Sustainability Outlook Headlines

India’s aggregate cooling requirement to increase by 8 times in 20 years

India’s aggregate cooling requirement will increase by eight times in the next 20 years with room air conditioners alone consuming more than half of the energy required for space cooling in the country by 2037-38. Staring at this projection and the growing needs of cooling, the government on the occasion of the World Ozone Day on Monday released a draft cooling action plan which will guide it and other stakeholders, including both residential and commercial users, to reduce energy consumption for cooling by... Read more..

Odisha Chief Minister launches star-rating system for industries to reduce air pollution

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched a 'Star Rating program' for industries to strengthen State Pollution Control Board's (SPCB) regulatory efforts to reduce pollution.

It is a first-of-its-kind transparency initiative to categorise industries from one to five stars compliant to pollution standards.

... Read more..

Soon, energy projects may undergo green checks

The government plans to make projects such as power plants, mines and oil and gas exploration ventures and expansion initiatives subject to checks by independent auditors to ensure they are complying with environmental conditions and prevent the kind of public protests that erupted in Tamil Nadu over the Vedanta group’s copper unit earlier this year.

The government-approved auditors will conduct randomised,... Read more..

By 2022, 21 per cent Punjab power from renewable sources

The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has decided to revise the renewable purchase obligations for Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) till 2022 by inviting suggestions from stakeholders while formulating the new norms.

As per Section 86(1) (e) of the Electricity Act, 2003, the PSERC is to promote co-generation and generation of electricity from renewable sources of energy by... Read more..

Mytrah Energy wins PPA bid for 300 MW wind power unit in Tamil Nadu

Independent power producer Mytrah Energy (India) has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for setting up a 300 MW wind power plant in Coimbatore.

Mytrah’s winning bid was part of the fourth tranche of SECI wind reverse auctions, in which 11 companies participated.

... Read more..

Solar tariffs hit their record low once again

Solar tariffs hit their record low of Rs 2.44 per unit yet again on Monday in a 500 MW auction held by the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), indicating that the impact of safeguard duty is not yet being passed on by developers. 

Giriraj Renewables, part of Avaada Energy, emerged as the biggest winner getting 300MW at Rs 2.44 per unit. Aditya Birla Renewables won 100MW at the same tariff while Azure Power... Read more..

IIT-incubated PuREnergy to commercially launch lithium batteries

Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad incubated startup PuREnergy said it has developed "affordable" lithium batteries and is commercially launching them during the Renewable Energy Expo 2018 that begins at Greater Noida tomorrow. 

"While the current models of lithium batteries in the market are expensive, PuREnergy plans to make them available at economical prices due to their strong design capabilities... Read more..

Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. to facilitate implementation of 5 lakh solar water pumping systems in ISA member countries

Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), a joint venture of PSUs under the Ministry of Power, has been selected by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to facilitate implementation of 5,00,000 Solar Water Pumping Systems.

These Solar Water Pumping Systems will be rolled out in ISA member countries that are participating in its ‘Scaling of Solar Application for Agricultural Use’ programme.

EESL will be responsible for the implementation of the programme in the participating... Read more..

Trina Solar launches Trinahome in India

Trina Solar, the leading solar energy solutions provider in India, is moving into the household and small-to-medium enterprise (SME) sector with today's launch of Trinahome.

The news comes on the eve of next week's Renewable Energy India Expo being held in Noida on 18-20 September. Trina Solar is a key exhibitor at this year's show.

... Read more..

Coal India to set up methanol plant, eyes 6.76 LT output per annum

The world's largest coal miner CIL is aiming to produce 6.76 lakh tonne of methanol per annum to boost clean energy initiatives, its Chairman Anil Kumar Jha said. His statement comes at a time when the government is betting big on alternative fuel and pushing electric vehicles (EVs).

Steps have been taken towards methanol production, with the Centre recently easing norms for Coal India (CIL) to extract... Read more..

CDPQ to buy 40% stake in CLP India for $365 mn

Canadian pension fund Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in power producer CLP India Pvt. Ltd for Rs 2,640 crore ($365 million) in cash.

CLP Group will retain a 60% stake in the Indian unit, group company CLP Holdings Ltd said in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

... Read more..

Mahindra commits to become carbon neutral company by 2040

Mahindra & Mahindra, India's leading manufacturer of utility vehicles and part of the $20.7 billion Mahindra Group, on Thursday announced its commitment to become a carbon neutral company by 2040.

For this, the company will be working with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) to meet its carbon neutrality commitment.

... Read more..