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Renewable Energy

Indian Oil Companies Plan $3.1 Billion Solar Power Parks

written by saurabh

The Indian government has announced that two of its oil refining companies shall make a massive investment to set up large-scale solar power project in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

The Indian ministry of petroleum recently signed an agreement with the government of Madhya Pradesh which will see India Oil Corporation and Oil India develop solar power projects with cumulative capacity of 2.7 GW. The total investment required for these projects is expected to be Rs 20,700 crore (US$3.1 billion).

The government had earlier announced a total capacity of 1 GW to be commissioned by these companies, the target now seems to have been significantly upgraded. These projects shall help the oil refining companies meet their renewable purchase obligation under which they are required to acquire a set minimum percentage of solar power every year.

The plan by the two companies seems to be in line with similar announcements by other public sector companies, including Coal India, NALCO, Indian Railways, and Neyveli Lignite Corporation. The central government has directed several entities to set up large-scale solar power projects on surplus land.

The government also recently launched its ‘solar zones’ policy. As per the policy, ten zones of 10,000 hectares each will be identified across the country for setting up an estimated 25 GW of solar PV capacity. The land will be offered to interested project developers to set up large-scale solar projects. The oil refineries may use this new policy to set up their solar parks.

10/25/2016 0 comment

Articles Renewable Energy

India Plans $3.1 Billion Support For Solar Equipment Manufacturing

written by saurabh

Unfazed by the unfavourable decision in an international trade dispute over subsidies for solar power projects using domestically manufactured equipment, the Indian government is looking to offer financial support to domestic manufacturers.

According to media reports quoting government sources, India is looking to offer a financial support package of $3.1 billion to solar power equipment manufacturing sector. The support, possibly in the form capital cost support, could be offered on per MW basis.

India plans to add more than 90 GW of solar power capacity between now and April 2022. There are real concerns that a very large majority of this capacity would be based on imported solar PV modules. Dependency on imported modules would mean a huge missed opportunity for developing a robust manufacturing base in the country.

Under the proposed scheme, the government plans to have a manufacturing base of 5 GW by 2019. With the capital cost support the government hopes that these products will be able compete with cheaper modules from China and the United States.

With sharp fall in prices of raw materials needed to manufacture solar power modules over the last few years, and buoyed by the highly ambitious capacity addition targets, several Indian and foreign companies have either started working on manufacturing facilities or are contemplating the same.

Adani Enterprises is planning to set up perhaps the largest solar power equipment manufacturing unit in the western state of Gujarat. First phase of the unit 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.

10/25/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Suzlon Energy Commissions New Blade Facility In India

written by saurabh

One of India’s leading integrated wind energy companies, Suzlon Energy, has just commissioned a new manufacturing facility for wind turbine blades.

The new facility is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh and shall produce blades for the company’s new turbine – S111 2.1 MW. The unit is spread across 19 acres and has an annual production capacity of 400 MW.

The S111 2.1 MW turbines are designed specifically to boost power generation at low wind speed sites. With a blade diameter of 54.8 meters it is the largest rotor diameter wind turbine available in India.

Suzlon Energy already operates 14 manufacturing facilities across India, including 7 blade manufacturing units.

The new manufacturing facility come online with just 4 months to go for the government to significantly reduce the financial incentives like accelerated depreciation and generation-based incentives for the renewable energy sector. These two incentives have been the driving force behind the sharp increase in wind energy capacity addition in the country over the last few years.

The new facility suggests that Suzlon Energy is quite optimistic about the government’s announcement to introduce competitive auctions in the wind energy sector. This would reduce the landed cost of power generated from wind projects, which is now at a premium to solar power tariffs in some states.

10/24/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Canadian Solar Enters Indian Solar Power Market

written by saurabh

One of the largest solar power companies in the world, Canadian Solar, has entered one of the fastest growing solar power markets – India.

Listed at Bombay Stock Exchange, Suzlon Energy recently reported that it sold 49% equity stake each in two solar power projects to Canadian Solar. The projects, each with 15 MW installed capacity, are located in the southern state of Telangana.

Suzlon Energy also sold 49% stake in another 15 MW solar power project to Shanghai-based Unisun Energy. Both, Canadian Solar and Unisun Energy, shall have the right to acquire the balance 51% stake in the projects.

Canadian Solar acquired the equity stake through its Singapore-based arm. It shall also be responsible for arranging debt funding for the projects. The projects are expected to be commissioned in the next financial year.

