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					</table><p>Anboto Solar (<a href="https://www.solarpack.es/en/home-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Solarpack</a>), <a href="https://www.apraava.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apraava Energy</a>, <a href="https://avaada.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Avaada Energy</a>, and ReNew Solar Power (<a href="https://www.renew.com/">ReNew</a>) were declared winners in <a href="https://www.ntpc.co.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NTPC</a>’s auction to set up 1,500 MW of interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar power projects (Tranche-I) across India.</p>
<p>Anboto Solar quoted the lowest tariff of ₹2.60 (~$0.0312)/kWh to win 300 MW capacity. Avaada and Apraava quoted a tariff of ₹2.65 (~$0.0318)/ kWh to win 500 MW and 300 MW, respectively.</p>
<p>ReNew won 400 MW of the quoted 600 MW capacity at ₹2.65 (~$0.0318)/ kWh.</p>
<p>The entire 1.5 GW capacity was allotted in the auction.</p>
<p>Sprng Energy had quoted ₹2.74 (~$0.0329)/kWh for 250 MW capacity but did not qualify.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61969" src="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NTPC-1.5-GW-Solar-Auction-Table.png" alt="" width="753" height="301" srcset="https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NTPC-1.5-GW-Solar-Auction-Table.png 753w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NTPC-1.5-GW-Solar-Auction-Table-300x120.png 300w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NTPC-1.5-GW-Solar-Auction-Table-650x260.png 650w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NTPC-1.5-GW-Solar-Auction-Table-624x249.png 624w, https://mercomindia.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NTPC-1.5-GW-Solar-Auction-Table-600x240.png 600w" sizes="(max-width: 753px) 100vw, 753px" /></p>
<p>NTPC had <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-tender-1-5-gw-ists-connected-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> the tender in October 2023.</p>
<p>The tender specified that the solar power developer must maintain an energy supply corresponding to an annual capacity utilization factor of not less than 80% of the declared value and not more than 120% during the power purchase agreement duration of 25 years.</p>
<p>It also directed developers only to use commercially established and operational technologies to minimize the technology risk and achieve timely commencement of power supply from the projects.</p>
<p>NTPC has mandated the use of solar modules from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).</p>
<p>In December 2023, NTPC Renewable Energy <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/ntpc-tenders-land-and-ehv-mw-solar-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">invited</a> bids for land and an extra-high-voltage transmission system package to develop ISTS-connected solar power projects of up to 800 MW capacity in Maharashtra.</p>
<p>The designated Renewable Energy Implementing Agencies by the MNRE <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/agencies-tender-35-51-gw-renewables-fy24-trajectory" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> 35.51 GW of project tenders until December 2023, against the 50 GW target for the financial year 2023-24.</p>
<p>According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, NTPC accounted for ~42% of the total capacity tendered during the period.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/product/india-solar-tender-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Solar Tender Tracker</a> for timely updates on all solar tenders issued by various agencies in India.</p>


Solarpack, Apraava, Avaada and ReNew Win NTPC’s 1.5 GW Solar Auction


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					</table><p>Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://cercind.gov.in/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CERC</a>) has approved an annual transmission charge of ₹248.67 million (~$2.98 million) as per the final offer by <a href="https://www.apraava.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apraava Energy</a> to acquire Fatehgarh IV Transmission, a special purpose vehicle (SPV).</p>
<p>The SPV was originally formed by <a href="https://www.pfcclindia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PFC Consulting</a> to evacuate 20 GW of power from a Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) under Phase III-Part A1 in Rajasthan.</p>
<p>However, the Commission clarified that this is subject to granting a transmission license to Fatehgarh IV Transmission.</p>
<p><strong>Background</strong></p>
<p>Fatehgarh IV Transmission filed the petition seeking the adoption of transmission charges for the project as per the provisions of the bid documents.</p>
<p>It also requested that the project be included in the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), with the recovery of transmission charges under CERC (Sharing of ISTS Charges and Losses 2020) Regulations.</p>
<p>The Ministry of Power had appointed PFC Consulting as the bid process coordinator to select the transmission service provider via tariff-based competitive bidding.</p>
<p>A tender was <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/bids-interstate-transmission-system-evacuate-40-gw-renewables" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> in February 2022, and nine bidders responded to the tender, five of whom were eligible to participate in the e-reverse auction. The initial ceiling for final offers during the reverse auction was set at ₹377.81 million (~$4.53 million) per annum.</p>
<p>Apraava Energy was <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/apraava-ists-projects-rajasthan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a> the winner after quoting the lowest bid of ₹248.67 million (~$2.98 million) per annum.</p>
<p><strong>Commission’s analysis</strong></p>
<p>The Commission analyzed the transparent bidding process and certified the selection of the successful bidder. It noted that the quoted tariff is lower than the levelized tariff calculated based on CERC norms, considering the capital cost for the project as assessed by the cost committee.</p>
<p>Based on the analysis, the Commission approved annual transmission charges of ₹248.67 million (~$2.98 million), pending the petitioner being granted a transmission license. These charges will remain valid throughout the transmission service agreement period.</p>
<p>The sharing of transmission charges by designated ISTS customers will follow the CERC (Sharing of ISTS Charges and Losses) Regulations, 2020, subject to amendments.</p>
<p>The petitioner highlighted a Ministry of Power policy incentivizing early commissioning. The policy allows the commencement of transmission charges from the actual Commercial Operation Date (COD) before the scheduled COD. The petitioner aimed to commission elements before the 18-month timeline, requesting consideration for recovering transmission charges from the actual COD.</p>
<p>Since the scope of the present petition is limited to the adoption of tariffs, the Commission stated that the request cannot be considered at this stage.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time <a href="https://mercomindia.com/product/mercoms-renewable-energy-regulatory-updates/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates </a>to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.</p>


