Latest news with #SubrahmanyamPulipaka
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Key role of agrivoltaics in rural economy stressed
Vijayawada: In a step towards fostering sustainable energy solutions, the Andhra Pradesh State Consultation Workshop on Agrivoltaics was conducted here on Wednesday. The event was organised by the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) with New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) and the Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation as knowledge partners. The workshop is aimed at initiating a forward-looking, solution-oriented dialogue on the potential integration of agrivoltaics under the PM-KUSUM scheme. Vice-chairman and managing director of NREDCAP M Kamalakar Babu highlighted the state's proactive stance on renewable energy. 'AP has been a front-runner in the adoption of solar energy, and agrivoltaics can further strengthen our rural economy and energy resilience.' Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO of NSEFI said, 'Andhra Pradesh's commitment to renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices provides a unique opportunity to integrate agrivoltaics in a manner that benefits both sectors agriculture and energy.' The consultation workshop focused on evaluating the feasibility of agrivoltaics in AP, drawing from national experiences and tailoring solutions for the state's specific agro-climatic conditions. The discussions were moderated by NSEFI, featuring representatives from various sectors, including agriculture, renewable energy developers, and financial & Agricultural University institutions. The discussions aimed to identify key enablers for financing and scaling agrivoltaics, focusing on tariff stability, regulatory clarity, and effective policy convergence.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh poised to emerge as a model for other States in agrivoltaics, says NSEF CEO
National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) CEO Subrahmanyam Pulipaka has stated that Andhra Pradesh's commitment to Renewable Energy (RE) and sustainable agricultural practices provided a unique opportunity to integrate 'agrivoltaics' in a manner that benefits both agriculture and energy sectors. Addressing the A.P. State Consultation Workshop on 'Agrivoltaics', organised by the NSEFI, New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, here on Wednesday, Mr. Subrahmanyam said that with its vast agricultural landscape, abundant solar resources, and a progressive policy framework, A.P. was poised to become the model for other States for agrivoltaics in India. He asserted that A.P.'s approach to agrivoltaics (using land for both agriculture and solar power generation) would not only accelerate its energy transition but also provide a replicable model for other States. The NSEFI was working closely with agricultural universities for aligning agrivoltaics with the specific needs of the State's diverse agro-climatic zones. 'It is crucial to integrate climate-resilient agricultural practices with agrivoltaic systems. Combining solar energy with farming can not only provide farmers with an additional source of income but also help them in adapting to changing climate conditions, thereby ensuring sustainable growth in the two sectors,' Mr. Subrahmanyam added. NREDCAP Vice-Chairman & Managing Director M. Kamalakar Babu said A.P. had been a front-runner in the adoption of solar energy, and agrivoltaics could further strengthen the rural economy and energy resilience. A.P. was making rapid progress in RE, particularly on the solar power front, which was essential for the State's sustainable growth. The integration of solar panels with agriculture would facilitate the generation of additional revenue for farmers while ensuring sustainable power generation for the State. In areas like Rayalaseema, where small crops like pulses and millets were primarily cultivated, agrivoltaics offer an opportunity to diversify farmers' income streams, Mr. Babu added.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NSEFI seeks extension of ISTS waiver till June 2026 for qualifying green energy projects
New Delhi: The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) has written to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) requesting a one-year extension in the inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges waiver, from the current deadline of June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2026, for renewable energy projects that have met specified development milestones. The federation has flagged multiple delays faced by developers despite early investments and timely actions, and proposed a milestone-based mechanism to ensure targeted relief. In its letter dated June 3, 2025, NSEFI highlighted that the waiver of ISTS charges had been a key enabler in attracting large-scale private sector participation in renewable energy, following the Ministry of Power's announcement in November 2021. However, regulatory support through the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) only came in February 2023, delaying the effectiveness of the scheme. The federation said that developers who had made significant financial commitments based on the initial announcement are now impacted by delays in grid connectivity, pending statutory approvals, and unavailability of transmission infrastructure. It cited several instances, including the delay in Section 68(1) approvals linked to ongoing litigation over the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard. It also mentioned the delay in operationalisation of connectivity for many developers who had applied on time, and the non-readiness of key transmission lines like Narendra–Pune, Khetri–Narela, and Koppal–Gadag. In the letter, NSEFI argued that despite securing connectivity through applications submitted before June 30, 2023, many projects are facing setbacks beyond the developers' control. These include law and order challenges and delays in obtaining permissions at the state level. The federation urged the PMO to provide targeted relief to developers that had followed the rules and made progress on their projects but are now at risk of missing the waiver deadline due to extraneous reasons. NSEFI proposed that the ISTS waiver be extended by one year for projects that had applied for connectivity on or before June 30, 2023, and had achieved certain measurable milestones. These include reaching financial closure, acquiring at least 50 per cent of the required land, and placing purchase orders for wind turbine generators or solar inverters. The letter also mentioned that such milestone-based relief would not significantly impact the overall transmission pool or increase the burden on distribution companies, since it would only apply to a specific subset of projects that were originally planned to be commissioned before June 2025. According to the federation, this proposal aligns with the intent of the Green Open Access Rules and recent Ministry of Power notifications for Battery Energy Storage and Pumped Hydro Storage projects, which also follow milestone-based eligibility criteria. Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, Chief Executive Officer of NSEFI, stated in the letter that this approach would ensure that projects already in an advanced stage of development do not suffer due to procedural and infrastructure-related delays. He emphasised that the requested extension would help maintain investor confidence, provide continued access to affordable renewable power for consumers, and support India's goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
