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December 4, 2013

Smart grid investment, aimed at Renewable energy integration, to hit $274.9b in emerging nations...

 

Smart grid investment, aimed at Renewable energy integration, to hit $274.9b in emerging nations...

Smart grid infrastructure investment by 45 emerging nations – including India and China – over the next decade will reach $ 274.9 billion, outpacing developed countries, according to a new study. This investment will be aimed at reducing electricity theft, improving reliability and incorporating renewable energy into electricity grids, the study released by Northeast Group has claimed.

The study – Emerging Markets Smart Grid: Outlook 2014 – found that investments will include smart metering and advancements for transmission and distribution grids. The 190-page study includes a smart grid regulatory country index, scoring all 45 countries.

Already, the 45 countries have deployed a total of 9.5 meters smart meters with two-way communications and this number is set to reach 523 million by 2023.

In 2014 alone, the 45 countries are projected to deploy 5.6 million smart meters. Electricity theft costs these countries $ 47 billion annually.

Investment in distribution network technology, or distribution automation, will cumulatively reach $ 118.8 billion by 2023.

Singapore, Estonia and Poland lead the index, with Slovenia and China rounding out the top five.The study includes regional forecasts from 2013-2023.

These forecasts cover AMI (smart metering), distribution automation, home energy management and information technology.

"Our third volume of this annual study pinpoints where smart grid investments will occur in emerging markets. Large countries such as India and Turkey have provisional smart meter deployment targets and new financing sources are developing," Ben Gardner, president of Northeast Group, said.

Source

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Power Grid’s share sale fully covered...

 

Power Grid’s share sale fully covered...

A $1.1 billion (about Rs.6,2853 crore) share sale in state-run Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd was fully covered on Wednesday, the second day of the offering, provisional data from the stock exchanges showed.

By 3.24pm, the share sale had received bids for 788.5 million shares, most of them from local funds and foreign institutional investors.

Details of the price of bids was not immediately available. The company has set a price band of Rs.85 to Rs.90 per share for the offer, with a discount ofRs.4.5 for retail bidders and employees.

The 787.05 million share follow-on offering comprises of a 4% stake sale by the government, and fresh issue of 601.9 million shares by the company to raise funds for capital expenditure on transmission projects.

The issue closes on Thursday for institutional buyers and on Friday for other investors.

Source: Livemint & Reuters

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CERC order on tariff relief for Tata's Mundra UMPP by month-end...

 

CERC order on tariff relief for Tata's Mundra UMPP by month-end...

Tata Power Wednesday said the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission's (CERC) order of compensatory tariff for its Mundra (Gujarat) project is likely to come by December-end.

"I am hoping that by end of December we could hope for the order," Tata Power Managing Director Anil Sardana told a television news channel here.

"CERC has finished the hearings, and Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission has just submitted their affidavit a few days back on November 26 and now they have given time for us to file an affidavit to give our rejoinder on that affidavit. After that perhaps they will take another two-three weeks," Sardana said.

A Tata Power subsidiary, Coastal Gujarat Power (CGPL), had petitioned CERC seeking relief owing to the massive rise in cost of coal being imported from abroad.

The company has an agreement with the Maharashtra government for sale of power.

The CERC had, in April, allowed Adani Power to raise tariff from its 4,620-MW Mundra ultra mega power project, to compensate for the unexpected increase in the fuel price.

Both projects have a huge component of imported coal and had filed petitions with the CERC for tariff revision.

Source

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DERC issues proposal for net metering for the rooftop solar PV PRojects...

 

DERC issues proposal for net metering for the rooftop solar PV PRojects...

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission has prepared a proposal on net metering & connectivity in respect of rooftop solar PV projects in exercise of powers conferred under section 86 (1) (e) of the Electricity Act, 2003. In this line, the Commission has invited suggestions/comments from various shareholders.


As per the proposal, the distribution licensee shall allow non-discriminatory net-metering arrangement on first-cm-first serve basis for both self-owned and third party owned rooftop PV systems as long as the total capacity (in MW) does not exceed the target capacity determined by the Commission.


Moreover, the Interconnection framework for net-metering shall address parameters including connecting voltage level, any minimum technical standards for interconnection as indicated by the Commission in DRC (Terms & Conditions for Determination of Tariff for Grid Connected Solar Photo Voltaic Project) Regulations, 2013 and Delhi Electricity Supply Code, 2007.


Deliberating on the capacity limits, the Commission noted that the installation of netmetered rooftop solar systems on consumer premises will utilize the same service line for excess power injection into the Grid which is currently being used by the consumer for drawl of power from utility network.


While the electricity generated from a solar rooftop system shall be capped cumulatively at 90% of the electricity consumption by the eligible consumer at the end of settlement period, any excess generation (above 90 per cent) at the end of the financial year would be considered as free energy and not offset against the consumer’s consumption.

The suggestions or objections shall reach the Commission latest by December 16, 2013.

The notice inviting suggestions can be downloaded from here.

The complete proposal can be downloaded from here.

