Scheme for Promotion of Wind Projects continued; registration process with IREDA for GBI Scheme started...

 

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has conveyed the President of India's sanction for continuation of the "Scheme for Promotion of Grid Interactive Power Generation Projects based on Renewable Energy Technologies for Wind Power projects" during 12th Five Year Plan.

According to the Ministry's notification to various State Nodal Department/Agencies and other implementing agencies, the scheme shall be implemented during 2012-17 as per the norms/guidelines and other provisions which were applicable during 2011-12.

In this regard, the Ministry states that it will continue to provide financial support for carrying out Wind Resource Assessment, organization of seminars/ symposiums/ workshop/ training programme, strengthening of technical institutions, testing facilities, engaging consultants, etc. on a case-by-case basis.

In light of this sanction for continuation of this scheme by the President, MNRE is requesting all SNAs to take up projects for implementation as per the guidelines of 2006-07 till further communication.

It may be noted that the scheme for Promotion of Grid Interactive Power Generation Projects based on Renewable Energy Sources started implementation in 2006-07.

Also, in a separate development IREDA has started the registration process for the "Extension Wind GBI Scheme" for the 12 plan ie. (2012-17) which was extended by MNRE vide its notification dated 04/09/2013.

Under the "Extension Wind GBI Scheme"

• a Generation Based Incentive (GBI) will be provided to wind electricity producers @ Re. 0.50 per unit of electricity fed into the grid for a period not less than 4 years and a maximum period of 10 years with a cap of Rs. 100 Lakhs per MW.
• The total disbursement in a year will not exceed one fourth of the maximum limit of the incentive i.e. Rs. 25.00 Lakhs per MW during first four years. The GBI scheme will be applicable for entire 12th plan period having a target of 15,000 MW.
• GBI would be available for wind turbines commissioned on or after 01.04.2012 and for entire 12th plan period and shall be governed by the guidelines.
• The incentive would be available for grid connected wind power projects set up for sale of electricity to the grid, at a tariff notified by SERC and /or State Govt. and also for Captive Wind Power Projects including Group Captive to the extent of sale of electricity to the grid only.
• Exclusion: GBI would not be available to any wind power project selling power to third party, (viz. merchant power plants).

 

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• The complete operational guidelines for the GBI Scheme can be viewed here.
• The link for registration with IREDA for the GBI Scheme can be accessed here.

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Andhra Net Metering Policy for Solar Power attracts people to go for rooftop solar...

 

The state government’s sops to single phase users, under the net metering scheme, is attracting more people take to solar power units.
 
Net metering is a power policy that allows solar energy consumers to supply surplus power to the grid, which is now gaining popularity.
 
The EPDCL has introduced net metering in the city as an attempt to encourage solar power production in the state. But, then the government had announced benefits only to three phase users and not may were attracted to the move.
 
Subsequently, the government altered the policy and annouced subsidy to single phase users as well. They can avail the subsidy by installing solar photo voltaic units of up to 3 KW capacity on the roofs. Further, the discom has decided to bear 50 per cent of expenditure of the systems that are installed before March 31.
 
“We are receiving good response after applying the policy to single phase users,” said a senior discom official. He said the state had agreed to provide 20 per cent subsidy for installation of roof top system of up to 3 KW capacity in domestic sector, vide GO. MS nos 22 & 27, in addition to 30 per cent central subsidy.
 
The EPDCL had also designed a project for 194 tribal hamlets for the benefit of tribals. Panels with power generation capacity of 210 KW will be installed in each tribal hamlet, identified under the project, depending on the requirement, an official said.
 
The project is expected to take off next month and it would continue to be in force till December next year.

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NTPC, Gail hire Deloitte to work out Dabhol revival plan...

 

Taking note of the operational mess and heavy defaults to leading lenders, including ICICI Bank, State Bank of India (SBI) and others, the operator of the beleaguered Dabhol power project — Ratnagiri Gas and Power Pvt Ltd (RGPPL), being promoted jointly by state-owned NTPC Ltd and Gail (India) Ltd, has hired global consulting firm Deloitte to work out a new business plan for effective functioning of the plant, currently lying idle due to dwindling gas supplies.

“Banks with a heavy exposure in gas-based projects, especially the Dabhol power project, have expressed serious concerns on viability and we need to address the fuel issue immediately,” Rajiv Takru, financial services secretary, told HT.

Shortfall in supply of domestic gas has sharply affected the plant’s operational and financial performance as its entire capacity of 1967 mw is currently stranded due to lack of domestic gas supply.

