Orissa fixes provisional solar tariff

According to Business Standard, the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission has fixed the tariff for PV projects at INR 15/kWh for 1-12th year and INR 7.5.kWh from 13-25th year. The tariff is applicable for all PV projects in the state to be commissioned by March 2010. The OERC order is “provisional” as the regulator is working on a comprehensive renewable energy policy, expected to be released later this year.

Firms such as Solitaire Energies, Lanco Solar, Sahara India and New Era Power have already submitted proposals to set up PV projects in Orissa.

Himachal to get 54 small hydro projects

The state government of Himachal Pradesh has asked the nodal agency HIMRUJA to issue open bids to private developers for 54 small hydro projects totalling 134MW. The projects range between 0.4MW to 5MW each. As per the state government’s policy, 30 projects up to 2MW capacity each will be reserved for local project developers residing in Himachal Pradesh. These players will also be given preference in bidding for the remaining 24 projects beyond 2 MW.

Inox Air Products secures two PV contracts

Mumbai-based Inox Air Products has bagged contracts from two Indian solar manufacturing firms. Under the contracts, Inox Air Products will supply “SunSource” specialty gases to HHV Solar Technologies and Jupiter Solar Power. While HHV Solar is setting up a thin-film PV fab unit in Bangalore, Jupiter intends to set up a cell manufacturing factory each in Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Inox Air Products is a joint venture between US-based Air Products and Chemicals and the Jain family. The firm’s SunSource solutions help solar companies to ramp up their manufacturing operations.

BP to sell wind assets to IDFC PE?

A media report in Economic Times suggests that UK-based energy giant BP is planning to sell its 100MW wind power portfolio in India to IDFC PE, an infrastructure-focused PE fund. While BP has not commented on the market speculation, the proposed deal falls in line with the firm’s strategy to focus on the US market.


Update: A report in vccircle.com suggests that IDFC PE is not in talks with BP for buying the latter’s wind energy farms in India.

Rural Electrification Corp plans FPO

The Rural Electrification Corporation will hold a meeting on 19 September to discuss a follow-on public offer issue. While the firm has not disclosed the amount it intends to raise, a media report in Economic Times suggests that the firm is eyeing nearly USD 740m from the proposed FPO. REC finances all types of power projects including renewable energy.

AMSC expands to India

US-based American Superconductor has formed "AMSC India" to exploit the emerging wind energy and power grid market in the country. The firm has already secured orders from two Indian firms - five wind turbine electrical systems from Ghodawat Energy and three wind turbine electrical systems from Inox Wind. AMSC specialises in the design and manufacture of power systems and superconducting wire.

Report: GWEC bets big on wind power in India

The Global Wind Energy Council, in collaboration with the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Assocation, has released "Indian Wind Energy Outlook 2009". The report provides demand projections for the Indian wind industry under three outlook scenarios. Under the most conservative “Reference” scenario, GWEC expects India’s cumulative installed wind power capacity to touch 27.3GW by 2030. Under the “Moderate” scenario, India is likely to have 142GW of wind power. Similarly under the most ambitious “Advanced” scenario, GWEC expects India’s total installed wind power capacity to touch 241.3GW by 2030.

Spire Solar sets shop in India

US-based Spire Solar has set up a wholly-owned owned subsidiary “Spire Solar India” to tap the growing market in the region. The firm manufactures capital equipment for making PV modules and turnkey manufacturing lines. It has already made deliveries to its customers in India including PLG Power. Spire Solar expects its New Delhi office to enhance its reach to potential Indian customers and serve as a regional headquarter for equipment service operations.

Gujarat to get five solar parks

The Clinton Foundation, via its Clinton Climate Initiative, is planning to set up five solar parks in Gujarat with a total capacity of 3GW. The project is expected to reduce nearly 5.2m tonnes of CO2 emission per year. The state government of Gujarat has reportedly identified four sites along its border with Pakistan for the proposed solar projects. The government is on a special drive to push renewable energy agenda and signed agreements worth USD 21bn at its Vibrant Global Investors Summit in January this year.

Winwind to expand Tamil Nadu factory to 2.4GW

WinWind Power Energy has inaugurated its wind turbine and rotor blades manufacturing unit in Vengal district of Tamil Nadu with an initial capacity of 1GW. The firm said that it plans to scale up to 2.4GW over a couple of years. WinWind Power Energy is a subsidiary of Finnish turbine manufacturer WinWind whose majority shareholder is India’s Sterling Infotech.

Report: India remains an off-grid PV market

With the Indian government's nod to the National Solar Mission, all eyes seem to be on this sector. Research and Market's latest report "Indian Solar Sector: Dawn of a New Era" provides an overview of the emerging PV market in India and the opportunities that lie ahead. It also focuses on the PV cell and module production scenario in the country.

India says yes to renewable energy certificates

According to Indian Express, the Forum of Regulators of India has given its consent for the introduction of renewable energy certificates. The regulator has suggested that the RECs be exchanged at a predetermined ceiling price via power exchanges approved by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. The REC mechanism will facilitate the transfer of renewable energy between states. It will particularly enable states such as Delhi and Haryana to “buy” green power from windy states such as Tamil Nadu or sunny states as such Gujarat.