|

India issues 11,098 MW in renewable energy tenders, draws $103 mn in October investments

In October, India’s renewable energy sector surged with 16 new tenders, totalling a capacity of 11,098 MW.  Auctions allocated 6,316 MW to various developers, pushing India’s total renewable capacity beyond 200 GW, including large hydro, while total electricity generation capacity reached 452.69 GW.  Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka led in renewable installations. Key tenders included NHPC’s 1,200 MW solar and SECI’s 1,200 MW round-the-clock renewables.  NTPC launched a 1,200 MW wind-solar hybrid tender with…

|

Indian Railways issues tender for 4 MW solar project at Thivim, Goa

The Ministry of Railways has issued a tender for a 4 MW ground-mounted, grid-connected solar power project at Thivim, Konkan Railway, Goa.  This project, intended to power the Thivim Traction Sub-Station (TSS), will operate on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis under a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model for 25 years.  The deadline for bid submission is set for November 29, 2024, with project completion expected within 180 days.  In related developments, Southern…

|

NTPC and ONGC partner to drive renewable energy expansion in India

NTPC and ONGC are establishing a joint venture to expand into the renewable energy sector through their subsidiaries, NTPC Green Energy and ONGC Green Energy.  A 50:50 joint venture company (JVC) application has been submitted to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, advancing both companies’ commitment to renewable energy. This JVC will focus on various renewable segments, including solar, wind, energy storage, and green credits, and plans to acquire renewable energy assets.  It is also eyeing…

|

Greenzo Energy launches ‘Un Wheel,’ India’s first 1 MW alkaline electrolyzer stack

Greenzo Energy has introduced the “Un Wheel,” a 100% indigenous 1 MW alkaline electrolyzer stack designed for green hydrogen production.  Built by Indian scientists and engineers, the stack is tailored to operate effectively across diverse Indian climates, from -20°C to 60°C, with a 20-year lifespan.  It generates hydrogen at 30 bar pressure, removing the need for additional compressors, and features advanced controls for water quality, pressure, and lye temperature to ensure safe and efficient hydrogen…

|

NLC India reports Rs 9.82 billion net profit for Q2FY25

NLC India Limited has posted a net profit of Rs 9.82 billion for the quarter ending September 2024, marking a 9.58% decrease from the Rs 10.86 billion reported in the same period last year.  However, the company’s total income rose by approximately 35%, reaching Rs 43.70 billion for the quarter, compared to Rs 32.34 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year.

|

GAIL and VERBIO India sign MoU to establish agricultural residue-based CBG plants

GAIL (India) Limited and VERBIO India Private Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on establishing compressed biogas (CBG) plants based on agricultural residues across India.  The partnership will involve identifying suitable sites for greenfield CBG plants, conducting feasibility studies, and seeking investment approvals to form a joint venture (JV). Additionally, GAIL is considering acquiring an equity stake in VERBIO’s existing CBG plant in Punjab, further strengthening the collaboration.

|

CERC amends Indian Electricity Grid Code, tightening regulations for renewable and storage projects

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has released the CERC (Indian Electricity Grid Code) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2024, introducing several critical changes aimed at improving grid efficiency and flexibility.  Key amendments include reducing the permissible period for renewable energy and energy storage systems to inject infirm power from one year to 45 days. Extensions of up to three months can be requested from regional load despatch centres, with additional extensions requiring CERC approval. For hydropower…

|

Senvion India to double wind turbine manufacturing capacity by 2026

Senvion India, the country’s fifth-largest wind turbine manufacturer, has announced plans to expand its manufacturing capacity to 2 GW by 2026. To support this growth, the company will invest over USD 100 million in research and development (R&D) and supply chain advancements over the next two years, focusing on launching new technologies. In September, Senvion India introduced a 4.2 MW wind turbine model, its first four MW turbine, developed in collaboration with RE Technologies, a…

|

BASF and AM Green partner to explore low-carbon chemical production in India

BASF and AM Green B.V. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore business opportunities for developing low-carbon chemicals produced exclusively with renewable energy.  As part of the agreement, both companies plan to conduct feasibility studies in India, assessing potential technologies for low-carbon chemical production. The collaboration also includes a non-binding letter of intent (LoI) for BASF to offtake 100,000 tonnes annually of ammonia produced solely with renewable energy. This includes energy from pumped…

|

India’s power sector warned of potential overinvestment risks amidst capacity expansion plans

As India aims to double its power capacity to 900 GW by 2030, a report by Aequitas Investments highlights concerns about potential overinvestment, cautioning against repeating past industry missteps. The report points to aggressive bidding without firm power purchase agreements (PPAs) and a reliance on costly imported coal, warning that these practices could lead to financial instability reminiscent of the 2008 sector downturn. The analysis reveals that private sector expansions since FY 2010 have faced…