Renewable Energy For India

[Krishnamoorthy K]

After allotting capacities to 34 developers for generating a total of 716 Mw of solar power, as many as seven developers have come calling to the state for setting up solar panel manufacturing units here.

The seven players who have shown interest in setting up solar modules manufacturing units in the state include Lanco Solar, Moser Baer, Mumbai based PLG Power, Hyderabad based Solar Semiconductor, Sunkon Energy, Gandhinagar based Top Sun Energy Ltd and Surat based Waree Energies, said a government official close to the development.

While the exact size of the project and related investment details are awaited from the developers, the cost of setting up a solar module manufacturing unit would be about Rs 500-1,000 crore, depending on the size, the official further said.

Lanco Solar has proposed an investment of about Rs 4,000 crore in the state which includes a 200 Mw solar photo-voltaic power plant. The proposed investment includes Rs 1,000 crore for solar module manufacturing unit.

All the seven players have meanwhile been allotted different capacities under the state's solar policy for setting up power plants that will generate power using solar photovoltaic cells.

The state government meanwhile is considering to set up a Solar SEZ and aims to rope in manufacturers in the special economic zone.

"The manufacturers can plan their capacities once we allot them capacities. And this we did it very recently. Apart from the solar modules being required for their own PV plants, the modules produced by the seven players can also be sold to various other players whose projects would come up in the SEZ. Besides there is a good overseas market too," sources said.

Meanwhile, Clinton Foundation's proposed 'Solar Integrated City' project may also come up in the proposed SEZ.

The Central government has recently approached the state to consider setting up a 'Solar SEZ' in Gujarat.

A senior official from the Department of Commerce, government of India had written a letter to the state's energy department for considering a Solar SEZ in the state, sources privy to the development said.

Besides Kutch, two more locations including one in Jharad in Banaskantha and Shantalpur in Patan district are being considered for the project. Clinton Foundation is scouting for about 15,000 acres of GIDC land for the project that will generate about 3,000 Mw of solar thermal power.

Source: BS

[Krishnamoorthy K]

India is the most developed renewable energy market in South Asia with an annual turnover of about $500 million, though it is just a fraction of the country's potential, said a UN report on climate change.

"These initiatives (National Electricity Policy, Renewable Energy Plan 2012 etc.) have helped India become a country with the most developed and diversified renewable energy market in South Asia," said the UN's World Economic and Social Survey 2009 which was released today.

Noting that India produces 3,500 MW of power through renewable energy sources, the survey entitled 'Promoting Development, Saving the Planet' said, "this is just a fraction of the estimated total economic potential of 100,000 MW."

With an investment of about $1 billion (approximately Rs 4,800 crore) in wind, solar and other sources of clean energy, it said, "renewables still account for less than one per cent of all electricity produced in the country.

"This is because many renewable technologies such as wind turbines, operate intermittently and cannot function at 100 per cent capacity," it added.

Pointing out that various legislations, policies and tax incentives have encouraged development of clean energy, the UN survey said the government needs to put in place a standard policy for purchase of power generated through renewable energy sources.

Source: BS

[Krishnamoorthy K]

KOCHI: The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), a Vienna based non-government organisation engaged in promoting renewableenergy, has provided 667,500 Euros in seed funding for eight new finance projects to accelerate the clean energy market in the developing world. Thisincludes funding for establishing retail outlets in Karnataka for selling energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps, pressure cookers, stoves andsolar lanterns in villages.

The Vienna-based NGO will associate with microfinance institutions to provide finance to end users. The funding for small-scale projects isintended to open up access to energy services for the rural poor, according to an e-mail message from REEEP. The agency is collaborating with the Kerala government in the renewable energy sector. The project involves study on expanding the renewable energy network and funding for various projects in a time-bound manner. REEEP has also funded various projects in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It will work in Uganda to help microfinance institutions (MFIs) toestablish small businesses selling solar, biogas and high-efficiency cook stoves, and to provide loans to 5000 consumers who buy them. The REEEPproject in Brazil targets the agricultural sector for financing to make solar water pumps for irrigation, solar dryers for fruits, and bio-digestorsfor agricultural waste available to small farmers.

