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saurabh

India’s Adani Power Looking To Enter Bangladesh Solar Market

written by saurabh

One of India’s leading solar power project developers – Adani Power – is looking to enter the nascent solar power market of Bangladesh.

Adani Power’s Chief Executive Officer for renewable energy told media outlets that his company is keen to develop solar power projects in Bangladesh; the idea, however, is still in the conceptual stage. If Adani indeed decides to enter the Bangladesh market it shall have an early mover advantage as utility-scale solar market in the country is practically non-existent.

Adani Green Energy operates the largest solar power project in India. The company commissioned 648 MW solar power project few months back in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

Adani Enterprises, the parent company of Adani Green Energy, is looking to set up end-to-end solutions in the solar power market.

Adani Enterprises recently stated that it plans to begin the construction of phase one of the planned 2 GW solar equipment manufacturing factory this year. The first phase is expected to be operationalised by March 2017 and will have production capacity of 1.2 GW; a second phase is expected to be operational by June 2017 increasing the production capacity to 2 GW. The planned facility will produce polysilicon, wafers, solar cells and modules.

In-house manufacturing of solar power modules would enable the company to expand its solar power generation activities outside of India. Recently, the company announced plans to set up 1 GW solar power capacity in Australia where it operates a large coal mining project.

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11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Chinese Modules Continue To Dominate Indian Solar Power Market

written by saurabh

As Indian project developers continue to expand their installed capacity base, import of cheaper solar power modules continues to increase.

According to Mercom Capital, import of solar power modules in India increased sharply. Project developers imported solar modules worth US$763 million between April and August 2016, an increase of 53% from imports worth US$497 million during the same period last year.

Share of modules from China also increased sharply. Chinese modules accounted for 85% of the total modules imported in India, followed by Malaysia at distant 9%; modules from Taiwan, the US and Singapore accounted for 3% to 1% each.

In financial year 2014-15 (April 2014 to March 2015), India imported 161.5 million with 70% of them coming from China. During the preceding financial year, the share of Chinese modules in total imports was 65%.

Import of Chinese modules has increased sharply over the last few years as project developers continue to compete aggressively with each other for solar power projects.

The regulatory push from the government for solar power market has also helped domestic manufacturers increase their production and exports. Exports of Indian solar cells and modules increased from US$27.5 million to US$45.6 million.

Solar cell manufacturing capacity in India has increased from 1,216 MW in June 2014 to 1,468 MW in June 2016. Growth in the solar PV module manufacturing capacity has been much greater than that in the solar cell manufacturing sector. From an installed capacity base of 2,348 MW in June 2014, the module manufacturing capacity has increased by nearly three times to 6,848 MW. The capacity utilisation has also increased from 28% to around 74%.

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

1.5 GW Solar Power Parks Approved In Maharashtra, India

written by saurabh

The Indian government has sanction three solar power parks, or ultra mega solar power projects, in the western state of Maharashtra.

Maharashtra state officials told Indian media outlets that approval for three solar power projects has been secured from the central government. Each of these projects will have installed capacity of 500 MW and shall be spread in different districts of the state.

The state government seems to have zeroed down on the specific sites for the projects. Each project will be spread over 2,500 acres of land. The projects are likely to be auctioned by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) as it has already done in states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, among others.

SECI currently lists 34 such solar power parks across the country that have received in-principle approval. The cumulative capacity of these solar power parks is 20 GW. The solar power park program is linked to the green energy corridors project that will see installation of dedicated transmission lines for large renewable energy projects. These transmission lines shall enable supply of electricity from states rich in renewable energy generation to other states.

In June, it was reported that Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is reportedly planning to implement a second phase of the solar parks program. Initially, the capacity addition planned through ultra mega solar power projects was 20 GW, the ministry is now considering to double that.

Maharashtra, through its state policy, plans to set up 7.5 GW of solar power capacity by 2020.

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Chinese Companies Plan 1 GW Solar Power Park In Chernobyl

written by saurabh

Two Chinese companies are planning to revive the nuclear disaster site of Chernobyl by setting up a large solar power park.

According to media reports, two Chinese companies – GCL System Integration Technology (GCL-SI), a subsidiary of the GCL Group and China National Complete Engineering Corp (CCEC) – have announced plans to set up 1 GW solar power capacity at Chernobyl, Ukraine.

Construction of the project shall be responsibility of China National Complete Engineering Corp while GCL System Integration Technology shall supply the solar power equipment and be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the project.

