Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Global solar alliance proposes USD 300 bn fund

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is proposing to set up a USD 300 billion fund to support clean energy projects in member countries over the next 10 years.

"The proposal is to strive for 300 billion dollar global fund over 10 year with contributions from the World Bank ... and also from Green Climate Fund to leverage USD 3,000 billion investment from the corporate sector for meeting investment... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: Business Standard

ADB Issues Green Rupee-Linked Bond to Support Renewable Energy in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised 3 billion Indian Rupees (INR), about $47 million, from a new issue of offshore Indian Rupee-linked bonds to help finance climate change mitigation and adaptation projects in India.

Today's fundraising represents ADB's maiden Indian Rupee green bond and shows the institution's long term commitment to financial market development in India, said ADB Treasurer Pierre... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: Business Standard

US paves way for first India-based govt body, ISA, to be registered with the UN

The US has agreed to formalise the International Solar Alliance by a framework agreement, withdrawing its objections and paving the way for according legal status to the first India-headquartered inter-governmental body and making it eligible to be registered with the United Nations.

“The US has tentatively agreed,” said a senior official involved in the matter. “It is not yet known when it will sign the... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: The Economic Times

IIEST creates first smart grid project to generate power fromrenewable energy

The Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) has successfully created the country’s first smart grid project, which will generate power from renewable sources of energy.

The project will soon be inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee, IIEST Director Ajoy Kumar Roy told.

“The smart... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: Business Line

India eyes cooperation with Africa on international solar alliance

India is eyeing cooperation with African nations on the International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiative and looking forward to deepen economic cooperation during the upcoming annual meetings of African Development Bank (AfDB) Group here from May 22.

For the first time, India would be hosting the annual meetings of the bank here from May 22-26. The annual meet will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: ET Energyworld

Israel Extends Support For ‘Namami Gange’ Ahead Of Modi’s State Visit

Israeli Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon met Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Monday and extended support to the ambitious ‘Namami Gange’ project, aimed at cleaning and rejuvenating river Ganga by 2020.
“Uttar Pradesh may be given assistance by Israel on the Namami Gange Programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that has been started for rejuvenation of Ganga,” Carmon said, according to a PTI report.

Date : May 19

Source: Business World

ISRO to help Adani Group maximise solar power production

In order to help Adani Group maximise solar power production, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has signed an agreement to provide solar insolation data (amount of solar radiation reaching a particular area) from it’s INSAT satellites.

“A memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard has been signed between SAC (Space Applications Centre) and Adani Green Energy Limited a few days ago,” said... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: Indian Express

Sweden offers its expertise for developing smart cities in India

Sweden has offered its expertise and technology in environment-friendly public transport and solid waste management for developing smart cities in India. This emerged during a meeting of Sweden Minister of European Union Affairs and Trade Ann Linde and Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu here today.

Sweden has evinced a keen interest in partnering with India for the development of smart cities, an official... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: Financial Express

Kerala’s solar power capacity to touch 100 MW milestone

Compared to sector-leaders like Andhra Pradesh or Rajasthan it may seem trifling, but for Kerala it’s still a big leap ‘sunward.’ In the next few months, the state’s combined solar power capacity is tipped to touch the 100 MW mark.

The combined capability now stands at a little over 90 MW, with a number of projects set to be completed soon and several others in the pipeline, according to the KSEB. Crossing... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: The New Indian Express

Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Corona Roll Out New Partnerships to Keep Oceans Plastic-Free

The problem of marine plastics continues to be a top priority across the globe, spurring even more businesses and organizations to dig in their heels and find create new solutions to the growing issue.

Continuing its efforts to keep plastics out of the ocean, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has teamed up with The Prince of Wales’s International Sustainability Unit to launch a $2 million New Plastics Economy... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: Sustainable Brands

Delhi government authorises 37 centres to collect e-waste: Hussain

Raising concern over unauthorised dismantling and recycling of e-waste, Environment Minister Imran Hussain said the government has authorised 37 collection centres for collecting e-waste.

Stressing the need for public awareness about hazards of improper disposal of electronic waste, Hussain observed that practice of burning of e-waste for extracting various metals is a big menace posing threat for human... Read more..

Date : May 19

Source: The Tribune

IFC may invest $40 million in Tata Cleantech Capital to promote renewable energy projects

International Finance Corporation may invest up to $40 million in Tata Cleantech Capital Ltd's (TCCL) green bond issue to help the company expand long-term environment-friendly infrastructure funding.

Money raised through green bonds are earmarked towards financing environment-friendly projects and TCCL would use the proceeds of IFC investment to finance the wind, solar and other climate-related projects.... Read more..

Date : May 17

Source: The Economic Times

Railways speeds up plans to shift towards gas-fuelled locomotives

Indian Railways, India’s state-run transporter, has speeded up plans to shift towards gas-fuelled locomotives. This is part of a larger plan by the railways, that pays an energy bill of around Rs 30,000 crore per annum, to save Rs 41,000 crore on energy use over the next decade.