The organisation has taken up a successful microfinance mechanism known as Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN)), a finance coaching and investormatchmaking service that works well in many developing markets as well as India and China.

With microfinancing at one end of the spectrum, other REEEP projects will aim to unlock the potential of large-scale investment in renewables.Institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies, and savings and investment banks see high risks associated with the emergingmarkets and with renewable energy. A REEEP project will seek to develop risk mitigation strategies and financing products through intermediaries toattract these major players to the renewables market, according to the organisation.

Source: The Hindu

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Oriental Green Power (OGP), a renewable energy generation company promoted by Chennai-based Shriram EPC, would invest Rs 730 crore for setting up biomass-based power plants. The company is also planning to list by 2011.

Speaking on the sidelines of the company's annual general meeting here on Monday, T Shivaraman, managing director and chief executive of Shriram EPC, said, “We have set a target to list OGP by March 2011. The company wants to give thrust on renewable energy both in domestic and international markets.”

The investment would go into setting up of 146 Mw plants, each Mw entailing Rs 5 crore. Most of these would be ready by December 2010. The company currently operates biomass plants with a total production capacity of 22 Mw, he said. The company would fund the project through debt, which would constitute 70 per cent and equity, comprising the remaining 30 per cent.

This apart, Oriental is in the process of acquiring wind farms having a capacity of 200 Mw. So far, it has acquired wind farms with a capacity of 100 Mw in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Read full news on BS.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Electrotherm Renewables - a division of Electrotherm (India) Limited, is investing between Rs 700 crore and Rs 800 crore for setting up a 40 Mw solar thermal power plant in Banaskantha. While Electrotherm is still on the lookout for a 500 acre land, the company is expecting some assistance from Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA).

Talking further about the solar thermal plant, Bhandari said, "Around 10 companies are coming up with solar thermal power plant of varying capacities. The total capacity allotted by the government for solar thermal power plants is around 350 Mw, of which 40 Mw is being developed by us. Once successful, we would like to replicate such power plants across the country. For solar thermal power plants, Gujarat, along with Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh are the most viable locations."

Read full news on BS.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BHUBANESWAR: The State will prepare a vision document for developing renewable energy. This was decided at the 32nd governing body meeting of Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA). IT and Science and Technology Minister Ramesh Majhi chaired the meeting.

Source: EB

[Krishnamoorthy K]

New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah today said the government was targeting to add a capacity of at least 1000 MW in Himachal Pradesh in next five years.

"In a meeting with the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Abdullah pointed out that the state has a huge potential to generate energy through small hydro-projects," ministry officials said.

While observing that Himachal Pradesh imports power during winter and exports during summer though it is a power surplus state, Abdullah said that after adding 1000 MW capacity, the state would generate additional revenue and would also be able to avoid the import of power.

Source: PTI

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Gurgaon, Aug 20 (PTI) Haryana has signed a MoU with the private investors for generation of 215 MW electricity from renewable sources at an investment of about Rs 1000 crore.

The announcement was made by PWD and Irrigation Minister Capt. Ajay Singh Yadav today during a function to mark the birthday of former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi.

The Minister also inaugurated the Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Park constructed at a cost of Rs 2.06 crore in sector 29 of Gurgaon.

Capt. Yadav said for promoting renewable energy, the state has introduced an energy policy that grants industry status to electricity generated through renewable sources.

He further said the work of setting up 6 MW hydel power project at Dadupur in Yamunanagar was likely to be completed by December this year.

The state already has a plan called ' Shiksa Deep' that works with students for promotion of renewable energy.

Source: PTI

[Krishnamoorthy K]

New Delhi: New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday inaugurated a 30 KW micro hydel plant in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The minister, who also met with local administrative and army officials, discussed deployment of solar energy equipment and micro hydel units to replace diesel and kerosene in civil and army establishments.

