Sustainability Outlook Headlines

GBI pass-through to discoms will adversely impact wind developers in Andhra

The pass-through of Generation-Based Incentive (GBI) from wind power projects to state distribution utilities in Andhra Pradesh, as directed by the state electricity regulator in a recent order, is likely to negatively impact wind developers, according to ICRA.

In its 26 July order, Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) had recommended GBI benefit being enjoyed by wind power projects... Read more..

Date : Aug 3

Source: ET Energy World

Green tribunal asks NCR states to report on air pollution fight

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the states in the national capital region (NCR) to file reports on compliance to the graded response action plan (GRAP) notified by the Centre.

Date : Aug 3

Source: The Times of India

No hazardous waste unit in Delhi complying with rules; NGT gives states 3 months to set up TSDF

All 1,100 units for disposal of hazardous waste in Delhi are operating without complying with the rules, the city government has told the National Green Tribunal which directed all states to set up Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) of adequate capacity at appropriate locations within three months.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel asked the Centre and the Central... Read more..

Date : Aug 3

Source: Business Standard

Power Grid setting up 5 MWp rooftop solar projects

Power Grid Corporation of India today said it is establishing 5 MWp rooftop solar PV systems at more than 50 premises of the company across the country. Presently, more than 500 kWp solar PV systems are operational at its various establishments, a company statement said.

According to Power Grid, another 140 kWp is expected to be commissioned in townships at Sectors 43 and 46, Gurugram (Haryana) before... Read more..

Date : Aug 3

Source: ET Energy World

SECI okays lowest solar auction bid, cancels rest

Solar Energy Corporation of India, the nodal agency for implementing National Solar Mission, has cancelled all but the lowest priced projects allotted in its mega solar auction held on July 13, multiple people familiar with the development told ET.

The decision to cancel allotment of 2,400 MW solar power capacity out of 3,000 MW... Read more..

Date : Aug 3

Source: The Economic Times

GRI, UNGC Release 'Practical Guide' for Companies to Report Their Impact on the SDGs

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) have released “A Practical Guide” to enable companies to better measure and report on their impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The new publication, Integrating the SDGs Into Corporate Reporting: A Practical Guide, helps companies of all sizes to prioritize SDG targets to act and report on, set related business... Read more..

Date : Aug 3

Source: Sustainable Brands

FinMin may approve Rs 4,000 crore subsidy for FAME II: Officials

The finance ministry is likely to approve a subsidy outlay of nearly Rs 4,000 crore for the second phase of FAME India scheme to promote electric and hybrid vehicles, official sources said today. The heavy industry ministry had sought over Rs 12,200 crore in financial support to implement the scheme over the next five years.

The second phase of the scheme is expected to entail subsidy only for electric... Read more..

Date : Aug 3

Source: ET Energy World

Delay in fixing tariff stalls work on solar power target

Delay on the part of the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (Jerc) to fix solar power tariff has put a spanner in the works for Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (Crest). The society is already struggling to meet the solar power generation target set by the Union government.

The commission came up with solar tariff applicable for the financial year 2016-17 and 2017-18.... Read more..

Date : Aug 3

Source: ET Energy World

Andhra, Kerala, Maha top energy efficiency index

Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan have emerged as the 'front-runner' states as per an energy efficiency index.

"The 'Front runner' states in the inaugural edition of the State Energy Efficiency Index are Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan," stated a... Read more..

Date : Aug 2

Source: The Times of India

Chandigarh to get 15 Mw solar plant project in sector 39

The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has approved the ambitious project of the Chandigarh administration to install a 15 megawatt solar plant in the city.

The project will come up at MC water works in Sector 39, which receives water from Bhakra Canal on a daily basis. The UT administration has already explored modalities and related exercises.

Date : Aug 2

Source: ET Energy World

Levi Strauss unzips new Science-Based Targets

Levi Strauss revealed a new carbon cutting strategy yesterday that will see the jeans giant invest in renewable power and energy efficiency to cut emissions by 90 per cent by 2025.

The 90 per cent greenhouse gas emissions target applies to all of Levi's owned-and-operated facilities, while the firm also plans to cut emissions from its supply chain by 40 per cent by the same year, both from a 2016 baseline.... Read more..

Date : Aug 2

Source: Business Green

MNRE Approves Program on Energy from Urban, Industrial and Agricultural Wastes

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved a program called “Energy from Urban, Industrial and Agricultural Waste/Residue” with modified terms and conditions from 2017-18 to 2019-20.

1.0 OBJECTIVE

The main objectives of the Programme are as follows: a. To promote setting up of projects... Read more..

Date : Aug 2

Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Patna airport is set to take a major step towards reducing its energy consumption.

The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), an energy service company of the Centre, will help the airport management usher in this change. A memorandum of understanding was signed between EESL and Patna airport on Tuesday to replace energy-guzzling electrical fittings with new ones that consume less energy.

A.R. Swaminathan, deputy general manager of Patna airport, signed the agreement with Rakesh Pratap... Read more..

