In a bid to expand India’s power transmission network, Sterlite Power, a transmission developer, and Singapore-based GIC, an investment firm, have announced the creation of a joint venture (JV).

The JV will focus on developing and operating power transmission projects across the country to meet the rapidly growing demand for energy evacuation.

Under the agreement, Sterlite Power will hold a 51% majority stake in the new company, while GIC will own the remaining 49%.

The agreement comes at a time when India is aggressively pursuing its clean energy transition goals. Expanding the transmission network is crucial to integrating more renewable energy sources into the grid and ensuring reliable power delivery.

According to the press release, the new platform will contribute towards India’s announcement of over $13 billion in capital expenditure for new transmission projects.

“India’s renewable vision calls for investments in transmission to unlock the full potential of 500 GW of renewable power. With GIC as our partner, we are poised to play a leading role in India’s transmission sector, starting with the $13 billion bid pipeline,” said Pratik Agarwal, Managing Director of Sterlite Power.

Last year, in an interview with Mercom, Sterlite Power CEO of Infrastructure Business, Arun Sharma had said that the Indian government has planned to build transmission infrastructure, estimated to cost ₹2.44 trillion (~$29.3 billion), which will involve the construction of 50,890 circuit km of transmission lines and 4,33,575 MVA of substation capacity.

At the time, the company had a portfolio of 32 completed, sold, and under-construction projects covering 15,350 circuit km of transmission lines across India and Brazil. Out of a total portfolio of 11,000 circuit km of transmission lines across India, 8,400 circuit km of transmission lines were commissioned.

In November last year, the company won the order for Phase-IV (Part-1-Bikaner Complex): Part-B Transmission project to evacuate 8 GW of renewable energy in Rajasthan.

NTPC Green Energy (NGEL) has invited bids from qualified coordinating agencies to provide all forecasting and scheduling-related services for the 130 MW Bhadla Solar power project.

The last date for submitting bids is April 4, 2024. Bids will be opened the next day.

Bidders will be responsible for ensuring comprehensive project data collection, utilizing information provided by NGEL, and gathering any additional necessary data daily.

Bidders are tasked with forecasting and scheduling duties, which encompass providing detailed forecasting data in 15-minute increments, timely submission of day-ahead schedules, and intra-day forecasting revisions.

Moreover, bidders have to undertake energy accounting and deviation settlement tasks, including preparing daily and monthly reports, examining DSM statements, and facilitating commercial settlements.

Coordination with stakeholders constitutes another critical facet. Bidders are expected to serve as the primary liaison with the state load dispatch center and engage in day-to-day coordination with various agencies and entities involved in the project.

Lastly, adherence to all ancillary and incidental matters as stipulated in Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations is necessary to ensure compliance throughout the project’s execution.

NGEL has established the Bhadla Solar Power Project (BSPP) within the Bhadla Solar Park Phase-II, situated in Bap Tehsil of Jodhpur District, Rajasthan. The BSPP boasts a total installed capacity of 260 MW.

A power purchase agreement (PPA) has been executed with various DISCOMs in Rajasthan. Electricity generated by the project is aggregated at two pooling substations owned by Rajasthan Renewable Energy Company (RRECL), designated as grid substation (GSS)-1 and GSS-2.

Specifically, power from the project’s 130 MW capacity is pooled at GSS-1, while the remaining 130 MW is directed to GSS-2.

The contract period for the qualified coordinating agency will span 24 months. Bid security and earnest money deposit are not applicable for this tender.

The expenses associated with this package are intended to be covered by the employer’s internal resources and/or through borrowings.

Each bidder can submit only one bid, individually or as a partner in a joint venture or consortium, as per the guidelines specified in the bidding documents.

Bidders should not have any direct or indirect association with a firm or any of its affiliates that the employer has engaged to provide consultancy services for preparing the design, specifications, and other documents related to the execution of works under this invitation for bids.