Suzlon Energy secured rights to develop solar power projects in Telangana through competitive auction. The company shall develop a total of 210 MW capacity – one project each of capacity 100 MW and 50 MW and four projects of 15 MW capacity each.

Earlier this year, the company also sold 49% stake in the 100 MW project to CLP India. Suzlon Energy is likely to construct, commission, operate and maintain the power project. CLP India will have the option to fully buyout Suzlon’s stake after 1 year of project commissioning.

Image by vectoropenstock.com for Cleantechies

10/24/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Indian State Of Tamil Nadu Issues 500 MW Solar Power Tender

written by saurabh

One of the leading Indian states in terms of installed solar power capacity, Tamil Nadu, has announced another large tender.

State-owned power utility Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) has issued a tender for setting up 500 MW of solar PV power projects. The tender was floated just weeks after the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission had given an approval for the same.

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).

However, participating developers may be apprehensive about the utilities record on procurement of solar power. Developers of some operational renewable energy projects had complained to the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy that the state utility had asked them to curtail generation due to lack of sufficient transmission capacity.

10/24/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Storage-backed 50 MW Solar Capacity Planned For India’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands

written by saurabh

The Indian government is looking to boost solar power in the remotest parts of the country, and in this endeavour an agreement has been signed for installation of a number of solar power projects in the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

India’s largest power producer, NTPC Limited, has signed agreements with the administration of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy at the central government to set up solar power capacity of 50 MW across the islands.

The solar power projects will be set up at various locations across the capital Port Blair and will also be equipped with storage equipment. The solar power projects would prove a boon to the islands which are significantly dependent on fuel import from the mainland.

Setting up solar power projects at the islands is essential as they cannot be connected to the dedicated power transmission network being set for delivering power generated from large-scale renewable energy projects across the Indian states; the islands are thousands of kilometres away from mainland India.

The projects shall also be real test of India’s new energy storage program, which the government intends to integrate with its ambitious plan to set up ultra mega solar power projects of up to 4 GW capacity each.

10/24/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

First Solar To Complete 200 MW Dubai Solar Power Project By 2017

written by saurabh

The second phase of the iconic Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar power park will be complete next year, First Solar recently reported.

US-based solar modules manufacturer and developer First Solar announced that it will commission the 200 MW solar power capacity at the Dubai solar power park next year. The company is working under contract from Saudi Arabia-based ACWA Power which secured the right to develop the project through a competitive auction.

First Solar will reportedly provide 2.36 million modules that will be installed over an area of 450 hectares.

First Solar had also worked on the first phase of the solar power park which has an installed capacity of 13 MW. Auction for 100 MW second phase of the solar power park was won by a consortium of ACWA Power and TSK at record tariff bid of US¢5.84/kWh. The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority then offered another 100 MW capacity to the consortium.

The initial installed capacity target for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park was set at 1 GW by 2019. However, last year, DEWA announced that it would boost the park’s capacity to 3 GW by 2030, with a total estimated investment of $3 billion.

The solar power park is central to DEWA’s target to source 7% of Dubai’s total power output from renewable energy sources by 2020, and 15% by 2030.

10/23/2016 0 comment

Articles Renewable Energy

GE Partners On Wind & Hydro Hybrid Pilot Project

written by Joshua Hill

The German wind firm Max Boegl Wind AG approached GE Renewable Energy to collaborate on the project, which is theoretically set to be the first wind project with an integrated hydropower plant. The aim of the project is to use the hydropower plant as a stop-gap measure to continue generating electricity when the wind stops blowing.

Aiming for grid-connection by the end of 2017, and with the hydropower plant set to begin operation by the end of 2018, the project could be a significant step forward for the wind industry. In addition, the wind turbines GE are installing will be the world’s tallest, measuring 584 feet high, with the bottom 131 feet of the turbine acting as a water reservoir, able to hold 1.6 million gallons of water. The turbine itself will sit on another reservoir capable of holding an addition 9 million gallons of water.

ge-7

Innovative wind energy company Max Boegl Wind AG is partnering with GE to build a four-turbine pilot wind farm with integrated hydropower plant.

The principal is simple, as can be seen above: When the wind is blowing, the wind turbines will generate electricity. If the wind stops blowing, the hydropower kicks in, allowing the water to travel downhill to generate electricity. When the hydropower plant’s energy supply is high, it will pump the water back up the hill to the reservoirs, acting as a giant liquidy-battery.

