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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ramesh Chennithala alleges massive irregularities in Anert solar projects, demands audit and probe by Assembly panel
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has alleged massive irregularities in the implementation of solar power projects by the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) for the Smart City project in Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. Chennithala has demanded a forensic audit of Anert's finances over the past five years and a simultaneous probe by a committee of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly, which he said were essential to unearth the corruption. Irregularities were rampant in the solar projects implemented by Anert for the fully centrally-funded Thiruvananthapuram Smart City project, he said. He cited instances where price differences of as much as 50% have occurred in the implementation of solar power projects of comparable capacity through different private firms. While it cost ₹38.39 lakh for implementing a 60 kW solar project at the Directorate of Technical Education, a 60 kW project implemented eight months later at the Institute of Land and Disaster Management cost only ₹25.2 lakh, a difference of ₹13.19 lakh, he alleged. Similarly, a 50 kW project was implemented at the Public Works Department at Vikas Bhavan at a cost of ₹33.31 lakh. But a 50 kW system deployed at the Directorate of Backward Classes cost only ₹19.06 lakh, the difference ₹14.25 lakh. Anert has implemented 514 projects over the past two years for the Smart City project, Mr. Chennithala said. These financial discrepancies are also clearly visible in the implementation of the installation of solar pumps under the PM KUSUM scheme, Mr. Chennithala said. While a 10 kW solar plant was installed at the Family Health Centre, Vizhinjam with a guarantee period of ten years, at a cost of ₹4.99 lakh, a 10 kW solar rooftop model under PM KUSUM costs ₹7.13 lakh. In the second instance, the warranty is for seven years. Irregularities in appointments Mr. Chennithala also alleged irregularities in certain appointments linked to Anert. A former executive assistant of Anert CEO Narendra Nath Veluri was employed by a major consultant of Anert at a very high salary, but was reassigned to Anert on deputation the very next day. Presenting documents, Mr. Chennithala said that the officer had left Anert on April 4, 2025, but was deployed as part of the consultant's team in Anert on April 5, which he claimed was highly unethical and suspicious. Mr. Chennithala has accused Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty and the Anert CEO of having a hand in the irregularities. Mr. Chennithala has demanded a clarification from the Minister on his allegations. Mr. Krishnankutty was not available for comment on Mr. Chennithala's charges. Earlier this month, Mr. Chennithala had demanded an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the ₹240 crore tender for the installation of solar pumps under the PM Kusum scheme.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Irregularities in solar pump project implemented by Anert, alleges Ramesh Chennithala
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress working committee (CWC) member Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday demanded a detailed investigation into the irregularities in the Rs 240-crore tender to make grid-connected agriculture pumps solar under PM-Kusum scheme. After releasing documents, including the sanction order from Union ministry, Chennithala said there was an increase of over Rs 100 crore in total project cost and a misappropriation of more than Rs 100 crore in obtaining a loan of Rs 175 crore from Nabard. Agency for new and renewable energy research and technology (Anert) was given the order by Union ministry of new and renewable energy in May 2022 to convert 9,348 agricultural pumps to solar. Meanwhile, electricity minister K Krishnankutty instructed additional chief secretary of energy department to investigate the allegations of irregularities and submit a report. He said no one responsible for any irregularities found in the investigation would be protected. Appropriate further actions will be taken after receiving the investigation report, he said. There were irregularities on many counts, Ramesh alleged. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo "The Rs 240-crore tender was scrapped after technical and financial bids were opened, the lowest bidder was allowed to withdraw and there were irregularities in accepting the financial bid in the second tender. Work orders were given to companies that didn't mention amounts in bids, grading was not followed in converting solar pumps and pumps were set up at 146% more than the benchmark set by govt of India. State govt returned around 85% of the subsidy to Centre," he said. Chennithala said the irregularities began when Anert CEO, who is authorised to call tenders worth up to Rs 5 crore, invited a tender for Rs 240 crore. "It needs to be clarified how such a high-value tender was called without govt's written approval," he said. Irregularities occurred throughout the entire process, he alleged. "After a company submitted its tender, they were given the opportunity for revisions and were issued a work order," he said, adding that govt should explain how changes were allowed after opening the tender. "Most contracts were awarded at more than double the benchmark amount set by central govt for installing such pumps. There is a difference ranging from Rs 1-3 lakh in contracts for various solar projects from 2-10 kilowatts. This resulted in a difference of nearly Rs 100 crore in total project cost," he alleged. The approval and corruption involved in causing such a significant difference should be investigated, he added. "This misappropriation was carried out by taking a loan of Rs 175 crore from Nabard. Grading was implemented for companies to ensure error-free project execution. It is understood that contracts were awarded to companies that didn't qualify. Contracts were given to companies without grading at the same amount as the one quoted by the lowest bidder," he said. An investigation into all these irregularities should be ordered by removing Anert CEO, Chennithala said.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Anert installs demo project on Vehicle-to-Grid technology
