Husk secures $6 million debt financing from EDFI ElectriFI; MNRE clears part commissioning of ISTS Projects; NTPC’s 20 MW floating solar plant online; IMC launches RFP for 60 MW AC solar in Madhya Pradesh; NSEFI and IIT Bombay enter industry-academia collaboration for solar and green hydrogen.
$6 million EDFI ElectriFI financing for Husk: Solar-hybrid microgrids operator in rural Asia and Africa, Husk Power Systems has secured $6 million debt financing from European Union (EU) funded Electrification Financing Initiative (EDFI ElectriFI). It will use the proceeds to electrify 80 additional communities in with 80 solar microgrids. These are expected to benefit an estimated 60,000 people and connected nearly 10,000 new customers. Husk said this will allow it to double its customer base of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) to help them move beyond polluting and expensive diesel generation. For EDFI, it is one of the largest investments it has made in the microgrid industry. Shell backed Husk’s operational portfolio in India has about 150 net-zero microgrids. In Africa it is present in Nigeria and plans to further expand to Sub-Saharan Africa (see Husk Launches Nigeria Sunshot Initiative).
ISTS projects can be commissioning partly too: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved part commissioning of interstate transmission system (ISTS) connected solar projects in lots of 10 MW. In an office memorandum, the ministry stated that it has taken the decision following a request for the same. The move will facilitate expeditious commissioning of solar PV power projects, in line with similar measures taken for wind power projects under all Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) tranches. The ‘special dispensation’ will be applicable till March 31, 2023.
20 MW floating solar plant online: NTPC has officially announced successful commissioning of the entire capacity of its 20 MW Auraiya Floating Solar PV Project. The project fully came online on September 16, 2022. It now takes the utility’s standalone installed and commercial capacity to 57.49 GW and the group’s installed and commercial capacity to 70.08 GW.
EPC tender for 60 MW AC solar in Madhya Pradesh: Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) in Madhya Pradesh has launched a request for proposal (RFP) for an EPC service provider to install 60 MW AC solar capacity. The PV project needs to be installed in the villages of Samraj and Ashukhedi. Task will involve design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the project with 10 years comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) services. The tender was launched on September 14, 2022. Last date for interested companies to submit their bids is October 28, 2022 as per the tender notice that’s available on Madhya Pradesh government’s e-procurement portal with tender ID 2022_UAD_222077_1.
NSEFI and IIT Bombay to collaborate: The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) has announced a collaboration with the National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE), IIT Bombay. Through this industry-academia collaboration, they will work together on strategic energy transition technology areas including solar manufacturing and green hydrogen. The duo will also aim to develop new India specific standards in the renewable energy sector while focusing on training industry professionals for solar energy.