Bidders are recommended to visit the site to acquaint themselves with the nature and extent of the work and site conditions and obtain all necessary information regarding risks, contingencies, and other factors that may impact their tender.

NTPC Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of NTPC, recently invited bids for the land and power evacuation package to set up a 150 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power project in Bhadla, Rajasthan.

NTPC also invited bids for retrofitting a solar inverter for the 5 MW solar photovoltaic power project at its Dadri thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh.

Subscribe to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker to stay on top of tender activity in real-time.

Bengaluru-based Zetwerk, an industrial and consumer infrastructure firm, has won a contract to set up over 1,400 electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers for Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) across the country.

The fast chargers, with capacities ranging from 50-60 kW and 100-120 kW, will be capable of simultaneously charging two EVs using dynamic load-sharing technology. These DC dual gun Combined Charging System 2 (CCS2) DC chargers will be installed in major cities and key highways to enhance accessibility and convenience for EV drivers, the company said.

The partnership will help IOCL, one of India’s largest fuel retailers, provide consumers with clean energy options that reduce their carbon footprint.

“This prestigious partnership with Indian Oil is very significant for Zetwerk’s vision for revolutionizing EV charging infrastructure in India,” said Abhay Adya, Business Head of Renewables at Zetwerk. “By conveniently locating these stations in major cities, we will enable widespread adoption of EV mobility and drive the nation towards a sustainable future.”

The company was previously involved in setting up Bangladesh’s largest solar power project.

Last year, the union government sanctioned ₹8 billion (~$96 million) under FAME India Program Phase II to the public-sector oil-marketing firms to install 7,432 fast charging stations nationwide. IOCL was responsible for setting up a total of 3,483 fast charging stations, including upstream infrastructure like AC distribution boxes, circuit breakers, protection equipment, mounting structures, and fencing. Of these, 2,707 EV chargers will have a capacity of 50-60 kW, while 731 chargers will have a 100-120 kW capacity.

Last month, Maharashtra invited bids from prospective empanelment agencies to set up 350 EV charging stations in the state.

Convergence Energy Services Limited also invited bids for selecting a managed service partner for the operations, management, maintenance, and security of 31 public service EV charging stations across Noida.

EV sales in India reached a record 486,669 units in the first quarter of 2024, a jump of over 40% year-over-year against the 347,676 units sold in the same period of 2023.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has notified the implementation of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) regulation effective April 1, 2024. The new notification, however, eliminates the exemptions for projects under open access and rooftop solar by private parties, announced in the February order. While MNRE did not provide any clarifications on the exemptions, it mentioned that the ALMM order 2019, which was held in abeyance for a year, i.e., the financial year 2023-24, will come into effect on April 1, 2024.

India achieved a record-breaking annual installation of solar open access, adding 3.2 GW, in the calendar year 2023, a marginal increase from the 3 GW installed in the previous year, according to the recently published 2023 Q4 & Annual Mercom India Solar Open Access Market Report. The exclusion of open-access solar projects from the ALMM order’s mandate, coupled with decreasing module prices, pushed commercial and industrial consumers into accelerating their pending projects and entering into power purchase agreements.

India added 20.8 GW of solar modules and 3.2 GW of solar cell capacity in the calendar year 2023, according to the recently released State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 2024 Report by Mercom India Research. The country’s cumulative solar module manufacturing capacity reached 64.5 GW, and solar cell manufacturing capacity reached 5.8 GW as of December 2023. Of the installed module manufacturing capacity, about 60% was equipped to make modules in M10 and G12 wafer sizes.

The MNRE has amended the guidelines for the implementation of the solar power program for particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) habitations/villages under the Prime Minister’s Jan Shakti Nidhi initiative. The government had approved the ₹5.15 billion (~$61.9 million) program in January this year, aiming to provide clean and reliable electricity to underserved PVTG communities by installing solar mini-grids. The amendments seek to enhance the program’s effectiveness and reach.