Obviously, as can be seen below, there are specific geographical needs for the project to work: The wind turbines must sit atop a hill, and there must be room in the valley below for a man-made lake that can store the water when not in use up-hill.

ge-8

The idea of pairing renewable energy technologies like wind with a hydropower battery is not new, but this might be the first instance of this particular pairing reaching operation. It surely won’t be the last, however.

10/21/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India’s Inox Wind Secures Wind Turbine Orders Worth $300 Million

written by saurabh

One of India’s listed wind turbine companies just landed some huge order to set up projects before some crucial financial incentives expire at the end of the current financial year.

Inox Wind reported to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) that it recently multiple orders worth Rs 2,000 crore ($300 million) to set up large-scale wind energy projects across three states. The projects shall have cumulative installed capacity of 350 MW.

The company reported that all the projects are from repeat customers which include large independent power producers and corporates. The company will supply and erect wind turbines at the project sites and will also be responsible for maintenance and operation.

All the projects shall be commissioned by March 2017, just before the scheduled changes in generation-based incentives and accelerated depreciation – two of the most significant financial reforms that have driven the Indian renewable energy market over the last few years.

Inox Wind has received several large-scale orders over the last few months and has invested in expanding its manufacturing base to cater to those orders. Last year, the company increased production capacity of its turbine manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh from 800 MW to 1,600 MW per year.

10/21/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

ACWA Power Plans 340 MW Wind Power Project In Turkey

written by saurabh

Saudi Arabia-based power project developer ACWA Power is set to enter renewable energy sector in Turkey.

ACWA Power has announced plans to set up a large-scale wind energy project in Turkey. The proposed project will have an installed capacity of 340 MW. The company already has an operational gas-based power plant near the capital Ankara.

Expansion into Turkey’s renewable energy market is inline with the company’s similar operations and plans in other parts of the world. ACWA Power is working one of the largest solar power complexes in Morocco. The Noor-Ouarzazate solar complex is expected to have an installed capacity of 2 GW once it is fully operational by the end of the decade; ACWA Power is working on some large-scale projects as part of the complex.

ACWA Power is also operating a 50 MW concentrated solar power project in South Africa. The company is operating under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). The Bokpoort project has more than 9 hours of storage and can operate during the night as well.

AWCA Power, in partnership with Masdar Group, has also announced plans to set up 1.5 GW solar power and 500 MW wind energy capacity in Egypt.

Last year, Turkey had invited bids for 3 GW of wind energy capacity. Energy Market Regulatory Authority received applications from prospective developers to set up over 42 GW of wind energy capacity, nearly 14 times the available limit. The country aims to have 20 GW of installed wind energy capacity by 2023. It has also set a target to procure 30% of all its electricity needs from renewable energy sources by 2023. The Turkish government is also looking to promoting other renewable energy technologies with target to set up 34 GW hydro power, 5 GW solar power, 1 GW geothermal power, and 1 GW biomass-based power capacity by 2023.

Image by vectoropenstock.com for Cleantechies

10/21/2016 0 comment

Articles Renewable Energy

Canadian Solar & EDF Energies Nouvelles Begin 191.5 MW Solar Farm In Brazil

written by Joshua Hill

Canadian Solar and EDF Energies Nouvelles have begun construction of the 191.5 MWp Pirapora I solar energy project in Brazil.

Canadian Solar, which is one of the world’s leading solar power companies, and EDF Energies Nouvelles, a global renewable energy leader, announced on Tuesday the sale of 80% interest in the project from Canadian Solar to EDF Energies Nouvelles’ local subsidiary, EDF EN do Brasil.

Located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, Pirapora I will be supplied with solar modules from Canadian Solar, and is expected to reach construction completion in the third quarter of 2017. The project was awarded a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement in the second Reserve Energy Auction in 2015, and upon completion is expected to generate 391,263 MWh per year.

“The investment by EDF Energies Nouvelles in Canadian Solar’s Pirapora I project is a demonstration of the strong potential of the solar energy market in Brazil,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar. “Pirapora I is one of Canadian Solar’s three current projects in the country totaling 394 MWp with awarded long-term PPAs. We plan to grow our project portfolio and support the domestic solar market with our 360 MWp module manufacturing plant. We are glad to partner with a strategic investor such as EDF EN in the implementation of our first project in Brazil.”