While there will be obvious safety and health concerns regarding installation of the solar power park, there are also certain advantages related to the proposed project. Ukraine’s minister of environment and mineral resources stated that the area receives ample amount of solar radiation and existing transmission lines are also available for use. Additionally, the land is understandably cheaper.

“There will be remarkable social benefits and economic ones as we try to renovate the once damaged area with green and renewable energy. We have been dedicated to providing integrated solar services and will take diverse approaches this year to drive penetration and achieve global presence. The Chernobyl project is also one of our key steps to approach abroad,” said Shu Hua, the chairman of GCL-SI.

The exact location of the solar power park is yet to be announced but the Ukrainian authorities have allowed development activities in Chernobyl indicating that the radiation levels are under control.

The Chernobyl event remain the deadliest nuclear power plant disaster in human history. The World Health Organisation estimated that around 4,000 people have been killed due to radiation effects since the reactor meltdown at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in April 1986.

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11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Demonetisation Hits One Of India’s Largest Solar Power Tenders

written by saurabh

It seems that the state of Tamil Nadu will have wait a bit longer to have the adequate solar power capacity operational to achieve the renewable purchase obligation.

Demonetisation drive implemented by the Indian government on 8 November has crushed the hopes of the state utility for an bumper solar power auction. State-owned power utility Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) had issued a tender for setting up 500 MW of solar PV power projects last month.

According to media reports, the utility has received only 20 bids with cumulative capacity of 116 MW. The reason for such poor showing is the inability of project developer to acquire land. Several developers reported that they were unable to pay cash to acquire land after currency notes of denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were declared illegal for transactions starting 9 November 2016.

This auction for critical for TANGEDCO to increase the installed solar power capacity to a level which is closer to what it needs to meet the solar power purchase obligation.

Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) had approached the commission to let it auction this capacity as it would not be in a possible to meet the assigned target to acquire 5% of electricity from solar power projects for financial year 2017-18.

According to government estimates, an installed capacity base of 2.5 GW will be required to meet the 5% solar RPO target in 2017-18. TANGEDCO, however, expects that only 1.6 GW solar power capacity would be operational by that time, thus leaving a shortfall of 900 MW.

A tariff bid ceiling of Rs 5.10/kWh has been set for the purpose of competitive auction. TANGEDCO expects that the winning bids would be much lower, possibly closer to the national record low of Rs 4.35/kWh (US¢6.50/kWh).

11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Acciona Commissions 246 MW Solar Power Project In Chile

written by saurabh

Acciona has claimed to have commissioned the largest solar power in South America.

Acciona Energia announced that it commissioned a 246 MW solar power project in the Atacama region of Chile. The El Romero solar power project was successfully linked to the Central Interconnected System following 13 months of construction.

The project is spread across 280 hectares and consists of 776,000 modules. The project required a total investment of $343 million. Around 500 GWh electricity generated from the project every year would be enough to power 250,000 homes in Chile and offset around 485,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission every year.

Acciona Energia Chile general manager José Ignacio Escobar said: “We completed the project in record time. We are committed to the objective of achieving a clean and sustainable energy mix in Chile, and the best way to demonstrate this is to complete the projects we undertake to the technical quality standards required and in the shortest possible timescale.”

Acciona secured rights to develop a 183 MW wind energy project in the recent renewable energy auction in Chile.

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11/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Jordan Issues 300 MW Solar, Wind Energy Tender

written by saurabh

Jordan has finally announced the long-awaited third renewable energy tender as it prepares to expand its clean energy infrastructure further.

The Middle East Solar Industry Association recently announced that Jordan issued tenders for 200 MW solar power and 100 MW wind energy capacity. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources had announced in September that a tender of 400-700 MW capacity would be issued.

Apart from the tender, plans have also been announced for setting up 60 MW solar power projects for on-site consumption. These may likely to targeted at commercial and industrial consumers.

In May 2015, Jordan allocated 200 MW of solar PV power projects in the second round auction, after a total of 33 companies had submitted technical proposals to set up power projects. However, only 24 of them eventually submitted financial bids. Four developers submitting the lowest bids were selected to develop 50 MW of capacity each. The lowest tariff bid was submitted by a Greek company, SUNRISE Photovoltaic Systems, which placed a bid of just US¢6.13 per kWh. Saudi Oger, Fotowatio Solar Renewable Ventures, and Hareon Solar also secured a 50 MW project each.