The Ministry of Coal, under its net-zero electricity consumption plan for coal/lignite public sector undertakings, has set a renewable energy target of 9 GW in the coal sector by 2030 from the present 1.75 GW. It will also promote the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar power projects across mining facilities. It also aims to develop solar parks within the reclaimed mining areas and other suitable land, leveraging underutilized land resources for clean energy generation.

The MNRE has expanded the ALMM by adding 3,501 MW of new solar module capacity. The cumulative module manufacturing capacity now stands at 37,421 MW. Tata Power Solar accounts for 2,525 MW of the newly added capacity, while Goldi Solar contributes 976 MW. With the latest addition, the ALMM now has 81 module manufacturers. Even after the latest update, the ALMM has no foreign manufacturers. MNRE has introduced significant changes to the ALMM by adding another module technology and the minimum efficiency requirements.

The Ministry of Power‘s twelfth annual integrated ratings of power distribution companies (DISCOMs) have revealed notable shifts in financial and operational performance. Out of the 55 DISCOMs evaluated for the financial year (FY) 2023, 17 have shown improvement in their grades, while 14 have been downgraded. Of the DISCOMs, 14 achieved an A+ grade compared to 10 last year. Notably, six of these top DISCOMs hail from Gujarat, three from Odisha, and two from Haryana. Eight of these top performers are privately owned companies.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has announced a Standards and Labeling Program for grid-connected solar inverters without storage to indicate their overall efficiency. The current minimum energy performance standard will be in force from March 15, 2024, to December 31, 2025. Introducing the endorsement label for grid-connected solar inverters is expected to lead to significant benefits, including an estimated energy saving of 21.1 billion kWh from the financial year 2024-25 to 2033-34. Additionally, it could substantially decrease CO2 emissions, with a projected reduction of 15.1 million tons over the same period.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched the Electric Mobility Promotion Program 2024 with a funding of ₹5 billion (~$60.34 million). The program is scheduled from April 1, 2024, to  July 31, 2024, and targets electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, including e-rickshaws, e-carts, and L5 category vehicles. The program will offer incentives only to vehicles equipped with advanced batteries to promote the use of cutting-edge technology. A majority of the budget, ₹4.93 billion (~$59.61 million), is allocated for subsidies and demand incentives for buyers of these vehicles.

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has issued directives regarding the installation of rooftop solar systems by sugar factories that have Energy/Power Purchase Agreements (EPA/PPA) with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) for their bagasse-based cogeneration projects. The guidelines, aimed at implementing the MERC order dated July 21, 2022, stipulate that sugar factories with EPA/PPA agreements with MSEDCL for cogeneration projects based on bagasse must submit applications to the Chief Engineer (Renewable Energy) to install grid-connected rooftop solar systems.

The MNRE has announced that the President of India has approved the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with a budget of ₹750.21 billion (~$9 billion). The ministry also issued a breakdown of central financial assistance for residential houses, group housing societies, and residential welfare associations. The PM Surya Ghar initiative aims to install rooftop solar projects in ten million poor and middle-class households. The Indian government launched Phase II of the grid-connected rooftop solar program on February 13, 2024.

The Ministry of Mines has unveiled the third tranche of e-auction for critical and strategic minerals. The auction will grant concessions for seven critical mineral blocks across five states. Prospective bidders can purchase tender documents from the MSTC e-auction platform starting March 20, 2024. The price of the tender document is ₹300,000 (~$3,619.9) plus applicable GST. The deadline for purchasing the tender document is May 9, 2024, while the submission deadline for bids is May 14, 2024. The auction marks a step in ensuring the availability of essential minerals vital for various industries across the country.

The MNRE is seeking feedback from the public and stakeholders on the preliminary design specifications for solar cold storage (SCS). The storage capacity of the SCS, ranging from 2 MT to 10 MT, is intended to be exclusively powered by solar photovoltaic as a distributed renewable energy source (DRE). The parameters for SCS have been determined to enable installation at any site across India. The guidelines and specifications are primarily designed for storage and preservation facilities within the temperature range of 4°C to 15°C, catering to both perishable and non-perishable commodities such as fruits and vegetables.

