Sustainability Outlook Headlines

M&M To Make Electric Vehicle Components In-House

Mahindra & Mahindra group will manufacture all key components that go into an electric vehicle itself as India’s largest utility vehicle maker prepares for the next transition in the automobile industry amid the government’s push to cut dependence on fossil fuels.

The $13-billion group will set up joint ventures through Mahindra Electric Mobility Ltd., 98.8 percent owned by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.,... Read more..

India plans 20GW solar tender, eyes domestic manufacturing boost

India plans to invite bids for setting up 20 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity—the world’s largest solar tender—at one go, in an attempt to spur domestic manufacturing of solar power equipment.

The effort will help further lower the country’s solar power tariffs and provide a boost to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s Make in India plans.

... Read more..

India inks energy work programme with IEA, key member countries

India has signed joint work programmes with the International Energy Agency (IEA) and some key members at IEA's latest ministerial meeting in Paris, where the Indian delegation was led by Power Minister R.K. Singh, an official statement said on Wednesday.

"At the ministerial, India signed joint work programmes with IEA and other key members of the IEA family, namely Brazil, Chile, India, Indonesia and... Read more..

REC sets sights on foreign markets to boost revenues

REC implements India’s flagship programme to electrify rural areas under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana and ‘Saubhagya’ scheme, which aims to provide last-mile connectivity to rural households.

Rural Electrification Corp (REC) is looking at overseas business, starting with neighbouring countries, to supplement revenue from its traditional business of lending to rural power projects, chairman PV Ramesh... Read more..

Delhi pollution: Odd-even scheme begins on Monday, women, bikers exempt

The odd-even scheme for road rationing of private cars will be reintroduced from 13 to 17 November, the Delhi government said on Thursday amid an alarming spike in air pollution in the national capital region.

On Thursday evening, the air quality index of the Delhi and national capital region (NCR) centred on it was 470, which is in the severe category. The average levels of the two deadliest air pollutants—... Read more..

Delhi pollution: NGT bans construction, industrial activities till 14 November

With deadly smog blanketing Delhi and the neighbouring states for the third day, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday banned construction and industrial activities and entry of trucks, as it rapped the Delhi government and civic bodies over the situation.

The state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana were also directed to ensure that no crop residue is burnt and incentives... Read more..

Solar electric charging stations at Jabalpur 30% cheaper than grid-linked: ABB India

Engineering firm ABB India today said it has installed solar electric charging stations at Jabalpur to cater to 400 e-rickshaws, which will make it 30 percent cheaper than grid-connected power. 

"ABB India is providing critical technology through its solar inverters for solar-powered charging stations for e- rickshaws at four locations in Jabalpur," a company statement said. 

... Read more..

Tata Power commissions 100 MW solar power plant in Karnataka

Tata Power announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Walwhan Renewable Energy Limited (WREL), has been awarded for establishing and commissioning a large-scale 100 MW solar power plant at Pavagada Solar Park in Tumkur district, Karnataka.

The award was bestowed to WREL team by Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah at 'Power Awards' 2017. This was done via competitive bidding under the state solar... Read more..

Government urges mining industry to become more responsible

The government today urged Coal India and other mining companies to be more responsible towards environment and safety to safeguard the future of the sector.

"Why just Coal India, I think the entire industry (sector) should be more focused on ensuring safety," Coal Secretary Susheel Kumar said here today at the 7th Asian Mining Congress.
He said it is imperative for the industry to see to it that... Read more..

Tata Power commissions 25MW solar project in Gujarat

Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian energy giant Tata Power, has commissioned a 25MW solar PV plant in Charanka, at the Gujarat Solar Park.

The project was won via a competitive auction in November 2016 under India’s National Solar Mission with viability gap funding (VGF).

... Read more..

NGT pulls up Delhi, UP, Haryana over air pollution

As the national capital reeled under heavy smog, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) today took the the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to task and asked them to explain why preventive steps were not taken to control the ‘severe’ air quality in the region.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar lambasted the state governments for not being prepared in advance to tackle the... Read more..

Coimbatore goes green, to set up two solar power plants of 1 MW each

The city corporation plans to tap solar energy to bring down its electricity bills by setting up two plants of one megawatt capacity each at Ukkadam and Kavundampalayam.

Tenders for the project were floated on Monday. The panels will be set up on a 10-acres land at a cost of Rs 5.5cr each, corporation sources said.

... Read more..