Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Two schemes floated to revive stranded gas-based power units

The power ministry has finalised two schemes to procure 4,000 MW from gas-based power plants to rescue stranded units put up at a cost of about Rs 1,00,000 crore. The schemes include procuring 2,000 MW from gas-based plants through auction and bundling it with an equal capacity of solar power. Another 2,000 MW will be procured through online reverse auction, on a model similar to previous such schemes. Power producers welcomed the long awaited scheme, saying it will bring almost 11,000 MW of stranded gas assets out of NPA situation. “The scheme should be quickly implemented with all... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: The Economic Times

Govt, NTPC to sign MoU for solar park in Jaisalmer

The government is set to ink an agreement with NTPC for developing a 925 megawatt solar park in Jaisalmer that would fetch nearly Rs 4,000 core investment. The ultra-mega solar park at Nokh, spread over 1850 hectare, will be the first project for developing a park under the new solar policy announced last month. Sources in the RRECL said that discussions and decisions with NTPC have taken a definite shape for developing the Nokh Ultra Mega Solar Park and an agreement is likely to be signed very soon. When TOI contacted RRECL chairman Ajitabh Sharma, he confirmed that the discussions with... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: ET Energy World

Six more waste-to-energy plants soon: Kerala CM

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Monday said that state government plans to construct centralized Waste to Energy (WtE) plants in six more districts in the state. Addressing the gathering after the work inauguration of the Rs 250 crore WtE plant at Njeliyanparamba, he said that the state government will set up advanced WtE plants in Kollam, Thrissur, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram and Palakkad districts on Design, Built, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) under public private partnership (PPP) model to resolve existing waste menace. Referring to people’s apprehensions... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: ET Energy World

Telangana: Roadmap on 138 EV charging stations in a week

With the Central government approving 138 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for the State, the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation Ltd (TSREDCO) has begun formulating procedures for the selection and execution of setting up these stations. The TSREDCO, the nodal agency for executing the programme in the State, which had proposed over 200 such EV charging stations in the -HMDA-ORR area besides Karimnagar and Warangal cities, said it has to get the final order from the government. “We will come up with a clear roadmap within a week on where and how to set up these... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: Telangana Today

GIC, ADIA-backed Greenko set to pick up stake in large hydro project

Greenko Group, India’s most-funded renewable energy company, is set to acquire a stake in a large hydropower project that was developed in a public-private partnership and has been dogged by controversies, VCCircle has learnt. Hyderabad-based Greenko, backed by Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, is to buy a stake in Teesta Urja Ltd, which operates a 1,200 megawatt (MW) power plant in North Sikkim. The Sikkim government owns a tad above 60% stake in Teesta Urja while five private-sector companies own the rest. The Sikkim government is not selling its... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: VC Circle

Adani, NTPC Sought Extension Of Deadlines To Curb Coal Plant Emissions

Top Indian coal-fired power generators Adani Power and NTPC Ltd have sought two-to-three-year extensions of deadlines to install emissions-cutting equipment at some plants, according to documents reviewed by Reuters, even as the country battles rampant pollution. The requests mean the two biggest power producers in India are pressuring the government to delay emissions targets for a second time, citing costs and technical difficulties, even as the country chokes on some of the worst smog on the planet. Highlighted in correspondences over the past year reviewed by Reuters, the requests... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: Business World

Renault to launch Zoe EV in India

Renault India is gearing up to bring the Zoe EV to India by 2020-2021. To gauge market interest, the model will be showcased in February at the upcoming Auto Expo 2020 in Noida. The car is currently being tested and modified to make it suitable for our conditions (especially for our climate), with Renault testing the range locally as well. One of the modifications being carried out, for example, is to the underside of the battery, where additional protection from physical damage could be provided. Considering the combination of our unregulated speed-breaker sizes and our penchant for... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: AutoCar india

Fisker Confirms Its 480 Km Range Ocean Electric SUV Will Launch In India

Fisker Inc, a company known for its state-of-the-art electric vehicles, is in the limelight again with the launch of its Ocean electric SUV prior to the CES 2020. With its debut appearance in 2018, the electric SUV garnered a lot of attention over the years and is now finally ready to hit the international markets. Interestingly, India is one of these markets. In a recent interview, the company’s chairman and CEO, Henrik Fisker confirmed that India will see the Fisker Ocean SUV eventually. The move to India is not expected to come anytime soon. But when it will, the firm will try for a... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: India Today