In what could come as a big relief for renewable energy developers, the Supreme Court has considered limiting the undergrounding of power transmission lines to the Priority Area of 3,163 sq km of the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitat. The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud also constituted an expert committee to determine the scope, feasibility, and extent of overhead and underground electric lines in the area identified as a Priority Area by the Wildlife Institute of India in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in India reached a record 486,669 units in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, a jump of over 40% year-over-year (YoY) against the 347,676 units sold in the same period of 2023.

The EV market consistently exceeded the 100,000-unit threshold each month during the quarter, and March witnessed the highest-ever monthly sales figure of 204,337 units.

EVs account for 7.9% of overall automobile sales, which totaled 6,157,070 units in Q1 2024, according to data released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through its Vahan Dashboard. The numbers do not include data for Telangana and Lakshadweep.

India now has over 3.95 million registered EVs.

Electric two-wheelers

Electric two-wheelers accounted for nearly 62% (301,010) of total EVs sold in Q1 2024.

Ola once again led the segment with the highest sales at  116,810, followed by TVS  (56,412), Bajaj Auto (40,530), Ather (35,627), and Greaves Electric (7,852).

Electric three-wheelers

Electric three-wheelers constituted 33% (164,696) of all EVs sold in Q1 2024.

Mahindra Last Mile Mobility emerged as the leader in this category, achieving the highest sales with 16,136 units sold, followed by YC Electric (10,052), Piaggio Vehicles (7,424), Saera Electric Auto (6,640), and Bajaj Auto (6,312).

Electric four-wheelers

Electric four-wheelers represented 4% of the total sales at 20,963 units in Q1 2024.

Tata Motors was once again the most preferred electric four-wheeler automobile maker, with 14,075 units sold. MG Motor (3,215), Mahindra & Mahindra (1,982), Hyundai (436), and BYD India (350) were the other major players.

Phase II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles (FAME) program ended on March 31, 2024.

Earlier this year, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry recommended that the government extend Phase II of the FAME program for at least three years beyond March 31, 2024, to make EVs a norm in the Indian automobile market.

In March, the Ministry of Heavy Industries launched the Electric Mobility Promotion Program 2024 with a funding of ₹5 billion (~$60.34 million). The program is scheduled from April 1, 2024, to  July 31, 2024, and targets electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers, including e-rickshaws, e-carts, and L5 category vehicles.

Luminous Power Technologies inaugurated a 250 MW solar module manufacturing facility in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. The fully automated 10-acre plant built with an initial investment of ₹1.2 billion (~$14.4 million) is expandable up to 1 GW capacity, the company said.

The launch marks a strategic shift for Luminous from being just a maker of solar inverters and batteries to now manufacturing solar modules. The company also claims to be the only Indian firm that can design and build complete solar power generation systems.

Luminous aims to double its growth in three years. The facility will produce polycrystalline, monocrystalline, N-type, and TOPCon solar panels with adaptability ranging from 5BB to 16BB configurations for residential, commercial, and agricultural needs.

“Solar will be a significant part of our business, and we see it as a major growth enabler as we aim to double our growth in the next three years,” said Preeti Bajaj, CEO of Luminous. The company has partnered with Australia’s University of New South Wales for solar module technology development.

Although fully automated, the company said the facility is expected to “employ hundreds of workers directly and indirectly, including those involved in production, maintenance, administration, and support services.”

The solar solutions ecosystem will also be integrated with its Connect X App, offering information on real-time energy consumption and monitoring, solar energy generation, and inverter performance.

The company added that the launch aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ mission and the recently announced ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ solar program.

Luminous also launched an immersive Experience Center at the plant to showcase its solar ecosystem approach integrating connected energy solutions.

India added 20.8 GW of solar modules and 3.2 GW of solar cell capacity in calendar year 2023, according to the recently released State of Solar PV Manufacturing in India 2024 report by Mercom India Research.