In February 2015, the government auctioned 200 MW of solar and wind energy capacity. It was the first ever renewable energy auction in Jordan.

Last month, the Masdar Group announced plans to set up a 200 MW solar power project in Jordan. The project shall be the largest solar power project in Jordan. The project development will be overseen by Masdar subsidiary Baynouna Solar Energy Company.

Jordan has set a target of installing 600 MW of solar PV capacity and 1,200 MW of wind energy capacity by 2020 to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels. To reach the 2020 renewable energy target and further enhance the clean energy infrastructure, the country has established the Jordan Renewable Energy and Efficiency Fund which is financed by the government as well as international donors like the French Development Agency and the World Bank.

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11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Indian Railways Plans 5 GW Solar Power In Partnership With UNDP

written by saurabh

The Indian Railways has announced new grand plans to enhance its renewable energy production.

According to media reports, the Indian Railways is planning to set up around 5 GW solar power capacity across the country in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The capacity addition will be a mix of rooftop and ground-mounted projects.

The Indian Railways has managed to identify the solar power resource in two states so far – Gujarat and Rajasthan – where 25 MW of rooftop and 50 MW of ground-mounted capacity is to be commissioned in the first phase of the programme. In the second phase 60 MW rooftop and 660 MW ground-mounted capacity will be installed in nine other states. During the third phase, 400 MW rooftop and 3,800 MW ground-mounted capacity in rest of the country.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Railways issued a tender to set up 50 MW rooftop solar power capacity. Another 100 MW tender is expected to he floated soon.

The Indian Railways has already announced a plan to set up 1 GW of solar power capacity over the next few years and is currently working on a plan to implement this capacity. The large-scale solar PV projects are likely to come up on the vast area of unused land available with the Railways. This capacity will be set up with support from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy through financial assistance from the National Clean Energy Fund.

Last year, the Indian Railways also announced plans to issue green bonds to potentially raise funds to fuel its renewable energy expansion.

11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Chile Plans 1 GW Solar Power Park

written by saurabh

Chilean officials announced yet another major development in the country’s renewable energy market at COP22 Marrakech climate change summit earlier this month.

According to media reports, Chilean officials announced plans to set up a solar power park of up to 1 GW capacity in the Atacama region. Officials stated that the proposed solar power park will use the favourable conditions of the Atacama region where land as well as solar radiation resource is aplenty.

The solar power park shall primarily service the mining industry also located in the Atacama region. A number of projects are already operational or under construction in the region. However, there were concerns about the economic viability of these projects as demand from the mining companies declined amidst reduced demand for mineral commodities.

In absence of adequate transmission capacity the project developers were also unable to sell electricity to residential and other consumers at population centres. As a result, several project developers were forced to feed electricity into the grid for free.

Earlier this year, Chile achieved 1 GW of installed solar power capacity with several major project developers, including Acciona, Enel Green Power, Pattern Energy, EDF and Marubeni, and SunPower, which are working on large-scale solar power projects.

The Chilean Congress also approved the Electricity Transmission Act which will establish a new interconnected transmission network shall be established alongside a new independent operator. he new law is expected to help in better distribution of electricity generated from renewable energy projects that currently remain concentrated in the Atacama desert.

The proposed solar power park is expected to require investment of around $4 billion. The government hopes to see a sustained drop in solar power prices. In August, Solarpack secured rights to develop a solar power project at a tariff of US¢2.91/kWh which remains one of the lowest tariff bids for a solar power project globally.

11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Enel Starts Construction Of 160 MW Solar Power Project

written by saurabh

A subsidiary of Enel Green Power has launched construction of Peru’s largest solar power project.

Enel Green Power recently announced that its subsidiary, Enel Green Power Peru, has initiated construction of a 160 MW solar PV project. The project is part of several renewable energy projects that the company had secured early this year.

Enel Green Power Peru secured rights to develop 180 MW of solar power, 126 MW of wind energy and 20 MW of hydro power projects. The company signed 20-year contracts to supply a specified volume of electricity generated from these projects.

The project is expected to be operation in 2018 and will generate around 440 GWh of electricity every year, enough to power 351,000 households in Peru.

When commissioned, this project will be one of the largest solar power projects in South America. Earlier this year, Enel Green Power announced that it commissioned a 160 MW solar power project in Chile – the largest in the continent at that time. Enel, however, is also working on a 254 MW solar power project in Brazil.

