bids.

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GoM to phase out six generating units of Chandarpur…

Maharashtra Government has decided to phase out at least six generating units at coal-based power plants, which have outlived their utility.

Spark Network believes that auction of these will generate additional amount of land and resources which can be used to develop new power plants or other industries. These units were established in Chandarpur more than 40 years back and have maximum 40 MW generating capacity.

Being coal-based projects, these units are  not only cost intensive but also a major sources of pollution. The decision of Maharashtra Government was in context with the various measures and reforms in the power sector initiated by the state, in coordination with the Union government, for attaining the promised target of a zero-load-shedding Maharashtra by 2012.

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RPower to double ROSA capacity with an additional investment of Rs 6000 Crs…

Reliance Power, a part of the ADAG, on Thursday announced and additional investment of Rs 6,000 crore for expansion of Rosa power project in Uttar Pradesh (UP). \

Spark Network found that during the site visit of ROSA Power Plant, Anil Ambani said that the company is doubling the capacity of Rosa power project from 1,200 megawatts to 2,400 megawatts with the additional investment.

Rosa power project is set up in two stages of 600 each. 

First stage of the project is fully commissioned and the work on the second stage is expected to start production within a year, the company said in a press statement.

According to the RPower, the investment made in the project will be the largest private sector investment in UP at any single location.

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CDM prices to fall more…

Carbon credits prices are tumbling due to the prospects of increase in supply. Prices have fallen by more than 20 per cent in six weeks and are at a four-month low.

Spark Network believes that credits from HFC-23 (fluoroform, a potent greenhouse gas) projects will go up, as the suspension on such projects has been lifted. Also, many power plants have been shifting from coal to much cheaper gas, which is passing through a glut, leading to lower demand for purchasing such credits.

Certified Emission Reduction (CER, also called carbon credits) prices are trading only a little above the current financial year’s low, seen in July. They’re down nearly 20 per cent from the recent high of  EURO 14.07 in October. Some months earlier, the United Nations’ Forum for Climate Change’s (UNFCC’s) clean development mechanism (CDM) had suspended carbon credits generated by HFC-23 projects, which had led to a rise in prices. However, many companies in India and China had sold such credits at EURO 9-10 each.

Lobbying by these buyers met with success and CDM approved the credits generated by such projects. The decision came last weekend and CER prices on the European climate exchange fell further in the beginning of the week, reaching a level which is the lowest in the past four months.

The CDM executive board’s decision to lift the suspension on the issuance of carbon credits to HFC-23 projects might have come as good news for the project developers, but it will have its repercussion on the pricing economics of carbon credits. The move is likely to press down the prices of the credits due to the enhanced supply.

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JBIC to provide equity funding for private sector projects in India including Renewable Energy…

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is looking at providing equity funding to private sector projects in India instead of debt support for public sector entities. The principal Japanese overseas funding agency is also shifting its focus on the Indian market from China following political tensions with its Asian neighbour.

Spark’s Network learned that JBIC also plans to create a green investment fund not limited to India but mainly for India, with other partners such as the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank’s private lending arm.

The fund will mainly target India and South East Asia. It will start with a corpus of roughly $200-300 million. Renewable energy will be part of it but it will not be restricted to renewable.

Spark’s Network assumes that In 2011-12, JBIC may plan to increase the equity investment portion to $2 billion from $200 million.

As part of its strategy for India, JBIC wanted to promote export of clean technology and energy-efficient infrastructure. It has already committed to exporting technology to DMIC and creating an eco-city, a new concept of urban development under which green technology and energy management devices are installed through smart grids and smart housing.

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Siemens to invest $87mn for 250MW wind turbine development in India

Siemens Ltd., started off it’s renewable energy segment, in India by setting up an office in Vadodara, Gujarat to further expand the business. The renewable energy division already had 30 employees on board and the company had announced that they would ramp up the number of employees to 100 within one year. “The market outlook for renewable energies in India is extremely positive and we see huge potential for the wind and solar business in the near future”, said Dr. Armin Bruck, Managing Director, Siemens Ltd. “ Setting up of the Vadodara office marks our foray into the Solar & wind business in India and with this initiative, we will be able to strengthen our activities in this important market,” he further added, according to this release from the company in September this year.

