Category Archives: Government

Issues with Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2021

Fundamental Differences in Perspective-1 • Government of India is treating Electricity as commodity.• Electricity Employees and Engineers are treating electricity as service i.e. the Electricity Connection is being termed as Service Connection and so is the intent behind it.• Electricity … Continue reading

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Advancing renewables in developing countries

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) in 2013 undertook to support renewable energyprojects through a joint initiative with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Through that facility, the fund has dispensed AED 1.285 billion (USD 350 million) over the … Continue reading

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Renewable energy finance: Sovereign guarantees

RENEWABLE ENERGY FINANCE SOVEREIGN GUARANTEES Less than two decades remain for countries around the world to make drastic cuts incarbon-dioxide emissions. This is necessary to realise the goals of the Paris Agreement,which calls for limiting the increase in average global … Continue reading

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Space-starved Singapore builds floating solar farms

Thousands of panels glinting in the sun stretch into the sea off Singapore, part of the land-scarce city-state’s push to build floating solar farms to cut greenhouse gas emissions.It may be one of the world’s smallest countries, but the prosperous … Continue reading

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TARIFF FRAMEWORK FOR PROCUREMENT OF POWER BY DISTRIBUTION LICENSEES AND OTHERS FROM WIND-SOLAR HYBRID PROJECTS AND OTHER COMMERCIAL ISSUES FOR THE STATE OF GUJARAT

Order No. 04 of 2021 In the Matter of: Tariff framework for Procurement of Power by Distribution Licensees and Others from Wind-Solar Hybrid Energy Projects and Other Commercial issues for the State of Gujarat. INTRODUCTION BackgroundIn exercise of the powers … Continue reading

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Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JFJCM) Brochure

Established in June 2014, the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JFJCM) provides financial incentives for the adoption of advanced low-carbon technologies in projects financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). JFJCM offers grants to projects utilizing the Joint … Continue reading

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Blocked Suez Canal raises new threat to global supply chains

CAIRO — The fallout from one of the world’s largest container ships getting stuck in the Suez Canal has disturbed commodity markets and threatened to damage an already distressed global supply chain.The Ever Given, the 400-meter container ship operated by … Continue reading

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India to levy basic customs duty on solar modules and cells from April next year

India will introduce a 40% basic customs duty (BCD) on solar modules as of April 2022 to cut the reliance on imports and expand the country’s PV manufacturing base.A 25% duty will also be introduced on solar cells from the … Continue reading

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Punjab govt wants to renegotiate solar power tariffs

The state cited fall in prices of solar panels as well as lower borrowing costs and corporate taxes behind the step. Punjab is the latest state to seek a revision of its solar power tariffs with chief minister Amarinder Singh’s government calling … Continue reading

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A brighter future for the booming solar sector

Solar power firm Constant Energy is rapidly expanding in Thailand and throughout the region using a business-to-business model The solar business in Thailand is booming, as the government prepares to hit its Paris Climate Accords target of 30% renewable by … Continue reading

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Governments across Southeast Asia accelerate renewable energy investment to revive the pandemic-hit economies

In the pre Covid-19 world, energy transition was already at the forefront of the minds of policymakers and investors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Renewable energy infrastructure investment in the region had been strong, reflecting government efforts … Continue reading

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#SFIEurope: Industry fears Portugal’s ultra-low PV tariff approach will spread

Replicating Portugal’s solar auction design elsewhere in Europe could entrench a system that has produced prices developers “cannot survive on”, Solar Media’s Solar Finance & Investment Europe conference has heard.Held in London this week, the trade show laid bare the unease … Continue reading

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INDIAN POWER SECTOR – ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION

Distribution sector reforms imminent with rising discom debt and dues to gencos PERFORMANCE OF STATE DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES REMAINS WEAK DESPITE THE VARIOUS BAILOUT SCHEMES OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES The electricity distribution segment remains the weakest link in the power … Continue reading

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The Impact of the 10kW Net Metering Limit on India’s Rooftop Solar Market

Introduction The Indian rooftop solar market grew from a mere 623 megawatts (MW) in 2015 to about 5.9 gigawatts (GW) by June 2020.1 However, there is a shortfall of about 34GW which needs to be fulfilled in the next two years … Continue reading

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BCD from April 2022 now official at 40% for modules and 25% for cells – No. 283/3/2018-GRID SOLAR

Government of India Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) Grid Solar Power DivisionSub: Imposition of Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on Solar PV Cells & Modules/ Panels. 1.As part of Paris Climate Agreement, India has committed to achieve forty percent … Continue reading

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Overview of Solar Rooftop Sector in India

India lies in the high solar insolation region, endowed with significant solar energy potential. The total solar power potential in the country, as estimated by National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), is approximately 749 GW2 including solar rooftop. TERI has estimated … Continue reading

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COVID-19 ‘hurting but not halting’ renewables as IEA revises forecasts

The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects renewables deployment to rebound next year, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic said to be “hurting, but not halting” growth.In a revision to forecasts made in October 2019, the IEA now expects total renewables deployment … Continue reading

