Sustainability Outlook Headlines

NTPC pivots from thermal to green

New Delhi: State-run NTPC Ltd will not set up greenfield coal-fuelled power projects as part of its pivot towards green energy, said the company’s chairman and managing director, Gurdeep Singh. NTPC, India’s largest power generation utility which runs one of the biggest coal power project fleets in the world, plans to make total capital expenditure of ₹ 1 trillion between 2019 and 2024 to become a 130-gigawatts (GW) power producer by 2032. “Your company has changed its focus and is pursuing renewable capacity addition aggressively. We have taken the decision not to acquire any further land... Read more..

Date : Sep 25

Source: Live Mint

Delhi’s power play at climate change event

NEW DELHI: Manipur’s Phayeng village has been given the tag of being India’s first carbon positive settlement. Delhi has implemented “Bijli Swaraj”—a strategy to shift to renewable energy and create green jobs and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Punjab is making several efforts to control stubble burning. Different Indian states on Thursday showcased their actions being undertaken against climate change at an event titled “State Climate Leadership in India.” The event was hosted by The Climate Group in association with Delhi-based Climate Trends on the sidelines of the annual Climate... Read more..

Date : Sep 25

Source: Times of India

Bihar CM shares state’s sustainable development efforts at UN climate roundtable

United Nations, September 25 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar shared his state's policy initiatives and sustainable development efforts, including climate-resilient agriculture and water conservation, aimed at contributing to the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C at a climate change roundtable hosted by the UN Secretary-General. Kumar was the only leader from India to participate in the virtual high-level Roundtable on Climate Ambition, hosted by UN chief Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday. He said Bihar, which has... Read more..

Date : Sep 25

Source: Tribune India

CIL board clears 18 new mining projects with Rs 2,125-crore investment

Coal India has taken possession of 4,083.51 hectares of land for expansion of its mining projects, chairman and MD Pramod Agarwal said at the company’s 46th annual general meeting on Wednesday. The board has cleared 18 new mining projects with rated capacity of 132.04 mt with a sanctioned capital of Rs 2,124. 55 crore. This has been done to enhance its production with the company given a revised target to produce 650 million tonne in FY21. Earlier, it was given a target to produce 710 mt. Since the company has decided to open up its underground mines, which had been gradually closed down... Read more..

Date : Sep 24

Source: Financial Express

Without incentives, Tata Power Renewables not keen on new plants

NEW DELHI: Tata Power Renewable Energy is not planning any new manufacturing plants despite the government’s push for self-reliance, as it needs more clarity on future policies and financial incentives, its top executive said. "Before we look to set up any new greenfield projects, we are waiting for policy incentives from the government," Ashish Khanna, president of Tata Power Renewable Energy, told ET. "We need clear visibility for our products to be sold. You don't set up projects only for one or two years," he said. Although the company will double its manufacturing capacity by the end... Read more..

Date : Sep 24

Source: ET Energy World

Installers sought for 1,000 EV charging stations nationwide

State-owned electrical equipment supplier Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL) has bagged a government order to set up 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations nationwide under the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) program. REIL has invited expressions of interest from companies to identify sites and install the charging infrastructure in more than 75 cities. The scope of work includes site selection, development, operation and maintenance of interoperable electric chargers and associated infrastructure for... Read more..

Date : Sep 24

Source: PV Magazine

Taxation, regulation need to run parallel for creating demand

NEW DELHI: Taxation and regulation need to run parallel and if they go in opposite directions it is difficult to create demand, while fresh investments "never ever gets feasible" with frequent change in policies, according to a top company official of Toyota Kirloskar Motor. The company, which is an arm of Japanese auto major Toyota Motor Corporation, said while India remains an important market from a global strategy point of view, bringing new models with the latest technology would depend on whether the market demand in the country gives it the feasibility to do so. We have to carefully... Read more..

Date : Sep 24

Source: Times of India

World Bank's IFC adopts new climate rules to deter lenders from backing coal

LONDON: The World Bank's private-sector arm has introduced new climate change conditions for its investments in commercial banks to encourage the lenders to wind down support for coal projects in Africa and Asia. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), which owns equity stakes in many large commercial banks in emerging markets, hopes the restrictions will trigger other investors to exit the coal sector. "I think this is an important milestone. If we look historically, our environmental policies and procedures have been adopted by both other development finance institutions and the... Read more..

Date : Sep 24

Source: ET Energy World

New tool launched to support rapid renewable energy deployment

New Delhi: The India chapter of science-based non-profit Nature Conservancy has launched a geospatial tool for helping decision-makers, investors, and financiers to make better choices in selecting land for siting solar and wind projects. The free and publicly accessible geospatial decision-support tool called SiteRight can support the siting of new renewable energy projects in places with viable resource potential but away from land areas rich in biodiversity and on which local communities depend. It has been developed by Nature Conservancy India, the Centre for Science, Technology, and... Read more..