Ather Energy teases its next scooter 450X, bookings open

Ather Energy has teased its next electric scooter in India, the 450X. The upcoming scooter will be based on the Ather 450 e-scooter. While the company has not revealed the details of the model, it has started receiving bookings for the 450X. The company has also informed that the launch of the scooter will take place soon. The regular Ather 450 electric scooter is powered by a 2.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The electric motor generates 7 PS of peak power and 20.5 Nm of peak torque. Also, it comes with two riding modes, which are Sport and Ride. The Ather 450 offers a range of 65 km on a... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: ET Energy World

India Climate 2019: Arabian Sea saw 400% more cyclones

The India Meteorological Department on January 6, 2020 released its much-awaited report on India’s climate in 2019. As expected, the climate crisis wreaked havoc. The number of cyclones in Arabian Sea stood out in particular. Down To Earth has regularly reported on how the year that just passed was tumultuous in term of extreme and contrasting weather events. Five of the eight cyclones — 60 per cent of the total — that affected India in 2019 were on the Arabian Sea. Normally, the sea on India’s west undergoes only one cyclone. “(This) equals the previous record of 1902 for the highest... Read more..

Date : Jan 8

Source: Down to Earth

MNRE's 40 GW rooftop solar target "unrealistic": Parliamentary panel

The government's rooftop solar target of 40 gigawatt (GW) by 2022 is unrealistic and it is highly unlikely that it will be met on time, Parliamentary standing committee on energy has said. The Committee said in its latest report that as per the year-wise targets set to install 40 GW by 2022, there should have been an installed rooftop solar capacity of 16,000 MW by 2018-19 but as of October 15, 2019, only 1,826 MW capacity has reportedly been installed, which means that the achievement is only 11.50 per cent of the target. The panel noted National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) has... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: ET Energy World

Proposed Carbon Tax Waiver On Coal May Pose Risks To India's Renewables Growth: Fitch

Fitch Solutions on Monday said that the centre's proposed carbon tax waiver on coal may pose substantial downside risks to India's renewable sector growth. In a bid to alleviate significant debt levels in the power industry, India has proposed to waive carbon taxes on coal (Rs 400 rupees/tonne), it said. This comes at a time where aggressive bidding and rapid fall in tariff prices in country's renewable power auctions have squeezed profit margins for project developers and threatened the economic feasibility of the project pipeline in the renewables sector. The proposed carbon tax waiver... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: Business World

Govt may extend safeguard duty on Chinese solar power equipment

The government is planning to extend the safeguard duty imposed on imported solar power equipment from China, sources said. Domestic solar equipment manufacturers have met Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and suggested the duty be retained. This comes at a time when the safeguard duty impacted addition in solar power generation capacity over the past two years. The domestic manufacturing industry has argued China was actively looking to divert major export flows en-route to India after major buyers from the US cancelled bulk orders. The Donald Trump administration has... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: Business Standard

Rate woes of renewable energy firms may stress NBFC books further: Icra

Infrastructure finance companies might have to brace for additional pressure on asset quality from exposure to renewable energy (RE) projects, which face rate risks. These non-bank finance companies (NBFCs) are already affected by the slow resolution of their stressed thermal energy assets, according to rating agency ICRA. The segment's total exposure to the RE segment was pegged at Rs 90,000 crore at end-September. The trajectory of total infrastructure credit in India (from banks and infrastructure NBFCs) had flattened in the six months ended September 2019, the first half (or H1) of... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: Business Standard

India becomes 2nd largest market on corporate renewable power

With Indian corporates increasingly adopting renewable power to run their offices and plants, the country has become the second largest growth market for corporate renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) after the US. For the first half of 2019, India had a global share of 7.4 per cent with 440 megawatt (MW) installed, said a study named 'PPAs in India: Market & Policy Update' by the India Corporate Renewable PPA Forum. Although India became the second largest growth market in 2018, with an addition of 1.6 gigawatt (GW) of capacity, the annual corporate PPA renewable addition in... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: Business Today

Kerala: SmartCity project gives a push to solar power plants

SmartCity project has given a push to the solar energy projects in the city. Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) has set up solar plants on the rooftops of 28 institutions in the city, thereby generating 1,000 kilowatts of energy. Though CSML identified more than 60 institutions for setting up rooftop solar plants in the city, they could set up the plants at 28 institutions only. “Most of the firms we identified were later proven to be not suitable for the project. Now, we have completed the works at 28 institutions,” an official with CSML said. Presently, CSML authorities are carrying out... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: ET Energy World

