MoP issues draft to revise Renewable Generation Obligation for coal and lignite power plants; Endurance signs PDA for 12.5 MW project with TPREL; NLC India sets up new green energy subsidiary; REC to back green hydrogen projects in Odisha; AGEL commissions 150 MW project in Rajasthan.
India changing rules for RPO: The Indian Ministry of Power (MoP) has issued a draft notification on Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO) for coal and lignite-based power plants. The new limit proposed varies between 6% and 10%. According to the notification released, coal and lignite power projects having come online on or before March 31, 2023 will need to ensure a minimum of 6% of renewable energy supply to supplement conventional generation to fulfill its RGO. Projects coming online between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2023 as well as those coming online from April 1, 2025 onwards will need to ensure a minimum of 10% renewable energy supply.
The ministry is seeking comments on the draft from various industry and state bodies within 15 days from the date of issue which was on October 6, 2023. Once official, it will replace the earlier notification from February 2023 wherein the minimum RGO limit for thermal power plants was 40% of the capacity of the thermal power stations.
Another captive project for Endurance: Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) will build another captive solar power plant with 12.5 MW AC installed capacity for auto component manufacturer Endurance Technologies Limited. It signed the power delivery agreement (PDA) with Endurance through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) TP Green Nature Limited. The new plant will be sited at Aachegaon in Maharashtra to generate 27.5 million units (MU)/year. It will enable Endurance to lower its carbon footprint when it comes online within 12 months of signing the PDA. Endurance already sources power from a 12.5 MW captive PV project that TPREL built in Akkalkot in Maharashtra.
NLC’s new green energy subsidiary: Indian government owned NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has incorporated a new wholly-owned subsidiary calling it NLC India Green Energy Limited (NIGEL). The new entity will undertake 2 GW of renewable energy capacity currently under implementation by its parent. This includes a 600 MW solar power plant in Gujarat and an 810 MW PV project in Rajasthan (see Indian Government Entity Bags 810 MW Solar Project). NIGEL will also be responsible for planning and participating in renewable energy tenders, tendering, planning, execution and commissioning the projects for its parent. By 2030, NIGEL is tasked with achieving 5 GW of installed capacity. Another NLCIL subsidiary, NLC India Renewables Limited operates as the parent’s asset monetization arm.
REC is pitching in more money in ACME and Avaada’s green hydrogen projects, this time in Odisha. (Photo Credit: REC Limited)
REC funding for green hydrogen projects: REC Limited has signed 3 memorandums of understanding (MoU) for INR 403.5 billion ($4.85 billion) to finance projects in Odisha. It includes INR 160 billion ($1.92 billion) funding for ACME Group and INR 150 billion ($1.8 billion) for Avaada Group’s green hydrogen and ammonia facility in the Gopalpur region (see Green Hydrogen & Ammonia Plant In India’s Odisha). The companies previously raised INR 40 billion and INR 200 billion respectively from the REC (see India PV News Snippets).
150 MW solar plant online in Bikaner: Adani Green Energy Limited’s (AGEL) wholly-owned subsidiary Adani Solar Energy Jaisalmer Two Private Limited has completed the commissioning of the entire 150 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan’s Bikaner. The power generated will be sold to 3rd parties or on power exchanges. With this, the company’s total operational renewable generation capacity has increased to 8.4 GW. Its 2030 target is to increase this capacity to 45 GW.