Source: SamayLive

[Krishnamoorthy K]

JODHPUR: Rajasthan is soon set to spearhead the solar energy power production movement in the country. With the proposals worth 56 MW already sanctioned and on the stage of tariff finalisation and other 110 MW in the process of bidding, western Rajasthan is going to be the hub of solar energy production by the end of next financial year. Gujarat is also vying to tap the solar thermal potential by developing the Rann of Kutch as the hub of solar energy followed by Banaskantha.

CMD, Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation, Naresh Pal Gangwar, while asserting that the state will soon be the pioneer in solar energy production, said solar radiation is highest in western Rajasthan and according to an estimate, there is a whopping 1.5 lakh MW untapped potential of solar energy in this part. The only snag so far, is the high energy generation cost of this mode. But assured that once the plants start functioning the cost of solar energy will decrease like that of conventional energy -- thermal and hydel.

Describing this phenomenon as the "grid parity", which is expected to be achieved by 2017, Gangwar said the renewable energy sources will get a major boost, thereby discouraging the conventional modes of energy production.

Presently, the process of finalising the tariff per unit is underway for the initial phase of 56 MW to be produced by 11 companies, for which the applications have already been forwarded to Rajasthan Energy Regulatory Commission (RERC). Once this is done, the companies will start setting up their respective plants across the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur. These plants will be based on different technologies like solar photo-voltaic, solar thermal and thin film etc. and it will be seen in the long run which technology is more feasible to produce low cost energy.

Other two solar energy plants of 5 MW each are also to be set up under a scheme of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), the cost of which is expected to be about Rs 15 per unit, Rs 10 of which will be borne by the MNRE and Rs 5 will be borne by the DISCOM in the form of subsidy. Besides this, two more plants of 50 MW each based on the photo-voltaic technology and solar thermal technology are also to be set up through cost bidding by the developers, who will then select the site for the plant.

According to the scientists, the solar energy production is in its early stage of research and the high unit cost of the solar energy is still the biggest impediment in the success of solar energy plants. As a matter of fact, solar thermal potential is highest in Rajasthan but unfortunately, it still remains untapped. Endorsing this, Gangwar said, "This is just the beginning and as time passes by, we will be able to strike upon the ways, by which we can reduce the cost of the solar energy."

Surendra Mathur, project director in Jodhpur also said the prices of solar cells and other necessary components have seen a fall in the past few years and it is the right time to take the solar energy seriously.

The Central government has set up a solar mission with the targeted solar energy generation of staggering 20,000 MW by 2017 with a major focus on Rajasthan. Now the stress is being laid on the renewable sources of energy as the conventional sources are fast depleting and the government believes that acting now will pave way for more research and technological innovations so as to bring a substantial reduction in green energy like solar and wind.

Source: TOI

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Ghodawat Energy Ltd (GEL), the Maharashtra-based wind turbine manufacturer, plans to invest Rs 20 crore to acquire wind farms as part of its proposed Rs 100-crore expansion plan. The fund has been generated from the group internal accruals and also from debt.

GEL is currently engaged in manufacturing wind turbines and towers, and in power generation through its own wind farms. Currently, it generates 100 MW wind power with a target of reaching 500 MW by 2013.

Read full news on REUTERS INDIA.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

The Sunderbans boast the highest concentration of solar home panels in India thanks to the efforts of a former government scientific officer.

Sustainable technology may be the next big thing for India Inc, but for S P Gon Chaudhuri, it’s been a reality for more than a quarter century.

Way back in 1983, long before Climate Change convulsed into a heated global debate, Gon Chaudhuri harnessed the power of the sun to make a giant leap for solar technology in India.

Then a senior scientific officer in the Tripura government, Gon Chaudhuri started a small 100 watt solar photovoltaic irrigation and institutional solar lighting project in a tribal village that lacked grid connectivity. Achieved under the radar and with little fanfare, that project turned out to be the first successful installation of solar photovoltaic technology in India.

