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Global economic recovery needs green focus, South Korea summit agrees

Top officials from 38 countries agreed on Monday that efforts to rebuild economies from the COVID-19 pandemic should be guided by green principles and seek to reduce global greenhouse emissions.

The delegates, who included some heads of government and representatives of the United States, China and other major economies, adopted a declaration at the end of the 2021 Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030, or P4G.

The gathering was hosted by South Korea for two days, mostly online amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We reaffirm the fight against COVID-19... Read more..

Date : Jun 1
Source: Reuters

CM launches solar-based remote village electrification programme

With a focus on delivering clean, affordable, and reliable energy to all, Shri Pramod
Sawant, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa inaugurated a solar-based electrification
programme for remote rural households in Goa. The solar PV based home lighting
systems for households was inaugurated only two days after the Agreement was signed
between Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) and Goa Energy Development
Agency (GEDA). This project will bring electricity, through renewable energy to areas in
Goa where grid connectivity is not feasible. Speaking at the... Read more..

Date : May 31
Source: Department of Information and Publicity, Goa

Maharashtra intends to lead other states in EV category, say officials

The Maharashtra government in the next five years plans to ensure at least 10 per cent of newly registered vehicles in its major cities would be electric ones, a senior official said.

Addressing a virtual town hall organised by 'Climate Voices' on Thursday, state transport secretary Ashish Kumar Singh also said Maharashtra intended to be the top battery- operated vehicle producer in the country, adding that a committee had been formed under him to re-draft the current electric vehicle (EV) policy.

"We are in the final stage of drafting the policy. The transport department has... Read more..

Date : May 31
Source: Economic Times

Blow to administration, Punjab and Haryana high court stays power department privatisation

The Punjab and Haryana high court on Friday stayed the tender process of the power privatisation project of the UT administration. The decision came on the application filed by Gopal Dutt Joshi, general secretary, UT Powermen Union.

Joshi had sought directions to the central government and the administration to immediately stop further proceedings related to privatisation of the electricity department, including opening and finalisation of the tender bids, till the final adjudication of the main petition fixed for hearing on August18.

Blow to administration, Punjab and... Read more..

Date : May 31
Source: Economic Times

Kering shares new plans on circularity

Kering has today released a new report on its ambitious next steps towards a circular economy. The document also highlights the concrete actions that Kering Houses have implemented around circularity so far, in alignment with their climate and biodiversity strategies.
In line with Kering’s efforts for more transparency, this new report is part of the Group sustainability strategy aiming at rethinking the way it produces, uses and extends the life of resources and products.

“At Kering we already take our approach to circularity very seriously, along with our responsibility to... Read more..

Date : May 31
Source: Kering

Total is Transforming and Becoming TotalEnergies

At the Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting, shareholders approved today, almost unanimously, the resolution to change the company’s name from Total to TotalEnergies, thereby anchoring its strategic transformation into a broad energy company in its identity. In tandem with this name change, TotalEnergies is adopting a new visual identity.

“Energy is life. We all need it and it’s a source of progress. So today, to contribute to the sustainable development of the planet facing the climate challenge, we are moving forward, together, towards new energies. Energy is... Read more..

Date : May 31
Source: Total Energies

BlackRock goes against BP board in climate resolution vote

The world’s biggest asset manager and top BP (BP.L) investor BlackRock (BLK.N) said on Friday it had backed a shareholder resolution calling for faster climate action which the energy company’s board opposed.

BlackRock's vote at BP's annual general meeting earlier this month points to growing pressure on both major oil companies and investors to accelerate efforts to slash greenhouse gas emissions. BlackRock holds a 6.8% stake in BP, according to Refinitiv data.

"While recognizing the company's efforts to date and direction of travel, supporting the resolution signals our... Read more..

Date : May 31
Source: Reuters

Karnataka tweaks EV policy, to offer 15 per cent capital subsidy to investors

The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday decided to give 15% capital subsidy to investors in the electric vehicle sector after the state came under immense pressure from a few states which offered apparently better sops.

The Cabinet decided to amend its Karnataka Electric Vehicle & Storage Policy, 2017, to improve upon its existing policy. The government will give a 15% capital subsidy on the value of fixed assets over five equal annual payments, Law minister Basavaraj Bommai said, briefing the media after the Cabinet meet.

The sops will apply to plots of up to 50 acres.

... Read more..

Date : May 28
Source: Economic Times

SECI invites bid for 1,200 MW ISTS-connected wind power projects

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for setting up 1,200 megawatt (MW) ISTS-connected wind power projects in India under tariff-based competitive bidding.

The last date for submission of bids is 6 July, 2021.

