APRIL 20249TOP STORIESNTPC ISSUES TENDER FOR SUPPLYING POWER TO HYBRID PROJECTSNTPC, India's largest power utility, has issued a tender inviting bids for power supply from 1 GW of wind-solar hybrid power projects across India. These projects will be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis and connected to the Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) grid. The last date for bid submission is April 16, 2024, with bids to be opened on the same day. Successful bidders will be selected through an online reverse auction conducted by NTPC at a later stage.Combining renewable sources like wind and solar, hybrid projects offer improved grid stability, particularly when sunlight or wind availability fluctuates. This tender marks the sixth tranche of NTPC's initiative to procure hybrid renewable power through international competitive bidding.Bidders are required to furnish an earnest money deposit of 1.16 million ($14,000) per MW and can purchase the Request for Selection (RfS) document for 22,500 ($271). The RfS document can be downloaded from NTPC's e-tender portal between March 21 and April 3, 2024. Bidder evaluation will be based on their technical and financial capabilities, as specified in the RfS document.Furthermore, bidders from countries sharing a land border with India must be registered with the competent authority to participate. However, this registration requirement is waived for countries with which India has extended lines of credit or is engaged in development projects.In addition to this tender, NTPC Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of NTPC, has recently invited bids for a 150 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power project in Bhadla, Rajasthan. NTPC has also called for bids to retrofit a solar inverter for its 5 MW solar photovoltaic power project at the Dadri thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh. These initiatives underscore NTPC's commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio and contributing to India's clean energy transition. DBS BANK ALLOTS RS.2,000 CRORES FOR NEW AGE STARTUPSDBS Bank India has set aside $250 million (approximately 2,000 crore) to extend lending support to new-age startups, recognizing their resilience and potential amid a challenging funding environment. The bank's focus on profitability and efficiency in the startup sector reflects a broader shift in perspective, with startups increasingly prioritizing sustainable growth.Rajat Verma, head of institutional banking at DBS Bank India, highlighted the opportunity to provide financial assistance to startups that have weathered the storm and are now looking to scale up. The bank is particularly interested in startups operating in healthcare, technology, AI-driven financial services, transportation, logistics, retail, waste management, and supply chain logistics.Utilizing its extensive corporate banking network, DBS Bank aims to offer a range of tailored financial products and digital solutions to startups, including escrow services, foreign exchange, cash management, trade financing, and regulatory reporting. The bank plans to leverage its expertise in risk management to ensure prudent lending practices while supporting the unique needs of startups in the digital economy.Verma emphasized that DBS Bank would adopt a flexible approach to credit assessment and risk management, acknowledging the unconventional nature of startup financing. While the bank will not provide equity funding, it remains committed to providing innovative banking solutions to support the growth aspirations of startups across various sectors.
< Page 8 | Page 10 >