Ten years later, as managing director of the West Bengal Green Energy Corporation (WBGECL), the state’s nodal renewable energy agency, he has brought electricity to the island chain known as the Sunderbans. Stuck in dense mangrove jungles in the Ganga delta this is tough terrain for pretty much any construction. Yet today, the islands boast the highest concentration of solar home panels in India.

Since 1996-97 — that is, in just 12-odd years — more than 100,000 solar panels have been installed in the Sunderbans for which the government has spent just Rs 40 crore.

“About 10 years ago, solar power production cost Rs 30 crore per Mw and has now fallen to Rs 10 crore per Mw,” says Gon Chaudhuri. Though this is still significantly higher than the Rs 4 crore per Mw for a conventional thermal power plant, Gon Chaudhuri says costs will start falling faster once solar power use achieves critical mass and as research progresses. Set off against the pollution that thermal power generates, the costs are incalculable.

As a result of Gon Chaudhuri’s pioneering efforts, villagers in the Sunderbans are completely dependent on renewable energy, in the form of solar, wind or biomass and many say it has transformed their lives.

Take the case of 45-year old Murari Halder of Dakhin Mokhambariya, a village about 150 km from Kolkata. About nine years ago, he bought a 75 watt solar panel for Rs 4,500. “The light has become a life-saver for my family and me. My son was able to complete his studies and is now doing his graduation in Kolkata — all thanks to the solar panel,” he said.

Halder is not an isolated case. There are approximately 2,500 such solar panel houses in the village. More than 60,000 solar panels light up the lives of thousands.

Many like Halder have been using it for a decade. Sumita Maiti, for instance, is now a part of a local self help group and is able to work from home thanks to solar-powered electricity in her home.

A couple of years ago, Subhash Mondol installed a 75 watt solar panel for Rs 18,000, which powers two or three lights every day and one TV for an hour or so.

Most villagers in Dakhin Mokhambariya have electricity for five to six hours continuously everyday and get to watch television twice a week or more — indeed, a couple of DTH satellites could be spotted on rooftops.

Meanwhile, in nearby Basanti block there are approximately 2,500 users and on the other side of the river in Gosaba block, there are 5,000 solar users and 1,200 who use biomass power from a 500 kilowatt biomass power plant that WBGECL had set up, the first such plant in the country.

The drawbacks mostly lie in the weather since the panels don’t get enough sun to charge them. Gon Chaudhuri, however, said, “Ideally a 75 watt solar panel if fully charged can support three solar lights for a five-hour stretch and a TV for two hours but invariably most villagers don’t know this.”

Hurricane Aila did considerable damage to the solar panels and the state government is reviewing the extent of the damage. WBGECL plans to develop a package with the help of the Centre to restore the solar power system in the worst affected areas.

Villagers also complain that the government does not extend subsidies to install solar panels. Gon Chaudhuri explains that a Rs 4,800 crore subsidy was being given for the last two years, but has been rolled back owing to a change in the central government’s “solar home system project”.

“The Union government is trying to introduce a modified cluster concept which is expected early next year, so there is a gap now. A new subsidy and project form is being developed,” he adds.

Under the subsidy regime, WBGECL had shortlisted 19 companies to supply the solar panel set-up, each of which would get the subsidy in the name of the user (this partly explains why most villagers were unaware of the scheme). The subsidy scheme was designed to attract more companies into solar power business, Gon Chaudhuri explains.

WBGECL’s Sunderban project has attracted considerable attention but Gon Chaudhuri has been able to replicate this solar lighting system in Leh, Jammu & Kashmir, Silchar, Mizoram as well as in neighbouring Bangladesh.

He predicts that the future lies in renewable energy for purely practical reasons. “Thermal power will be phased out by 2050 because coal reserves will be exhausted,” he says, adding,

“From a small 100 watt project in Tripura, the installed solar capacity in the country has grown to more than 100 Mw. Solar and nuclear power will be the primary energy forms by 2030-2040 in India.”