EVI Technologies joins hands with BSNL for EV charging infrastructure

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure provider EVI Technologies (EVIT) on Monday said it has inked a pact with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) for setting up battery swapping and charging stations. As part of the 10-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked between the two entities, EVIT would install charging infrastructure at 5,000 locations of BSNL across the country, covering major cities. Under the agreement, EVIT will make the entire upfront investment on services pertaining to the MoU, along with the operation and maintenance of battery swapping infrastructure, the company... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: Business Standard

Prakriti E-Mobility partners with US-based Ridecell for tech solutions

App-based taxi service provider Prakriti E-Mobility on Monday said it has tied up with US-based Ridecell Inc as its technology partner in India for its all-electric cab service, Evera. The company also announced the launch of its app-based EV cab services across the national capital region (NCR). Ridecell Technology provides a comprehensive end-to-end mobility solution that allows Prakriti E-Mobility to quickly launch the fleet and streamline efficiencies through predictive analytics for fleet operations and maintenance, the company said. "We are excited to be working closely with Ridecell... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: ET Auto

Battery Swapping Should Come Under FAME’s Ambit: Piaggio India

Piaggio Vehicles (PVPL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of the Italian Piaggio Group, opined that the government should consider giving incentives for electric vehicles which are not only run on pre-fixed batteries but also on swappable technology solutions. At the moment, only vehicles run on factory-fitted batteries attract discounts under FAME2 scheme. India’s leading manufacturer of small commercial vehicles has recently marked its entry into the electric vehicle with Ape’ E-City being the first product launched under the Ape’ Electrik range. “Due to some strange reasons, battery swap is... Read more..

Date : Jan 7

Source: Business World

Dept of Heavy Industries sanctions 2,636 charging stations to support EVs

In order to enhance clean mobility in the road transport sector, the Department of Heavy Industries has sanctioned 2,636 charging stations under the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (FAME) Vehicles in India scheme. With this, the total number of charging stations planned to be installed across select cities has gone up to about 14,000. Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Prakash Javadekar said that in future at least one charging station will be available in most of the select cities in a grid of 4 Km x 4 km. He said this would boost the... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: Business Standard

Some SE Asian nations dither on joining India-based solar alliance

The India-headquartered International Solar Alliance’s (ISA’s) drive to co-opt countries from South-East Asia is facing problems with some countries holding back because of New Delhi’s decision to not join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal, said two people aware of the development. Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, and Laos are yet to become a signatory of the ISA, the first treaty-based international government organization headquartered in India. Myanmar has signed and ratified the agreement, while Cambodia is yet to... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: Livemint

SECI invites EoI to purchase power for blending with renewable sources

Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) intends to blend inherently unsteady renewable power with power from steady generation sources including coal-fired thermal plants. “The objective of blending is to make firm power available round the clock in order to meet the requirements of various distribution companies, commercial and industrial consumers,” SECI said in an expression of interest (EoI) invited from generators of hydro, pumped storage, gas, battery storage, and thermal generation sources including captive power plants. Blending, according to SECI’s EoI document, would allow... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: ET Energy World

SECI Issues RfS for 1200MW ISTS-Connected Solar Projects

State-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued its Request for Selection (RfS) document for the selection of developers to set up 1200 MW of ISTS-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects in the country under tariff-based competitive bidding. As per the RfS document, land, connectivity and long term open access will be in the scope of work of the solar power developer. The last date for bid submission is February 04, 2020, and the earnest money deposited (EMD) is Rs 4 lakh per MW per project. Further, the selected developers will set up solar projects on Build Own... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: Saur Energy

EESL has installed over 1.03 cr smart LED street lights in country so far

Over 1.03 crore smart LED street lights have been installed till date, which led to an estimated energy savings of 6.97 billion kWh per year, Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) on Sunday said. These lights have been installed under the Street Light National Programme (SLNP), which is being implemented by state-owned EESL -- a joint venture of PSUs under the Power Ministry. "Under the SLNP programme, over 1.03 crore smart LED streetlights have been installed till date, enabling an estimated energy savings of 6.97 billion kWh per year with an avoided peak demand of 1,161 MW," EESL said in... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: ET Energy World

Electric 2-wheeler makers learning to survive without subsidy: SMEV

Mass segment electric two-wheeler makers are learning to "live without government support" as FAME II scheme to promote electric mobility has not met its objective, according to industry body SMEV. The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicle (SMEV) said after getting a "shock" when FAME II was implemented from April 1, 2019, the industry has devised ways to keep afloat by selling low to mid-speed vehicles, which don't qualify for incentives at heavy discount but incurring losses in the process. "Industry got a big shock when FAME II started. People are now learning to survive without... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: Business Standard