-Press Information Bureau
Contd from previous issue
9. Payment Comfort
Opening of LCs by all DISCOMs/ distribution licensees for all producers
Ministry of Power has issued an order regarding opening and maintaining of adequate Letter of Credit (LC) as Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by Distribution Licensees (DISCOMs).
Further, Ministry of Power has instructed Power System Operation Corporation Ltd. (POSOCO) that according to the Procedure for Scheduling of power to Distribution Company, Power will be scheduled for dispatch only after a written intimation is given to the appropriate Load Despatch Centre (LDC) i.e. NLDC/RLDC/SLDC that Letter of Credit (LC) for the desired quantum of power w.r.t the generating stations has been opened.
Term loans to DISCOMs for clearing outstanding payments of RE generators
Ministry has requested PFC/REC/IREDA to extend short term loan to DISCOMs for the purpose of making payments to renewable energy generators.
10. Energy Storage
SECI have floated two tenders which include battery storage systems: -
1. 1200 MW tender with requirement of supplying power during evening/morning (six hours) peak, with battery storage system.
2. 400 MW round the clock renewable, this will also come with battery storage system.
11. Second Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)
The Ministry hosted the second assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) on 30th and 31st October 2019 New Delhi. On 30th October 2019, coordination and consultation meetings on different aspects of ISA programmes and initiatives were held.
The Assembly met on 31st October 2019 & was presided by Shri R.K. Singh, Hon’ble Minister & ex-Officio President of ISA. Delegations from 78 countries participated in the Assembly including 29 Ministerial delegations of which 25 are from ISA member countries, two from signatory countries, and two from prospective member countries. The Assembly deliberated upon ISA’s activities and new proposals for accelerating development and deployment of solar energy in ISA member countries and approved Rules and Procedure of the Assembly, Manual of Regulations of ISA, and Work Programme and Budget for the year 2020.
12. Global Solar Event for commemorating 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
Ministry in association with IIT Bombay organised Global Student Solar Assembly to commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to promote the Gandhian idea of sustainable living. Over 6,800 students from National Capital Region created Guinnes world record by lighting the largest number of solar lamps together at Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, New Delhi. Another Guinness World Records was made during this event on sustainability lessons to the largest number of participants at a single place.
13. Dispute Resolution Mechanism
During the period MNRE set up a Dispute Resolution Mechanism for wind/solar projects to consider the unforeseen disputes between solar/wind power developers and SECI/NTPC, beyond contractual agreement. This mechanism will help in smooth implementation of solar/wind energy projects in India, by expeditiously resolving, unforeseen disputes that may arise beyond the scope of Contractual Agreements.
14. Off-Grid Solar PV Applications Programme Phase III
Government is implementing Phase-3 of the Off-Grid Solar PV Applications Programme for Solar Street Lights, Solar Study Lamps and Solar Power Packs. Based on the demand for solar street lights and solar study lamps sanction has been issued to States; EESL has completed centralised tendering for solar street lights and solar study lamps.
Provision has been made for financial supportup to 90% of the benchmark cost of the system for NE States, Hilly States/UTs and Island UTs; up to 30% of the benchmark cost of the system for other States. Solar study lamps for students will be provided in NE States and LWE affected areas with 85% financial support from Central Government.
Targets: 118 MW of off-grid solar power systems during 2018-20.
Implementing framework: Projects will be implemented by State Nodal Agencies in their respective States. Centralised tendering will be done for solar streetlights and solar study lamps.
15. Atal JyotiYojana (AJAY) Phase-II
Applications covered: Solar Street Lights.
Financial support: 75% of the cost by MNRE and balance 25% through MPLAD.
Targets: A total of 3,04,500 Solar Street Lights (SSLs) will be installed in the following states/ regions:
i. States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Assam, which were covered in Phase-I of the Scheme as there is additional demand in these States.
ii. Hilly States/UTs of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
iii. North Eastern States including Sikkim.
iv. Islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
v. Parliamentary constituencies covering 48 aspirational districts of States other than those covered in (i) to (iii) above.
Implementing framework: Project is proposed to be implemented by EESL. Hon’ble MPs of concerning parliamentary constituencies will provide consent letter along with location of lights. Respective DM will issue sanction for allocation of funds from MPLAD funds.
Achievements: During Phase I of the Scheme, sanction for allocation of funds from MPLAD fund received for 96 parliamentary constituencies. Out of sanctioned 1.45 lakh Solar Street Lights 1.34 lakh have been installed.
Current Status: Ph-II of the Scheme is under implementation. Consent letters for installation of 1,31,586 SSLs have been received from 120 Hon’ble MPs against which sanction from DMs has been received for 31,426 numbers of SSLs and 13,583 SSLS have been reported installed.