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Power Surplus Gujarat to sell 2,100 MW power to the southern statues by Jan '14...

 

Power Surplus Gujarat to sell 2,100 MW power to the southern statues by Jan '14...

The  state-owned electric transmission company — Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCI) — is all set to connect western power grid and southern power grid by the end of January 2014. A transmission line, connecting Raichur in Karnataka and Solapur in Maharashtra, will allow power-surplus states like Gujarat to sell power to southern states.

Till now, Gujarat was not able to sell power directly to the southern power grid as the western and southern grids were not connected. By covering the distance of up to 300 km by next month, PGCI transmission lines will allow Gujarat to sell about 2,100 MW of power.

This project is already under implementation and the company will commercially launch the transmission line next month, said B Mishra, executive director (corporate planning & IT), PGCI. “It is a single line electric transmission of 765 kv having the capacity to transmit 2,100 MW of power.

Till now, the southern power grid was not connected with the entire country. But with this transmission line, the whole country will have a single power grid,” he added.

This means that any western, northern and eastern state will be able to sell or buy power from the southern states. “At present, only Gujarat is the surplus western state which can sell power to other regions, including southern states,” said Mishra, adding that because of various power projects such as solar, wind and others in the state, Gujarat is able to generate surplus power.

“Gujarat has been demanding connectivity between southern and western power grids. We will be ready with the infrastructure. Now, it is up to the state to decide whether it wants to buy or sell power,” he contended

Source

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MNRE to promote integration of solar thermal technology with Biomass Power Generation; invites proposals for consultancy...

 

MNRE to promote integration of solar thermal technology with Biomass Power Generation; invites proposals for consultancy...

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, is implementing a MNRE - UNDP / GEF assisted Project on “Removal of Barriers to Biomass Power Generation in India.” The aim of the Project is to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable biomass power technologies by removing the barriers identified, thereby laying the foundation for the large scale commercialization of biomass power through increased access to financing.

The Biomass Conversion Technologies that are proposed to be deployed in establishment of Model Investment Projects (MIPs) are – Combustion, Gasification and Cogeneration using different type of captive and distributed biomass resources.


As a part of this project, the Ministry is contemplating to commission a study to explore the possibility of “Integration of Solar Thermal Technology with the existing Combustion based Biomass Power Plants”. This inter – alia involves identification of commercially available Solar thermal technologies, review of existing international policy and regulatory frameworks, which support setting up of such projects, development of Bankable Detailed Project Reports for identified locations.


The Ministry invites sealed offers under two bids system (Part I : Techno- Commercial Bid & Part II : Price Bid) from the International Consultancy Organisations having experience in the area of Biomass-Solar Thermal Hybrid Systems and tariff policy & regulations. Interested organisations may submit their proposal to the Project Management Cell (PMC) established in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, B-14, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110003, Telefax: 011-24369788, Email: jainvk@nic.in. Last date for submission of the proposal is 10th January 2014.

Background

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, being the nodal Ministry of Govt. of India, is responsible for development, deployment and promotion of renewable energy in the country. The Ministry has a wide range of programmes for harnessing energy as well as grid interactive and off grid power from various renewable sources. Biomass which is renewable in nature, carbon neutral and has the potential to provide large productive employment in rural areas is considered as one of the promising source for generation of power / energy using commercially available thermal and biological conversion technologies. About 155 biomass power projects with an aggregate capacity of 1,265 MW had been installed so far in the country under the Programme on Generation of Grid Interactive Power from Biomass implemented by the Ministry. These plants are mainly based on surplus agro residues such as rice husk, cotton & arhar stalk, mustard stalk, and other agro and agro industrial residues.


In addition to the Biomass Power Programme, Ministry is also implementing a MNRE - UNDP / GEF assisted Project on “Removal of Barriers to Biomass Power Generation in India.” The aim of the Project is to accelerate the adoption of environmentally sustainable biomass power technologies by removing the barriers identified, thereby laying the foundation for the large scale commercialization of biomass power through increased access to financing. The Biomass Conversion Technologies that are proposed to be deployed in establishment of Model Investment Projects (MIPs) are – Combustion, Gasification and Cogeneration using different type of captive and distributed biomass resources.

Objective
Seasonal variation in the availability of biomass is one of the barriers faced by biomass power generation projects. This assignment will study the suitable biomass hybrid models with solar thermal in order to explore the possibility of optimizing fuel usage and making plants more sustainable. Biomass hybrid model may provide the solution to overcome these barriers as two renewable energy resources complementing each other with regard to availability, thereby enhancing the chance of improved PLF and so viability. Towards this, the Ministry has planned to develop innovative demonstration projects and had invited proposals from developers interested in integrating solar component in their existing biomass plants.

