Auto parts makers plan 50-Mw solar capacity in Tamil Nadu...

 

A consortium of automotive component manufacturers in Chennai is planning to set up around 50-Mw solar power capacity in Tamil Nadu with an investment of Rs 300 crore over the next 2-3 years. The power produced from here will be used for captive purpose.

At today's rate, setting up a one mega watt of solar farm would cost Rs 6-6.5 crore.

Meanwhile, Mahindra EPC Services Pvt Ltd, the solar EPC arm of $16.2 billion Mahindra Group, today said it had commissioned two solar plants for the consortium. These include a 2.12-Mw plant for MM Forgings Ltd and a 1.06-Mw plant for Super Auto Forge Pvt Ltd located in Aruppukottai near Madurai. In addition, the consortium consists of IM Gears, Rane Group and Autotech Industries (India) Private Ltd.

Murali Shankar, joint managing director of Super Auto Forge Pvt Ltd, said more auto-components manufacturers were keen on joining the consortium.

Seetharaman, chairman and managing director, Super Auto Forge, said: "Individually, we cannot buy land in large scale." The five consortium members are planning to procure around 390 acres of land. Around 200 acres had already been purchased.

The Tamil Nadu government has imposed a minimum solar purchase obligation on all commercial consumers, which made six per cent solar power procurement mandatory from the total consumption.

Mahindra EPC solar parks to be ready by Sept '14

Mahindra EPC Services Pvt Ltd expects its two solar parks with a proposed capacity of (2x120-Mw) to be ready for occupation by September 2014. The company is expected to complete land procurement (around 600 acre) for each park by March 2014.

It is developing a solar park near Tiruchirappalli and another near Madurai with a total investment of around Rs 80-100 crore, said Basant K Jain, chief executive officer, Mahindra EPC Services.

"We are looking for more places in other states to develop solar facilities," Jain added.

The company has over 150-Mw solar projects in the pipeline in Tamil Nadu, and these are expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

Source

Read More...

Energy bourses expect 5% market share of power trade by FY 16...

 

Power exchanges aim to grab at least 5 per cent market share of all India power trading volume, estimated at 800 billion units, on new regulations and market-friendly products.

The market share will rise from current 2.5 to 3 per cent of the pie, they said.

"Power exchanges can provide electricity for as short as 15 minute period at a competitive price, unlike bilateral trade, where the purchaser has to buy agreed quantity of power for the entire period, even at night when the demand is low. People are preferring to buy from power exchanges which can provide electricity at short notice for a short period of time. Since the trend has been rising since last 6-8 months, we see reaching 5 per cent of total market share by 2015-16," said Rajesh Mendiratta, Director, Business Development, Indian Energy Exchange (IEX),

In India, two exchanges--IEX and Power Exchange India Ltd (PXIL) are offering power as a commodity, which is traded on one-day ahead basis. They also sell renewable energy certificates and solar energy on their respective platforms. IEX is the leading power exchange of the country. 

The trend of buying short term power, currently preferred by mostly industrial units, will expand to power distribution companies (discoms) in future, once Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) comes up with tighter grid frequency band order. 

Frequency stabilisation is a key requirement to prevent grid collapse. It changes as per demand and supply (frequency rises when demand falls below supply and vice versa). Global standards require that grid frequency should fluctuate in a tight band of 49.95 to 50.10 hertz (Hz), while India has a history of the frequency fluctuating from below 48Hz to above 52Hz. Sudden changes in frequencies causes grid collapse.

As per latest CERC order, frequency fluctuation is allowed in the band of 49.7-50.2Hz. A tight frequency range means buyers or power generators cannot buy or sell power at their wish and have to maintain a fixed amount of power trading on the national grid network.

The regulator has plans to tighten the band bit by bit further.  It already regulates the frequency changes by forcing buyers to pay more when they draw low frequency power.

Power exchanges see the opportunity in frequency tightening, as they hope buyers will opt for exchanges in case of sudden power requirement, as buying through national grid will be expensive.

“If a buyer makes up its requirement via power exchanges in case of failure from supply side, they will not have to pay higher price to national grid. The further tightening of frequency band will ensure more business for power bourses and the market share will surely rise to 5 per cent in next couple of years,” said V V Sharma, senior Vice President, Business Development with PXIL.

Source

Read More...

Tata Power scouts for local partner for Vietnam project...

 

Private power firm Tata Power on Thursday said it is looking for a local partner in Vietnam for the proposed 1,320 MW project in the Southeast Asian country.

 

“We are looking for a local partner in Vietnam, we would like to keep 80% of the equity in the project,” Tata Power managing director Anil Sardana told reporters in New Delhi.