Source: BS

[Krishnamoorthy K]

CHENNAI: The ministry for new and renewable energy, in its solar mission to be launched on November 14, will introduce a 55 % subsidy on solar power installations for home and office use and will allocate Rs.90000 crore till 2030 for solar power development, according to Union minister for new and renewable energy Farooq Abdullah.

"That is one avenue of power that remains under-explored in India. We have managed to do the best we can in hydel power with the minimal rainfall we get. But, we have left our ample solar resources under utilised," he said. "In order to make advances in solar power, we are in talks with western countries like the US, Spain and Germany for free technology transfers."

"Free technology transfers will attract conditionalities, of course. We are trying to work those out," he told ET on Monday. The Minister was here for launching the Indo-Finnish joint venture, WinWind's wind turbine manufacturing facility at Vangal in Tiruvalluvar district.

Read full news on ET.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

NEW DELHI, Sept 7 (Reuters) - India hopes to set up by December next year energy efficiency targets for more than 700 industrial units, which account for 40 percent of India's fossil fuel use, the country's head of energy efficiency said on Monday.

Energy efficiency is a focus in India's climate change policy and setting targets for energy-intensive industries marks a step towards initiating a national trading scheme centred on energy efficiency certificates.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the national energy efficiency plan last month. The program could help India save about five percent of its annual use of fossil fuel by 2015.

The scheme is among a number of emissions reduction measures India has announced that could bolster the nation's position ahead of a U.N. gathering in Copenhagen at the end of this year aimed at trying to win agreement on a broader pact to fight climate change.

Ajay Mathur, director-general of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, said 714 energy-intensive industrial operations had been identified from nine sectors, including power and cement, which would be measured on efficient use of energy.

"All industrial units within a particular energy efficiency band will get the same percentage reduction target," said Mathur, who is one of India's top climate change negotiators.

India is also making energy efficiency ratings a must for energy-intensive electric appliances, including air conditioners, distribution transformers and refrigerators, from next year.

Read more on REUTERS INDIA.

The mission introduces a “perform, achieve and trade” (PAT) mechanism which would assign energy efficiency improvement targets to the country’s most energy-intensive industrial units and provides for Energy Savings Certificates, called ESCerts. Units will also be allowed to use purchased ESCerts to meet their targets.

From TOI.

[Marathaman]

Krishna, thanks for the regular updates.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

CHENNAI: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has said that the Union Government is ready to provide Rs 10 as subsidy for every unit of solar power produced at a cost of Rs 18 in the country by way of augmenting the non-conventional energy situation under the proposed solar energy mission that is going to be in place on November 14 this year.

He also said that solar energy remained expensive and the solar mission under the guidance of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would chalk out plans in terms of its implementation and most importantly the cost aspect through proper allocation of funds.

“The final report of the solar mission will be placed before the Prime Minister for his approval,” he said and added that the Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry would go into all aspects of the massive exercise and come out with enough forward looking solutions.

“The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) will be a major provider and more power will be given for collecting funds,” he added. Farooq said that the Union Government would provide millions of solar lamps to the people of the country by way of making their lives better under all circumstances.

Stating that energy demands would be growing at a rapid space, he said that India could make use of solar and wind energy to the maximum on the lines of the western countries such as Germany where one could find solar plates fixed atop every homes there.

He wanted industries to create more factories for tapping nonconventional energy through windmills and provide power at a cheaper rate to the masses, particularly the rural ones.

Making a strong bid for technology transfer in the field of non-conventional energy, Farooq said that the west could do this freely as that would benefit the world at large.

“My ministry gives benefits to all sectors in the realm of energy development and banks are also giving loans at zero per cent interest for solar energy panels at homes,” he said.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said that the State ranked first in wind energy generation, 2,000 MW a day, though the installed capacity stood at 4,000 MW.

“We will generate 10,000 MW by 2014 and we will be in a position to supply power to other States, 6,000 to 7,000 MW to Maharashtra, Karnataka and other States,” he added.