 

Scope of Work

  • Global Status Report of Commercially Available Solar - Thermal Technologies that can be integrated with the existing combustion based biomass power plants and should include the following-:
    • Review of Existing policy and fiscal support, and regulatory framework to promote biomass solar hybrid technologies at the international level;
    • Assessment of Status of the commercially available Solar Thermal Technologies; maturity and penetration in hybrid mode with focus on biomass solar hybrid system.
    • Detailed case study and compilation of structured database of globally existing biomass solar hybrid power plants:
      • Information on full scale operational plants based on biomass solar hybrid technologies/models installed in the field, including performance of the plants;
      • Cost of biomass solar hybrid technologies, both capex and O&M, and details of fiscal & financial support provided by the Govt. for setting up the project;
      • Optimal system combination for biomass solar hybrid technologies, including Comparative evaluation and ranking of the shortlisted technologies suitable in Indian conditions;
      • Levelized cost of power generation for biomass solar hybrid technologies with different system combinations covering various feasible options of interfacing the two systems; and
      • Develop potential supplier resource base for each selected biomass hybrid technology and capacity range(s).
  • Development of Five Bankable Detailed Project Reports:
    • Develop detailed ToRs and assist the PMC in selection of National Consultants for collection of input information / data from field;
    • Providing hand holding support to the National Consultants in execution and timely completion of the following activities:
      • Selection of 5 feasible sites out of the list of projects attached at Annexure I, through assessment of plant performance and interest of the developers;
      • Determining the most appropriate size of solar thermal component which leads to sustainability and viability of the plant;
      • Development of Bankable Detailed Project Report including financial analysis based on existing policy and regulatory frameworks for the Biomass and Solar components respectively; in India; and
      • Recommendation for an optimal financial support/ Viability Gap Funding for establishment of the shortlisted projects.

Complete RfP can be downloaded from here.

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GUVNL, Gujarat Discoms want to avail RECs For Solar Power Purchased by them from the Gujarat Solar Park Developers...

 

imageThe Gujarat Discoms have filed an petition with CERC to grant Renewable Energy Certificates for the amount of solar power purchased by them from the Gujarat Solar Park Developers in excess of the Renewable Purchase Obligations; however the CERC has disposed off the petition stating that petition requires the amendment of the REC Regulations which can be persuaded only after a detailed consultation on the same.

GUVNL and the Gujarat Discoms have filed a petition to CERC stating the below arguments:

  • Subsequent to the notification of the Solar Power Policy by Government of Gujarat, GERC has determined the tariff for purchase of power from Solar Power Projects for the control period from 29.1.2012 to 31.3.2015. Pursuant to the GERC order the Discoms have entered into Power Purchase Agreements for an aggregate capacity of 971.5 MW (946.5 MW of solar PV projects and 25 MW solar thermal projects) with total 88 project developers. As on the date of filing the application, aggregate solar capacity of 857 MW has been commissioned and has commenced injection of power into the grid.
  • As against the solar capacity tied up by the Discoms, the RPO for solar power on the part of the distribution licensees as per the regulation notified by GERC is 1% for the year 2012-13 which works out to 380 MW. The Discoms have tied up significant excess solar capacity for procurement of solar power at the promotional tariff as against the requirement of 380 MW to meet 1% RPO.

  • As per the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for recognition and issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate for Renewable energy Generation) Regulations, 2010 (REC Regulations), the eligibility for REC does not extend to the distribution licensees procuring solar power from the solar power developers at the promotional tariff for the quantum in excess of the Renewable Purchase Obligations of such distribution licensees specified by the State Commission.

  • While the Discoms have been paying promotional tariff in respect of solar power purchases including in excess of the quantum of the RPO, they are not getting any benefit of solar power purchased in excess of the quantum specified as RPO. Such quantum of power purchased in the State of Gujarat gets completely excluded from the scheme of Renewal Energy Certificate (REC) or for any other benefit. On the other hand, the solar power developers, who have generated electricity and are consuming the same as CPP or selling through open access, are entitled to the benefit of REC and trading the same in the Power Exchange.

  • As per the scheme envisaged in the REC Regulations, the distribution licensees shall purchase solar power from the Solar Developers to the extent of the Renewable Purchase Obligations and thereafter, Solar Power Developers may sell further solar power quantum to the distribution licensees at the pooled power purchase cost of the licensee and become entitled to the Renewable Energy Certificates to be issued by the appropriate agency under the REC Regulations. If such solar power developer sells solar power to the distribution licensees at the same promotional tariff as applicable to the quantum of solar power sold to the distribution licensees towards fulfillment of the Renewable Purchase Obligations, the solar power developers will not get the Renewable Energy Certificates and at the same time the distribution licensees venturing to purchase excess solar power at the promotion tariff as in the case of the State of Gujarat are also not getting any benefit either in the form of the Renewable Energy Certificate or otherwise. The Discoms have submitted that this scheme creates a disincentive for the distribution licensees in the State of Gujarat who have taken initiative to promote solar power without restricting the purchase by the distribution licensees to the extent of the RPO only and also causes a financial impact on the consumers of the State who are required to pay higher tariff in regard to such purchase from solar power projects.

