Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Gujarat: Solar rooftop power generation scheme gains popularity

The solar rooftop power generation scheme of the state government is fast gaining popularity among citizens, especially in towns of Saurashtra and Central Gujarat. The Gujarat government had floated the scheme in July this year and the power distribution companies (discoms), both state-run and private, started marketing it aggressively since last one month. According to data from the state government, public sector discoms Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) and Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL) have received the highest number of applications from households. While MGVCL... Read more..

Date : Nov 25

Source: ET Energy World

PWD’s e-Car pilot project clocks 92 per cent savings

Department officials used e-cars from February to July this year. A pilot project to replace government vehicles run on petrol and diesel with environment-friendly electric cars undertaken by the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) has yielded remarkable results, with savings in cost rising upto 92 per cent. The pilot project was implemented by the state Public Works Department in collaboration with the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) which spearheads the National Electric Mobility Mission launched by the Ministry of Power, New and Renewable Energy in 2018. It was decided that... Read more..

Date : Nov 25

Source: Mumbai Mirror

Chennai misses out on electric buses in first phase of roll-out

The city will have to wait for an electric bus fleet even as six other cities are set to get 525 electric buses in the first phase of the roll-out. The State Transport Department has floated tenders and is waiting to finalise and award the contract soon for purchasing the 525 electric buses under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme. Request to Centre While Coimbatore, Tiruchi and Madurai will get 100 buses each, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), the sole operator in the city, has missed out on the opportunity. “The State government has... Read more..

Date : Nov 25

Source: The Hindu

Fuelling clean drive: Electric vehicles get green plates in Delhi

Electric vehicles in Delhi have started sporting green-coloured registration plates, made mandatory by the transport department to distinguish them from fuel-run vehicles. “The Centre had recently issued an order to make it compulsory for all electric vehicles to have green registration plates. So, the new electric vehicles are coming with green plates,” a senior transport department official said. The numberplates have a green background with white font for private vehicles and yellow for commercial vehicles. The official added, “Old vehicles don’t have these registration plates. We are... Read more..

Date : Nov 25

Source: ET Energy World

Indian Railways to be fully electrified in next 3-4 years

Indian Railways, country’s national carrier, is taking steps to minimise carbon footprint by reducing the number of trains running on diesel and to fully bring the network to run with electric locomotives. As on 01 November 2019, 37,237 route kilometers of rail lines have been commissioned on electric traction, which is 57.91% of total Indian Railways’ broad gauge network. Indian railways has also prepared an action plan to electrify the remaining broad gauge (BG) routes. Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that the target has been set for full... Read more..

Date : Nov 25

Source: Livemint

Solar panels reduce bills by 50%: Delhi power minister Satyendar Jain

Under the Mukhyamantri Solar Power Yojana, Delhi government’s flagship scheme launched in 2018, 146 MW solar capacity has been achieved in 2,900-odd installations that has helped reduce 500 tons CO2-eq emissions daily, Delhi power minister Satyendar Jain said. “Immediately after the AAP government came to power, the rooftop installations of solar panels began and has progressed with a significant pace. We have installed these panels in schools, markets, institutions and everywhere possible,” a release quoting Jain stated on Wednesday. It added that the panels were also being installed at... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: ET Energy World

NTPC may shell Rs 10,000 crore for Centre's stake in NEEPCO, THDC

Country's largest power producer NTPC may make an aggressive bid of about Rs 10,000 crore to buy out the Centre's stake in two hydro power producing companies - NEEPCO and THDC, two persons having knowledge of the development said. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday cleared strategic disinvestment in the two hydroelectric power generating PSUs in favour of NTPC that is looking to expand its operations and boost the renewable portfolio. One of the persons quoted above said that the thermal power generator may offer close to Rs 10,000 crore though the transaction... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: ET Energy World

Govt plans to set up 14-MW solar power units in Leh, Kargil

The government is planning to set up 14-megawatt solar power projects in Leh and Kargil, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy R K Singh said on Thursday. The projects will be developed under the Prime Minister Development Package 2015, Singh said in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. "The MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) has planned to set up solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of around 14 MW (megawatts) with a battery storage capacity of 42 MWh (megawatt-hour) in Leh and Kargil," he said. Singh added that the government has set an... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: ET Energy World

Global Infrastructure Partners’ India arm close to buying Rattan India Solar

Vector Green Energy, the Indian business unit of New York-based Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), has successfully completed the negotiations to acquire the 300 mega-watt (MW) solar generation capacity of Rattan India, according to people aware of the developments. The acquisition will double Vector Green’s portfolio in the country to nearly 600 MW. Both the companies did not respond to FE’s queries over the deal till press time. Though the financial details of the deal were not revealed, industry experts have pegged the valuation of RattanIndia solar assets between Rs 1,500-2,000... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: Financial Express