“RGPPL has engaged Deloitte as consultant for conception of a business plan in view of current gas shortfall scenario and other associated issues,” said a senior company official..

RGPPL has a debt of Rs. 9,000 crore and has defaulted in its debt servicing obligation in September, October and November 2013,” said a senior government official. “This is worrisome as the default has happened the first time after the project’s restructuring in 2009.”

If operations are not resumed and unless payments are made, there is a possibility of the project to be classified as a non-performing asset. RGPPL’s outstanding dues have ballooned to Rs. 1,017.64 crore as on November 25.

“The viability of RGPPL depends on viability of its power and LNG business on a standalone basis,” the official said.

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AP Genco Asks ERC to Hike Tariff by 4 p.c....

 

APGenco wanted four per cent escalation in its tariff for the years 2009-14. APGenco’s tariff is for the power to be supplied by the generation corporation to the Discoms. Though the power purchase agreement pertained to 2009 to 2014, the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) did not convene public hearing all these five years.

The tariff is about to expire in March next and the APERC held a public hearing here on Friday, a few months before the PPA gets lapsed.

Presenting the Genco’s argument, managing director K Vijayanand wanted the ERC to fix the tariff with four per cent escalation. He said that ERC was allowing 5.72 per cent escalation on operation and maintenance.

Vijayanand further said that the pay revision commitment should be considered while fixing the tariff for 2009-14. However, the Discoms collected the electricity charges from the consumers for the same period. If the Genco’s tariff order was finalised by the ERC, then the over and above tariff collected by Discoms would be collected from consumers in the subsequent bills.

Vijayananda also said that the capital cost of several projects has gone up due to various reasons.  The capital cost was increased against the original estimate for RTPP stage-2, NTTPS-4, KTPP-1, Priyadarshini Jurala, Pochampad and others. The cost escalation should also be taken into consideration.

Raising objections to this, farmers’ leader Cherukuri Venugopala Rao demanded that those who lost lands for the construction of thermal power stations should be given jobs. He alleged that the thermal power stations were not following the guidelines and fly ash became a major problem.

Power expert Venugopal said that it was ridiculous to conduct a public hearing on the tariff for 2009-14 now. The tariff order should not be fixed for five years and it should be fixed for 35 years as per the PPAs. He wanted the government to accord priority for the APGenco in allotting fuel and also sanctioning new projects. The APERC would announce its tariff order soon.

NEW TARIFF: Meanwhile, the APERC extended the time for Discoms to file ARRs before December 10. The Discoms will file ARRs every year to fix the retail tariff to be collected from power consumers. As there was no fuel surcharge adjustment (FSA) now, the tariff may be increased considerably, sources said.

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ACME to partner with SAMSUNG for the development of solutions related to Solar Power Projects...

 

ACME, a leader in energy management and innovative solutions for alternate energy sector with presence in solar power generation, today said it had signed an exclusive and strategic agreement with South Korean energy storage system giant Samsung SDI, part of the Samsung, to manufacture and marketing of lithium ion batteries in telecom, solar power, defence sectors and other allied industries in India and the African continent.

As per the agreement, ACME will be the Sole Partners of Samsung SDI in India and Africa markets, has the exclusive right to use Samsung SDI’s technology and will aim sale of upto 110 MWh of lithium ion batteries by FY 2016 in the above two regions.

“Acme has been a pioneer in introduction of innovative and disruptive energy technologies to the Indian industry since its inception, to reduce energy consumption, carbon emission and diesel usage. In line with our tradition, we are taking major steps forward to solve one of the biggest challenges of the energy industry by having a right storage solution from Kilo Watt to Mega Watt class. This will help users to replace their diesel generators, invertors and at the same time help utilities to schedule their renewable energy generation as per the demand.

Samsung SDI being world’s biggest Lithium Ion Battery manufacturer and leader in technology and innovation, is our partner for manufacturing and marketing Energy Storage System (ESS) solution in India and Africa. We believe the unique strength of the two partners will be able to create and offer disruptive and right solutions for the Indian market to resolve issues related to back up power and distributed generation,” said Mr Manoj Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman and Managing Director, ACME.

Mr KH Kim, Vice President, Marketing and Sales, Samsung SDI said,” By this strategic alliance with ACME, Samsung SDI will make a milestone to expand our business of the energy storage system in India and Africa market. As a leading company of LIB-ESS industry, we will keep continuing to explore the market in India and Africa. We believe, with Samsung’s quality, capability and ACME’s network, we can reach our goal to become No.1 in this LIB-ESS business.”