  • The local distribution licensees of the area where the Non-Conventional Power Projects including Solar Power Projects are established are best suited to purchase solar power generated from the solar project as compared with any other person including any obligated entities other than the local distribution licensees. In that event, all complications relating to open access, transmission, wheeling, system constraints, evacuation issues as well as dealing with various authorities get avoided. It would be in the interest of all concerned if the power is sold by the Solar Power Developers to the local distribution licensees of the area after fulfilling the RPO, provided such distribution licensees are issued with RECs.

  • The CERC may evolve a mechanism where under the distribution licensees in the State are recognized as eligible entities under Regulation 5 of the REC Regulations in regard to any quantum of renewable power purchased by them in excess of the RPO, allowing them to exchange the REC with the distribution licensees who are in deficit in the fulfillment of the RPO in regard to solar power.

Thus the Discoms have prayed as below:

"(a) Initiate a proceeding in pursuance to the above petition for inquiring into and deciding on varies matters concerning the solar power development as detailed herein above;

(b) Declare that the distribution licensees shall also be made as 'Eligible Entities' for the Renewable Energy certificate under the REC Regulations in respect of the purchase of solar power by them on promotional tariff in excess of the stipulated Renewable Purchase Obligation;

(c) Advise the Central Government on the issue of fixing uniform Renewable

Purchase Obligation of solar power across all the States;

(d) Other matters concerning the solar power development as mentioned herein above so as to implement an uniform policy across all the States; and

(e) Pass any such further order or order as this Hon'ble CERC may deem just and proper in the circumstances of the case."

However as said by the CERC:

After going through the contents of the petition, it appears that the Discoms are seeking amendments to certain provisions of the REC Regulations in order to make the distribution licensees eligible for grant of REC for the power purchased by them in excess of their RPO.

According to the Discoms, this would enable the distribution licensees to meet their RPO and also encourage them to buy solar power in excess of the RPO. The Commission is of the view that the existing provisions of eligibility in the REC Regulations which is limited to generating companies is adequate at this stage of development of REC market. Without going into the merit of the issues raised, we intend to clarify that filing of the petition is not the proper process for initiating the amendment to the existing regulations.

The Commission under Section 178 of the Act has been vested with the power to make, amend and repeal the regulations on the subjects which have been authorized under various provisions of the Act. Action to make or amend the regulations is initiated when the Commission is satisfied that there is need for such regulations or amendment to the existing regulations. However, the Commission has taken note of the submissions and concerns of the Discoms regarding issuance of solar RECs to the distribution licensees in excess of their RPO. We direct the staff to examine the issues and submit a proposal to address the problems, if any, for consideration of the Commission.

With regard to Discoms' prayer for rendering advice to the Central Government on the issue of fixing uniform RPO of solar power across all the States, it is clarified that the Commission vide its letter dated 28.12.2011 has already given its statutory advice to the Ministry of power in terms of Section 79 (2) of the Electricity Act, 2003.

The complete order can be downloaded from here.

Source: CERC

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Su-Kam Power To Form JV With Trojan Battery for Solar Power Applications...

 

Su-Kam Power To Form JV With Trojan Battery for Solar Power Applications...

Su-Kam Power Systems is planning to partner US based Trojan Battery powery to strengthen its battery portfolio for solar and inverter applications in India.

Initiating the alliance, the company has launched a co-branded INV-150 deep-cycle battery in India which powers both commercial and residential inverter applications. The battery features Trojan’s advanced deep-cycle battery technology combined with Su-Kam’s manufacturing expertise in the region.

The two already have a a commercial agreement and are exploring more opportunities for deep cycle battery solutions, including power back up applications for the industrial business market segment.

Founded in 1925, Trojan Battery Company is a manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries with operations in California and Georgia. The company has two research and development centers in North America dedicated to engineering new and advanced battery technology.

Su-kam Power Systems Limited provides power back-up solutions for both domestic as well as industrial markets, with a focus on eco-friendly, inexhaustible energy solutions like solar power. The privately held company, which has investors such as Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and Temasek Holdings on board is headquartered in Gurgaon with 7 manufacturing facilties and has over 30000 dealerships in India.

The two Investors launched a $ 200 million private equity fund to invest in India's growing power sector called the Reliance India Power Fund through which it picked up 19.18% of the total paid-up capital of the company and became a major shareholder in the company.

Early this year Su-Kam Power Systems was planning an unidentified solar panel making firm.

Last year, the company had joined hands with Israel-based Gamatronic Electronic Industries to manufacture and sell industrial power back-up solutions in India.

Recently in this space, Stored energy solutions provider, EnerSys had acquired the remaining 49.5% stake in its Indian JV company Energy Leader Batteries India; US based Alpha Technologies had acquired NavSemi Energy, a Bangalore based solar energy harvest maximization technology company

Source

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India to start flow of 500 MW power to Bangladesh today...

 

India to start flow of 500 MW power to Bangladesh today...

India's electricity diplomacy efforts with Bangladesh is slated to break new ground, with 500 MW of power flows slated to commence between the two countries from Wednesday. Of this, while 250 MW is to come from NTPC Ltd, the rest is being arranged by power trader PTC India Ltd, mainly from the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd.

