CIAL officially launches floating solar project: The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) officially inaugurated a 452 kW floating solar power plant in Kerala. Referring to a statement by CIAL, local media reported that this project now takes the total installed solar power capacity of the world's first solar powered airport to 40 MW. The project uses 1,300 PV panels spread across 2 artificial lakes at the CIAL golf course. The project is connected to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) grid. It was completed by the Indian subsidiary of French company Ciel & Terre in October 2019.
NIT for 600 MW floating solar park: The Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL) has invited bids to select a firm that will provide transaction advisory services for the development of a 600 MW floating solar park at Omkareshwar Dam in Madhya Pradesh. Last date to submit bids is February 16, 2021. A joint venture between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL), RUMSL is currently implementing 1.5 GW of solar power capacity in Agar, Shajapur and Neemuch districts of Madhya Pradesh (see Madhya Pradesh Launches 1.5 GW PV Tender). It now aims to develop floating solar and hybrid renewable energy projects in the state. Tendering and executing the 600 MW floating solar power project, RUMSL explains, will build the institutional and technical capability of the state to develop more such projects in the future.
Recently, RUMSL issued a tender to select consultants to prepare detailed project reports for the 600 MW floating PV project and a 950 MW Chhattarpur Solar Park (see Madhya Pradesh Planning 1.55 GW Solar Through RUMSL).
40 MW rooftop solar tender in Madhya Pradesh: MPUVNL in Madhya Pradesh has issued a request for proposal (RFP) round to seek solar power developers to bid for designing, installation and commissioning of 40 MW rooftop solar PV capacity in the state for sale of solar power under renewable energy service company (RESCO) model. Last date to submit bids is February 17, 2021.
NTPC selects Ashoka Buildcon for 150 MW project: Construction engineering company Ashoka Buildcon Limited has received a notification of award (NoA) to carry out EPC services of a 150 MW solar PV project in Rajasthan. The company had submitted bids to NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC). The award also includes operation and maintenance of the project for 3 years post commissioning. Ashoka Buildcon informed in a regulatory filing that the project cost would be INR 5.02 billion ($69 million).
MoU for solar energy between India and Uzbekistan: India and Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the field of solar PV, storage technologies, and transfer of technology. In these fields, India's National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), the Indian Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the International Solar Energy institute (ISEI), Uzbekistan will identify, research and deploy pilot project in International Solar Alliance (ISA) member nations.