Indian solar becoming cheaper but not yet comparable with Gulf region
Recent record-low tariffs in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are the result of a lower cost of US$ denominated, long-dated financing, major tax concessions and other factors driving prices down in the region, according to the report’s authors Vibhuti Garg, Energy Economist at Ieefa and Jyoti Gulia, JMK Research Founder and Shilpi Jain, JMK Research Director.
“India and other countries will struggle to secure the same low tariffs discovered in the Gulf auctions,” said Garg.
The Gulf region has achieved tariffs in the range of US¢1.35-1.80/kWh and Portugal hit another new record low level with the tariff discovery of USc1.32/kWh in the recent bid at a 700MW solar energy auction on 24 August 2020.
India’s tariffs, whilst some of the lowest in the world, are in the range of US¢3.14-3.25/kWh – almost double those of the Gulf region.
[Uma Gupta]