The battery industry in India has been registering a CAGR of around 20% over the last few years. On the global front, the last decade has observed the surge in usage of Li-Ion batteries with while that of Ni-Cd, NiMH and Lead Acid batteries has been near stagnant. As per an estimate by Frost & Sullivan, the global market for Li-Ion segment was around $11.7 bn in year 2012 with 64% share of consumer batteries i.e. mobile phone, cameras, laptop, tablet PC and power tools, etc. This is expected to grow to double by 2016 and “the share of consumer batteries in the overall segment to be reduced to 52% and industrial usage to grow multifold”

In India, this technology will help several industries including telecom, utilities, defense, off-grid, logistics and many more.

The ESS industry will also play a major role combined with the green energy solutions to make them a reliable and viable hybrid energy source unlike conventional solar and other renewable energy options that work as per the natural clock. With the latest technological innovations, the lesser need for recharge and longer duration back-up will serve purpose by bringing contiguity in its output.

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Pre-commissioning of RPower's 100 MW CSP Project started; commissioning by March-14...

 

Reliance Power said it has begun pre-commissioning activities at its 100 MW CSP (concentrated solar power) project in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan.

The project based on CLFR (compact linear Fresnel reflector) technology by AREVA and is being built at a cost of Rs 2,100 crore, adjacent to a 40 MW solar photovoltaic plant commissioned by the company last year.

The project is set to be commissioned by March 2014, RPower said.

The project is financed by multilateral agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, US Exim Bank, FMO of the Netherlands and Axis Bank.

Rajasthan Sun Technique Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Power, was awarded the CSP project in December 2010 by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (a subsidiary of NTPC) under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.

The total power generated by the plant will be supplied to NVVN for a 25-year period.

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Around 72 MW RE Installations during Oct makes India's RE portfolio to 29.5 GW; no solar installations during the month...

 

In the month of October 2013, Indian Inc has installed around 72 MW of renewable energy projects amounting to around 1468 MW renewable energy installations during the FY13-14 and 29537 MW cumulatively upto 31st October 2013.

Most of this installations are coming from Wind despite various policy and financial hurdles are being faced by the industry. During the month around 52 MW capacity of Wind Project have been commissioned in the country.

The second source is small hydro projects with 20 MW installations.

No other renewable energy source including Solar PV has seen any installations during the month. Around 395 MW of Solar PV Projects have been commissioned during the current financial year so far.

As can be seen from the below figure, Wind still accounts for more than 68% of the total renewable energy share followed by small hydro (13%) and Bagasse (8%) with Solar PV coming close by 7%.

 

Figures are in MW

 

However, most of the energy resource installations are still falling short of targets for the current financial year.

Energy Source	% Achievement of the FY13-14 Target so far
Wind	35%
Small Hydro	38%
Biomass	19%
Bagasse	18%
Waste to Energy	15%
Solar PV	36%

The complete statistics of the renewable energy installations during the month of October 2013 as well cumulative for FY13-14 and till date are depicted below:

Renewable Energy Programme/ Systems	Target for 2013-14	Deployment during October, 2013	Total Deployment in  2013-14	Cumulative achievement up to 31.10.2013
I.   POWER FROM RENEWABLES:
A.   GRID-INTERACTIVE POWER   (CAPACITIES IN MW)
Wind Power	2500	52.25	880.73	19933.68
Small Hydro Power	300	20	114.5	3746.75
Biomass Power	105	-	20	1284.8
Bagasse Cogeneration	300	-	55.05	2392.48
Waste to Power           -Urban	20	-	3	99.08
-Industrial		-	-
Solar Power (SPV)	1100		395.13	2079.97
Total	4325	72.25	1468.41	29536.76
B.    OFF-GRID/ CAPTIVE POWER  (CAPACITIES IN MWEQ)
Waste to Energy                   -Urban	10	3	3	118.57
-Industrial
Biomass(non-bagasse) Cogeneration	80	2.85	22.54	493.69
Biomass Gasifiers                 -Rural- Industrial	1	-		16.924
	9	-	4.74	146.32
Aero-Genrators/Hybrid systems	1	-	0.03	2.14
SPV Systems (>1kW)	40	-	14.32	138.99
Water mills/micro hydel	500 Nos.	-	-	10.65 (2131 nos)
Bio-gas based energy system	2	-	-	-
Total	143	5.85	44.63	927.28
II. REMOTE VILLAGE ELECTRIFICATION
No. of Remote Village/Hamlets provided with RE Systems	-	-	-	-
III. OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
Family Biogas Plants  (No. in lakhs)	1.1	-	0.15	46.83
Solar Water Heating - Coll. Areas (Million m2)	0.6	0.04	0.31	7.31

Source: MNRE

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