India

News Subsections News India Global Socomec launches compact automatic transfer switching equipment September 10, 2024 Socomec India has unveiled its latest innovation, the “ATyS a M” pre-programmed Automatic Transfer Switching Equipment (ATSE), designed for commercial establishments, high-rise buildings, industries, and sectors like healthcare and hospitality. This… NCT approves TBCB route for Rs 100 billion interstate transmission projects September 10, 2024 The National Committee on Transmission (NCT), in its 22nd meeting on August 23, 2024, recommended…

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ACWA Power signs agreement with Uzbekistan for 2 GWh battery storage projects

Global, News

On November 16, 2024, ACWA Power signed a binding Implementation Agreement (IA) with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy to develop up to 2 GWh of standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across the country.  The agreement was formalized during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in the presence of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman. The IA builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier in May…

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

India, News

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…

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France to launch 9.2 GW offshore wind tenders

Global, News

France is preparing to launch tenders for two fixed and three floating offshore wind farms, totalling 9.2GW, in the autumn and winter of 2024/25.  The French Energy Ministry has identified key locations for these projects, including offshore areas near Fecamp in northwest France, Brittany, the western Gascogne Gulf, and the southern Mediterranean coast. French Energy Minister Olga Givernet, during a visit to Fecamp, emphasized that the installations align with France’s strategy to reach 45 GW…

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MoP unveils National Electricity Plan for transmission

India, News

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has launched the National Electricity Plan for transmission, targeting the transmission of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and over 600 GW by 2032. The plan also addresses the need for 47 GW of battery energy storage systems and 31 GW of pumped storage plants. From 2022-23 to 2031-32, the plan aims to add over 191,000 circuit km of transmission lines and 1,270 GVA of transformation capacity at 220…

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CSEP study warns green tariffs could strain India’s power distribution companies

India, News

A report by the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) highlights potential financial challenges for India’s power discoms from the Ministry of Power’s plan to introduce green tariffs. The green tariffs aim to encourage renewable energy adoption, but CSEP warns that this shift could financially hurt discoms, especially if high-paying commercial and industrial consumers opt for cheaper green energy alternatives. According to the study, green tariffs could lead to a 15% financial loss of…

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National Electricity Plan – 2032 finalized, outlay pegged at over Rs 9 trillion

India, News

Union power minister Manohar Lal announced the finalization of the National Electricity Plan (NEP) for the period 2023 to 2032 at a press conference in New Delhi on September 23, 2024. The NEP aims to develop central and state transmission systems to meet the projected peak power demand of 458 GW by 2032, with a total project outlay of Rs 9 trillion. Key highlights of NEP 2032 include the expansion of the transmission network from…

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PGCIL, Adani, Sterlite Power in race for Gujarat’s HVDC transmission project

India, News

Three players—Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL), and Sterlite Power—have qualified to compete for a major interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme in Gujarat, involving high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology. The scheme is part of the Khavda V-A Power Transmission project, aimed at evacuating 8 GW of renewable energy from the Khavda region in Gujarat. Developer selection is being conducted through tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB). The project is estimated to…

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NCT approves TBCB route for Rs 100 billion interstate transmission projects

India, News

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…

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Australia, South Korea sign MOU for critical mineral collaboration

Global, News

Western Australia (WA) and South Korea have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance cooperation in renewable energy and critical mineral supply chains. The MOU is building on a 2023 letter of intent aimed at fostering clean energy development and processing between the WA Government and Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). WA’s rich reserves of critical minerals and potential for clean hydrogen and ammonia production were highlighted as key areas for…