“With this Pirapora major new solar project in partnership with a specialised company such as Canadian Solar, two wind projects currently under construction by EDF Energies Nouvelles, and having in mind the hydraulic project — Sinop — the EDF group is involved in, all this confirms a strong ambition to strengthen and diversify the Edf Group renewables assets portfolio in Brazil,” added Antoine Cahuzac, Senior Executive Vice President in Renewable Energies of EDF and Chief Executive Officer of EDF Energies Nouvelles.

10/12/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

Eni Plans 420 MW Renewable Energy Capacity In Egypt

written by saurabh

Italian oil and gas company Eni has announced plans to develop a portfolio of renewable energy projects in Egypt, starting with 50 MW solar PV power plant.

The first project of 50 MW solar PV will be built in Sinai, near Eni’s Abu Rudeis facilities. The project will be jointly developed by Petrobel, an equal joint venture between Eni-owned IEOC and state-owned Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) under fast-track mode. The project will be sanctioned next month and expected to be commissioned by December 2017.

“With this initiative, the Egyptian authorities have confirmed their strong commitment towards the environment, based on the double positive effect of reducing the emissions from power generation and utilizing a green fuel in the auto transportation system,” Eni said, in a statement.

Eni already has a strong presence in Egypt since 1954 and operates through its subsidiary IEOC. Company is the owner of massive Zohr gas field and expected to start production next year, currently produces about 210,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in Egypt.

This project would be part of Eni’s green energy program which aims to develop 420 MW of renewable energy projects mostly solar power generation by 2022.

The announcement is the first since Egypt announced reduction in the feed-in tariffs for solar power projects. The Ministry of Electricity and Energy recently announced that it reduced the feed-in tariffs for solar power projects. Projects with size of 500 kW to 20 MW will now have feed-in tariffs of US¢7.8/kWh, down from US¢13.6/kWh while projects of size 20-50 MW will see feed-in tariffs fall from US¢14.0/kWh to US¢8.4/kWh.

The Egyptian government also announced plans to change rules and regulations pertaining to the second phase of solar power expansion. The government will now allow international arbitration to address disputes.

Image by vectoropenstock.com for Cleantechies

09/30/2016 1 comment

Renewable Energy

China Sees Its Lowest-Ever Solar Power Bid At 7.8¢/kWh

written by saurabh

China has seen its solar power bids fall to a record low in a recent auction held in the province of Inner Mongolia, which is rich in solar energy resources.

According to media reports, the Chinese government conducted an auction for 1 gigawatt (GW) solar power capacity in the Inner Mongolia province. A total of 50 solar power project developers and module manufacturers successfully participated in the auction, which saw the record-low tariff of 7.8¢/kWh.

This tariff bid is comparable to some of the costliest thermal power projects in China, indicating that higher competition in the country would expedite grid parity for solar power projects – as has been the case in other developing markets.

Inner Mongolia is not only rich in solar resources but has ample land resources for the development of large-scale solar power projects, which could explain the low tariff bids.

Inner Mongolia has seen curtailment of wind energy generation over the last few years due to lack of adequate transmission capacity. However, earlier this year, the National Development and Reform Commission mandated grid companies to purchase electricity from wind and solar power projects so as to let them function a set minimum hours in a year.

China’s lowest-ever solar price bids are still higher than the lowest tariffs seen in other parts of the world. For example, Abu Dhabi recently saw a world-record-low solar bid of 2.42¢/kWh while Chile allocated solar power contracts at 2.91¢/kWh a bit earlier.

Image by vectoropenstock.com for CleanTechnica and CleanTechies

09/30/2016 0 comment

Renewable Energy

India’s NTPC To Complete 1 GW Solar Power Park By March 2018

written by saurabh

India’s largest power generation company – government-owned NTPC – is on track to complete one of the largest solar power parks in the country.

NTPC Limited is working on 1 GW solar power park at Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh in southern India. The company has already allocated and commissioned 250 MW at the solar power park and expected to commission the balance 750 MW by March 2018.

The 250 MW capacity is already operational and was commissioned earlier this year by Tata Power Solar (100 MW), Lanco Solar, BHEL and Sterling and Wilson (50 MW each).

The Anantapuram ultra mega solar power project is planned to have a total capacity of 1.5 GW spread across two sites within the Anantapurum district. The second phase of the solar park will have 750 MW capacity. Both the phases will be located at district Kunta. The balance 500 MW capacity shall come up at Galiveedu.

Apart from this solar power park, NTPC is working on several other similar projects in states across India, including Karnataka and Telangana where solar power parks of up to 5 GW capacity are under construction.

09/30/2016 0 comment

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