The projects will be set-up on a build-own-operate basis for an aggregate capacity of 1,200 MW and SECI will enter into a power purchase agreement with the successful bidders selected for a period of 25 years.

SECI said that the power procured by it from these projects will be sold to the discoms of Madhya Pradesh.

“The discoms... Read more..

Date : May 28
Source: Economic Times

Maharashtra aims for EV boost, seeks electrification of at least 25% of intra-city public transport

The Maharashtra government aims to ensure 10% of all new registered vehicles in its major cities would be electric by 2025, as per the draft of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, 2021.

According to the presentation by Transport Commissioner Avinash Dhakne, the policy draft targets all urban agglomerations — Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Aurangabad, Pune, Nagpur. Nashik also aims to achieve 25% electrification of intra-city public transport and last mile delivery vehicles by 2025. The draft policy also has an ambitious plan to convert 15% of the existing fleet of 18,000 State RTC buses... Read more..

Date : May 28
Source: The Hindu

Vena energy signs a JPY 53bn sustainability-linked revolving credit facility

Vena Energy, Asia-Pacific’s leading renewable independent power producer (IPP), announced today that it has signed its first sustainability-linked Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) of JPY52.8 billion (approximately US$500 million) from eight lenders including BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole CIB, DBS Bank Ltd, ING Bank, MUFG, Intesa, SMBC and Mizuho.

ING Bank and BNP Paribas acted as joint Green Structuring Advisors for the transaction.

The three-year RCF was structured as a sustainability-linked loan and includes key performance indicators (KPIs) related to environmental impact,... Read more..

Date : May 28
Source: Vena Energy

Global leaders call for concrete plans for clean energy for all by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050

Recognizing the urgent need for action, leaders from the United Nations, the
private sector, national and local governments, youth and other organizations issued a joint call
today for countries, businesses, cities and civil society groups to put forward their “Energy
Compacts” to show how they will achieve the goal of clean, affordable energy for all by 2030
(SDG 7) and net-zero emissions by 2050.
The Energy Compacts would provide the clearest indication of how countries will ensure that all
people have access to clean energy and move toward net-... Read more..

Date : May 27
Source: UN

Ford: Electric vehicles to be 40 per cent of global sales by 2030

DETROIT - Ford expects 40% of its global sales to be battery-electric vehicles by 2030 as it adds billions to what it's spending to develop them.

The automaker said in a presentation for investors Wednesday that it will add about $8 billion to its EV development spending from this year to 2025. That brings the total spend to nearly $20 billion as Ford begins to develop and build batteries in a joint venture with SK Innovation of South Korea.

Under former CEO Jim Hackett, Ford was criticized by analysts for moving too slowly on its turnaround and future vehicle plans. But... Read more..

Date : May 27
Source: Economic Times

Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India announces 2030 carbon-neutral program and targets

Carbon-neutral in own operations by 2030
100% fossil-free electricity consumption in FY22
50% reduction in CO2 emissions along the value chain
50% decrease in waste and 25% in freshwater use
Hitachi ABB Power Grids in India (listed on the Indian stock exchanges as “ABB Power Products and Systems India Limited”) today announced a comprehensive program to achieve carbon-neutrality targets by 2030 in its own operations, reaffirming its commitment to a sustainable energy future. In parallel, the Company is continuing to mobilize resources to safeguard employees and... Read more..

Date : May 27
Source: Hitachi

India organises first BRICS energy meet

The meeting will prioritize renewable energy, energy efficiency and smart grid
India said it will work on renewable energy, energy efficiency and smart grid while hosting the first meeting of BRICS Senior Energy Officials under its presidency of the five-nation group.

India organized the two-day meeting on 20-21 May, led by Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power.

The meeting saw participation from officials of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa, the Ministry said on Twitter. Other Indian representatives also came from the Ministry of Power,... Read more..

Date : May 27
Source: The Hindu

ISA, MNRE, And World Bank Conduct Strategic Inception Virtual Workshop For ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ Marking The Beginning Of The Project

The International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy and the World Bank organised a two-day strategic inception workshop on ‘One Sun One World
One Grid (OSOWOG)’ wherein all the implementation partners came together and presented their
roadmap for OSOWOG. OSOWOG will be implemented in three phases – ‘Phase I Pre-feasibility
analysis’ will include individual Countries’ assessment, Demand Supply Scenario Projections, RE
resource potential assessment and scenario assessment for net zero by 2050; Phase II will focus on
key... Read more..

Date : May 27
Source: ISA

Ministry of Power decides to set up a National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants

In order to address the issue of air pollution due to farm stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation, Ministry of Power has decided to set up a National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants. This would further support the energy transition in the country and our targets to move towards cleaner energy sources.