Date : Sep 24

Source: ET Energy World

China, top global emitter, aims to go carbon-neutral by 2060

UNITED NATIONS: Chinese President Xi Jinping says his country will aim to stop adding to the global warming problem by 2060. Xi's announcement during a speech Tuesday to the U.N. General Assembly is a significant step for the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. Calling for a "green revolution," Xi said the coronavirus pandemic had shown the need to preserve the environment. "Humankind can no longer afford to ignore the repeated warnings of nature," he said. Citing the Paris Agreement that he and former U.S. President Barack Obama helped forge in 2015, Xi said his country would... Read more..

Date : Sep 23

Source: Economic Times

EESL opens tender for 7.5 MWp of grid-connected rooftop solar in Andaman

The Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under India’s Ministry of Power, has invited bids to set up an aggregate 7.5 MWp of grid-connected rooftop solar capacity on various buildings in the union territory of Andaman. Out of the tendered capacity, 64% (4.755 MW) will come up in middle Andaman and 36% (2.68 MW) in northern Andaman. The capacity—to be developed in capital expenditure (Capex) payment upfront mode—is to be set up in PV system sizes of 5, 10 and 15 kWp. The work scope includes design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing and commissioning, along with ten... Read more..

Date : Sep 23

Source: PV Magazine

Airbus charts path to zero emission aviation by 2035

With pressure mounting on the airline industry to play its part in combating greenhouse gas emissions, European manufacturer Airbus today announced plans for three emissions-free aircraft. The Toulouse-based planemaker said the models could enter commercial service by 2035. “This is a historic moment for the commercial aviation sector as a whole and we intend to play a leading role in the most important transition this industry has ever seen,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. “The concepts we unveil today offer the world a glimpse of our ambition to drive a bold vision for the future of... Read more..

Date : Sep 23

Source: PV Magazine

‘Ensure minimum flow of water downstream’

SHIMLA: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has observed that no business or commercial interest can override the requirement of maintaining riverine ecology, while hearing a petition seeking enforcement of releasing minimum water downstream by the hydroelectric projects in Himachal Pradesh. It has held that every hydel project, irrespective of the date of its commissioning, is under an obligation to release minimum water downstream. Saying this is a mandate for sustainable development, which is part of right to life, NGT has accordingly directed compliance by all the HEPs, including in... Read more..

Date : Sep 23

Source: Times of India

Uttarakhand to start disposing of over 28 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste

The Uttarakhand government has now set a one-year deadline to dispose of around 28 lakh metric tonnes of ‘legacy waste’ that has been piling up over 20 years. The state government is opting to treat the waste in different ways, by using it to generate electricity, biogas, etc. Madan Kaushik, minister for urban development in the state, said that different methods are being followed in different places in the state to treat the solid waste accumulated over the years. “We have around 28 lakh metric tonnes of waste that has accumulated over 20 years and it is a major challenge to dispose of... Read more..

Date : Sep 23

Source: Hindustan Times

NTPC plans industrial parks at power plants, invites EoIs

NEW DELHI: India’s largest power generation utility plans to set up industrial parks inside its power projects across the country and has invited expression of interests (EoIs) from Indian firms. State-run NTPC Ltd wants to attract energy-intensive manufacturing units with inducements and benefits as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliant India strategy. These industrial parks, meant for Indian firms, will initially be set up on pilot basis at NTPC’s plants at Solapur (Maharashtra), Kudgi (Karnataka) and Gadarwara (Madhya Pradesh). NTPC will provide electricity at competitive... Read more..

Date : Sep 23

Source: Live Mint

Govt to set hydrogen energy development targets, costs to fall: Secretary

NEW DELHI: The government plans to set targets for hydrogen energy development, which is currently not included in its plan to develop 175 Gigawatts of renewable power by 2022. A committee of officials has been formed to set specific targets to develop this source of energy, Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi, secretary, ministry of new and renewable sources of energy, said on Monday. “As a part of a hydrogen mission, this committee would outline clearly quantifiable deliverables. It would be focused towards creating volumes, addressing regulations, supporting demonstrations, and research and... Read more..

Date : Sep 22

Source: Economic Times

LNG overtakes domestic gas as pricing controls weigh on local producers

NEW DELHI: LNG imports have shot past domestic supplies for the first time in India, creating ground for decontrolling the market even as local producers feel hamstrung by below-cost prices dictated by government formula. Domestic gas met 47 per cent of demand in 2019-20, while a spurt in import of cheap cargos pushed up the share of LNG to 53 per cent from 31 per cent in 2017. Market is projected to be equally divided between between LNG and domestic gas in the next two years. “Natural gas is truly becoming a global commodity. For the first time, LNG has 'outcompeted' piped supplies in... Read more..

