karnataka

India’s first major large-scale solar-plus-storage tenders, tied with solar parks, have been cancelled by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

India installed 5.5GW of utility-scale solar capacity in the last fiscal year and the country is expected to add another 8GW in the coming year, according to consultancy firm Bridge to India’s ‘India Solar Map’.

New York-headquartered renewables project developer and EPC firm Arcor has partnered with Indian firm Ezon Energy Solutions to develop 50MW of solar PV projects in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Consultancy firm Bridge to India explains how southern India represents a test case for grid integration of variable renewable energy, accounting for 45% of the country’s total wind and solar power capacity.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has reduced the benchmark tariff for grid-connected utility-scale solar in the Indian state from INR6.51/kWh (US$0.101) to INR4.36/kWh (US$0.068).

Indian utility NTPC has retendered 250MW of PV at a solar park in Karnataka after infrastructural issues at the park dampened the interest of developers to participate.

India’s current template for solar power procurement is up for review. Record low tariffs in Rewa have inspired this re-examination. Jasmeet Khurana, associate director, consulting, Bridge to India, looks at how different states and utilities are reacting to the new procurement landscape.

India’s largest utility NTPC has invited bids for the development of 750MW of solar capacity at the Pavagada Solar Park in the southern state of Karnataka.

India steel giant ArcelorMittal has sought the Karnataka state government’s permission to build a 600MW solar plant on a site that was meant for a six million tonnes per annum steel mill, according to its latest annual report.

Spain-based renewable energy developer Gamesa will perform EPC for two projects developed by local firm Atria Power in the Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.