Analysis
States Update: August 21, 2019
Posted on
Big News
Jammu & Kashmir’s administration announces an investor summit for October; Nagaland launches a start-up portal; Uttar Pradesh takes the lead in installation of smart electricity meters; Delhi and Kerala make moves on electric vehicle charging; Tamil Nadu creates two new districts; Odisha launches online land revenue payment system; and more.
Center – State relations
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has issued draft regulations for determining tariffs from renewable energy sources including solar, wind and small hydro for the state of Goa and union territories. Source: Mercom In detail: Tariff details
The JERC for the state of Goa and union territories has finalized net metering regulations. Source: Mercom In details: Net Metering Regulations
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) along with the union Ministry of Power, announced completed installation of over 500,000 smart meters in the country, as called for in the pan-India programme launched a year ago. Among states in India, Uttar Pradesh took the first place with over 400,000 smart-meter installations in 13 of its cities. Source: Financial Express
Under the ‘Samarth’ program, sixteen states have signed pacts with the Ministry of Textiles to accelerate the skill development of 400,000 workers in the textile sector. Source: The Hindu Business Line In detail: Press Release
Andhra Pradesh
The Andhra Pradesh state government has issued notifications for tenders valued at $686.1 million for projects linked to the Polavaram irrigation program, against the central government’s advice. The notifications have been issued for a hydro project valued at $434.1 million and a headworks project valued at $252.07 million. Source: NDTV
Japan has alerted the Andhra Pradesh chief minister that the state’s efforts to cut renewable energy tariffs by reviewing signed-and-sealed contracts has raised concerns with foreign investors and damaged the business environment. Source: Economic Times
Bihar
The Bihar state government has approved a draft Sand Mining Policy attempting to regulate the sector and protect the environment. Source: Money Control
New Delhi
The New Delhi government waived the vehicle fitness test fee and reduced various other charges in a bid to offer relief to over 90,000 auto drivers. Source: Financial Express
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power has initiated a project to install 300 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the national capital and surrounding urban centres. Source: News18
Gujarat
The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has passed an order allowing Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited and the other distribution companies in the state to procure power from small solar projects with a capacity of up to 4 megawatts (MW) to meet their renewable purchase obligations. Source: Mercom
The Indian arm of Singapore-based Sembcorp Industries said that it has commissioned a 200 MW wind power project in Bhuj. With this addition to an existing 250 MW capacity on site, the company now owns and operates the largest wind project auctioned through the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Source: Times of India
Haryana
The Haryana Government has designed a new policy governing the establishment of underground and overhead connectivity and communication infrastructure. Source: The Tribune
Karnataka
With the approval to establish a waste-to-energy plant in Kannahalli for the next 30 years, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is expected to treat 500 tonnes of municipal solid waste which will be used to generate 40 MW of electricity daily. Source: Deccan Herald
Madhya Pradesh
Nothing critical to report this week.
Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government has identified the Information Technology Directorate to be the nodal agency for the implementation of blockchain technology to be used in agricultural marketing, supply chain management, vehicle registration and document management systems. Source: DNA
Rajasthan
Nothing critical to report this week.
Tamil Nadu
The state of Tamil Nadu will now have two new districts to provide people with easier access to state services. Source: The News Minute
Telangana
Nothing critical to report this week.
Uttar Pradesh
EESL has attracted investments worth $378.1 million for a smart meter project in Uttar Pradesh. Under the ambitious project, EESL will install four million electricity meters in the premises of state power consumers within the next three years. Source: Business Standard
West Bengal
Nothing critical to report this week.
Best of the Rest
Assam
The Assam Energy Development Agency has issued a tender to set up 8 MW of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar projects with a net metering facility. The deadline for submitting bids is August 29, 2019. Source: Mercom
Chhattisgarh
The Chhattisgarh government has introduced a rebate on power tariffs to specific units. As per the decision of the state government, mini steel plants operating captive power plants of up to one MW will be eligible for a discount of $0.011 per unit of power consumed. Source: Business Standard
Goa
Goa’s state government has revised and reduced the fuel and power purchase cost adjustments for July, August, and September. Source: Times of India
Himachal Pradesh
State-owned Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) won contracts from the Himachal Pradesh government for two hydro power units (the 138 MW Bardang and 210 MW Purthi projects). Source: Economic Times
The Himachal Pradesh government signed 25 memorandums of understanding valued at $700.19 million with various industrial firms during the “Domestic Road” show under “Rising Himachal Global Investors” meeting in Chandigarh. Source: Times of India
Jammu and Kashmir
Seeking to attract businesses to Jammu and Kashmir, the state administration announced a three-day global investors summit to be held in Srinagar from October 12. Source: Hindustan Times
Kerala
The Kerala state government’s nodal agency, Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEB), is inviting bids from agencies interested in setting up 64 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state. Source: Sau Energy
Nagaland
Nagaland’s government launched the state’s ‘Start-up India’ portal. The portal has been started to enable start-ups from the state to register online and apply for recognition under ‘Start-up Nagaland’ by logging in to the portal. Source: Indian Wire In Detail: Start-up Nagaland
Odisha
Odisha’s state government approved the establishment of the Odisha Maritime Board for administration, control and management of non-major ports and non-nationalized inland waterways. Source: The Hindu
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the state’s online land revenue payment system. Source: Odisha TV