11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

ACWA Power Consortium Wins 170 MW Solar Power Contract In Morocco At US¢4.6/kWh

written by saurabh

A consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s AWCA Power has secured rights to develop three large-scale solar photovoltaic power projects in Morocco.

ACWA Power-led consortium, which includes China’s Chint and India’s Sterling and Wilson, has won rights to develop 170 MW solar PV capacity in Morocco. This capacity includes 70 MW project in the Ouarzazte solar power park, 80 MW project in Western Sahara’s Laayoune and 20 MW at Boujdour. These projects will form part of Noor PV 1.

ACWA Power consortium was among three which placed bids for developing the projects; the other two companies are also located in the Middle East – Fotowatio, and Alfanar. Initial reports had suggested bids at around US¢6.00/kWh, comparable to AWCA Power’s bid for phase II of the Dubai Solar Power Park.

However, latest reports suggest that ACWA Power won the bid at US¢4.6/kWh.

Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (Masen) recently enhanced its target to set up 4 GW renewable energy capacity by 2020 to 10 GW by 2030. The Noor-Ouarzazate solar power complex will likely be the backbone of such large-scale expansion.

ACWA Power has already commissioned a 160 MW parabolic trough based concentrated solar power project – the Noor I – and is working on the development of Noor II (also based on parabolic trough reflectors) and Noor III (based on power tower technology).

11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Lightsource Eyes At Least 1 GW Solar Power Capacity In India

written by saurabh

UK-based Lightsource has come out with plans to set up large-scale solar power projects in the budding solar power market of India over the next few years.

Talking to Indian media outlets, Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd Managing Director and Head India Operations Rupesh Agarwal said that his company is looking to invest Rs 6,500 crore (US$960 million) over the next 2-3 years in India to set up at least 1 GW solar power capacity.

Lightsource had recently secured rights to develop 50 MW solar power project through competitive bidding in Maharashtra.

During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to the UK, Lightsource had signed an agreement to invest US$3 billion to set up 3 GW solar power capacity in India over the next few years.

Rupesh Agarwal also stated that 1 GW is the minimum that the company is looking to develop in India but can increase this capacity based on the auctions being conducted by various states and the central government.

11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Solar Power Tariffs In India Fall To Fresh Low Of US¢5.9/kWh

written by saurabh

Highly competitive bidding has resulted in the revision of feed-in tariff for solar power projects in India.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India has allocated 750 MW capacity in the state of Rajasthan at record-low tariff of Rs 4.00/kWh (US¢5.9/kWh). The auction was held under the Viability Gap Funding scheme wherein competitive bidding takes place for the capital cost support instead of tariffs.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had recently changed the tariff structure for projects under the VGF scheme. Earlier, VGF projects had a uniform rate of Rs 4.43/kWh (US¢6.6/kWh). Now, states that have seen bids falling below Rs 4.50/kWh (US¢6.7/kWh) will have uniform VGF tariff of Rs 4.00/kWh (US¢5.9/kWh) while all others shall have tariff of Rs 4.50/kWh (US¢6.7/kWh).

So far, only the state of Rajasthan has seen tariff bids falling to below Rs 4.50/kWh (US¢6.7/kWh). The latest auction was for two phases of the Bhadla solar power park.

The lowest tariff bid in India till date stands at Rs 4.34/kWh (US¢6.4/kWh). The bid was secured by Fortum for a 100 MW solar power project as part of the Bhadla solar power park.

11/28/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Phanes Group Plans 300 MW Solar PV Capacity In Nigeria

written by saurabh

Nigeria continues to attract foreign investment in its budding solar power market.

Dubai-based Phanes Group has announced plans to set up 300 MW solar PV capacity in the African country over the next three years. The capacity shall be divided into projects of 100 MW each.

The first project will be located in the Sokoto region while the other two will come up in Kadnuna and Kebbi. First phase of the first project (50 MW) is expected to be commissioned by Q1 2018. Power generated from the projects will be sold to local utilities through long-term power purchase agreements.

A number of companies recently signed agreements with the Nigerian government to set up utility-scale solar power projects. Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading signed long-term agreements for more than 1,000 MW of solar power projects.

The development of solar power projects in Nigeria has full support and regulatory backing of the government. Last year, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission approved feed-in tariff regulations for renewable energy sourced electricity. As per the provisions of the regulations, electricity distribution companies will be required to source at least 50% of their total procurement from renewable energy sources. The Commission has also mandated that the balance 50% electricity would have to be sourced from Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

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11/28/2016 0 comment

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