The transfer of power has been possible by the recent commissioning of the crucial 71-km Baharampur-Bheramara transmission link between the electricity grids of the two countries, facilitating cross-border electricity transfer from India to Bangladesh.

The grid link is being seen as a major milestone in strengthening the bilateral relationship and comes at a time when India is desperate to make up for its inability to deliver on two key pacts with Bangladesh, the one on Teesta waters that had been blocked by the West Bengal administration and the land boundary pact between the countries.

There has been a sense of urgency in expediting the link to ensure that the interconnection is up and running well ahead of January, when Bangladesh is expected to go in for general elections.

The link, in some sense, would partially make up for the delays in the other two major commitments from India, coming at a time when the Sheikh Hasina administration's progress in turning around Bangladesh's India policy.

Source

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GMR puts Emco Energy, having 600 MW Plant, up for sale to reduce debt...

 

GMR puts Emco Energy, having 600 MW Plant, up for sale to reduce debt...

Infrastructure conglomerate GMR has decided to sell Emco Energy Ltd, which has a 600 mw power plant in Maharashtra, part of an exercise to reduce debt.

GMR has mandated global investment bank JPMorgan to help sell the recently commissioned unit, several people with direct involvement in the discussions said. They add that early talks have been held with several global and local utility companies as well as infrastructure buyout funds.

GMR Energy — the energy subsidiary of the listed GMR Infrastructure — owns 100% in the project. The highly indebted Hyderabad based group has been selling assets, including road projects in India and power and mining ventures abroad, in order to cut debt.


Emco is a 600 mw coal fired project located in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. In August this year, the 2x300 mw plant was commissioned and synchronised with the grid becoming GMR's first thermal project to commence commercial generation. What makes Emco attractive to potential suitors is the fact that it has signed fuel supply agreements (FSAs) for the entire 600 mw, primarily from Coal India and from imports. Further, it has long-term power purchase agreements already in place for 400 mw with Maharashtra and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and is in advanced negotiations with the Tamil Nadu SEB for off-take of another 150 mw.

According to company officials, the total project cost is Rs 3,948 crore ($658 million), out of which Rs 880 crore is equity while the rest has been funded by debt from Indian lenders like Axis BankBSE -0.36 %. Sources said GMR is expecting an enterprise valuation of 1.5 to 2 times the equity book value of the project, translating to Rs 4,388 crore to Rs 4,828 crore. At the end of Q2 FY14, Emco's top line was Rs 1,730 crore. A GMR spokesperson responded to by saying as a matter of policy, the company would not comment on speculation.

"There will be enough takers for Emco since it is an operational asset with signed FSAs and PPAs. Investors are looking for commissioned assets where the risks are all boxed in. Even infrastructure PE funds would be willing to pay a premium for such assets which are few and far between," said Vibhor Singhal, infrastructure analyst at PhilipCapital.

Source

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Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation proposes to set up 10 biogas plants...

 

Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation proposes to set up 10 biogas plants...

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has proposed to set-up 10 biogas plants to generate power from wet garbage on pilot basis. The power generated will be used for street lights.

Sanjay Kulkarni, executive engineer, environment department, PCMC, said that each bio-gas plant will have a capacity to utilise 5 tonnes of wet garbage per day. The civic body will be identifying locations for constructing these plants. It will need plots measuring around 5,000 to 10,000 sq ft for each plant. The plants will be constructed in open areas that are part of STPs, gardens, garbage collection centres and other civic projects."

"The estimated cost of each project is Rs 1 crore. The PCMC will construct these plants at its own expense. If the plants are successful then the civic body will construct more such plants in other areas'', Kulkarni said.

He said, "The civic body will be starting the implementation of garbage segregation at source at the beginning of the coming year. This will provide wet garbage to the civic body which will be utilised to prepare bio-gas. We expect to get around 100 tonnes of wet garbage per day through garbage segregation at source."

He said that the environment department will be preparing a proposal for the construction of the bio-gas plants and seek the approval of the municipal commissioner for including these projects in next year's municipal budget.

Source

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UP Cabinet clears over 2100 Mw purchase from private players...

 

UP Cabinet clears over 2100 Mw purchase from private players...

Unfazed by opposition's criticism of power purchase at higher rates, UP cabinet on Tuesday, gave its nod to buying over 2100 Mw of power from three companies for 25 years at a rate ranging between Rs 5.58 per unit and Rs 5.84 per unit.

The cabinet also gave a year's extension to work contract of a Spanish transmission company, Isolux Corsan, engaged in construction of transmission lines to evacuate power from three upcoming plants in Uttar Pradesh.

