Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Important for India to focus on green investment post-pandemic: IMF

As the Indian economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic that hit it hard, it is important for the country to focus on public investment, particularly in green sectors, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday.

As we move towards the recovery, it is also important to focus on public investment, particularly on green investment, so that the recovery can be inclusive and green, IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department Deputy Director Paolo Mauro told reporters during a news conference here.

He said India's debt is at the ratio of about 90 per cent, and it is important to give... Read more..

World Energy Outlook 2021 shows a new energy economy is emerging - but not yet quickly enough to reach net zero by 2050

A new energy economy is emerging around the world as solar, wind, electric vehicles and other low-carbon technologies flourish. But as the pivotal moment of COP26 approaches, the IEA's new World Energy Outlook makes it clear that this clean energy progress is still far too slow to put global emissions into sustained decline towards net zero, highlighting the need for an unmistakeable signal of ambition and action from governments in Glasgow.

At a time when policy makers are contending with the impacts of both climate change and volatile energy markets, the World Energy Outlook 2021... Read more..

Shri Nitin Gadkari emphasizes on adoption of alternative fuels which will be import substitute, cost-effective, pollution-free, and indigenous

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has emphasized. on the adoption of alternative fuels which will be import substitute, cost-effective, pollution-free, and indigenous and discouraged the use of petrol or diesel as a fuel. Addressing 'Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA)' Conference on 'Alternative fuel- Road ahead' he said that biggest benefit of Bio- ethanol as alternative fuel is that it is a clean fuel with very low greenhouse gas emissions. He said the additional income that is generated is directly diverted to the farmers, which empowers the rural and... Read more..

NTPC, Gujarat Gas to 'blend' hydrogen for homes

At a time when leading Indian companies like Reliance Industries Ltd and Adani Group are betting big on renewables with a special focus on hydrogen production, Indian government-owned National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in association with Gujarat Gas is also planning an ambitious project to blend hydrogen with piped natural gas (PNG).

To begin with, NTPC aims to reach out to its 200-home housing colony at Kawas near Surat by using about 100 cm/d of PNG where it will initially blend hydrogen to the extent of 5% for domestic use, to be later ramped up to 20%.

"The... Read more..

TPG to invest $1 billion in Tata Motors' electric vehicle subsidiary

The company said the first round of capital infusion would be completed by March 2022 and all the money will come by the end of 2022
In a boost to its electric vehicle (EV) push, Tata Motors on Tuesday closed a deal to raise Rs 7,500 crore from TPG Rise Climate and Abu Dhabi's ADQ. This is the first major fundraising by an Indian carmaker to push clean mobility.

The investment will be in a newly formed subsidiary Tata Motors has formed for the EV business. The Rs 7,500 crore (close to $1 billion) will give a stake of 11-15 per cent stake to the TPG-ADQ combine in this... Read more..

Arun Kumar Mishra appointed EESL's chief executive officer

State-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) on Monday announced the appointment of Arun Kumar Mishra as chief executive officer (CEO) on deputation. He will be responsible for EESL's operations across the nation, the company said in a statement.

Mishra is a veteran in the energy sector with over three decades of experience in NTPC and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). He has also been director (project management unit) of National Smart Grid Mission, and vice-chair of the International Smart Grid Action Network.

Mishra in the statement said, "It is an... Read more..

India set to achieve 450 GW renewable energy installed capacity by 2030: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) in partnership with FICCI, organised a series of events, from October 6th-8th, 2021 during the Climate and Biodiversity Week at Expo 2020 Dubai. The events covered the themes of India's Renewable Energy Achievements and Ambitions, Emerging Areas and Opportunities for Renewable Energy in India, and also focussed events anchored by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA). An event on the theme of One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) was also organised by International Solar Alliance... Read more..

Centre issues guidelines on unallocated power to prevent misuse by states

The government has issued guidelines to ensure they states do not misuse electricity allocated from coal-based power stations of Central PSUs.

If any state is found selling power in power exchange or not scheduling this unallocated power, their unallocated power may be temporarily reduced or withdrawn and reallocated to other states which are in need of such power, an official statement issued by Union power ministry said.

Normally, 15% of capacity of Central power generating stations is reserved as unallocated quota, which is distributed among states as per a fixed... Read more..

Modi, Boris Johnson discuss trade, climate change issues

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on telephone today with His Excellency Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The two leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral relations since their virtual summit earlier this year, and expressed satisfaction at the steps already initiated under the Roadmap 2030 adopted during the virtual summit. They also reviewed the progress of the Enhanced Trade Partnership and agreed on the potential of rapidly expanding trade and investment linkages between both countries.

The leaders had extensive discussion on issues related... Read more..

Bring plastic waste recycling model under PPP mode: Niti Aayog

Niti Aayog has suggested urban local bodies across states adopt the material recovery facility (MRF) model & implement it as a public-private partnership model for sustainable management of urban plastic waste.

A materials recovery facility, also known as a materials reclamation facility or recycling facility is a specialized plant that receives, separates, and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-user manufacturers.

“The MRF model for plastic waste management (PWM) needs to be funded and operated in the public-private partnership model,” NITI Aayog said... Read more..

Guidelines for operationalizing optimum utilization of generating stations as per the requirement in the Electricity Grid

It has been brought to the notice of the Government that some power plants are not generating to their full capacity at any given time and the unutilized capacity remains idle as they are tied up under power purchase agreements. Whereas in the public interest, such power needs to be despatched, where there is a requirement in the grid by the other users or consumers.

As per the Tariff Policy, 2016, power stations are required to be available and ready to dispatch at all times. For optimum utilization of un-requisitioned generation capacity of any generating stations regulated under... Read more..

DERC allows relaxation to power discoms in purchase of electricity

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission(DERC) on Saturday gave relaxation to distribution companies in power purchase in view of increased price and requested the Centre to urgently intervene and facilitate adequate supply of fuel to the generation plants to avoid any outages in the capital.
Various steps were taken by the DERC to ensure 24/7 supply to consumers of Delhi due to ongoing power supply crisis, said a statement from the Commission.

"The DERC took stock of the situation arising out of current coal and gas shortage which has led to non-availability of 24X7... Read more..