Karnataka announces it will stop building solar projects in the state for the time being; Bihar penalizes state power company for failing to meet its renewable purchase obligations for 2018-2019; Gujarat announces implementation of its new law allowing shops in the state to be open 24 hours a day; Maharashtra increases the generic tariff for solar photovoltaic projects for FY 2019-2020; and more.
Center – State relations
Nothing critical to report this week.
Nothing critical to report this week.
The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission ruled against a request by the Bihar State Power Holding Company Ltd. to carry forward the shortfall in the renewable purchase obligations for the financial year 2018-19 to the next year, and instead penalized the company. Source: Mercom In detail: Renewable Purchase Obligation, its Compliance and REC Framework Implementation) (3rd Amendment) Regulations, 2018
The Asian Development Bank gave an in-principle approval to finance four metro rail projects and a $4.3 billion rapid rail corridor between Delhi and Meerut as part of its effort to improve urban transport system in India. Source: Economic Times
The Gujarat government announced that its amendment to the Shops and Establishment Act, which would allow shops across Gujarat to function for 24 hours a day, went into effect after it received presidential assent from President Ram Nath Kovind. Source: Indian Express In detail: Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2019
The Gujarat government’s auction of 700 megawatts (MW) of solar projects at Raghanesda Solar Park attracted bids for 600 MW of the total project allocation despite having a ceiling price of $0.0039 (Rs 2.70) per kilowatt-hour (kWh), or unit. The auction was previously cancelled in January after the government stated that the quoted tariff of $0.0041 (Rs. 2.84) was too high. Source: Economic Times
Nothing critical to report this week.
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission announced that the state will stop building new solar energy projects in order to balance its renewable power purchase obligations and to address concerns about the financial health of the state’s power distribution companies. Source: Live Mint
Nothing critical to report this week.
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission set the generic tariff for solar photovoltaic projects at $0.047 (Rs. 3.29) per kWh for FY 2019-20. This is an increase from the current generic tariff of $0.004 (Rs. 2.72) per kWh. Source: Mercom In detail: Determination of Generic Tariffs for Renewable Energy for FY 2019-20
Solar power producer Azure Power announced it has commissioned a 150 MW solar power project at Bhadla solar park in Rajasthan. Source: Economic Times
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited announced it has started using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to measure the performance of wind projects installed across the state. The distribution company aims to remotely track real-time data measured through GPS installed on wind power projects, which will increase efficiency and transparency in the billing procedure with the developers. Source: Mercom
The Hyderabad government announced that the flying of drones, paragliders, and remote-controlled microlight aircraft will be banned in the city for six months starting May 5, 2019. The decision came after credible threats that terrorist groups would use such devices to carry out attacks in the city. Source: NDTV
State-owned BHEL said it has commissioned two pumping units of 116 MW each of a lift irrigation project in Telangana. Source: Money Control
In its latest ruling, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission has instructed the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited to conduct a transparent competitive bidding process for the procurement of power from co-generators who are producing power from mixed fuel using bagasse (sugar cane fiber) and spent wash. Source: Mercom
CESC Limited, a distribution company in West Bengal has issued a notice inviting expressions of interest from interested vendors to procure 200 MW of solar power on a short-term basis. This will help the company meet its renewable purchase obligation from existing solar projects. Source: Mercom
Best of the Rest
Himachal Pradesh
National Hydroelectric Power Corporation invited bids to establish an aggregate 1082.16 kilowatt-peak capacity of rooftop and small solar power plants at its four power stations/units in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Source: Energy Infra Post
Jammu and Kashmir
The Solar Energy Corporation of India issued a “Notice Inviting Tenders” seeking online bids for the development of 14 MW of solar photovoltaic power plant with linked 42 megawatt-hours of battery energy storage system at two locations in Jammu and Kashmir. Source: Sau Energy In detail: Tender Details
Meghalaya
The Meghalaya cabinet approved the proposal for creation of a new Directorate of Dairy Development in the state to increase milk production. Source: Financial Express
Mizoram
The Mizoram government announced it will launch inter-state bus service between Mizoram and Zampui range in Tripura and Manipur’s Churachandpur district, where the Mizo communities live. Source: EastMojo
Nagaland
The government of Germany announced will provide a grant of up to $7.27 million for the period from 2019 to 2026 to safeguard biodiversity conservation in select community conserved areas and improve the living conditions and income of the local population in peripheral areas of protected forests in Nagaland. Source: North East Now
Uttarakhand
The Uttarakhand Irrigation Department extended thes’ deadline for submission for its proposed tender for the installation of 40 MW of solar projects. The tender date has been extended from March 22, 2019, to May 27, 2019, due to the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Source: Mercom