The purchase of power from three companies-KSK Mahanadi, PTC India Limited and Krishnapattanam- happens to come through under the case-1 bidding process that envisages procurement of 6000 Mw of power for a period of 25 years, beginning 2016 up to 2042. Chief secretary Jawed Usmani said while 1000 Mw of power would be purchased from KSK Mahanadi, PTC will wheel out 361 Mw to the state. Likewise, the Krishnapattanam power corporation will be providing 800 Mw of power to the state. In all, around 2100 Mw of power will be purchased from the three external sources to meet the ever growing demand for power in UP. The issue was earlier cleared by the UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) board as well as the energy task force (ETF) headed by UP chief secretary.

Principal secretary Energy, Sanjay Agarwal, said since power will be purchased at a levelised tariff over a long period, the actual cost of power comes down drastically. For example, in the first year (2016-17) the KSK will be providing power at the rate of Rs 4.713 per unit. The PTC India and Krishnapatnam will provide it at Rs 4.784 and Rs 4.436 per unit, respectively. This increases gradually over a period of time and by 2042, the three companies will be providing power at the rate of Rs 9.682, Rs 11.474 and Rs 18.275 per unit, respectively.

The principal secretary said power purchase under the case-1 bidding was sent for law department clearance which did not allow negotiations to be carried out under the stipulated guidelines. He said clearance was also taken by the UP electricity regulatory commission (UPERC). "Had power been purchased every year, the cost would have gone up dramatically,'' a senior UPPCL official said. Agarwal said guidelines for power purchased under the Case-1 have been changed, hence the cost of coal would be computed accordingly in per unit charge. This raised the chances of a further hike in rate of power to be purchased.

At least seven bidders (L-1 to L7) had come forward. The three companies which bid the lowest prices included NSL power (for providing 300 Mw at the rate of Rs 4.48 per unit), TRN energy (for providing 390 Mw at the rate of Rs 4.886 per unit) and Lanco Babandh (for providing 390 Mw at the rate of Rs 5.074 per unit). The state government has already issued a letter of intent to purchase power from these companies. The state cabinet, however, rejected L4-RKM Powergen (for 350Mw) which bid at the cost of Rs 5.088 per unit, due to its failure in meetings the commitments. Usmani said the state cabinet had decided to invoke company's bid bond of Rs 10.5 crore.

Even as the state government gears up to purchase power from external sources, questions are being raised if this would further raise the debt of the state government. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, who also holds the energy portfolio, had been blaming the previous Mayawati government of leaving UPPCL cash-strapped by taking loans that resulted in liability of Rs 25,000 crore.

In another decision, the state cabinet gave a year's extension to Spanish company Isolux Corsan to complete laying of transmission lines to evacuate power from power plants. The company was roped in January 2012 and was supposed to finish its work by January 2014. The company, however, was caught in a controversy after it insisted on changing the specification of conductors. The UPERC, however, rejected the demand. In the process the work on the project got delayed. The company was given the work contract of constructing transmission lines to evacuate power from three power plants-Bara, Meja and Tanda.

The company has now been asked to get the work completed partially by December 2014 to evacuate power from at least one Bara unit of 660 Mw. The rest of the work may be done by August 2015 when the other two units of Bara (660 x 2 Mw), Meja and Tanda get operational.

Source

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Solar Financing in India: Challenges to Reducing the Cost of Capital...

 

Solar Financing in India: Challenges to Reducing the Cost of Capital...

Original posted on Switch Board (Natural Resources Defense Council Staff Blog)

The renewed sense of optimism within India’s solar market sparked by the announcement of the Phase II guidelines of the National Solar Mission (NSM) last month was palpable at the recent Intersolar conference in Mumbai as companies announced plans for mega solar power plants.

Along with the NRDC-CEEW roundtable on solar financing held in New Delhi last month, the Intersolar conference was instrumental to giving industry stakeholders an opportunity to discuss challenges impacting India’s burgeoning solar market. Despite the evident optimism, the general consensus from both stakeholder gatherings is that obtaining financing for solar projects and reducing the cost of capital pose major obstacles to scaling solar in India.

Based on their experiences during the Mission’s first phase, developers have provided many insights into the financial barriers to grid-connected large-scale solar projects and how to overcome them. The following themes emerged from our roundtable discussion about Phase II of the Mission and the way forward to reduce the cost of capital and scale solar in India.

Viability Gap Funding vs. Generation Based Incentive

Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under Phase II of the NSM aims to provide a capital grant that meets the funding gap to make solar projects economically viable. The VGF mechanism allows developers to seek financing for their projects up front and allows the government to provide one-time support instead of spreading it over 25 years (as in Phase I). Since the VGF covers only a small part of the financing required for a project, developers theoretically need to generate power efficiently and consistently in order to achieve a decent return on investment (RoI) from the project over its projected 25 years. Due to the uncertainty surrounding its impact, however, the upfront VGF does not appear to reduce the cost of capital required for projects under NSM Phase II.

The Generation Based Incentive (GBI) pays per kilowatt produced, which decreases over time. The GBI, unlike the VGF, directly incentivizes improving the efficiency or output for a project.  Additionally, the minimum project size (10MW) under the Mission’s second phase – intended to ensure that relatively serious and experienced developers would bid under the project – contributes to reducing the skepticism attached to generation of solar power under NSM Phase II’s VGF.