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Portugal’s delayed solar auction launch weeks away as country sets new date

Portugal plans to kickstart next month the solar tender it had postponed as the country began its campaign to contain the COVID-19 emergency, the government has confirmed.Contacted by PV Tech today, a spokesperson from Portugal’s Environment Ministry said that the 700MW solar … Continue reading

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Brazil’s looming renewable auction sparks another PV bidding avalanche

The solar industry’s appetite for Brazilian auctions appears to remain undimmed in the new decade, with nearly 30GW in PV bids coming forward for the next renewable tender.Figures released on Tuesday by energy regulator EPE show PV firms have put … Continue reading

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Up to 194GW of solar could be installed in 2021 as investments soar

As much as 194GW of solar PV could be installed globally this year, new projections by BloombergNEF have forecast, with the asset class leading a jump in energy transition investments throughout 2020. Investments in solar rose by 12% year-on-year to US$148.6 … Continue reading

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COVID-19 brings ‘indefinite’ delays for Brazil’s solar-friendly auctions

The global COVID-19 crisis has pushed gigawatts-worth of solar bids into administrative limbo in one of Latin America’s most buoyant markets, with tenders cancelled without new dates yet in sight.Brazil is to “indefinitely postpone” a host of solar-friendly auctions including … Continue reading

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Basic customs duty on solar modules and cells likely next week

The Centre is likely to impose a basic customs duty on imported solar modules and cells next week. “The Department of Revenue has informally given their nod,” a top official from the Ministry for New & Renewable told BusinessLine. MNRE had … Continue reading

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CRISIL Yearbook Indian debt market 2021

Overall supply of corporate bonds could double to Rs 65-70 lakh crore Over the next five fiscals, corporate bond issuances outstanding could more than double from ~Rs 33 lakh crore or 16% of gross domestic prod- uct (GDP) at the end … Continue reading

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Renewable energy and climate pledges: Five years after the Paris Agreement

With the adoption of the Paris Agreement on 12 December 2015, nearly all countries around the world agreed to keep the rise in the average global temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius (°C) this century compared to pre-industrial levels, and … Continue reading

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Quality infrastructure for smart mini-grids

Advancing electricity access and enhancing livelihoods for islandsand remote communities Renewable mini-grids, which combine loads and renewable energy resources, are seeing growing motivation for their deployment, driven by the many benefits these integrated energy infrastructures can bring to key market … Continue reading

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Electric Vehicle GST reduced to 5%

GST rate on all Electric Vehicles reduced from 12% to 5% and of charger or charging stations for EVs from 18% to 5% Hiring of electric buses by local authorities exempted from GST Changes in GST rates shall be effective … Continue reading

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DRAFT REPORT ON OPTIMAL GENERATION CAPACITY MIX FOR 2029-30

Executive Summary The world today is witnessing several kinds of technological disruptions in different sectors. One of the likely disruption can be replacement of thermal based generation with RE generation being complimented with energy storage technology. This has been possible … Continue reading

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New MNRE Guidelines for Solar Manufacturers to Keep Project Quality in Check

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a set of guidelines to be followed by solar manufacturers for models of modules that will be utilized in government-owned projects and those set up for the sale of electricity to … Continue reading

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Fresh blow for Indian PV with 18% GST rate verdict

The decision to tax the ‘service’ provided to solar developers at the full rate comes days after India’s Supreme Court upheld the federal government’s imposition of a 25% safeguarding duty on Chinese and Malaysian panels. Hot on the heels of … Continue reading

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Safeguard Duty Notified for Solar Cells imported into India from China PR and Malaysia

Updated: India’s Ministry of Finance has imposed a 25% safeguard duty on imports of solar cells and modules from Malaysia and the People’s Republic of China, starting tonight. In keeping with the final recommendations proposed by the Directorate General of Trade … Continue reading

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Impose 95 per cent safeguard duty on solar cells import: ISMA

New Delhi: Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has demanded imposition of 95 per cent safeguard duty on imports of solar cells and modules to protect domestic players from cheap inbound shipments. The association put its demand during a public hearing … Continue reading

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Govt amends solar bidding norms, developers can now pass on duty hike

The government has amended solar bidding norms, allowing developers to pass on the burden of any increase in duties on solar equipment to discoms, ending the industry’s apprehensions about likely impact of possible anti-dumping and safeguard duties on imported equipment. … Continue reading

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MNRE revises BIS Quality Control (Requirement for Compulsory Registration under BIS Act) Order 2017

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had notified the above mentioned Quality Control (Requirement for Compulsory Registration under BIS Act) Order 2017 vide Government of India Gazette notification No. 2561 dated 5th September 2017. As per this notification … Continue reading

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Directorate General Recommends 70% Provisional Safeguard Duty on Imported Solar Cells

Preliminary Findings Solar Cells 05.01 Safeguard Duty In a preliminary finding, the Directorate General of Safeguards Customs and Central Excise has recommended a 70 percent safeguard duty on solar cells imported from China and Malaysia for a period of 200 … Continue reading

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UPERC Adopts Renegotiated Tariff of ₹7.02 for Solar Projects Tendered in 2015-16