The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) has installed a pilot project on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology at its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram to introduce the evolving concept to the public. Anert describes the concept as a game-changing one that transforms electric vehicles (EV) into mobile energy assets. V2G-enabled EVs can send power back into the grid, helping balance energy supply and demand. EVs charged during the daytime at relatively lower tariffs can export the power back to the grid during peak hours, AnerT officials said. Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty inaugurated the demonstration project at the Anert headquarters at PMG on Friday. According to Anert, the demonstration project is being implemented in association with the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) which has technical assistance from the University of Delaware. The International Sustainable Energy Forum is also supporting it. 'If we can indigenise that technology, then the costs will also come down significantly. Now the technology is imported,' Anert director Narendra Nath Veluri said. Mechanism involved The bi-directional energy transfer between EVs and the grid is is made possible by using a bi-directional charger and bi-directional modular power unit (BMPU). The first is an advanced EV charger capable of two-way energy transfer. BMPU converts AC to DC during charging and the reverse during discharge. Vehicles with V2G facility can be directly connected to the bidirectional charger for charging and discharging power to the grid. EVs having this facility are still rare. One of the EVs owned by Anert was used for the purpose by replacing the DC Fast charging option with a BMPU. As part of the demonstration, Anert officials are also explaining the process behind retrofitting the e-vehicles. The Anert demo project also coincides with a draft regulation on renewable energy prepared by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission which seeks to introduce the concept in Kerala's rapidly changing renewable energy sector. The draft notes that distribution licencees should facilitate the seamless integration of V2G-enabled EVs into the grid, subject to conditions.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Draft regulations on renewable energy expected to popularise energy storage systems: Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty
The regulations on renewable energy proposed by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission, once they come into effect, are expected to popularise grid-connected energy storage systems in Kerala, Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty said here on Friday. Mr. Krishnankutty was speaking after inaugurating a clutch of new projects of the Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) including a grid-interactive battery energy storage system (BESS), a demonstration project on vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system and a 'EZ4EV mobile app.' The commission will finalise the draft after public hearings. He also expressed the hope that the lower daytime electricity tariffs would make systems such as BESS and V2G systems profitable. Kerala has made giant strides in tapping solar power since the LDF government came to power in 2016, Mr. Krishnankutty said. The State's solar generation capability has touched 1576 megawatts (MW). In 2016, it stood at 16.49 MW, according to the Minister. The proposed Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) is expected to make significant contributions to the State's efforts to switch to sustainable energy solutions, he said. For implementing the ₹133 crore green hydrogen project, the government has cleared a proposal to create a special purpose vehicle HVIC - Kerala, he said. V.K. Prasanth, MLA, presided. Anert director Narendra Nath Veluri, Additional Chief Secretary (Power) Punit Kumar, ward councillor Mary Pushpam, Chief Electrical Inspector Vinod R. and India Smart Grid Forum president Reji Kumar Pillai were among those present.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Anert installs Kerala's first decentralised solar-powered grid-interactive Battery Energy Storage System in Thiruvananthapuram
The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (Anert) has installed Kerala's first decentralised solar-powered grid-interactive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at its headquarters here at PMG in the State capital. The system can power up to loads of 100 kW and has a battery bank of 150 KWh, enabling continuous operation of one-and-a-half hours on full load in the absence of solar power or supply from the grid. Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty inaugurated the BESS along with a demonstration project on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology here on Friday. The BESS consists of a prefabricated module structure with systems for power supply and distribution, monitoring and control, environmental control, fire protection, system, in addition to a dedicated Battery Management System (BMS) and Energy Management System (EMS). Operational advantages Anert sees many operational advantages in the BESS unit. Replacing the existing diesel generator unit, it will help to meet 24x7 requirements completely from renewables and storage. Further, it will allow the export of electricity during peak hours. It can also be used for charging electric vehicles during peak hours. 'It is designed in such a way that in case of an emergency, the system can be disconnected from the building, can be transported out to repower any other building or location,' ANERT said. During power failures in the grid, the BESS will switch to off-grid working mode, and the load will be supplied with energy by the solar and battery. When the power grid is back to normal, the system switches back to the original working state. This allows the building to function seamlessly and ensures 24x7 power. With focus shifting to storage systems, given the rapid increase in solar power generation in Kerala, power sector agencies including the Kerala State Electricity Board are actively pursuing BESS and pumped storage projects (PSP). A recent discussion paper on renewable energy prepared by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission had noted the usefulness of BESS units for storing excess renewable energy produced during the daytime when power demand is low and then supplying it back to the grid for peak-demand use.