Mahindra in final lap to sell solar portfolio

Mahindra Susten, the renewable business arm of Mahindra group, has got binding offers from CLP India and the Piramal Group for its 160 megawatts (MW) solar assets, said two people aware of the development, requesting anonymity. “Both parties have completed due diligence of the assets and submitted binding offers for Susten’s solar portfolio," said the first person. Mahindra Susten is expected to take a call on the two offers over the next few weeks. “The sale is part of the company’s plans to sell completed projects and recycle the capital to develop its project pipeline," he added. On 1... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: Livemint

Shapoorji Pallonji finding ways to pay back to Sterling Wilson Solar

Shapoorji Pallonji Group, the promoter of Sterling Wilson Solar, is exploring several options, including making Eureka Forbes public or selling stake in its engineering firm Forbes & Company to pay back the inter-company loans the group had taken from the solar company, sources said. The promoters of Sterling Wilson Solar currently owe the company Rs 2,341 crore, which includes a principal amount of Rs 2,085 crore and interest of Rs 256 crore, said a recent regulatory filing by the company. On August 20, when it was listed on the exchanges, the dues stood at Rs 2,563 crore. According... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: ET Energy World

SBI to fund Avera EV scooters purchase

State Bank of India (SBI) has endorsed the electric vehicle scooters assembled by Avera Energy in Vijayawada. SBI will extend loans to customers Avera Energy’s Retrosa high-speed electric scooters in Andhra Pradesh. The first vehicle loan approval letter was issued to Avera's CEO Akula Venkata Ramana and COO Chandini Chandana in the presence of SBI, DGM Arun Kumar Sahu, Ramana said in a press release on Thursday.

Date : Nov 22

Source: The Times of India

Kerala to bid adieu to single use plastic by January

The Kerala government has decided to ban the production, sale and use of single-use plastic from January 2020. The decision has been taken in light of the environmental and health hazards caused by discarding single-use plastic. Banned plastic products include: Plastic carry bag irrespective of the width, plastic sheets for tables, cooling films, plates, cups, single-use plastic cups, plates, spoon, fork, straw, dishes, paper cups and plates with plastic coating, plastic flags, plastic water pouches, plastic juice packets, pet bottles under 300 ml capacity, plastic garbage bag, PVC flex... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: India Today

100 electric buses to hit Jaipur roads by January

Here is good news for the commuters traveling within the city limits of Jaipur. The Jaipur City Transport Servies Limited (JCTSL) is all set to replace 100 of buses, including 70 buses which are in poor condition, with electric buses. As the financial bid for the buses is over, the JCTSL is likely make the replacement by January. These buses to be introduced in an effort to push electric mobility in the state and to encourage people to adopt greener means of transportation. Jaipur would be the first city in Rajasthan to have these buses which would be air-conditioned. Presently, 250... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: ET Energy World

75 parking lots in south Delhi to get e-charging stations by December

In a bid to motivate people into using electric vehicles, South Delhi Municipal Corporation has finalised the plan to install charging points at 75 parking lots by December. The civic body has shared the list of the identified parking lots with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the Union ministry of power. “After conducting a feasibility test, we identified 14 parking lots where e-charging points would be developed on priority. The locations were finalised on the basis of their footfall, accessibility, area and other factors,” said a senior SDMC official. The 14 parking lots... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: ET Energy World

A boon to discoms, but privacy concerns remain over smart meters

The government’s move to push smart meters could reduce bill shocks for power consumers and potentially rein in the debt woes of distribution companies (discoms) by reducing theft and improving their operational efficiency, but privacy issues continue to linger. This comes in the backdrop of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, where India has committed to reduce its carbon footprint by 30-35 per cent by 2030, based on the emissions in 2005. In October, National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), India’s version of a sovereign wealth fund, formed a joint venture with Energy... Read more..

Date : Nov 22

Source: The Hindu Business Line

Power PSUs to acquire over 2 lakh hectares for solar parks

Central public sector undertakings (PSUs) will acquire more than two lakh hectares to set up 47,000 mw of green power units under a new plug-and-play model, aimed at accelerating solar capacity expansion by derisking projects from land acquisition and availability of transmission corridors as well as reduce tariffs by up to 20 paise per unit. Under the new model, PSUs under the power and renewable energy ministries will acquire the land through fully-owned SPVs (special purpose vehicles). The land may be purchased outright or leased from state governments and private land owners. State... Read more..