Read the full article here --> http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ajaiswal/solar_financing_in_india_chall.html

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NTPC's tax-free bond issue oversubscribed 3.3 times...

 

NTPC's tax-free bond issue oversubscribed 3.3 times...

State-run power major,  NTPC on Tuesday received an overwhelming response for its bond issue by garnering Rs 3,310 crore, much ahead of its scheduled closing. "The issue was oversubscribed by 3.3 times.

As against Rs 1,000 crore, NTPC has already collected about Rs 3,310 crore, Rs 2,310 crore above the base size," the company said in a statement.

The tax-free bond issue which opened on Monday was earlier scheduled to close on December 16 but will formally close Wednesday, a company official said.

This is the state-run company's first bond issue after a gap of over 20 years. Under the offer, the company issued tax-free secured redeemable non-convertible bonds. The base issue size aggregates to Rs 1,000 crore with an option to retain over-subscription up to Rs 750 crore for issuance of additional bonds, aggregating up to Rs 1,750 crore.

The funds raised through the issue would be utilised towards funding of capital expenditure and refinancing for meeting the debt requirement in ongoing projects.

The company in the statement said the QIB (Qualified Institutional Buyers) oversubscribed by 4.2 times, garnering Rs 423 crore against allocation of Rs 100 crore. "Corporates contributed Rs 1,374 crore against allocation of Rs 250 crore, oversubscribed by 5.5 times," the statement said, adding that HNI (High Networth Individuals) also chipped in with Rs 851 crore against allocation of Rs 250 crore and over-subscription of 3.4 times.

The company, last month, filed a prospectus with the Registrar of Companies (RoC), Delhi and Haryana in connection with its proposed public issue of tax-free secured redeemable non-convertible bonds, NTPC said.

The lead managers to the issue are ICICI Securities, A K Capital Services, Axis Capital, SBI Capital Markets and Kotak Mahindra Capital Company.

Currently, NTPC has a capacity of nearly 42,000 MW and targets to add about 14,000 MW to its total capacity by the end of 2016-17.

Shares of NTPC closed at Rs 145.70 apiece, down 1.09 per cent on the BSE.

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CERC to review regulation on wind power Forecasting...

 

CERC to review regulation on wind power Forecasting...

Following opposition from various wind power producers lobbies, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), the apex electricity regulator, would review its regulation on day-ahead forecast by wind power producers.

The CERC order has been challenged in three high courts of the country by three different organizations.

 

Indian wind power association (IWPA) has filed an injunction against the regulation in Delhi High Court, Wind Independent Power Producers' Association (WIPPA) in Madras High Court and a recent addition, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) in Ahmedabad High Court. Wind power producers have challenged the regulation on grounds of both feasibility and legality.

Some power producers have also questioned the preparedness of the national grid to handle modern data collection technology.

"CERC is of the view that the regulation is not workable in current terms. We would bring about changes at both legal and engineering level," said a senior CERC official. He also said that there is a design default in the regulation where an accurate prediction and payment are not in sync.

"New propositions have come in from various stakeholders for some major changes in the regulation which are under review," said the official.

Independent wind power producers have also written to the power ministry, requesting better grid infrastructure to implement a program like this.

"The decision is premature. Technical feasibility and the measurement mechanism designs are yet at a stage of hypothesis testing. Hence any implementation must be based on credible data acquired transparently and through a process devised post consultations with industry stakeholders. There is a high probability that it would create a significant financial burden, enough to make projects unviable and turn profit making ventures sick," said the recommendation letter to the ministry of power.

CERC in August this year asked all the wind power producers to provide a day-ahead forecast of their power production with immediate effect. The move was also aimed at linking wind farms to the national grid. States buying the wind power fed in the grid would also pay 'Renewable Regulatory Fund" to the host state of the wind project.

Wind power producers have been requesting central regulator to postpone this decision, as wind farms are unable to proceed with forecasting and scheduling of wind power. "There is a high probability that it (the regulation) would create a significant financial burden, enough to make projects unviable and turn profit making ventures sick," said the letter.

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German ambassador inaugurates solar plant in Baramulla village...

 

German ambassador inaugurates solar plant in Baramulla village...

As a mark of his country's growing interest in the state, with special focus on development issues, the German ambassador to India Michael Steiner arrived here on Tuesday on his ninth visit this year.

The ambassador travelled to a remote village in Baramulla district to inaugurate a mini-solar plant and a television system donated by the German embassy after it came to know that the villagers loved sports but could not watch matches due to lack of electricity.

"My visit to Kashmir is a part of our continuous social and civic commitment towards this troubled place, covering fields from healthcare to education. Within our limited possibilities, we lend focussed, sustainable support on a people-to-people basis. Our engagement is about striking a true chord with the Kashmiris," said Steiner.

The ambassador also interacted with the villagers and attended a music concert.

Steiner is scheduled to visit the H.E.L.P. Foundation Orphanage in Srinagar on Wednesday to interact with children, and would hand over a new 40-seater bus for a school in Kupwara, 90 km north of Srinagar.

