Asia

International Solar Alliance (ISA), now registered under the United Nations, is organizing its first summit to be held this Sunday March 11. It is also set to host a founding ceremony of ISA in the presence of French President, Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi President, Abdul Hamid. Government dignitaries of member countries are joining, and 51 solar projects will be signed, by announcing the concrete instrument to facilitate the project execution.

Global law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright has advised GuarantCo, the international development finance institution, on a landmark INR 2.5 billion ($40 million) dual-tranche unsecured wrapped and rated bond, issued by Sindicatum Renewable Energy Company Pvt Ltd. Such green bonds are beneficial to the country, since they offer low interest rates and long-term repayment schemes, says Dharmendra kumar, an analyst from IHS Markit.

The Union Territory of Diu, located in the western part of India is reportedly generating up to 13 MW of solar every day, which is more than its daily electricity demand.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) today said it will ink an agreement tomorrow, Saturday, March 10, to provide a loan for both small- and large-scale clean energy projects in India, which will form part of its €800 million (around US$984 million) investment in the country.

India has revised its e-mobility policy, and now aims to reach 30% electric of total fleet by 2030. MNRE head, RK Singh launched the program and informed about the tender for 10,000 electric vehicles (EVs) to be released tomorrow. He invites industry players to invest in EV manufacturing and batteries, and work for ‘Healthier World.’

The scheme was sanctioned in 2014 for empowering underserved communities of the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Ltd (NLCIL) has re-tendered the 2 x 10 MW grid-connected solar PV power project with the reduced 8 MWh battery energy storage capacity. It has also invited bids to lend INR 25.52 billion ($394 million) in finance required for the proposed 709 MW solar project in Tamil Nadu state.

According to the Bridge to India’s ‘India Solar Compass’ report, the total capacity addition in 2017 was 9,255 MW, up 94% over 2016. However, Q4 2017 was slow in terms of project commissioning with only 1,503 MW of utility scale projects being commissioned. Moreover, the execution costs have shot up by about 18% in just six months.

Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka last week.

Microsoft has purchased 3 MW of solar generation capacity from a solar developer, Atria Power. This will cover 80% of the projected electricity requires at the new facility.