The Uttar Pradesh Renewable Energy Commission (UPERC) has adopted a renegotiated tariff of ₹7.02 (~$0.11)/kWh as the new tariff for solar projects tendered in financial year 2015-16. This is negatively affecting 215 MW of grid-connected solar projects and hampering the … Continue reading

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Solar power developers flouting domestic content norms may face penal action

India plans to penalize solar power firms that are using foreign equipment in projects awarded on the basis that they would only use locally made solar panels and cells As solar panels account for nearly 60% of a solar power … Continue reading

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India issues new specifications for solar power modules

The new standard specifications will come into force on the expiry of one year from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette, 30 August 2017 New Delhi: India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued an … Continue reading

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India diverts Rs 56,700 crore from the fight against climate change to Goods and Service Tax regime

India’s biggest domestic source of public funds to push renewable energy and protect the environment has become a victim of the Goods and Services Tax. In April, the government included the tax collected on production and import of coal to … Continue reading

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India energy ministry plans 7.5 GW support program for domestic solar manufacturing

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has initiated the second phase of its CPSU program to provide installation capacity totaling 7.5 GW of solar projects made using domestically manufactured solar cells and modules. India is seeking to protect its … Continue reading

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Major relief for solar power developers: Projects deadline extended

The government has granted major relief to solar power developers, allowing deadlines for project development to be extended in cases where there were delays caused by circumstances beyond their control. Developers had raised an alarm over a letter from the … Continue reading

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In a first, Madhya Pradesh takes away must-run status of renewable projects

The state would now have the freedom to back down from renewable projects whenever it wishes to….. The flag bearer of headline renewable energy growth, Madhya Pradesh, in a latest amendment has suggested taking away the “must-run” status of renewable … Continue reading

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Initiation of Antidumping investigation concerning imports of “Solar Cells whether or not assembled partially or fully in modules or Panels or on glass or some other suitable substrates” originating in or exported from China PR, Taiwan and Malaysia.

F.No. 6/30/2017-DGAD : Indian Solar Manufactures Association (hereinafter referred to as the petitioner) has filed an application before the Designated Authority (hereinafter also referred to as the Authority) in accordance with the Customs Tariff Act, 1975, as amended from time … Continue reading

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REVISED GST RATE FOR CERTAIN GOODS [As per discussions in the 16th GST Council Meeting held on 11th June, 2017]

  S. No. Chapter / Heading / Sub- heading / Tariff item Description of goods Earlier GST rate approved by the GST Council Revised GST Rate approved by the GST Council 1. 0506,  0507 90 Bones and horn cores, bone … Continue reading

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Yet another record low for solar power tariffs in India at Rs 2.44 per unit

“Latest solar power auction at Bhadla Solar Park 3 sets new record with electricity tariff of Rs 2.44/unit,” Goyal tweeted on Friday.  Solar power tariffs in India have fallen to a new record low of Rs 2.44 per unit in … Continue reading

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Historic Solar Prices till May 2017, now at Rs. 2.44 per KWh

Posted in Government, Grid Connected, Grid Interactive Distributed Solar Energy Systems, India, JNNSM, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, Phase I, Phase II, Punjab, Rajasthan, Renewables, Solar, Solar Parks, Solar PV, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Solar power tariff continues free fall; hits new low of Rs 2.62 a unit

Phelan Energy Group and Avaada Power Private Limited have bagged 50 MW and 100 MW respectively at Rs 2.62 per unit while SBG Cleantech – a joint venture between SoftBank, Bharti Enterprises and Foxconn has bagged 100 MW at Rs … Continue reading

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Benchmark Cost for “Off-grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Programme” for the year 2017-18

In continuation of this Ministry’s sanction order number 5/23/2009-P&C (Pt. Ill) dated 3rd November  2014 reg. additions/amendments  in the  above  mentioned  scheme,  I am  directed to convey the sanction of the President of India for the revised Benchmark Cost with … Continue reading

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Benchmark Cost for “Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme” for the year 2017-18

Subject: Benchmark Cost for “Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar  Power Plants Programme” for the year 2017-18.  In continuation of this Ministry’s sanction order number 5/23/2009-P&C (Pt. iii) dated 3rd November 2014 reg. additions/amendments in the above mentioned scheme, I … Continue reading

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Budget 2017 – Solar / Renewable Synopsis

Indian Budget 2017 80 IA benefit for projects now stands withdrawn from 2017 Accelerated Depreciation stands at 40% Allocated an outlay of above Rs.10,000 crore for 2016-17. This outlay includes Rs.5,000 crore from the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) with the balance … Continue reading

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Maharashtra Imposes Electricity Duty on Consumption by parties other than DISCOMS in a Body Blow

INDUSTRIES, ENERGY AND LABOUR DEPARTMENT Madam Cama Marg, Hutatma Rajguru Chowk, Mantralaya, Mumbai 400 032, dated the 21st October 2016. MAHARASHTRA ELECTRICITY DUTY ACT, 2016. NOTIFICATION No. ELD. 2016/CR. 252/Energy-1.-In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section … Continue reading

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