Sustainability Outlook Headlines

India set to overtake the European Union in expansion of new renewable energy generation capacity: International Energy Agency

With the Modi government’s mega push for clean energy generation capacities, India is set to overtake the European Union in expansion of new renewable energy generation capacity for the first time, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

India's move to address the financial health of its power utilities and tackle grid-integration issues drive a more optimistic forecast, the Paris-based agency... Read more..

Maharashtra power utility offers to install solar panels for green Metro

Mahametro’s endeavour to become ‘Green Metro’ in the country has received a boost with state-run power generation company Mahagenco (Maharashtra State Power Generation Corporation Ltd) offering to install solar panels for Mahametro in its Nagpur project. Mahametro plans to meet 65% power demand through solar panels and the total installed capacity required is 14 MW. It is the only Metro agency to go for solar power in a major way right from the outset.

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Researchers at University of Houston Begin $1.4 Million Energy Project with Oil India using carbon dioxide capture

A research team led by Indian American Prof. Ganesh Thakur at the University of Houston has begun a $1.4 million project to demonstrate using carbon dioxide captured from nearby petrochemical plants to boost oil recovery in a field in the Indian state of Assam, a project which will help to reduce the country’s carbon footprint, the university announced in a Sept. 25 news release.

The project is part of an... Read more..

Power Ministry to meet states on Oct 4 for Saubhagya implementation

NEW DELHI: The Union power ministry will hold a meeting with states on Wednesday to formalise the implementation strategy for the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya). 

The meeting will discuss the present status of household electrification, state-wise existing schemes, states' preparedness and implementation plans, a senior government official said. 

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NGT tells government to list steps taken to clean Yamuna

Steps are being taken to clean the river and the flood plains of Yamuna after the festive season and the immersion of idols

Following the immersion of Ganesha and Durga idols in Yamuna, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Delhi government to give a detailed affidavit, enumerating the steps taken by the government to clean the river.

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India occupies the top spot on WEF's Greendex among 18 countries

We are starting to witness the penalty for unsustainable lifestyles and patterns of production and consumption. As the human population is exploding, resources are shrinking.

Concerns loom everywhere, from declining pollinators affecting food security, to air and water pollution affecting the quality of life, and land shortage and degradation affecting both agriculture and biodiversity.

Tamil Nadu cancels 500 MW solar auction held in Jan-Feb

Tamil Nadu has cancelled an auction it held in January-February to allot 500 MW of solar projects, because the state-run power distributor found the winning bid of Rs 4.40 per kwH too high, one of the developers said. 

The developer, who had won a contract in the January-February auction, said this was verbally communicated to him, followed by a letter asking his company to take back the bank guarantee it... Read more..

Two floating solar projects of 10 MW each to come up by next year

Two floating solar projects with the capacity of 10 MW each are coming up in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to harness unutilised water bodies. "Two 10 MW floating solar projects, which will be the largest so far in the country, will come up in Andra Pradesh and Kerala. We are carrying out the design," leading renewable energy expert and head of Arka Renewable Energy College, S P Gon Chaudhury told . "The Andra Pradesh project is expected to be commissioned new year. Location for the Kerala project is yet to be... Read more..

Canadian Solar said to explore sale of Indian power assets

Canadian Solar Inc., a maker of solar panels, is exploring the sale of its Indian solar power assets, worth around 108 megawatts (MW), two people aware of the development said.

“Canadian Solar is a panel maker and the building and owning of assets is not a core business for them. Panel makers generally create such capacities as a showcase for their panels and they generally keep building and selling such... Read more..

Tata Motors bags order for 10,000 electric vehicles from Centre

State-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) today said it will procure 10,000 electric vehicles from Tata Motors after a competitive bidding.

Tata Motors will supply the electric vehicles (EVs) in two phases with 500 e-cars in the first phase in November 2017 and the remaining 9,500 EVs in the second phase, EESL said in a statement.

... Read more..

Greenko makes $2.1-billion bid for Reliance Infrastructure’s Mumbai Power business

Greenko, backed by Singapore’s GIC and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, has sought to acquire Anil Ambani-led Reliance Infrastructure’s flagship Mumbai electricity business for an enterprise value of Rs 13,000-14,000 crore ($2.15 billion), said people aware of the matter.

Torrent and Adani Group as well as Prem Watsa’s Fairfax Group are believed to be circling the same target, long considered an... Read more..

Maharashtra's Dhule district to house 500 Mw solar park

The Maharashtra government, in a bid to strengthen its footing in the renewable energy segment, is planning to set up a 500-Mw solar park in Dhule district.

“We already have 1,000 acres available to set up a 250-Mw solar park,” Arvind Singh, principal secretary (energy), Maharashtra, said on Thursday. 

“We... Read more..