Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Meerut distilleries near Ganga get NGT warning for pollution

The National Green Tribunal has asked distilleries in Meerut not to discharge effluents in nearby drains joining river Kali East and strictly comply with environmental norms. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar directed beer brand Sabmiller India and United Spirits Ltd to adhere to recommendations made by a joint inspection team and warned them that failure to do would result in their closure.

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Cabinet approves IPO of IREDA

The Union cabinet approved the IPO of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), which is expected to enable the state-run entity to raise funds for clean energy projects.

The government has said all public sector companies that have been earning profit for three years should be listed and has put in place a timeline to unlock value in state-run companies. IREDA will issue fresh 14 crore shares,... Read more..

Record 'green' energy capacity added in 2016 as cost for renewables plunges

The world is now adding more green energy capacity each year than it adds in new capacity from all fossil fuels combined, a United Nations-backed report revealed today, showing that the “renewables train has already left the station” and those who ignore this will be left behind.

Last year, renewable power installments increased by nine per cent over 2015 to nearly 2,017 gigawatts. Solar photovoltaic... Read more..

ABB's new microgrid technology to be transformational for urban and rural Indian installations

ABB is bringing affordable, safe and reliable electricity to remote communities with its new integrated microgrid solution, MGS100 that combines solar power and enables battery energy storage. Encased in a single container, the MGS100 has three power ratings - 20 kW, 40 kW, 60 kW nominal load power. Installation is quick and easy, as it is factory tested and embedded DC and AC protections make it ready to connect. With the added benefit of remote monitoring, vital diagnostics are always available and... Read more..

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal points to 'serious water management problems' in the city

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has pointed to 'serious water management problems' in the city, seeking a report from Delhi Jal Board on supply and consumption in each Assembly constituency.

In a letter written to the DJB chief executive officer, Kejriwal has said that Delhi, having a population of 2 crores people, has fresh water availability of 900 MGD.

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California, China sign climate deal after Trump's Paris exit

With President Donald Trump pulling the US out of the Paris climate accord, China and California signed an agreement on Tuesday to work together on reducing emissions, as the state's governor warned that "disaster still looms'' without urgent action.

Governor Jerry Brown told The Associated Press at an international clean energy conference in Beijing that Trump's decision to pull the US out of the Paris... Read more..

Indian solar companies seek anti-dumping duty on products from China, Malaysia, Taiwan

Solar power companies in India have written to the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping (DGAD) seeking imposition of duty on imports of panels, modules and glass from China, Malaysia and Taiwan.

The petitioner – Indian Solar Manufacturer’s Association (ISMA) – wrote to DGAD saying that though the demand for the subject goods increased significantly as compared to the base year, the domestic industry did not... Read more..

'Circular economy' fits into India's renewable energy plans: Finland Minister

India has the potential to lead emerging economies when it comes to renewable energy and sustainable development, Finland’s environment minister Kimmo Tiilikainen told ET.

The minister said the way India was moving towards the generation of solar and wind energy could be an example for the developing world and the concept of “circular economy” that promotes reusing and recycling resources was fit for India... Read more..

Equis Energy commissions 130 MW of solar capacity in India

Equis Energy announced on Tuesday it has commissioned two solar parks in India’s Telangana state, with a combined generating capacity of 130 MW.

The Singapore-based renewable power producer has commissioned a solar plant in Sadasivpet on May 3, 2017, a month ahead of schedule. The other facility is located in Minpur and was commissioned back in February, four months ahead of schedule.

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Venkaiah Naidu praises state on urban projects

Lauding Maharashtra for the progress it has made in flagship urban infrastructure projects, Union Minister for Urban Development Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said, “Maharashtra has shown the way to other states, taking a lead in all the flagship projects under urban infrastructure, including the Prime Minister Awas Yojana and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.”

At the end of four hours of a marathon meeting held with Chief... Read more..

National Mission for Clean Ganga clears Rs.1900 crore for Namami Gange Programme

The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved projects worth Rs.1,900 crore on Monday for the creation of sewage treatment infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi under the Namami Gange Programme.

The NMCG has given the go-ahead to projects to the tune of Rs.4,100 crore during the past three months in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Delhi. In April, MNCG had approved 26... Read more..

Solar panels, batteries may power lights and fans on 250 trains

Indian Railways will install flexible solar panels and batteries to power fans and lights on 250 local trains, giving another boost to India’s rapidly growing renewable energy programme.

The railways have not yet decided where these trains will ply but it has already floated the tender to install the systems on trains, a government official said. The tender requires winning parties to first execute projects... Read more..