Sustainability Outlook Headlines

CMFRI, ISRO sign MoU for mapping smaller wetlands

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have joined together to map, validate and protect smaller wetlands in coastal region aimed at restoring them through coastal livelihood programmes. An MoU has been signed between the CMFRI and the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of the ISRO to develop a mobile app and a centralised web portal with a complete... Read more..

NHPC plans 100Mw solar park in Odisha; invites bids from EPC contractors

Leading hydro-power generator NHPC Ltd has firmed up plans to develop a 100 Mw solar park in Odisha. Opting for a staggered implementation, the central PSU, in the first phase, has invited bids from engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors for installing a 40 Mw crystalline PV (photo voltaic) grid-connected solar power project in south Odisha’s Ganjam district.... Read more..

Robotised module cleaning systems, ‘floating’ panels to drive L&T’s solar EPC business

L&T, which builds solar power plants for energy companies, among other things, is working on enhancing services with its own robotised module cleaning system and containerised storage solutions. As part of ‘L&T Construction’, a division of Larsen & Toubro Ltd, the company is an active player in the ‘solar EPC’ business and has built over 2 GW worth of solar plants in the country. ... Read more..

Understanding The Economic Consequences Of Climate Change For India

As per a report authorized by the UN Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), India's exposure and high vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change could hinder its economic growth, impact health and development, increase poverty and jeopardize food security. The IPCC report draws attention to the risks posed by global warming and attempts to make a strong case for countries to adopt a... Read more..

Statkraft, Actis eye Equis’ Indian hydroelectric assets

Norwegian state-owned power company Statkraft AS and global private equity (PE) fund Actis Llp are separately looking to acquire the Indian hydroelectric assets of Singapore’s Equis Pte. Ltd, valued at around ₹2,700 crore, said one person aware of the development, requesting anonymity. Equis-owned Hydreq owns and operates two hydroelectric plants in Sikkim, which produce a combined 220 megawatts (MW).... Read more..

India needs policy on solar waste management, manufacturing standards: Report

The government needs to bring out a policy on solar module waste management and standards for use of material for manufacturing, according to consultancy Bridge To India on Thursday.

"There is an urgent need to formulate appropriate quality standards for use of environmentally sustainable materials in manufacturing of modules. This will help in minimising potentially hazardous end-of-life module waste in... Read more..

ReNew Power, NTPC eye PTC India's wind power business

ReNew Power Ltd, India’s largest clean energy company, and state-run power utility NTPC Ltd have shown interest in the ongoing sale process of PTC India Ltd.’s wind power business, said two people aware of the development, requesting anonymity.

“ReNew Power and NTPC have been involved in talks with the company for the last few weeks and the two are expected to soon submit binding bids for acquiring the... Read more..

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Factory at Sanand Gujarat Is Now a Gold Certified Green Building

HCCB (Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd) – one of India’s largest FMCG companies – today announced that the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has awarded the Gold certificate to its newest factory at Sanand, Gujarat. The factory - a fully digital and world-class facility, became operational in mid-2018. The Sanand factory is only 1 of 9 Gold certified Green Buildings (Factories) amongst the FMCG / Food industrial facilities in India. It is also the only factory run by HCCB, which employs more than 40%... Read more..

Lower capacity utilisation hits wind turbine manufacturers

The less-than-anticipated demand for wind turbines in the country has resulted in capacity under-utilisation and has badly hitwind energy equipment manufacturers in the country.

According to data compiled by the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association, the country has the ability to produce equipment for adding 10,000 MW of wind power generation capacity every year. Comparably, 1,700 MW of wind power... Read more..

Electric Vehicles body seeks to delink localisation from subsidy incentives

The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) on Tuesday urged the project implementation and sanctioning committee (PISC) to delink localisation and ex-showroom prices of e-bikes from subsidy under the FAME-II scheme.

In a letter to the committee, which is likely to hold its first meeting in the national capital this week, the SMEV has also recommended enhancing per KwHr subsidy to Rs 20,000 from... Read more..

ReNew Power commissions 300 MW solar plant in Karnataka

ReNew Power on Wednesday announced commissioning of its 300 MW solar plant at Pavagada Solar Park in Tumkur district of Karnataka. This is ReNew Power's largest solar plant commissioned in terms of capacity till date and will help mitigate 0.6 million tonne of CO2 emission per year, a company statement said.

ReNew has a solar portfolio of nearly 3 GW across India, including both commissioned and projects... Read more..

Renewable energy sector attracts FDI worth $7.48 billion since April 2000

According to a report by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the country's renewable energy sector attracted foreign direct investments (FDI) worth $7.48 billion between April 2000 and December 2018.

The IBEF report pegs new investments in clean energy space worth $11.1 billion in calendar 2018, sourcing data from the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and leading consultancy KPMG.... Read more..