Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Replacing coal plants with renewables will help save Rs 54,000 cr: Greenpeace

The country can save up to Rs 54,000 crore in power costs and reduce air pollution by replacing expensive coal plants with renewables, according to a new analysis by Greenpeace India.

The analysis compared 2015-2016 tariff data published by the Central Electricity Authority with an "assumed" renewable energy tariff of Rs 3/kWh, it claimed in a statement.

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Green power: Govt proposes ₹23,450-crore roof top solar scheme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has proposed SRISTI — Sustainable Rooftop Implementation for Solar Transfiguration of India — the scheme to incentivise the installation of roof top solar projects in India.

An official statement said, “The concept, once approved, shall serve as the basis of revised scheme of MNRE for solar rooftop in Phase-II and will replace the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs... Read more..

Rays Future Energy executes 60 MW of capacity under open access

Rays Future Energy, a subsidiary of integrated solar power company Rays Power Infra, today said it is executing 60MW of capacity under open access systems in Karnataka, to be completed by the end of the current fiscal.

The company has identified over 50 highly-rated private commercial and industrial consumers to whom the energy will be offered, providing them access to power at reduced costs sourced from... Read more..

India got $400 million of financing for new solar and wind energy farms

Renewable energy in India is set to get a $400 million boost through a joint initiative backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and India's Yes Bank.

In an announcement Tuesday, the EIB said that Yes Bank would manage the co-financing program for the development of new solar and wind facilities in India.

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Wind power tariff competitiveness to remain a challenge: ICRA

Even as the tariff competitiveness of wind energy has improved as against the conventional energy sources, its viability continues to be a challenge, says ICRA.

According to the rating agency, while the government's wind power bidding programme provides visibility to support capacity additions over the next four years, the renegotiation or cancellation of power purchase agreements (PPAs) by few states will... Read more..

Yes Bank-European Investment Bank invest $400 million in wind and solar projects

Indian private sector lender Yes Bank is betting big on clean energy sector in India, as it has jointly invested $400 million with European Investment Bank (EIB), a long-term lending institution of the European Union, in new solar and wind projects in the country. 

The bank is also exploring investments in the electric vehicle segment, officials said. "The new financing programme will streamline financing... Read more..

Suzlon bags wind energy installation order in Gujarat

Wind power equipment maker Suzlon has bagged an order to install 120 units of 2.1MW of wind equipment in Gujarat.

The Pune-based company said the project is targeted to be fully commissioned by first half of 2019. While the company did not specify the size of the order, it is estimated to be in the range of Rs 1,600-1,700 crore as per existing cost.

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India's energy saving champion delays IPO to next fiscal year

India's state-backed Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. is delaying its initial share sale on expectations that an increase in its revenue will make the offering more attractive to investors. 

EESL, which is tasked with helping the nation reduce emissions, initially planned to launch its initial public offering as soon as the fourth quarter. It has now pushed back the IPO to the year starting April 2018 as it... Read more..

Hyderabad: Coming - Energy code for commercial buildings

In a bid to cut the loss of electricity, The GHMC will unveil an online system of mandatory Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for commercial buildings on Wednesday. With rapid increase in consumption and limited supply, Hyderabad is in critical need of energy solutions. 

The online system will be unveiled on Wednesday during the launch of Energy Conservation Week at Institution of Engineers Auditorium... Read more..

Vietnam's TTC to launch three solar projects in first half 2018

Vietnamese conglomerate TTC Corp expects to start construction work on the country's first three solar power projects in the first half of 2018, its chairman said on Tuesday.

Vietnam has been mostly reliant on coal-fired and hydro power plants to meet demand for electrical energy, which is growing at around 11 percent a year, but wants to boost its renewable energy output.

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Transport Ministry to seek Rs 5,000 crore for electric bus fleets, bus ports

The road transport and highways ministry will seek separate budgetary allocation of Rs 5,000 crore for introducing government-owned electric bus fleets and building world-class bus ports across the country, Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said. 

The ministry plans to set up special purpose vehicles with state governments and road transport corporations, under which it will provide funds to procure electric... Read more..

No funds shortage but lack of willingness on part of states, says Supreme Court on solid waste management

Terming solid waste management as a “huge problem” for the country, the Supreme Court has said that there was no shortage of funds under ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ but there was “lack” of willingness on the part of states to take positive steps in this regard. The apex court noted the submissions of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF) that there was a total outlay of Rs 36,829 crore under the mission out of which Rs 7,424 crore was made available by the Centre. A bench of justices... Read more..