Initially, Siemens had identified sites in the states of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat for setting up their manufacturing base and was expected to start operation by 2012 with an initial capacity aggregating to 200MW.

In a later announcement a couple of months back, Siemens Ltd, the flagship listed company of Siemens AG in India, announced plans to invest €70 million (Rs 430 crore) in the first phase for the Baroda project, to set up a 250 Mw manufacturing capacity.

According to a report in the media today,engineering major Siemens Ltd plans to invest Rs.400 crore ($87 million) on the development of wind turbines in the country over the next two years, said a top company official here Tuesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a function after Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the second phase of the steam turbine and compressor manufacturing plant here, A.K. Dixit, CEO Energy cluster of the company, said the designing and manufacture of this equipment would be done in the country and the manufacture would start by 2013.

‘Though the location is yet to be finalized, we propose to set it up in Gujarat and are talking to the state government in this regard,’ he added.

Earlier, talking to mediapersons Armin Bruck, managing director of the company, said the company would be investing Rs.1,600 crore ($348 million) in India over the next three years to set up six hubs of base level products in India.

‘The company will now be able to manufacture steam turbines upto 150 MW and manufacture and package process compressors for domestic as well as other emerging markets,’ he added. These products, about 60 of them produced at Vadodara, will be constituting around 70 percent of the total market in India.

Siemens, is a late entrant into the wind energy space in India where Suzlon and Vestas have been leaders in the market.  The wind energy space is crowded with about nine manufactures having wind turbine models possessing valid type approval and certificate for sale in India. Further, there are about half a dozen models under testing and certification process. Panchabuta, will keep readers updated on the progress of Siemens as it enters the wind space.

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CEO of NVVN resigns; Potential setback to National Solar Mission

According to this report by Bloomberg Businessweek, the CEO of NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN) Shri. A.K. Goyal has resigned and that the resignation could serve as a potential setback to the government program and the National Solar Mission itself.

NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd. (NVVN) was formed by NTPC Ltd, as its wholly owned subsidiary to tap the potential of power trading in the country thereby promote optimum capacity utilization of generation and transmission assets in the country and act as a catalyst in development of a vibrant electricity market in India.

In order to facilitate grid connected solar power generation in the first phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, a mechanism of “bundling” relatively expensive solar power with power from the unallocated quota of the Government of India (Ministry of Power) generated at NTPC coal based stations, which is relatively cheaper, has been proposed by the Mission. This “bundled power” would be sold to the Distribution Utilities at the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) determined prices.

The JNNSM also provides for NTPC’s Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd to be the designated Nodal Agency for procuring the solar power by entering into a Power Purchase Agreement or PPA with Solar Power Generation Project Developers who will be setting up Solar Projects during the next three years, i.e., before March 2013 and are connected to the grid at a voltage level of 33 kV and above. For each MW of installed capacity of solar power for which a PPA is signed by NVVN, the Ministry of Power (MOP) shall allocate to NVVN an equivalent amount of MW capacity from the unallocated quota of NTPC coal based stations and NWN will supply this “bundled” power to the Distribution Utilities.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance lead analyst, Ashish Sethia, said in New Delhi, a couple of days ago in this report, “These are bad signs,” “Many large players have either not bid very aggressively or stayed away from bidding.”

Lanco Infratech Ltd, KVK Energy and Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd and Anil Ambani-controlled Reliance Power Ltd’s (RPower),  all participated and won the bids in the first phase of the mission.

AlsoMahindra Partners Division a division of Mahindra group has also participated and won the bid in the first phase.

Given the fact so many big players tha had participated and won bids it would be unfair to say that many large developers have not bid or stayed away from the Solar Mission.

This report states that, Tata Power Co., India’s largest non-state electricity developer, had said last week it was not participating in the auction, citing concerns including equipment import restrictions and aggressive bidding that may be underestimating the cost and complexity of setting up solar plants.

Apart from the reasons discussed above which are both valid and genuine, Tata Power could have also decided to stay away from the bidding  due to the capacity restriction of 5MW for a group in Solar PV. Added to this is the fact that they were already planning to commission a 3MW PV plant at Mulshi in Maharashtra and set up two PV power plants with 25MW of capacity each at the site of its group company Tata Chemicals (TTCH IN) at Mithapur in Gujarat.

