Maharashtra

State-owned Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has invited bids to set up a cumulative 50 MW capacity of grid-tied, ground-mounted solar plants at various locations in the state of Maharashtra. The plants, in capacities of 500 KWp to 10 MWp, are to be set up in turnkey mode. Bidding closes on July 24.

Analysis of the solar pumping programs being rolled out across five states backs claim switching irrigation systems to PV could give the nation a huge leg-up towards its renewable energy ambition.

With Karnataka withdrawing open access waivers and the policy not replicated elsewhere, corporate buyers are increasingly favouring group captive projects that are exempt from the cross-subsidy surcharge—the largest and most unpredictable component of grid charges for open access power.

Earlier, the state had planned to set up floating solar plants at Ujani and Irai dams but had to shelve the projects due to ambiguity on the project implementation as well as revenue sharing, and the high cost involved, respectively.

India’s Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) has invited bids from domestic and international players for setting up of small grid-interactive solar plants ranging from 500 KW to 2 MW at lands of state-owned utilities. The cumulative capacity, to be installed in turnkey mode, is 40 MW for Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh each and 20 MW for Jharkhand. The state-run energy service company is also mulling to install an aggregate 200 MW of grid-connected solar rooftop across 5,000 state-owned buildings in Maharashtra.

Cumulatively valued at Rs 520 crore, the projects include a 50 MW plant for Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Ltd, a 75 MW plant for Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Ltd and a 10 MW plant for Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd.

The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has followed the lead of the authorities in Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Maharashtra in setting generic levelised tariffs for PV projects.

Currently, the Mumbai-based solar EPC firm is executing 134.5 MWp project capacity to be commissioned by September 2019. It expects to surpass cumulative installation of 350 MWp by the end of FY 2019-20.

Lead-acid battery manufacturer Exide Industries has entered into 26-30% equity shareholding agreement with Singapore-based Cleantech Solar Energy for three captive solar power plants to be set up for its manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Maharashtra.

The joint venture has started a prototype manufacturing operation in Pune, India, to design, engineer, manufacture and supply Lithium-ion battery packs for 4-wheeler electric vehicles in India.