The company has signed an agreement with the Vietnamese government for setting up the thermal power plant in that country.

The pact was signed during the meeting of prime minister Manmohan Singh and general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong on Wednesday.

The project, consisting of two units of 660 MW each, is likely to come up at an investment of over Rs.10,000 crore.

The company bagged the Long Phu 2 power project earlier this year.

Source

Read More...

NTPC, IOC set up Pilot Plants for bio-fixation of Co2 Emissions from the power projects...

 

NTPC on Thursday said the power producer along with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd have set up a pilot plant for bio-fixation of carbon dioxide at Faridabad power station.

“Two conjoining algae ponds of area have been constructed to draw carbon dioxide from stacks at the project. The inoculation in small pond was done earlier in the month and in bigger pond today to generate micro algae, which is ahead of the target schedule of January,” NTPC said in a statement.

This project is part of NTPC’s plan to meet environment challenges of by adopting latest environment practices and protection systems to minimise the impact of power generation on environment. Carbon dioxide is a major green house gas contributing to more than 50 per cent to the total predicted warming of the Earth’s atmosphere.

“Around 12-15 per cent of the project cost is spent on various environment protection equipment,” the company said.

On February 2010, IOC’s research and development centre and NTPC signed an memorandum of understanding for research in this field with the setting up of algae ponds at NTPC gas project in Faridabad.

Source

Read More...

Haryana, UP, Rajasthan, TN start Loan restructuring process for the Rs. 43,000 Crores power loan...

 

As many as four states-Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu-have taken over Rs 43,000 crore worth of short-term liabilities from their power distribution companies as part of the government's loan rejig process.

Four states have already started restructuring their short-term liabilities of the discoms, about Rs 43,000 crore of short-term liabilities have been taken over by the states, said Ashok Lavasa, additional secretary at the power ministry.

He said that Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu are now in talks with the financial institutions for the issuance of bonds etc. Last year, in a bid to turnaround the ailing electricity state electricity boards, the government cleared the financial restructuring plan.

Under the scheme, 50 per cent of the short-term outstanding liabilities would be taken over by state governments. Balance 50 per cent loans would be restructured by providing moratorium on principle and best possible terms for repayments. As per the approved scheme, 50 per cent of the outstanding liabilities up to March 31, 2012, are to be taken over by the state governments.

This shall be first converted into bonds to be issued by discoms to participating lenders, duly backed by the state government's guarantee. The outstanding liabilities of the state discoms as on March 2011 stand at about Rs 1.9 lakh crore and Rs 2.46 lakh crore till March 2012.

Source

Read More...

Mahindra EPC's Successful Commissioning Of Solar Projects In Tamil Nadu...

 

After the successful commissioning of over 80MW of solar projects across India, Mahindra EPC is pleased to announce the successful commissioning of its first solar projects in Tamil Nadu, which were executed in a record-breaking 40 days for some of India's leading automotive component manufacturers.

It gives us immense pleasure to inform you that these captive consumption installations were commissioned under the REC Scheme, making this a one-of-a-kind project in Tamil Nadu - and proving the economic viability of solar PV for such applications.

At a pan-India level, Mahindra EPC continues to Rise through the country's solar sector. We are confident that our cost-effective, high-quality, and reliable services will maximize the value of our client's solar investments and will help us maintain our leadership in the solar EPC space.

This milestone marks a key victory for the booming solar PV industry in India and we humbly invite you to join us in celebrating this achievement along with the members of M.M Forgings, Super Auto Forge, IM Gears, Rane Group and Autotech Industries Pvt. Ltd.

Source

Read More...

Kerala Solar Policy 2013 intends to introduce generation based incentives instead of capital subsidy...

 

The Kerala Solar Energy Policy 2013, which seeks to increase the state’s installed solar power capacity to 500 MW in 2017 and 1500 MW by 2030, intends to make solar water heating system (SWHS) mandatory in industrial buildings, government and private hospitals, resorts and hotels.

The policy, unveiled on Wednesday, speaks of generation-based subsidy instead of the usual capital subsidies for off-grid solar projects. “Generation-based incentives will ensure that the systems are installed, maintained and continue to remain functional,” the Policy states. “The existing capital subsidies will be restructured appropriately,” it adds.

The Policy also identifies the entry of “unscrupulous elements” into the field of solar power as one of the reasons for the low popularity of solar power in the state.

As for grid-connected systems, the policy states that the government will initiate a programme under which all public buildings are provided with generation facilities using appropriate technology options.

“As the load cycle of the government offices match with that of the solar plants, they are fitting cases of solar application,” the policy states. The engineering procurement and construction (EPC) mode of implementation will be replaced by a design-build-operate-and-transfer scheme.