It has glad to note that, according to Bloomberg Businessweek report, NTPC said today in an e-mailed response to questions that  “The Solar Mission project “shall not get affected in any way by this development.”

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Why Tatas Stayed Away from Bidding For Solar Projects?

Tata Power Co., India’s largest non- state electricity developer, is shunning the country’s first major solar auction on concerns that terms set by the government will make it difficult for projects to be built profitably.

“We haven’t bid for the National Solar Mission,” Banmali Agrawala, executive director of strategy and business development, said in an interview in Mumbai on the plan to generate 20,000 megawatts of power from the sun by 2022.

The decision by Tata Power, the generating unit of India’s biggest industrial group, not to take part in the first bids highlights concern that the plan is failing to draw companies with the skills and resources to jumpstart the program.

That could delay the development of India’s solar industry, which potential investors including the World Bank and atomic reactor maker Areva SA see as one of the world’s most promising. India gets about 300 sunny days a year in most of the country.

“These are bad signs,” said Ashish Sethia, lead analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance in New Delhi. “Many large players have either not bid very aggressively or stayed away from bidding.”

European governments including Spain, Germany and France are curbing solar subsidies that set off a boom of investment and spiraling state renewable-energy costs. India is seeking to avoid such problems in part by awarding capacity to developers offering the deepest discounts to the rate at which they’ll sell their electricity.

‘Piece of Cake?’

That could backfire should developers submit bids underestimating the cost and complexity of setting up solar plants, Agrawala said.

Some of the bids may be “a little aggressive,” Agrawala said. “We do hope that the people who are bidding those numbers understand what it means to set up a solar project. It’s not a piece of cake.”

The government set an initial selling price of 17.91 rupees (39 U.S. cents) a kilowatt-hour for solar photovoltaic projects and 15.31 rupees for solar thermal projects. Bids have been submitted offering discounts of as much as 4 rupees to those rates, he said.

“There is definitely a risk that a number of projects might either be delayed and some even be shunned completely at later dates” as developers find themselves unable to execute at quoted rates, New Energy Finance’s Sethia said.

State Alternatives

India’s wealth of sunny days provides 5,000 trillion kilowatt-hours per year of solar energy equivalent, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. In comparison, India’s projected total energy consumption this year is a fraction of that, 848 billion kilowatt-hours, a ministry report showed.

The country’s Solar Mission initiative seeks to draw investment to the sector by offering incentives including special tariffs and a power-bundling arrangement designed to assure projects of a buyer for their electricity. It has also set restrictions, including limits on solar equipment imports and a 5-megawatt limit on any one developer.

“To restrict the size to just 5 megawatts per business group we felt was too small,” Agrawala said. “Also, you’re not allowed to import equipment. As an owner, I’d like to discover what is the least possible price in the global markets.”

Tata Power determined it would have trouble raising loans from banks under the program because it wasn’t clear whether the designated power buyer, a unit of state-run utility NTPC Ltd., has the financial backing to ensure developers are paid for what they generate, Agrawala said.

Mumbai-based Tata Power is setting up a 25-megawatt solar plant in western Gujarat under a separate state program, Agrawala said. It expects to sign a power purchase agreement with Gujarat state this month and commission the plant by the end of 2011, he said.

“Serious players are still exploring other state-based mechanisms and the success of the sector will also be dependent on the success of those schemes,” Sethia said.

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“City gets Rs 9 crore for solar project”

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released Rs 9 crore to make Chandigarh a solar city. Now the UT Administration will have to pump in a matching grant so that the project is completed under the Five Year Plan. This was stated by AP Shrivastava, president of Solar Energy Society of India (SESI), who was in city for a seminar on ‘Renewable Energy Sources for Inclusive Growth’. He said SESI has proposed to the Government of Indian that a Rs 20,000-crore solar fund should be created, from which subsidy could be given for sun-run projects.

Shrivastava said India receives 5,000 trillion KW solar energy per year that could be used to supplement energy requirement of about 30 per cent who do not have access to power. For 8 per cent GDP growth, 6 per cent increase in energy sector was required, he added. Rajya Sabha MP Mabell Rebello said inclusive growth was not possible till all sections of the society, especially people at the grass roots level, were involved. Presenting grim statistics, she said, “India has 2.4 per cent of the total land mass, but 17.4 per cent of the world’s population. About 70 per cent of the population India lived in villages, 50 per cent of which were not electrified.”

