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Solar cells import rose to USD 3,447 million (around Rs 26,000 crore) during April-January 2021-22 as compared to USD 572 million in the previous financial year, Parliament was informed on Thursday. The imports were worth USD 1,684 million in 2019-20 and USD 2,160 million in 2018-19, New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. During April-January 2021-22, the maximum import was from China at USD 3,117.78 million. In another reply, the minister stated that the government has set a target of installing 100 GW solar power capacity by December 2022 in the country. Against this, projects of 108.91 GW have either been commissioned or are in the pipeline. Total 50.78 GW of solar power capacity has been installed as on February 28, 2022. About 44 GW capacity is at various stages of implementation and 13.86 GW capacity is under bidding stage, the minister said.
Engineering firm Sterling and Wilson Pvt Ltd (SWPL) on Thursday said it has signed a contract to construct a solar PV battery storage and diesel genset-based hybrid power plant in Niger in West Africa. The company has signed the contract with France-based engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) company Vergnet and SNS Niger of Niger. In a statement, SWPL said its "Hybrid and Energy Storage division (HES), in consortium partnership with French EPC company Vergnet and SNS Niger, has signed an EPC contract to construct a solar PV battery storage and diesel genset based hybrid power plant in Agadez, Niger, in West Africa". The consortium will also be responsible for a two-year operation and maintenance (O&M) service of the power plant. Battery-based energy storage enables generated electricity to be stored and delivered at any given time, providing stability to the grid, and enabling energy delivered on demand. It will also aid flexibility and agility to better integrate ...