The policy states that grid-connected systems will be promoted for domestic consumers in a phased manner. “This will be one after formulating grid connection standards for low tension (LT) distribution in line with this policy,” it states.

Source

Read More...

Indowind Energy honours $6.5-million FCCBs...

 

Indowind Energy Limited, a Chennai-based company that sells ready-to-buy wind farm projects to corporates and green power to corporates and electricity boards, has honoured foreign currency convertible bonds (FCCBs) amounting $6.5 million (approximately Rs 40.4 crore) and cancelled the same.

With this, the total cancelled FCCBs amount to $15 million, which is 50% of the original issue size $30 million, the company said in a filing to the BSE on Thursday.

In August 2010, the board of directors of the company had approved the restructuring of $30 million FCCB bonds for conversion with a floor price of Rs 48.90 up to a maximum of Rs. 65 per share, based on Sebi guidelines.

The proposed restructuring, would help the company to increase the net worth, reduce contingent redemption liability and improve the debt-equity ratio for the growth of the company, it had said.  

The board, at its meeting in May 2012, had discussed and reviewed the FCCB issue and the on going 28-Mw windfarms project in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It also decided to explore the possibilities for raising an additional $30 million through euro convertible bonds (ECBs) to meet the gap in funding the project, which would be about $10 million and the balance $20 million for clearing the existing long-term loans and FCCB obligations as per the restructured terms.

Indowind Energy’s scrip is currently trading at Rs 3.55 on the BSE, up 0.28%, over the previous close of Rs 3.54 a share.

Source

Read More...

according to Telangana Power Association, 4000 MW capacity to be installed to avoid severe electricity crunch in the state...

 

Telangana region might face electricity crunch post-bifurcation and around 4,000 mw power generation capacity should be built in the region, said K Raghu, honorary president, Telangana Electricity Employees Welfare Association (TEEWA), at its launch at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram, on Wednesday.

TEEWA has members from APGenco, Transco, APCPDCL and APNPDCL.

A logo with the then Hussain Sagar power plant in the centre and the monthly magazine titled Current were unveiled at the event.

Speaking on the occasion, TRS leader T Harish Rao said chief minister Kiran Kumaer Reddy is spending about Rs 5,000 crore for various projects in Chittoor district, but not looking into the fluoride problem in Nalgonda district.

TJAC chairman M Kodandaram pointed out that some politicians are claiming to have developed Hyderabad. “If that is the case, will they take responsibility for the high dropout rate in the seven districts of Telagana and water problem in Adilabad district?” he asked.

CPI state secretary K Narayana said that the Congress is dividing the Telugu people, instead of the state.

Source

Read More...

Performance data of solar projects under National Solar Mission Phase 1 for the month of October 2013 as issued by mNRE...

 

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has published the performance data of the solar projects commissioned under National Solar Mission Phase 1 along with the schemes of migration and RPSSGP.

 

List of Generation and PLFs achieved by the projects under NSM Phase 1 Batch 1 are tabulated below:

SN	Company/Project	State	Capacity (MW)	CoD	Generation (kWh)	PLF* (%)
1	Aftaab Solar Private Limited	Odisha	5	07-02-2012	6,04,300	16.24%
2	Alex Spectrum Radiation Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	21-02-2012	8,07,304	21.70%
3	Amrit Energy Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	02-02-2012	7,76,562	20.88%
4	Azure Power (Rajasthan) Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	01-01-2012	8,22,606	22.11%
5	CCCL Infrastructure Limited	Tamil Nadu	5	29-03-2012	7,77,785	20.91%
6	DDE Renewable Energy Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	14-02-2012	7,14,906	19.22%
7	Electromech Maritech Private Limite	Rajasthan	5	01-02-2012	7,35,585	19.77%
8	EMC Limited	Uttar Pradesh	5	04-03-2012	6,38,370	17.16%
9	Finehope Allied Engineering Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	07-02-2012	6,92,637	18.62%
10	Greentech Power Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	08-02-2012	8,55,091	22.99%
11	Indian Oil Corporation Limited	Rajasthan	5	02-02-2012	6,87,429	18.48%
12	Karnataka Power Corporation Limited	Karnataka	5	25-06-2012
13	Khaya Solar Projects Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	28-01-2012	7,82,997	21.05%
14	Maharashtra Seamless Limited	Rajasthan	5	07-01-2012
15	Mahindra Solar One Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	03-01-2012	8,03,882	21.61%
16	Newton Solar Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	09-02-2012	6,92,520	18.62%
17	Northwest Energy Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	07-01-2012	8,79,630	23.65%
18	OswalWoollen Mills Limited	Rajasthan	5	10-01-2012	7,60,822	20.45%
19	Precision Technik Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	22-03-2012
20	Punjlloyd Solar Power Limited	Rajasthan	5	08-01-2012
21	Saidham Overseas Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	30-01-2012	7,94,856	21.37%
22	Saisudhir Energy Limited	Andhra Pradesh	5	05-01-2012	7,12,800	19.16%
23	SEI Solar Energy Private Limited	Rajasthan	5	01-01-2012	7,99,657	21.50%
24	Vasavi Solar Power Pvt. Limited	Rajasthan	5	02-02-2012	7,42,050	19.95%
25	Viraj Renewables Energy	Rajasthan	5	05-01-2012	8,29,760	22.31%
26	Welspun Solar AP Private limited	Andhra Pradesh	5	01-01-2012	6,26,200	16.83%
27	Rithwik Projects Private Limited	Andhra Pradesh	5	24-07-2013
28	FireStone Trading Private Limited	Maharashtra	5	06-09-2012