The "National Mission on use of biomass in thermal power plants" will have the following objectives;

(a) To increase the level of co-firing from present 5% to higher levels to have a larger share of carbon... Read more..

Date : May 26
Source: Ministry of Power

Power industry seeks relaxation of fly ash disposal norms

Over 25% of fly ash produced from power plants is used by the cement industry. Bricks and tile makers consume about 10% and another 10% is utilised for making roads and flyovers. More than 5% of the fly ash is used for the reclamation of low lying areas.

With demand for fly ash coming down from cement and brick manufacturing units, power plants have requested the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change not to impose financial penalties if they are unable to utilise all the fly ash produced from power generation.

Thermal plants are supposed to utilise 100%... Read more..

Date : May 26
Source: Financial Express

IREDA invites bids for setting up solar module manufacturing units under PLI scheme

The beneficiaries of the PLI scheme will be selected through competitive bidding and the evaluation of the bids will be done on the basis of manufacturing capacity proposed to be set up by companies and the extent of elementary products required for manufacturing solar panels they promise to make in the country.

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) on Tuesday invited applications from solar module manufacturers for availing the Centre’s Rs 4,500-crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. The beneficiaries of the PLI scheme will be selected through competitive... Read more..

Date : May 26
Source: Financial Express

Nasa joins hands with Isro to develop Earth Observatory to mitigate climate change, better disaster management

As India prepares to tackle the upcoming Cyclone Yaas, disaster management has emerged as a critical part of the global agenda as climate change leads to increased cyclonic storms, wildfires and major forest fires. Now, a new system to be developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) aided by radar systems from the Indian Space & Research Organisation (Isro) will provide key information to guide efforts related to climate change and disaster mitigation.

As part of the Earth System Observatory, each satellite will be designed uniquely to work together and... Read more..

Date : May 26
Source: India Today

MeitY formulates policy paper on circular economy to deal with e-waste

Aiming to deal with e-waste as part of the larger plan of the Indian government to encourage circular economy, or ensuring zero to minimal wastage in the use of electronics and electrical sector, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has formulated a policy paper that deals with these issues.

The paper, "Circular Economy in Electronics and Electrical Sector," was entrusted to MeitY by the Niti Aayog, and focuses on the life cycle of electronics including stages of raw material acquisition, design, manufacturing/production stage, consumption to end of life (e... Read more..

Date : May 25
Source: Business Standard

IFC to Invest $15 Million in a Fund For Clean Energy Projects in India and Bangladesh

International Finance Corporation (IFC) – the financial arm of the World Bank – has proposed an equity investment of up to $15 million in South Asia Growth Fund II (SAGF II), L.P. The fund’s offshore sponsor is GEF Capital Partners, a Delaware limited liability company.

The investment is capped at 20% of aggregate commitments, with an equivalent amount of co-investment envelope in SGAF II, a limited partnership organized in Ontario, Canada.

The fund will engage GEF Capital to carry out certain investment management and administration duties.

The fund is targeting $200... Read more..

Date : May 25
Source: Mercom India

Water-free, portable cleaning bot for rooftop solar

Bengaluru-headquartered Aegeus Technologies has introduced the Shreem cleaning bot exclusively designed for rooftop solar installations. The robot is fully autonomous and weighs only 5 kg (with batteries), portable enough to carry in a backpack.

Shreem can be operated through a web-based app from any remote location, and overcomes the problem of accessibility for dangerous or difficult-to-reach rooftop installations. The bot, being Bluetooth-enabled, can also be operated manually using a mobile app or through an RF remote-operated controller. It can be preset to start at a desired... Read more..

Date : May 25
Source: PV Magazine

Consider including Hydrogen Fuel Cell EVs under FAME II: Delhi High Court to DHI

The Delhi High Court has directed the Department of Heavy Industries to consider including Hydrogen Fuel Cell electric vehicles and Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure under the scheme for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II). The court went on to also direct the government to consider allocating unused funds from the FAME II scheme for promoting hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in the country, and construction and operation of refuelling stations.

Also read: What are hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and why they make more... Read more..

Date : May 25
Source: Financial Express

Microfinance institutions want additional relief measures from RBI

A week after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced some relief measures for microfinance institutions (MFIs), the lenders have urged the central bank to provide additional support.

In a letter to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, MFI association SaDhan has sought a special liquidity facility of at least Rs 15,000 crore to be provided by all-India financial institutions such as National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). Of this, at least 40 per cent of the funds should go to MFIs with an asset size of Rs 500... Read more..

Date : May 25
Source: Business Standard
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