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Idea Cellular bags $1 million US grant for green telecom project using solar power...

 

Idea Cellular bags $1 million US grant for green telecom project using solar power...

India's third largest telecom operator Idea Cellular has received a grant of over $1 million from the US Trade & Development Agency (USTDA) to fund a pilot project involving deployment of Solar Hybrid Methanol-Based Fuel Cell (SHMBFC) at telecom sites in India, the company said.

An agreement to this effect was signed between US Ambassador to India Nancy J. Powell and Idea managing director Himanshu Kapania at the US Consulate in Mumbai, Monday evening.

In a first ever funding of a Green Telecom project in India by the USTDA, Idea will be supported by ICF International, which will undertake a feasibility study. The pilot project will assess the technical, economic and financial feasibility of deploying methanol-based fuel cell systems that provide continuous and uninterruptible power to off-grid telecom towers at five sites belonging to Idea Cellular, an Aditya Birla Group company.

The project would help Idea Cellular replace stationary diesel engines by demonstrating SHMBFC technology at five telecom tower sites using 2.5 and 5.0 kilowatt fuel cell units.

"Projects like these directly support US government policy priorities to promote domestic energy production, rural electrification, and cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels in India. And it will lessen the country's dependence on oil and gas imports," Powell said.

"The grant offered by the USTDA will further spur our efforts towards reducing carbon emissions from telecom infrastructure in the country," Kapania said.

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$175-bln Canadian pension fund Caisse De Depot eyeing infra assets including RE Projects in India...

 

$175-bln Canadian pension fund Caisse De Depot eyeing infra assets including RE Projects in India...

Quebec-based Caisse De Depot, one of a world’s largest grant account managers with over $175 billion in assets, has put India on a priority list for infrastructure investments including Renewable Energy Projects, preferring a nation over China for long-term core zone bets.

Last Friday, Caisse De Depot et Placement du Quebec announced a scarcely billion-dollar investment in a Brisbane port, with an eye on capturing a expansion in Asia-Pacific markets like India who increasingly rest on Australia for vicious appetite and vegetable resources. Now, a investment manager for millions of employees in Canada’s Frenchspeaking range of Quebec wants to deposit directly in a Indian market, instead of holding surreptitious wagers like a Brisbane investment.

“There is a singular list of countries where we see GDP expansion and a need for infrastructure investment is high and we trust that is a box in India. So, we have prioritised India among a aim markets we are looking at, where we wish to muster capital,” pronounced Macky Tall, comparison vice-president (infrastructure) during Caisse De Depot.

Caisse is examining “quality” investment opportunities in India’s infrastructure space and is looking for a good domestic partner, Tall told ET, stressing that other Asia-Pacific markets, including China, are not on a strike list yet. “We don’t design to be directly active in China in a foreseeable future. As of now, we are looking customarily during India and Australia where we see expansion opportunities,” he said.

Caisse hopes to announce a “concrete transaction” in India in a nearby future, that could be in sectors like airports, fee roads, appetite era or renewable energy, though is spending time to know a business and regulatory environment.

Caisse De Depot is Canada’s second largest grant account manager and has investments in 53 countries opposite item classes. Its $6.5 billion infrastructure portfolio includes a seductiveness in London’s Heathrow airport, public-private partnerships in Australian hospitals, healthy gas pipelines in Belgium and US and breeze appetite resources of 2,000 mw in North America.

The account manager’s seductiveness in India assumes significance, following final week’s proclamation by a country’s largest retirement account — Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) — to tie adult with Shapoorji Pallonji organisation for a blurb genuine estate venture. CPPIB has taken a 80% seductiveness in a corner try with an initial investment of $200 million.

“Based on a homework, India clearly needs some-more time to understand. The fortitude of business sourroundings is really vicious to us and flighty banking movements are also an issue, from an executive perspective,” Tall explained.

The investment firm, that customarily keeps a time setting of during slightest 10 years for a infrastructure portfolio, is also disturbed about a fortitude of India’s process and regulatory framework. “We would really need good comfort on a regulatory system, generally either eccentric regulators’ decisions are stood by, in a years to come.

This is really vicious for us due to a longer-term horizon,” Tall said, adding that a issues change from item to asset. For instance, in genuine estate, a regard is that unfamiliar investors can’t deposit in land parcels or banks in a form of FDI. In unregulated fee roads, a ability to collect fee from users would matter.

While airports are regulated, it wants to be certain a regulator is eccentric and is authorised to hang to a unchanging view. “Our proceed to infrastructure investments is to group adult with a heading peculiarity internal partner with a lane record of successful investments and a good bargain of a sector. If we are looking during an airfield investment, we would like to partner someone who understands a dynamics of that business,” Tall said, adding that a account has also grown imagination opposite sectors due to a tellurian investing experiences. The account is also open to investments in India’s renewable appetite space though wants to discern if there is good peculiarity information about past breeze conditions in such projects.

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