Data for around 6 projects are not available.

As can be seen from the available, the highest generation/PLF was achieved  by Northwest Energy (23.65%) followed by Greentech Power (22.91%) and Viraj Renewables (22.31%)

* Calculated based on the installed capacity of the project and generation as issued by MNRE.

List of Generation and PLFs achieved by the projects under NSM Phase 1 Batch 2 are tabulated below:

SN	Company/Project	State	Capacity (MW)	CoD	Generation (kWH)	PLF* (%)
1	Welspun Solar AP Pvt Ltd.	Rajasthan	15	22-01-2013	25,70,780	23.04%
2	Welspun Solar AP Pvt Ltd.	Rajasthan	15	31-01-2013	26,22,440	23.50%
3	Welspun Solar AP Pvt Ltd.	Rajasthan	20	19-02-2013	31,52,770	21.19%
4	Mahindra Suryaparakash Pvt. Ltd	Rajasthan	20	20-02-2013	31,65,966	21.28%
5	Mahindra Suryaparakash Pvt. Ltd	Rajasthan	10	20-02-2013	16,31,692	21.93%
6	Solarfield Energy Two Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	20	20-02-2013	34,13,466	22.94%
7	Azure Solar Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	15	12-02-2013	26,02,561	23.32%
8	Azure Solar Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	20	13-02-2013	34,49,727	23.18%
9	FonrocheSaaras Energy Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	15	21-01-2013	26,52,316	23.77%
10	FonrocheRajhans Energy Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	5	23-12-2012	8,47,616	22.79%
11	Green Infra Solar Projects Ltd.	Rajasthan	20	30-01-2013
12	Green Infra Solar Farms Projects Ltd.	Rajasthan	5	24-12-2012
13	Gail (India) Ltd.	Rajasthan	5	18-02-2013
14	Sh. Saibaba Green Power Pvt. Ltd	Maharashtra	5	22-02-2013	7,59,685	20.42%
15	SEI Solar Power Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	20	11-02-2013
16	PokaranSolaire Energy Pvt. Ltd	Rajasthan	5	24-02-2013
17	SaiMathili Power Co. Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	10	26-02-2013	15,73,421	21.15%
18	NVR Infra. and Services Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	10	25-02-2013	17,01,660	22.87%
19	LEPL Projects Ltd.	Rajasthan	10	26-03-2013	8,89,993	11.96%
20	Sunborne Energy Raj. Solar Pvt Ltd	Rajasthan	5	26-03-2013	8,03,460	21.60%
21	Symphony Vyapar Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	10	27-04-2013	16,59,816	22.31%
22	Lexicon Vanijiya Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	10	01-05-2013	16,50,504	22.18%
23	Jackson Power Pvt. Ltd.	Rajasthan	10	26-04-2013	15,98,475	21.48%
24	Jackson Power Pvt Ltd.	Rajasthan	10	26-04-2013	16,37,888	22.01%
25	Saisudhir Energy Ltd.	Andhra Pradesh	20	26-04-2013	26,84,000	18.04%
26	Essel MP Energy Ltd.	Maharashtra	20		15,65,000	10.52%
27	Enfield Infra. Ltd.	Rajasthan	0

Data for around 5 projects are not available.

As can be seen from the available, the highest generation/PLF was achieved by Fonroche Saaras (23.77%) followed by Welspun Solar AP (23.50%) and Azure Solar - 15 MW (23.32%)

* Calculated based on the installed capacity of the project and generation as issued by MNRE.

The datasheets uploaded by MNRE can be downloaded from the following links.

• http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/export-october13-nvvn-pI-bII.pdf
• http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/export-october13-nvvn.pdf
• http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/export-october13-ireda.pdf
• http://mnre.gov.in/file-manager/UserFiles/export-october13-nvvn-migration-pI-bI.pdf

To view the data for the past months, please refer this link.

Read More...