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Hindustan Zinc’s top-quality zinc used in India’s heaviest power transmission steel pole

Hindustan Zinc Ltd has announced that its premium zinc was used in the galvanization process for India’s heaviest power transmission steel pole. The 400kV dual pole structure, standing 57 meters tall, was galvanized using Hindustan Zinc’s special high-grade (SHG) zinc ingots and low-dross jumbo SHG zinc. This process provides essential protection against corrosion, air, water, heat, and pollution, enhancing the pole’s structural integrity. The structure, manufactured by Skipper Ltd, is part of the 400kV Quad…

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Record tariff set for Khavda IV-C ISTS project

Sterlite Power has secured the Khavda IV-C interstate transmission system (ISTS) project with an annual tariff of Rs 13.15 billion, the highest ever for an ISTS scheme under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) process. Competing bids from Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) were close, with the L2 bid just 0.25% higher than Sterlite’s winning bid. The project, now estimated to cost over Rs 120 billion, includes a…

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Apraava Energy signs 300 MW solar PPA with NTPC for Rajasthan project

Apraava Energy has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with NTPC Ltd for a 300 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar energy project in Rajasthan. Secured through an e-reverse auction at a tariff of Rs 2.65 per kWh, the project is part of NTPC’s solar tender for setting up 1,500 MW of ISTS-connected solar PV power projects across India. The PPA, effective for 25 years from the scheduled commencement of supply, tasks Apraava Energy with…

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Union Cabinet approves PM E-DRIVE Scheme with Rs 109 billion outlay to boost electric mobility

The Union Cabinet has approved the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, with a Rs 109 billion budget over two years, aimed at accelerating electric mobility in India. The scheme provides Rs 36.79 billion in subsidies for electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), three-wheelers (e-3Ws), ambulances, trucks, and other emerging EVs, targeting 2.479 million e-2Ws, 316,000 e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses. Buyers will receive demand incentives through an Aadhaar-authenticated e-voucher system. Key allocations include…

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Tamil Nadu issues RePowering, Refurbishment and Life Extension Policy 2024 for wind energy

Tamil Nadu has introduced the RePowering, Refurbishment, and Life Extension Policy 2024 for wind energy generators (WEGs), effective until March 31, 2030. The policy mandates that all WEGs completing their 20-year operational life must undertake repowering, refurbishment, or life extension projects, while participation remains voluntary for others. Projects connected to the state transmission utility (STU) will be implemented through the state nodal agency. WEGs opting for repowering will have 18 months for execution, while refurbishment…

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Grew Energy to supply TOPCON modules for BluPine Energy’s solar project in Gujarat

Grew Energy has signed a module supply agreement with BluPine Energy Private Limited for a solar project in Banaskantha, Gujarat. Grew Energy will provide BluPine with advanced TOPCON modules, commonly used in commercial and industrial solar power projects. In May 2024, Grew Energy announced plans to build a fully backward-integrated manufacturing plant in Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir, with an investment of Rs 4.5 billion. BluPine Energy, which has a 4 GW renewable energy portfolio in…

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MNRE releases draft guidelines for rooftop solar scheme ‘PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana’

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has unveiled draft guidelines for financial assistance and payment security under the ‘PM Surya Ghar—Muft Bijli Yojana‘ rooftop solar scheme. These guidelines focus on providing central financial assistance to residential consumers through Renewable Energy Services Company (RESCO) and Utility Led Aggregation (ULA) models. The scheme is set to run until March 31, 2027. Under the RESCO model, a third-party renewable energy company will manage the procurement, installation,…

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ITI Limited secures Rs 3 billion order for 100,000 solar street lights in Bihar

ITI Limited has received an order worth Rs 3 billion from the Bihar Renewable Energy Development Authority (BREDA) to supply and install 100,000 solar street light systems under the Mukhyamantri Gramin Solar Street Light Yojana. The project will cover districts including Gopalganj, Siwan, Samastipur, Purnia, Araria, Gaya, Darbhanga, Patna, Katihar, and Khagaria. The Naini Plant of ITI Limited will manage the supply and installation, which will be supervised by BREDA. Key components of the system…

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Tata Electronics, ASMPT partner for semiconductor assembly

Tata Electronics has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ASMPT Singapore to establish semiconductor assembly equipment infrastructure for its chip packaging units in Assam and Karnataka. This partnership will enhance workforce training, service engineering infrastructure, automation, and R&D in advanced packaging technologies like wirebond, flip chip, and integrated system packaging. ASMPT will support Tata Electronics in preparing for its semiconductor assembly and test facilities in Vemagal, Karnataka, and Jagiroad, Assam while promoting energy and…

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NCT approves TBCB route for Rs 100 billion interstate transmission projects

The National Committee on Transmission (NCT), in its 22nd meeting on August 23, 2024, recommended the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route for four interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes, with a total project outlay exceeding Rs 100 billion. These projects are aimed at strengthening India’s power transmission infrastructure, particularly for renewable energy zones and green hydrogen production areas. The first scheme focuses on the augmentation of transformation capacity at the Bidar pooling station in Karnataka, with…