Date : Sep 22

Source: ET Energy World

Industries to receive lower carbon market compensation as EU attempts to curb 'windfall profits'

BRUSSELS: Fewer companies will be eligible for state compensation for some European Union carbon costs next year under new rules aimed at forcing polluting industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions faster. The EU carbon market is the bloc's central policy for cutting emissions, which it does by forcing power plants and factories to buy permits to cover their greenhouse gas output. The scheme incentivises industries to pollute less, to avoid paying carbon costs. It also encourages them to become energy efficient - because power producers must pay carbon costs, and can pass on those... Read more..

Date : Sep 22

Source: ET Energy World

Sebi details framework to protect investors against near zero/negative prices in commodities

Mumbai:The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Monday prescribed an Alternate Risk Management Framework (ARMF) in cases of near zero and negative prices for any underlying commodities or their futures, and said the clearing corporations (CCs) should ensure the readiness of their systems to implement the prescribed ARMF within 60 days. “In recent times, extreme volatility has been observed in commodity prices globally, particularly in the case of crude oil, wherein the prices had unprecedentedly gone down to zero and subsequently, even negative. In such a scenario, margins... Read more..

Date : Sep 22

Source: Economic Times

TN CM flags off women-powered solar, electric autos

Chennai :Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Monday flagged off 13 types of solar and electric powered autos, to be operated by women, as part of the initiative to ensure women empowerment and environment protection. This project is the result of the chief ministers efforts on fetching investment to Tamil Nadu and facilitating job opportunities for the youth, an official release said. During his overseas trip last year, Palaniswami signed a memorandum of understanding with M Auto at Dubai, and offered his governments support on providing charging stations, manufacturing units among... Read more..

Date : Sep 22

Source: ET Energy World

Renew Power, Mytrah Energy, Torrent Power seek termination of wind power PPAs

BENGALURU: Leading renewable energy developers Renew Power, Mytrah Energy and Torrent Power have approached the central electricity regulator, seeking to terminate power purchase agreements of at least 565 mw of proposed wind projects they had signed with Solar Energy Corporation of India, people close to the development said. The companies went to the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to ensure that SECI does not invoke the bank guarantees they had issued to the renewable energy ministry’s nodal agency for conducting wind and solar auctions, the sources said. “All three... Read more..

Date : Sep 22

Source: Economic Times

East Central Railway plans to switch over to solar energy for zero emission

PATNA: Railways has decided to ensure green mode of transportation and maintain zero carbon emission by switching over to solar energy at its all vital establishments and offices under the ‘save energy’ mission. Railways has also taken various initiatives to ensure uninterrupted power supply with the help of solar energy plants in all its five divisions – Danapur, Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya, Dhanabd, Sonepur and Samastipur. East Central Railway (ECR) chief public relations officer (CPRO) Rajesh Kumar said the railways has at least 1,370kw solar energy power capacity in Danapur division alone... Read more..

Date : Sep 21

Source: ET Energy World

65 pc coal-fired power plants may not meet green norms even by extended deadline of 2022: CSE

NEW DELHI: Sixty-five per cent of the coal-fired power plants in India may not be able to comply with emission norms, as notified by the Union Environment ministry, even by the extended deadline of 2022, an environment think tank said on Friday. In its latest assessment, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said a large number of coal-fired power plants in India continue to be "lax" and "laid back" when it comes to getting ready to meet the deadline. In 2015, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had notified emission norms for four pollutants in the... Read more..

Date : Sep 21

Source: ET Energy World

Liquidity package: Rs 70,590 crore in loans sanctioned to discoms

New Delhi: Loans totalling Rs 70,590 crore have been sanctioned so far to power distribution companies (discom) out of the Rs 90,000-crore liquidity package announced by the Centre, Union Power Minister RK Singh told the Rajya Sabha on Sunday. Of the sanctioned amount, Rs 24,742 crore has been disbursed till September 16, Singh said in his written reply to a question. "As against Rs 90,000 crore of liquidity infusion package announced by the government, Rs 70,590 crore in loans has been sanctioned, out of which Rs 24,742 crore has already been disbursed/released till September 16," he said... Read more..

Date : Sep 21

Source: ET Energy World

Tesla initiates talks to set up research centre in Bengaluru

Bengaluru:Tesla held exploratory discussions with Karnataka government officials on September 10, who are seeking a possible investment by the world’s most valuable carmaker in a research facility in Bengaluru, people familiar with the development told ET. A followup meeting is expected later this month, they said, during which the state officials are expected to present a detailed proposal to the Tesla executives. “Tesla has shown initial interest to invest in a research and innovation centre in Karnataka and the talks are at a preliminary stage,” said one of the people cited above, but... Read more..

Date : Sep 21

Source: Economic Times