With the objective of reducing energy bill as well as carbon footprint, the national carrier has deployed the Indian Railway... Read more..

Date : May 17

Source: ET Energyworld

NGT directs closure of industries using pet coke without nod

Industries which do not have permission to use petroleum coke, also called pet coke, as a fuel should be closed immediately, the National Green Tribunal ordered on Tuesday.

Pet coke is a high calorific value solid fuel which is extensively used for power generation in various countries.

The green panel... Read more..

Date : May 17

Source: The Economic Times

Goyal rebuffs RBI on UDAY

Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday rebuffed the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) recent report showing that the Ujjwal Discom Awas Yojana (UDAY) scheme was harming state finances, and said that the debt was already with the state governments since they owned the stressed electricity distribution companies (discoms).

“I wish RBI would re-examine its logic in saying that state finances will be hurt,” Mr.... Read more..

Date : May 17

Source: The Hindu

Jharkhand among top five states in 'Swachh Bharat Mission'

Union Urban Development and Housing Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today said Jharkhand is among the top five states in the 'Swachh Bharat Mission'.

He said Jharkhand has also progressed much in the 'Pradhan Mantri Sahari Awas Yojana' when compared to other states and this has happened due to Chief Minister Raghubar Das' skillful leadership.

Date : May 17

Source: Business Standard

RaysExperts adds 30 mw solar capacity in January-March

Solar farm maker RaysExperts has commissioned projects that contributed an additional 30 mw to Rays Solar Parks at Kolayat in Bikaner during January and March.

"Around 99 per cent of solar EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) companies in India have a total individual portfolio of less than 30 mw ? which Rays Experts, in a rare feat of sorts, achieved in just 3 months," the company said in a... Read more..

Date : May 17

Source: India Today In

Hyderabad airport converts 19000 lights to energy efficient LEDs

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL) on Monday claimed it has become south India's first and India's second airport to convert the entire taxiway edge lights from halogen lamps to energy efficient LEDs.

The GHIAL is on its green journey of transforming the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here into a 100 per cent LED airport, out which 75 per cent of the work has been already completed, a... Read more..

Date : May 17

Source: Daily News & Analysis

Government to revise Pradhan Mantr Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) target to 80 mn connections in 3 yrs

The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has asked an additional budgetary support of Rs 4,800 crore from the finance ministry for adding another 30 million customers to its flagship social sector scheme Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

Through this, the ministry wants to revise the target of providing 50 million gas connections under PMUY in three years to 80 million, for which the government has... Read more..

Date : May 17

Source: Business Standard

Road made of waste materials in Roorkee

For the first time in India, a geopolymer concrete road made of fly ash and other waste materials has been successfully laid at Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee. The road was made of fly ash, the ash produced by the burning of powdered coal, from NTPC Dadri.

The road, which is 50m long and 3m wide and has a concrete strength of 40MPa, was made from fly ash, aluminate and silicate-bearing... Read more..

Date : May 17

Source: The Times of India

Andhra Pradesh tops in solar power, Telangana fourth

Andhra Pradesh is at the top in India when it comes to solar power, with accumulative generation capacity of 1,867 MW. Telangana State, meanwhile, stands at fourth position with a generation capacity of 1,287 MW.

Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu are at second and third positions with 1,812 MW and 1,691MW respectively.

Date : May 16

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Government may set up an export council for renewable energy gear

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to boost domestic manufacturing of solar energy equipment is expected to see streamlined efforts. According to officials in the know, the Government is examining a proposal for setting up a Renewable Energy Export Council.

The need for such a council follows the ambitious National Solar Mission targeting an indigenous manufacturing capacity of 4-5 GW by 2020.... Read more..

Date : May 16

Source: Business Line

Yes Bank, Bureau of Energy Efficiency in participating financial institution (PFI) pact

Private sector lender Yes Bank today signed a pact with Bureau of Energy Efficiency to become the participating financial institution (PFI) to avail risk guarantee under the partial risk guarantee fund for energy efficiency.

The partial risk guarantee fund for energy efficiency (PRGFEE) is a risk sharing mechanism that provides Yes Bank with a partial coverage of risk involved in extending loans to energy... Read more..

Date : May 16

Source: India Today In

Niti Aayog working on plan to convert unsold BS III stock to run on Methanol-blended fuel

In a bid to promote the use of Methanol in industry, the government think-tank NITI Aayog is working on a plan that will allow India to use the alternate fuel for meeting BS VI specifications for automobiles.

The think tank is drafting a business model that includes converting the unsold BS III stock of automobiles to eventually run on Methanol-blended fuel.

Date : May 16

Source: ET Energyworld

HSBC takes corporate PPA route for solar power

As one walks into the massive building that’s housing global banking major HSBC in Hyderabad’s IT corridor, one could wonder about the amount of energy required to maintain this headquarters for the firm’s global backend operations.

The structure — known as the Hexagon for its unique six-sided design — oversees 50,000 people spread over seven countries and needs 14 megawatts power. “But of this, 10 MW is... Read more..

Date : May 16

Source: Deccan Chronicle