Date : Aug 2

Source: The Telegraph

Shimla gets its first grid-connected solar plant

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur recently inaugurated the first grid-connected solar power plant in Shimla having a capacity of 35 KW, installed on the rooftop of the Department of Environment, Science and Technology.

The power generated by the solar plant would be consumed by the building and remaining power would... Read more..

Date : Aug 2

Source: The Economic Times

NGT reiterates order banning 10-year-old diesel vehicles

Reiterating its previous orders, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has held that diesel vehicles that are 10-year-old will not be permitted to ply in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

A Bench headed by NGT chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel said, “Applications [that] have been filed seeking permission to continue the use of 10-year-old vehicles or registration of new diesel vehicles which are not BS-IV... Read more..

Date : Aug 2

Source: The Hindu

Solar-powered streetlights for BDA project

Streetlights in Bareilly Development Authority’s residential project, Ramganga Nagar Awasiya Yojana, will soon be powered with solar energy.

For this purpose, the BDA is planning to set up a solar panel having a capacity of around 50 KW at the Ramganga Nagar Awasiya Yojana.

Speaking with TOI, development... Read more..

Date : Aug 2

Source: ET Energy World

Odisha solar auction sees lower tariffs

Solar tariffs didn’t rise as much as feared in the first auction held after India imposed safeguard duty on solar panels and modules, with winning tariffs in Tuesday’s auction in Odisha ranging between Rs 2.79 and Rs 3.20 per unit.

Safeguard duty of 25% on solar equipment from China and Malaysia came into effect from Monday. Around 90% of solar panels and modules used in Indian projects come from these two... Read more..

Date : Aug 1

Source: ET Energy World

As NGT serves closure notice to 119 factories of West UP for causing water pollution, MSMEs ask for time & solution

As the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT’s) deadline to shut down as many as 119 industries in western Uttar Pradesh has arrived, the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are at distress.

NGT, on behalf of Uttar Pradesh Regional Pollution Control Board, has served closure notice to 119 industries for causing water pollution. Out of these, 64 alone are in Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida.... Read more..

Date : Aug 1

Source: KNN India

To combat climate change, India comes up with first state energy efficiency index

In what will help India’s strategy for achieving its climate change commitments, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has come up with the country’s first state energy efficiency preparedness index.

The index will help track the progress in managing the energy footprint of states and the country, encourage competition between states and help in programme implementation.

Date : Aug 1

Source: Live Mint

Smart City to be made a zero discharge zone

When Kochi is grappling with the issue of waste disposal, the city’s upcoming premier IT park Smart City-Kochi is setting an example by its plans to configure the park as a ‘zero discharge zone’. With a proposed build up area of 6 million square feet and 90,000 employees amidst a 246-acre campus cocooned by the Kadambrayar River, Smart City-Kochi plans to be a self-sustaining unit in the areas of solid and sewage waste management.

Date : Aug 1

Source: The New Indian Express

Plan to green Andaman stuck in red tape for over 2 years

A proposal to rid Andaman of polluting diesel by switching to clean-burning natural gas for generating power, fuelling automobiles and kitchens has remained stuck in red tape for more than two years over allotment of land and awarding the project to companies under the government's umbrella.

Andaman currently burns tonnes of diesel to generate costly power and public transport... Read more..

Date : Aug 1

Source: The Economic Times

This IIT Roorkee PhD student's solar-powered heaters can provide energy to remote areas in winters

Working on Solar-Assisted Ground Source Heat Pump (SAGSHP) system for Space Heating Application, Vikas Verma was motivated to take up research work that attempts to replace the electric heaters operated by high-grade energy in North India for space heating during the winter season.

He completed his PhD work in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department from IIT Roorkee in 2017 and is currently an... Read more..

Date : Aug 1

Source: India Today

Solar water pumps can help India surpass 100 GW target

India can surpass the target of attaining 100 GW solar energy by 2022 provided it replaces all traditional water pumps by solar water pumps, said a study.

According to the report, these grid-connected, net metred solar pumps will also play an important role in providing secondary income to farmers, while giving them access to quality power for irrigation.

Date : Aug 1

Source: ET Energy World

India imposes safeguard duty on solar cells imports for two years

The Ministry of Finance has notified the Directorate General of Trade Remedies decision to impose safeguard duty on solar panels imported from China and Malaysia, which is certain to raise tariffs of future solar projects. More than 90% of solar panels and modules used in Indian solar projects come from these two countries.

The DGTR had recommended the imposition of 25% safeguard duty on solar panels from... Read more..

Date : Jul 31

Source: ET Energy World

Amplus to invest Rs 2,000 crore to set up 400-Mw solar capacity in UP

Amplus Energy Solutions, Gurgaon-based solar energy company, plans to invest Rs 2,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh (UP) by financial year 2020-21 as part of the state government's Solar Power Policy 2017.

As part of the investment plan, it has committed to commission solar projects of 400 Megawatt (Mw) capacity across the state. The announcement was made on July 29 by the UP government.

Date : Jul 31

Source: ET Energy World