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POLICY
Public Procurement (preference given to Make in India) to provide for purchase preference (linked with local content) with respect to the power sector
In procurement of all goods and services or works in respect of which there is sufficient local capacity and local competition, 'Class–I local supplier', shall be eligible to bid irrespective of purchase value. All goods, services or works not covered in before clause and with an estimated value of purchases less than `200 Crore, Global Tender Enquiry (GTE) shall not be issued except with the approval of the competent authority as designated by Department of Expenditure. Only 'Class-I local supplier' and 'Class-II local supplier' shall be eligible to bid in procurement undertaken by procuring entities, except when GTE has been issued. In GTE, 'Non-local suppliers' shall also be eligible to bid along with 'Class-I local suppliers' and 'Class-II local suppliers'. The Central Electricity Authority of India (CEA) Chairperson will act as chairperson for the committee to examine the grievances.Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of round-the clock power from grid-connected renewable energy power projects
These guidelines are issued with an objective to provide R-T-C power to the Discoms from renewable energy sources complemented/balanced with coal-based thermal power in a transparent competitive bidding. As per these guidelines, the generator shall supply dispatchable RE Power complemented with thermal power, in R-T-C manner, keeping at least 85 percent availability annually and also at least 85 percent availability during the peak hours. Peak hours will be four hours out of 24 hours. The generator has to offer power such that at least 51 percent of the annual energy offered corresponds to RE Power, and the balance is offered from thermal sources. The generator can combine storage for ensuring that it achieves the required minimum annual availability of 85 percent. However, annually minimum of 51 percent of energy shall be offered from RE sources. This 51 percent shall also include an offer from the storage system, provided RE sources were used to store energy in the storage system. A composite single tariff for renewable energy, complemented with thermal energy shall be quoted by the bidders. The renewable energy supplied shall be paid at indexed Composite Tariff based on the offered RE power capacity. For thermal component of power, 50 percent of the indexed Composite Tariff shall be deemed to be the Thermal Fixed Charge Tariff and 50 percent of the indexed Composite Tariff shall be deemed to be the Thermal Variable Charge Tariff.
Measures for contributing towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and 'Make in India' through phased indigenization in power sector
All equipment/materials/parts/items required in the power sector which are domestically manufactured with sufficient domestic capacity shall necessarily be used from the domestic manufacturers only as per the extant provisions of the public procurement (preference to Make in India) orders issued by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and Ministry of Power. In respect of equipment/materials/ parts/ items wherein domestic capacity is not available and imports are inevitable, the MoP shall list out all these equipment and prepare an Action Plan for their indigenization over a specified time frame of 2-3 years. For this an enabling policy framework through support to startups, Phased Manufacturing Programme, vendor development, R&D, tax and other incentives need to be developed.
MNRE notification regarding continuation of the renewable energy research and technology development program for the year 2020-21
MNRE has notified about the sanction of the President for the continuation of the MNRE's Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme till March 31, 2012 or till date the recommendations of the 15th Commission come to the effect, whichever is earlier. The original sanction of the programme was issued on 21.02.2019 with a total cost of `175.87 crore during the period 2017-18 to 2019-20. The objective of the scheme is to support the R&D projects for technology development and demonstration in various areas of new and renewable energy such as solar thermal systems, solar photovoltaic systems, biogas systems, waste to energy systems, wind energy systems, hybrid systems, storage systems, hydrogen and fuels cells, geothermal, etc.
RFP for implementing 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' on hold
RFP for developing a long-term vision, implementation plan, roadmap and institutional framework for implementing 'One Sun, One World, One Grid' has been issued on May 26, 2020 and further extended couple of times. However, MNRE has notified that RFP was put on hold until further order.
Guidelines for implementation of off-grid solar power packs/plants in RESCO mode
In continuation of initial guidelines for implementation of Off-grid and Decentralized Solar PV Applications Programme Phase-III, MNRE has issued guidelines for implementation of off-grid solar power packs/ plants in RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) mode and model PPA. Under this model, the plants would be eligible for CFA (Central Financial Assistance) at 90 percent of the benchmark cost. This CFA provided by the MNRE would reduce the financial burden to a significant level, which otherwise results in very high tariff in per-unit terms due to the smaller size of plants and requirement of storage batteries. Under the programme, off-grid solar power plants can be installed in areas where the grid power is not available and areas where grid power though available but not reliable
Ministry of Finance notification on continued imposition of the safeguard duty on solar imports
Ministry of Finance has notified continuation of the imposition of the safeguard duty on imports of the solar goods, in order to remove injury to the domestic industry. Safeguard duty of 14.90 percent minus anti-dumping duty, shall be applicable on the imports of solar cells and modules for the period from July 30, 2020 to January 29, 2021. And for the period from January 30, 2021 to July 29, 2021 safeguard duty of 14.50 percent minus anti-dumping duty, shall be applicable.
MoRTH notifies regulations under CMVR 1989
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have made amendments in the CMVR 1989. The specification for the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for vehicles up to a maximum mass of 3.5 tonnes which monitors the inflation pressure of the tyre or its variation, while the vehicle is running and transmits the information to the driver, thereby providing advance information to the driver and enhancing road safety has been submitted if fitted in the vehicle. Cars (M1 category vehicles) fitted with tubeless tyre and supplied with a tyre repair kit as a standard item, will not be required to carry a spare wheel. The amendment applies to all cars, including electric vehicles. However, it is specifically advantageous for EVs, as they would get a range benefit from the resultant reduction in the overall weight of the vehicle.
