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India PV News Snippets: GUVNL, MAHAGENCO, MNRE, USAID

Anu Bhambhani

800 MW re-tendered in Gujarat: The Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has re-tendered a cumulative 800 MW solar PV capacity in the form of 2 separate tenders. One is for 700 MW capacity to be set up in 1 GW Dholera Solar Park that was unallocated under phases V, VII, and IX. It terms this tender as phase IX-R. When previously re-tendered and auctioned, this capacity attracted INR 2.78 per kWh as the lowest winning tariff (see GUVNL Gets INR 2.78/kWh Lowest Tariff In 700 MW Auction). But, GUVNL secured permission to re-tender anticipating further drop in winning tariffs.

It has tendered another 100 MW to be grid connected as part of Raghanesda Solar Park under phase X-R. This is a re-tender of the capacity previously re-tendered in July 2020 (see 1.07 GW SECI Solar Tender For Rajasthan). Last date to submit bids for both the tenders is April 12, 2021 for online, and April 15, 2021 for offline submissions.

Rooftop solar tender by MAHAGENCO: The Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (MAHAGENCO) has invited bids from EPC companies for 1 MW AC rooftop solar capacity each to be set up at various available spaces at Koradi and Chandrapur Thermal Power Station. Broad scope of work includes design, engineering, supply, commissioning, along with 5 years of O&M services. Bids submitted will be accepted till April 19, 2021. Further details are available on eprocurement website of MAHAGENCO.

419.74 MW RE installed in February 2021: According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the country added 419.74 MW new renewable energy capacity in February 2021, taking cumulative installed capacity to 92.97 GW as on February 28, 2021. Solar PV's share in this adds up to 39.08 GW, followed by 38.79 GW of wind power, 10.31 GW bio-power and 4.79 GW of small hydro. MNRE added that a total of 50.15 GW capacity is at various stages of implementation, and 27.02 GW is at various stages of bidding.

Rooftop solar financing: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and US international Development Finance Corporation (DFC) have announced a $41 million loan guarantee program to support the rooftop solar segment in India. The proceeds is aimed at enabling small and medium enterprises (SME) to secure financing for their rooftop solar installations. The 2 have partnered with Encourage Capital of New York and non-banking financial companies (NBFC) cKers Financial and Electronica Finance Ltd (EFL) to ensure affordable and easy access to clean energy through the financing, reported local news agency ANI.