By
Posted on

Big News

Maharashtra gives state discom additional time to comply with solar renewable purchase obligation requirements; Uttar Pradesh orders power company to first lower power tariffs before taking control of a stressed power plant; Mizoram repeals its “New Land Use Policy” and replaces it with a “Socio-Economic Development Policy;” The center sets new tariffs for renewable energy sources for 2019-2020; West Bengal returns money it received under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to the center; and more.

Center – State relations

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission set new generic tariffs for the purchase of electricity from various renewable energy generation sources for the financial year (FY) 2019-20. Source: Mercom In detail: Terms and Conditions for Tariff determination from Renewable Energy Sources

Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) issued an order setting the variable cost of power generated from biomass, industrial waste, and bagasse-based power projects for the 5 years between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2024. The order is open for comments from stakeholders up to April 15, 2019. Source: Mercom In detail: Determination of variable cost for biomass, industrial waste, and bagasse-based power projects

The APERC has issued a fourth set of amendments to its regulations on the interim balancing and settlement code for open access transactions given the rising share of renewable energy in the generation mix of the state. Source: Mercom In detail: Fourth Amendment to (Interim Balancing & Settlement Code for Open Access Transactions)

Bihar

Nothing critical to report this week.

New Delhi

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) launched its new housing program online, which offers nearly 18,000 apartments across four categories. Source: Economic Times In detail: Online Housing Scheme Circular and DDA Housing Scheme 2019 Website

Gujarat

The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) issued an expression of interest from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories to register accredited electric meter testing laboratories as GERC-verified third-party meter testing laboratories in the state. The deadline for interested labs to submit their application is April 20, 2019. Source: Saur Energy

Haryana

Nothing critical to report this week.

Karnataka

Nothing critical to report this week.

Madhya Pradesh

Despite low levels of procurement of 2018 autumn, or kharif, crops under PM-AASHA — the reinforced price support scheme for pulses and oilseeds — the Madhya Pradesh government announced a plan to ensure the minimum support price benefits for about 4.8 million tons of soybean and maize without guaranteed procurement. Source: Financial Express

Maharashtra

The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) approved a proposal by the distribution arm of Tata Power to sign a power purchase arrangement with its generation arm for 700 megawatts (MW), which will be supplied from its Trombay thermal and hydro plants for five years. Source: Economic Times In detail: Press Release

In a new order, MERC has given the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited until March 2020 to comply with its solar renewable purchase obligation requirement for FY 2017-18. Source: Mercom In detail: Determination of Generic Tariffs for Renewable Energy for FY 2019-20

Rajasthan

The Solar Energy Corporation of India issued a Request for Selection for 750 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in Rajasthan. Source: Mercom In detail: Project details

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission issued new net metering guidelines for solar rooftop consumers as part of its Solar Policy 2019. The net-metering mechanism was one of the key proposals included in the solar policy that is expected to help the state achieve its installation goals. Source: Mercom In detail: Order on generic tariff for solar power and related issues

Telangana

The government of Telangana signed an agreement with a visiting delegation of the UK India Business Council to foster further information-sharing and promote reform that will ease doing business. Source: The Hans India

The Telangana government released the “Telangana State GlobalLinker,” an online portal for micro, small, and medium enterprises to create online product catalogues and e-commerce stores, as well as access to global networking opportunities towards identifying buyers and suppliers. Source: The Hindu In detail: GlobalLinker Website

Uttar Pradesh

The electricity requirement in Uttar Pradesh fell by 1.6 percent in the first 11 months of FY2018-2019 against the same period last fiscal year. The decrease in demand comes after demand fell during by 6.6 percent in January and by 11.2 percent in February, and takes place despite Uttar Pradesh connecting 7.5 million households to electricity under the national Saubhagya program. Source: Financial Express

In a landmark decision, the Uttar Pradesh energy regulator has directed a Tata Power entity to lower power tariffs by $0.002 (Rs.0.14) per kilowatt-hour, or unit, before taking control of stressed thermal power plant in Prayagraj (Allahabad) operated by the Jaypee Group. Source: Business Standard

West Bengal

The West Bengal government announced it has returned $23.3 million it received from the center as part of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). The decision came after the National Health Authority wrote the state government asking it to return the money following its decision to withdraw from PMJAY. Source: Indian Express

Best of the Rest

Assam

The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited issued a tender inviting bids from eligible bidders for the implementation of 7 MW of grid-connected solar rooftop projects for social and institutional buildings in the state. Source: Saur Energy In detail: Bid document

Kerala

The Solar Energy Corporation of India issued an extension for the bid submission for its 50 MW solar PV power plant to be developed at the Kasargod Solar Park in Kerala. The last date for bid submission has been extended from March 25, 2019 to April 4, 2019. Source: Saur Energy In detail: Extension details

Mizoram

Mizoram’s New Land Use Policy (NLUP), which was launched by the Mizo Congress-led government, was repealed by the NLUP general body following a decision by the new government, led by the Mizo National Front, to replace the NLUP with its own program – Socio-Economic Development Policy. Source: North East Now

The Mizoram government submitted a memorandum to the 15th Finance Commission team, demanding $13.6 billion for the state. Source: Financial Express

The Mizoram Power Plant Development Corporation (MPPDC) issued a tender for the procurement of 2,300 solar inverter chargers. The chargers will be used to charge the batteries of existing inverters at MPPDC Power Station, located in Chakhang, which falls under Saiha district of Mizoram. Source: Mercom

Uttarakhand

In order to make healthcare facilities accessible in remote areas adjoining Haridwar and Rishikesh, the Uttarakhand government and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop primary healthcare centres in Raiwala, Ramnagar Danda, Thano, and Dhanaulti in Uttarakhand. Source: Pharmabiz