The global spread of COVID-19 has caused thousands of deaths and alarmed individuals, communities, businesses and society around the world. The decentralised renewable energy sector is no exception. The current crisis triggered by COVID-19 has put in peril both decentralised renewable energy (DRE) projects that currently power essential services to millions of people, as well as the future of the sector, endangering the achievement of not just SDG7 but all of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. That is why the DRE sector cannot be allowed to fail. The question then becomes: how to move forward? What to do, so that the DRE sector not only survives the next few months, but flourishes once the crisis fades? How do we turn this crisis of dramatic proportions into an opportunity to actually achieve sustainable universal electrification by 2030? With this Call to Action, ARE and its public, civil society and private sector Partners strive to provide an answer, by putting forward actionable recommendations for governments, funders and philanthropies to act decisively, to do their part and to make sure that this historic opportunity is grasped.

IESA wrote a letter to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in response to the notification No. S.O.770(E) dated 20th Febraury’2020.

IESA wrote a letter to Central Government by providing recommendations for the Energy sector to strategize the post COVID-19 impact

With reference to MNRE notification about setting up a ‘Renewable Energy Standardization Cell (RESC)’ IESA has requested MNRE to allow IESA as a Subject Expert assistance to the ‘Renewable Energy Standardization Cell’

With reference to recently SECI tender for 1.2 GW Solar, Wind Auction with Storage, IESA has sent a gratitude letter for being flag barrier in encouraging Energy Storage projects. IESA has requested SECI for closely monitoring this project and tender out more similar projects.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified Draft rules for Battery Waste Management, which is set to supersede Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001. The amendment looks to ensure safe and formalised recycling of batteries that are in use, with a focus on tracking batteries that have completed their useful life through online records and data management. The proposed rules will seek accountability to make sure that the batteries are recycled through formal channel. The new rules, when enforced, will be applicable to "every manufacturer, producer, collection centre, importer, re-conditioner, re-furbisher, dismantler, assembler, dealer, recycler, auctioneer, vehicle service centre, consumer and bulk consumers involved in manufacture, processing, sale, purchase, collection, storage, re-processing and use of batteries or components there of including their components, consumables and spare parts which make the product operational."

IESA's views on Union Budget 2020

In the first week of February, MEDA has organized a meeting with Investors/RE developers associations and requested inputs on upcoming Wind Policies in the state of Maharashtra. IESA has submitted its inputs on the upcoming Wind Policy and Wind- Solar Power Policy in this regard.

With reference to MNRE office memorandum F. No. 283/48/2019-GRID SOLAR, India Energy Storage Alliance would humbly submit our views/suggestions on the Draft Scheme. In order to offset the intermittent nature of Renewable Power, in addition to the lower capacity utilization of the transmission system by Renewables, DISCOM’s are procuring balancing power to meet thegrid requirements during non-RE hours.

IESA sent a letter to  Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon'ble Finance Minister, Government of Indiaregarding serious challenges facing by the Energy Storage Industry and our expectations for this year's Union Budget.  Few expectations from Budget 2020 mentioned in the enclosed letter are listed below GST Reduction for batteries: Suggested range of  5 to 10%. Allocation of funds for subsidy for NITI Aayog's Giga Factory manufacturing plan. Allocation of Government funds for R&D Initiatives in India. Government Tax benefits for solar plus storage projects.

Request for Selection (RfS) DISCOM shall assess and notify solar power capacity that can be injected into identified distribution sub-stations and place such notification on its website for information of all stakeholders. DISCOM or any agency authorized by the DISCOM shall invite bidders to participate in the open competitive bidding process against the Request for Selection (RfS) for the development of solar power plants on build own and operate basis and to be connected to the identified distribution sub-station. The bidders shall submit their bid against the RfS as per the notified schedule. The bidder shall submit a non-refundable processing fee of Rs. 10,000 per MW or part thereof of the capacity applied along with the response of RfS.

Bureau of Indian Standards invites comments on ETD 52 Doc. (14901)- General Safety