Read full news on EB.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

With proper incentives, wind power can meet over 24 percent of India's energy needs by 2030, says a study carried out by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA).

The study says wind power can supply 21.2-24.2 percent of the electricity India will need in 2030, if the industry gets all the encouragement it wants. In contrast to this 'advanced' scenario in the report, it says without any extra push, it will be able to supply 2.4-2.7 percent of India's energy needs in 2030.

The report says: 'India's tremendous wind energy resource has only been partially realised due to the lack of a coherent national renewable energy policy. Currently, the promotion of renewable energy in India is mainly driven by state governments, but inconsistent implementation and the lack of a national policy is hampering genuine progress...'

Source: sify

Read also India to host Global WindPower 2010.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Panaji , Sep 7 In order to promote sharing of knowledge on energy efficiency between India and the US, some Indian cities will be paired with America&aposs urban centres.

The initiative is a joint venture between All India Institute of Local Self Government and America&aposs office of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

" There is lot of learning happening between the cities in America and India. The aim is to have more and more green buildings and energy conservation initiatives in these cities," Mark Ginsberg, senior executive adviser to the assistant secretary of the office of energy efficiency and renewable energy, US department of Energy, said.

Read more on Indopia.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) has fixed the tariff for solar grid connected photo voltaic power in the state. While the tariff has been fixed at Rs 15 per KWH from the first year to 12th year, it will be Rs 7.5 per KWH from 13th to 25th year.

The above tariff is generic and all the incentives/subsidies received by the developer from the Union ministry of new and renewable energy sources (MNRE), Government of India and Orissa government will be factored into it.

So the state owned Grid Corporation of Orissa (Gridco) will pay the net amount after deducting the incentives and subsidies. However, both Gridco as well as the developer are free to negotiate for an agreed tariff within the above ceiling rate.

This will be applicable to solar photo voltaic projects which would be established in the state by March 2010. The commission said, the connectivity of these 5 Mw solar projects will be at 33 KV level.

OERC referred to various orders of the other State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC) before the determination of the the tariff. However, the fixed tariff will be provisional as OERC is in the process of formulating a comprehensive renewable energy policy, consequent to the consultative paper floated for the purpose.

It has roped in Pune based World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE) to prepare a report on the development of renewable energy policy guidelines for Orissa, which is in final stages.

It may be noted, Solitaire Energies Pvt. Ltd., Lanco Solar Pvt. Ltd., Sahara India Corporation Ltd. and New Era Power Corporation, had applied OERC for determination of tariff for solar photo-voltaic power in the state. The Commission also conducted a public hearing on the matter.

Solitaire Energies Pvt. Ltd proposes to set up a 5 Mw Grid interactive solar photo voltaic project at Katapalli village in Jharsuguda district and Lanco Solar Pvt. Ltd proposed to set up its 5 Mw unit at Ramdaspur in Cuttack district. Similarly, Sahara India and New Era Power Corporation also proposed to set up 5 Mw solar power plant each in the state. The determination of tariff is expected to pave the way for setting up of more solar photo voltaic power projects in Orissa.

Source: BS

[Krishnamoorthy K]

India has the potential to be the leader in the renewable energy sector, International Renewable Energy Agency chief Helene Pelosse said today.

"I think India has the potential to emerge as the leader in renewable energy and help the world in making photo voltaic panels and solar energy commodities in next few years," she told reporters here.

Asked about India's plans to focus on nuclear and coal-based energy sources, she said, "I think they want to grow their nuclear share and also want to grow through renewable share."

"At some point, with nuclear, you have the issue of waste and you have the issue of future as there is not enough uranium on earth and it is not renewable," she added.

Pelosse said that nuclear waste lasts for 10,000 years and it was not viable economically also.

IRENA chief had yesterday met New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah and discussed the potential and future of renewable energy in the country.

Drawing a parallel with the electronics industry, Pelosse said that Asia would also become the hub of production of renewable energy equipment and the shift of industry had already started.

Source: BS