CERC Approves Charges of ₹249 Million for Fatehgarh Transmission Project


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					</table><p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/new-solar-bidding-rules-caps-single-bidder" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Ministry of Power has introduced new guidelines for tariff-based competitive bidding for grid-connected solar power projects, aiming for transparency, fair procurement, and competitive prices.</strong></a> The amended guidelines include bid capacity limits, timeline changes, power procurement, and penalties for delay, among others. They aim to stabilize and derisk the renewable energy sector by establishing a framework for long-term solar power transactions between states.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/apraava-ists-projects-rajasthan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PFC Consulting, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation, has announced the transfer of two interstate transmission systems projects to evacuate 40 GW of power</strong></a> from renewable energy zones in Rajasthan to Apraava Energy. Apraava had won the auction to develop the Fatehgarh III and Fatehgarh IV transmission projects earlier this year and was issued a letter of intent on March 29, 2023.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/gujarat-approves-tariffs-1-2-gw-projects-khavda" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission recently approved the tariffs discovered through a competitive bidding process conducted by the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam to procure 600 MW of power</strong></a> from grid-connected solar power projects at the Khavda Solar Park, with a greenshoe option of an additional 600 MW. The Commission approved a tariff of ₹2.73 (~$0.033)/kWh for 200 MW from NHPC, ₹2.88 (~$0.035)/kWh for 200 MW of solar power from SJVN Green Energy-a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJVN, and ₹2.89 (~$0.035)/kWh for 200 MW of solar power from NTPC Renewable Energy.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/sembcorp-profit-1h-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Singapore-based renewable energy company Sembcorp Industries recorded a net profit of S$530 million (~$395.08 million) in the first half (1H) 2023, an increase of 8% year-over-year (YoY) with higher contributions from both</strong></a> conventional energy and renewables segments. Net profit from the renewables segment was S$117 million (~$87.21 million), an increase of 54% YoY. Sembcorp recorded a turnover of S$3.65 billion (~$2.72 billion) in 1H 2023, a decrease of 6% YoY.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/fuel-cell-maker-bloom-energy-narrows-loss-q2-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Solid oxide fuel cell manufacturer Bloom Energy has reported a loss of $66.1 million in the second quarter (Q2) 2023, a 44% improvement from $118.8 million in Q2 2022.</strong></a> The company posted revenue of $301.1 million in Q2 2023, a YoY increase of 23.8%, primarily driven by the product and service revenue which increased by 21.2% YoY to reach $257 million. The adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization stood at a loss of $8.4 million, down by 0.1% YoY.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/stem-reports-19-million-net-income-yoy-boost" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Smart energy storage company Stem reported a net income of $19.1 million during Q2 of 2023, showing a significant YoY improvement of 159.6% from a loss of $32 million</strong></a><strong>.</strong> The YoY improvement was mainly attributed to a one-time gain of $59 million resulting from the cancellation of a portion of the company’s 2028 Convertible Notes in Q2 of 2023, which led to the extinguishment of debt. The company’s revenue stood at $93 million, a 39% YoY increase from $66.9 million.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/daqo-new-energys-q2-net-polysilicon-prices-drop" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Photovoltaic-grade polysilicon manufacturer Daqo New Energy Corporation, in Q2 of  2023, reported a net income of $103.7 million, an 83.5% decrease from $627.8 million in the corresponding period in 2022.</strong></a> In the second quarter of 2023, the company’s revenues amounted to $636.7 million, a 48.8% YoY decrease. The decline in revenues from the previous quarter was mainly attributed to a decrease in polysilicon’s Average Selling Price, offset partially by increased sales volume.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/us-offshore-wind-industry-regulatory-headwinds-bnef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The U.S. offshore wind industry is facing a host of challenges, with rising costs, permitting delays, and grid connection hurdles, all contributing to low returns for developers, according to a recent report by BloombergNEF.</strong></a> Inflation and supply chain disruptions have driven up capital expenditure. The spike in financing costs due to rising interest rates has further compounded the situation. As a result, developers are seeking to renegotiate or cancel their agreed offtake deals, putting ambitious state and federal offshore wind capacity goals at risk.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/cement-carbon-store-energy-at-low-cost-mit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, along with colleagues from the Wyss Insititute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, have discovered that cement, when combined with carbon black and water</strong></a>, forms a supercapacitor that can efficiently store electrical energy which can help create a low-cost energy storage system. The innovative supercapacitor has the potential to support the integration of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and tidal power by ensuring stable energy networks despite fluctuations in renewable energy supply.</p>


Daily News Wrap-Up: Ministry Introduces New Bidding Guidelines for Solar Projects

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