Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Nestlé Aims for 100% Recyclable or Reusable Packaging by 2025

Nestlé today announced its ambition to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or re-usable by 2025. Its vision is that none of its packaging, including plastics, ends up in landfill or as litter. Nestlé believes that there is an urgent need to minimize the impact of packaging on the environment.

The company focuses on three core areas: eliminate non-recyclable plastics; encourage the use of plastics that... Read more..

Date : Apr 12

Source: Environmental Leader

Maharashtra Discom consults on 1GW of floating PV, retenders 1GW of solar

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) has retendered 1GW of solar capacity.

In its tender notice, the Discom said the tender was approved by the Government of Maharashtra in order to meet its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).

The deadline for bid submissions is 27 April 2018.... Read more..

Date : Apr 12

Source: PV Tech

Unhappy with the Karnataka govt’s report on Bellandur lake, NGT forms new commission to inspect water bodies

Not convinced by the Karnataka government’s status report on reviving Bellandur, Varthur and Agara lakes, the National Green Tribunal on Wednesday formed a commission for inspection. The commission comprising a senior advocate, expert from IISc and officials from civic agencies will inspect these polluted lakes to study all the fire incidents happened at the lake till April 10 and the progress of their revival.

Date : Apr 12

Source: The Times of India

Washing unit polluting borewells, allege farmers in Tamil Nadu

Following a complaint from a group of farmers near Perumanallur area that a textile garment washing unit was releasing effluent into unused borewells, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) officials inspected the unit on Wednesday in the presence of complainants.

The officials have taken water samples from four unused borewells and a farm well for further test. However, a senior TNPCB official said... Read more..

Date : Apr 12

Source: The Times of India

World's largest solar park to come up in Gujarat: CM Vijay Rupani

The proposed solar power generation project would be set up in 11,000 hectares of land with an investment of Rs 25,000 crore
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today approved setting up a 5,000 MW capacity solar park at the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), which would be the largest such entity in the world after its completion.

The proposed solar power generation project would be set up in... Read more..

Date : Apr 11

Source: The Economic Times

To curb pollution, govt considering nationwide ban on use of pet coke

Government is considering a nationwide ban on the use of pet coke by various industries and a decision is likely to be taken within a month, the Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday.

Stating this, the Environment Ministry also told the top court that several key issues relating to steps to curb air pollution were under its “active consideration” and details have been sought from all states and union... Read more..

Date : Apr 11

Source: Hindustan Times

KP Energy Ltd ties up with GE Renewables India for developing 300 MW wind power project

KP Energy Ltd has tied up with GE Renewables India for developing Wind Power Project of 300 MW (120 Wind Turbine Generators of 2.5 MW each) at Kutch, Gujarat. The project has been won under SECI Bids by a renowned IPP and will be connected with ISTS (Inter State Transmission System) Network in Kutch.

KP Energy will facilitate distinct wind locations, Permits, Wind Data Management, Power Evacuation... Read more..

Date : Apr 11

Source: Equity Bulls

Private Electric Vehicle charging stations can not sell electricity: Bangalore Electricity supply company Ltd.

While the Centre is increasingly pushing for e-mobility, there’s no clarity on retail sale of power to electric vehicles.

Bescom officials said the Electricity Act 2003 allows only Discoms (distribution companies) to sell electricity. This means only Bescom can set up public charging stations in the city.

“... Read more..

Date : Apr 11

Source: ET Energyworld

Foundries to get more pilot projects on energy efficiency under Global Environment Facility funded project

For the foundries in Coimbatore, numbering more than 500, a long-term project on energy efficiency and renewables is bringing in better awareness, new technologies, and systems for better energy efficiency.

About 100 foundries, most of them small and medium-scale, are part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project on “energy efficiency and renewable energy in MSME clusters in India”,... Read more..

Date : Apr 11

Source: The Hindu

SECI in talks with Odisha govt to develop 100 Mw floating Solar PV panels

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is in talks with the Odisha government to develop 100 Mw floating Solar PV (photo voltaic) panels, harnessing the state's unconventional source of energy.

“SECI has come up with a request to set up 100 Mw floating solar panels on Hirakud and Chiplima dams in Sambalpur district, among other places. They have expressed interest to help in conducting a review of the... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: Business Standard

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs clarifies imported solar equipment won’t attract customs duty

Much to the relief of solar project developers, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBITC) has clarified that the bulk of imported solar panels and modules will not attract customs duty, putting to rest a controversy raging for more than six months. Around 90% of panels used in Indian solar projects are imported.

In September 2016, the CBITC passed an order saying that since solar panels and... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: The Economic Times

EESL, BRPL tie up to promote energy efficiency in South, West Delhi

State-owned Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) and BSES Rajdhani Power (BRPL) has entered into a strategic partnership on Saturday to promote energy efficiency and renewables among over 24 lakh consumers in South and West Delhi.

The scope of this association will cover developing technologies like solar power, roof top solar, smart meters, electric vehicles (EV) / charging stations, solar irrigation pumps... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: ET Energyworld

Goa government to notify tender rules for solar power plants in 7 days

Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar has informed that the State government in the next 7 days will notify rules for tender inviting a bid from companies to set up a plant under the Goa Solar Power Policy.

