NOVEMBER 20239TOP STORIESPOWER MINISTRY UNVEILS RULES FOR STANDARD RENEWABLE ENERGY RATESThe Ministry of Power in India has introduced the Electricity (Amendment) Rules 2022. These rules are designed to establish a consistent and fair pricing system for renewable energy in various sectors, including Solar Power and Wind Power, among others, with the primary goal of promoting investment and development in the sector.Under these rules, a designated 'Implementing Agency' will be responsible for calculating a monthly "uniform renewable energy tariff" for different central pools, such as Solar Power, Wind Power, and Hydro Power. This tariff represents the rate at which intermediary procurers sell power from these central pools to end procurers. The term 'Implementing Agency' refers to the Central Agency appointed by the Central Government to implement the uniform renewable energy tariff for the central pool. Grid-India was chosen as the Implementing Agency in March 2023.These rules establish distinct central pools for various renewable energy sources, including Solar Power, Wind Power, Hydro Power, solar wind Hybrid, Round Clock Power, Peaking Power, and other pools specified by the Central Government. The Central Government defines these sources, and the creation of multiple central pools may depend on technology and generation mix, as determined by the Central Government.Each central pool will have a separate start date, as announced by the Central Government, and will operate for five years. All capacities with Power Sale Agreements (PSA) signed within this timeframe will become part of the central pool, provided they meet other eligibility conditions. After five years, no new capacity will be added to the pool, and existing capacity will remain in the pool until the expiration of their respective agreements. New central pools may be formed for specific renewable energy sources after the initial five-year period, with the inclusion of new participants. NTPC AND EIL JOIN FORCES FOR CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATION IN INDIAIn a significant step toward advancing clean energy solutions, NTPC Ltd., India's largest integrated power utility, has recently entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Engineers India Limited (EIL). This strategic partnership enables NTPC's Research and Development center, NETRA, to engage in collaborative projects spanning various areas, including Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage (CCUS), Green Fuel, Green Chemicals like Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia, Green Fertilizers, Bio-Fuels, Decarbonization, Waste Handling, Water and Ash management, and more. These collective efforts contribute to India's transition to clean energy.The MoA was officially signed by Shri U K Bhattacharya, Director (Projects) of NTPC Ltd., and Shri Atul Gupta, Director (Commercial) of EIL. This significant event was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Shri Jaikumar Srinivasan, Director (Finance) of NTPC, Shri Rajiv Agarwal, Director (Technical) of EIL, and other senior officials from both NTPC and EIL.NTPC Ltd., a prominent player in India's energy sector, plays a crucial role in meeting a quarter of the country's power needs. With an extensive installed capacity of over 73 GW across a diverse portfolio encompassing thermal, hydro, solar, and wind power plants, NTPC is resolute in its mission to provide reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable electricity. The organization is committed to adopting state-of-the-art practices, fostering innovation, and embracing clean energy technologies to pave the way for a more environmentally friendly future. The NTPC Group has ambitious plans to achieve 60 GW of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity by 2032, and they are actively championing initiatives focused on decarbonization, including projects related to Hydrogen blending, Carbon Capture, and Fuel cell buses, among others. This latest collaboration with EIL underscores NTPC's dedication to guiding India towards a greener and more sustainable energy landscape.
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