Date : Nov 21

Source: ET Energy World

Metro wants 15,000 e-autos for last-mile, has approached SC

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) approached the Supreme Court, seeking a relaxation of the cap on the number of three-wheeler permits in the capital, as the Metro plans to induct at least 15,000 electric autorickshaws in its feeder fleet to boost last-mile connectivity. The Metro’s first-of-its-kind plan to induct battery-operated three-wheelers on a large scale has come against the backdrop of its decision to scrap five tenders, floated to procure 422 low-floor MIDI buses for its feeder bus fleet. Currently, the feeder fleet comprises 174 non-AC MIDI buses and around 1,000 e-... Read more..

Date : Nov 21

Source: The Indian Express

‘Govt may grant 20% parking reservation for e-vehicles’

In a major push to encourage electric vehicles (e-vehicles) in Karnataka, the state government is mulling on expanding the existing 10 per cent of parking space allotted for e-vehicles by 10 per cent, said Gaurav Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Commerce & Industries. Speaking at Bengaluru Tech Summit on Wednesday, Gupta said these parking slots will be equipped with charging points and the state government is also working on a strategy to turn the management of charging infrastructure into a business. Nagesh Basavanahalli, CEO, Greaves Cotton said the government had earlier... Read more..

Date : Nov 21

Source: The New Indian Express

Proparco makes USD-15m equity infusion in India's Avaada Energy

Proparco, a subsidiary of French development agency Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), has invested USD 15 million (EUR 13.6m) in equity in Indian renewable power producer Avaada Energy Pvt Ltd, Mercom Capital reports. Details on the investment were not provided. The Indian firm, which also offers engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services, this summer said it has installed over 1.8 GW of renewable energy plants at home. At the time it was developing 2 GW of open access solar schemes across several Indian states for corporate consumers seeking to lower their electricity... Read more..

Date : Nov 21

Source: Renewables Now

Hero Electric to go ahead with expansion plan amid slowdown

Hero Electric has decided to go ahead with its planned investments in capacity expansion programmes despite the prevailing demand slowdown in the domestic market. Managing director Naveen Munjal told ET that although sales of electric two-wheelers were subdued in the first half of this financial year, the company expects demand to pick up substantially in the coming years as legacy players such as Bajaj Auto enter the segment. Hero Electric plans to invest Rs 700 crore over the next three years to develop new products, expand dealer network and increase production capacity to retain... Read more..

Date : Nov 21

Source: ET Energy World

Electric Vehicles will account for over a half of all passenger vehicle sales by 2040

Around 57 per cent of all global passenger vehicle sales, and over 30 per cent of the passenger vehicle fleet, will be electric by 2040, according to the Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF). The BNEF Electric Vehicle Outlook 2019 expects annual passenger EV sales to rise to 10 million in 2025, 28 million in 2030 and 56 million by 2040. It noted that battery prices continue to keep falling. As a result, it is expected that there will be a price parity between electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion vehicles (ICE) by the mid-2020s in most segments, although there is wide variation... Read more..

Date : Nov 21

Source: ET Energy World

Delhi air pollution: Farm fires up, but impact to fall to 7%

Fire counts due to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana increased significantly and touched 1,000 again on Wednesday. However, as stubble-level winds from the burning site are slow, its share in Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration only went up marginally from Tuesday’s 13% to 14%, a SAFAR report stated. On Thursday, it’s likely to fall to 7%. Explaining the expected drop, SAFAR said, “Transport-level winds are likely to be highly variable in direction and may fluctuate between easterly to northerly and may not bring significant stubble impact to Delhi on Thursday.” A Met official said the impact... Read more..

Date : Nov 21

Source: The Times of India

India, Europe 29 nations to cooperate in AI, green energy, IT, pharma, smart-cities

“India and the Europe 29 group of Central, Northern and East European countries hold growth potential in areas such as artificial intelligence, new age technologies, new manufacturing technologies and can be the beacons of growth in a slowing world,” Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. “The two regions have a lot of complementarities in areas such as smart cities, clean and renewable energy, start ups, IT and ITES and can develop a strong economic relationship with each other,” Goyal said at the India-Europe 29 Business Forum organised by the Ministry of External Affairs... Read more..

Date : Nov 21

Source: The Hindu Business Line

Urban India will soon have at least one EV charging station every 3 km

The government is going full throttle in its efforts to realise the ambition of making India an electric vehicle hub by 2030. In the first phase of Electric Vehicles (EV) rollout plan, the power ministry is targetting 4 billion-plus population cities under the EV policy initiative. It plans to cover all the state capitals, union territories, major highways and key cities under the second phase. "In a grid of 3-by-3 kilometere (km), atleast one public charging station will be set up in urban areas. For the highways, atleast one fast charging station is planned for every 100 kms," ministry's... Read more..

Date : Nov 20

Source: ET Energy World