She said other states need to learn from a Jharkhand village, Jhargaon, which had cent per cent electrification through solar energy. From farm tubewells to cooking and lighting, everything runs on solar power. Asserting that political will was important in the renewable energy sector, she said for India’s development, which was not possible without sufficient power, first corruption at all levels has to end. Manoj Dutta, director of PEC University of Technology, said technology could be a solution to many problems. “We live in a world of opportunities, which have to be grabbed,” he added. Dr Patrick Noser from Switzerland’s Meyer Burger Technologies, said his country had much less sunlight than India, and if they could use solar energy to meet the power demand, then why not this country.

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“Don’t give free power, let farmers get it from sun”

Instead of giving free electricity, the Punjab government should help farmers set up solar panels in their fields, feels NASA’s former mission manager for space flights Dr N K Gupta. Asserting that subsidy spoils economy, he said: “Let farmers generate their own power. This will not only reduce the burden on the state, but also make the farm sector self-reliant. Solar power panels can be set up even on cowsheds in farms, and the power can be used to run tubewells.”

Dr Gupta, who now lives in Washington DC and was with the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation in the 80s, who was in Chandigarh on Wednesday for a seminar on solar energy. He told The Indian Express that free power had done more harm than good to the economy of Punjab. “Once I approached World Bank officials, asking them to give grants to the state for some project. But on hearing the name, Punjab, they refused point-blank, saying they could not help a state that gives free power,” he added.

“Freebie regime is against good trading principles, as something which is not being charged for is bound to be misused. Free electricity is at places being used to run air-conditions,” he said.

“Solar power is highly dependable. It can be used anywhere from space to farms. Satellites use solar power, as the set-up has no moving part, and once installed, it stays for 20 to 30 years and requires little or no maintenance,” he said.

Once agriculturists become self-sustained, the available power could be supplied to the industry, he said. “Industry is a more productive sector as compared to agriculture,” he added.

Asserting that the state should keep future in mind while planning, Dr Gupta said: “When Ranjitgarh was being planned near Phillaur more than 25 years ago, I was a member of the commission that worked on the project. I had proposed that the houses should be constructed in a fashion that rooftops can be used to set up solar panels and the walls facing south should also be used for the purpose. The plan did not mature, as the price of solar cells was high at that time, though we knew that it will come down.”

The government should now at least make rooftop panels mandatory, as nanotechnology would bring the costs further down, he added. Spelling out more economic gains, Gupta said the grid could be stabilised once the power demand went down and farmers and domestic users could sell surplus power.

Advocating the need for creating awareness about new technologies, he said the state would have to first do away with machines-will-take-away-jobs thinking. “In India, more than 50 per cent population is into agriculture. In the USA, only 2 per cent people are in the farm sector, but the production is four times higher. This is because of the dependence on machines. Farm labourers can be employed in companies manufacturing machines,” he said.

“Punjab has abundant sunlight and huge potential that needs to be tapped, but for that political will is most important,” he added.

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Competitive tariff bidding for thermal projects from 2011

India's power sector regulator said that come 2011, all thermal power projects and transmission systems will be awarded on competitive tariff bidding and trading in renewable energy certificate is set to start. Mr Pramod Deo chairman of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission said that "The ministry of power has agreed to the suggestion of competitive bidding for all thermal power projects to be set up in the country after January 2011 onwards.

This will be applicable for all projects whose power purchase agreement would be signed from next January onwards.” Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the All India Conference of chairmen of Central and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions here, he said that "Public sector utilities like NTPC have completed their PPA for their projects. The ministry of power has said it will not extend the deadline." Mr Deo said the process of trading in RECs will start in two months as registration has commenced with the Power System Operation Corporation Ltd.

He added that "The volume of RECs that would come up for trading is not possible to estimate.” The REC is classified into two categories solar and non solar and will be issued to renewable energy generators. Power distribution and captive power companies can buy RECs to meet their green power norms.

On the issue of payment of transmission charges by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd for its Kudankulam power plant with effect from 2009 onwards when the plant is yet to start power generation, Mr Deo said that "The same principle will be followed in the future. Where ever the transmission infrastructure is ready to evacuate power, the power generating company will have to pay the charges."

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