The minister also stated that the company will set the plant on its own including purchasing of land required while the State government commitment will only be to purchase power at the prescribed rates... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: Herald Goa

Apple is now powered fully by renewable energy

Apple has announced that its global facilities are now powered with fully by clean energy, this includes retail stores, offices, data centers as well as new facilities in 43 countries including India. It said nine additional manufacturing partners have committed to switching all their Apple production to 100 percent clean energy, bringing the total number of supplier commitments to 23.

“We’re committed to... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: Indian Express

Unilever to pioneer breakthrough food packaging technology together with Ioniqa & Indorama Ventures

Unilever has announced a partnership with start-up company Ioniqa & the largest global producer of PET resin Indorama Ventures to pioneer a new technology which converts PET waste back into virgin grade material for use in food packaging.

Ioniqa has developed a proprietary technology that is able to convert any PET waste - including coloured packs - back into transparent virgin grade material. The... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: Unilever

World’s first microfactory to help tackle e-waste hazard

An Indian-origin scientist in Australia has launched the world’s first microfactory that can transform the components from electronic waste items such as smartphones and laptops into valuable materials for re-use.

According to Veena Sahajwalla, a professor at the University of New South Wales, the e-waste microfactory has the potential to reduce the rapidly growing problem of vast amounts of electronic waste... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: The Hindu

Google Officially Hits Its 100% Renewable Energy Target

Google announced this week that it currently holds contracts to purchase 3 gigawatts of output from renewable energy projects, which is by far the most renewable energy purchased by a corporate entity to date.

The tech giant says these contracts have led to more than $3 billion in new capital investment around the world. They also allowed Google to officially achieve its 100 percent renewable energy target... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: Greentech Media

PTC India Financial to consolidate renewable business

PTC India Financial Services Ltd, a subsidiary of PTC India Ltd, is seeking to consolidate its renewable energy lending business, while focussing on infrastructure sector, which it had forayed into lately.

Ashok Haldia, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, PTC India Financial Services, told BusinessLine that, “We have been growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25-30 per cent and... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: Business Line

25 buildings in Kerala to get smart electricity meters under pilot

The Kerala State Electricity Board Ltd (KSEBL) is planning to start installation of smart meters in 25 buildings in the district as part of a pilot scheme.

Domestic and commercial users, who consume more than 500 units of electricity per month, will be included in the pilot project.

The KSEB is planning to... Read more..

Date : Apr 10

Source: ET Energyworld

Will achieve 100GW solar target ahead of 2022: Harsh Vardhan

The country's 100GW solar mission target will be achieved ahead of its target in 2022, Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan said here today.

"The government has set a target of 175GW of renewable power by 2022 and out of it 100GW should be in solar. It will not be a problem," he said.

He was... Read more..

Date : Apr 9

Source: Economic Times

Singapore's GIC says to raise investment in Indian renewable firm Greenko

Singapore's GIC could pump more money into Indian renewable energy firm Greenko Energy Holdings, which could help it double or triple its power capacity over the next 3-5 years, a senior GIC official said on Thursday.

"We're on the verge of committing to another round of injection," Chief Investment Officer for Infrastructure, GIC, Eng Seng Ang said at a conference.

Date : Apr 9

Source: ET Energyworld

Wind power tariff firms at Rs 2.5/unit in SECI auction

Wind power tariff firmed up further to Rs 2.51 per unit in the auction of around 2,000 MW capacities conducted by state-run Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), a source said.

Wind energy tariffs had reversed their downtrend in February auction to quote at Rs 2.44/unit against all-time low of Rs 2.43/unit in an auction conducted by Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd December last year.

Date : Apr 9

Source: Economic Times

ACME Solar to re-file documents for IPO

Renewable energy producer ACME Solar Holdings is planning to re-file the draft red herring prospectus for its initial public offering (IPO), two people aware of the matter said.

ACME Solar builds and maintains solar power projects, and generates revenue through the sale of electricity to central and state government entities and government-backed companies.

Date : Apr 9

Source: livemint

L&T, two other companies bag Uttar Pradesh power meter deal

Infrastructure major Larsen and Toubro (L&T), Genus Power and Allied Engineering have bagged a contract to supply 10 million pre-paid meters to Uttar Pradesh under the Saubhagya scheme, which aims to add more than 40 million households to the power grid by December this year.

Noida-based Genus Power Infrastructures won 50% of the order by quoting the lowest price at Rs 1,185 per meter. L&T was the... Read more..

Date : Apr 9

Source: ET Energyworld

UBS introduces first pure green investment portfolio in Asia

UBS, the Swiss private banking giant, is launching a portfolio that invests purely in green stocks and bonds in Asia on Monday (April 9) in a bid to meet demand from wealthy, environmentally-conscious clients.

It follows UBS’ launch of a similar portfolio in Europe earlier this year, which is proving popular with a new generation of green-savvy investors who want to back companies that make a good... Read more..

Date : Apr 9

Source: South China Morning Post