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Sustainability Outlook Headlines
Govt's Rs 10,000-cr scheme to promote electric vehicles fails to take off in its first yearThe government’s push to incentivise the purchase of electric vehicles in India has failed to take off, with only a fraction of the targeted number sold in the first year of the three-year Rs 10,000 crore subsidy scheme. The second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-2) looked to subsidise the purchase of 1 million electric two-wheelers, 7,000 electric buses and 55,000 electric and hybrid passenger cars in the three-year period starting April 2019. However, only 13,490 two-wheelers, 2,300 electric cars and 600 electric buses got the subsidy benefit... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: The Economic Times
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MNRE to host Global RE-Invest 2020 digitallyIndia’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has decided to conduct Global RE-Invest 2020 in digital space. The three-day event—scheduled from October 14 to 17 –will include conferences on renewables and future energy choices, and an exhibition of products by manufacturers, developers, investors and innovators engaged in the clean energy sector from across the globe. Along with these, various other activities encouraging inclusivity would be launched during the run-up to RE-Invest 2020. In the wake of Covid impact on RE sector, the government-supported event will have focus on reinstating... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: PV Magazine India
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Fall in emissions spurred by lockdown unlikely to last in the long runClimate change remains a grave threat despite the reduction in emissions witnessed during the covid-19 lockdown and failure to step up climate action could harm humans, the ecosystem, and economies for centuries, scientists have warned The reduction in emissions because of the lockdown is temporary and the ongoing crisis could exacerbate the socioeconomic impact on countries most vulnerable to climate change, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has said, even as the world marked Earth Day against the backdrop of the pandemic. The world is already 1.1°C warmer than in the pre-... Read more.. Date : Apr 23 Source: Livemint
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Deadline extended for clean energy projectsIndia has asked its agencies implementing clean energy projects to allow developers more time to complete such projects, on account of delays caused by the nationwide lockdown to contain the coronavirus pandemic. In an attempt to help the country get back on its clean energy trajectory, this time extension will be equivalent to the period of lockdown and an additional thirty days for normalisation of services after the lockdown ends. Recognizing that the 40-day nationwide lockdown will delay all execution, the move will protect clean energy developers from the risk of penalties, including... Read more.. Date : Apr 22 Source: Livemint
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MNRE Invites EoI for Evaluating Components of PM KUSUM SchemeThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited Expression of Interest (EOI) from reputed consultants and experts to undertake an evaluation of Component-A and Component-C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme. This scheme was launched during the month of March last year and has three components: Component-A: Installation of 10 GW of renewable energy power plants of individual plant capacity up to 2 MW on barren and fallow land. Component-B: Installation of 17.5 lakh standalone solar pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP. Component-C:... Read more.. Date : Apr 22 Source: Saur Energy International
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MNRE asks stakeholders for strict compliance of ALMM Order for solar PV modules, cellsThe Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) on Tuesday reiterated that all stakeholders involved in lending to the sector align their activities in order to strictly comply with its January 2019 Order regarding Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) for solar cells and modules. “All stakeholders such as solar PV cells and module manufacturers, RE power developers, implementing agencies, RE power procurers, and banks and financial institutions involved in lending to the sector, should align their activities for strict compliance with Order dated 2 January 2019, regarding... Read more.. Date : Apr 22 Source: ET Energy World
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NTPC tenders EPC work for 23 MW solar project in MaharashtraState-owned power generator NTPC has invited domestic bids for installation and commissioning of 23 MW solar capacity at its Solapur plant in Maharashtra. NTPC intends to finance the package through its own resources and shall issue items like modules, inverters, structures, power cables, HT breakers, transformer, energy meters to the EPC contractor. To be eligible, the bidder should have erected and commissioned an aggregate of minimum 18 MW grid-connected solar capacity, out of which at least one plant should have been of minimum 5 MW capacity at a single location. The reference plant of... Read more.. Date : Apr 22 Source: PV Magazine India
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A low-cost bio-inspired electrocatalyst for rechargeable metal-air batteryIndian scientists have synthesized a bio-inspired electrocatalyst that can help develop efficient, low-cost renewable energy conversion and storage technologies such as fuel cells, biofuel cells, and metal-air batteries. The electrocatalyst—developed by Dr Ramendra Sundar Dey and his team at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali—is based on iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and N-doped fish gill derived carbon (Fe/Mn/N-FGC). It has a unique porous structure and could provide conductive carbon networks after heat treatment. The catalyst, when used as an air cathode in zinc-air... Read more.. Date : Apr 22 Source: PV Magazine India
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Covid-19: 150 GW renewable energy projects at risk in Asia PacificUp to 150 Gigawatt (GW) of wind and solar power projects across the Asia Pacific could be delayed or cancelled over the next five years (2020–24) if the coronavirus-led recession extends beyond 2020. This is equivalent to pushing back the Asia Pacific renewables construction pipeline by nearly two years, according to research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie. “The extent of the coronavirus impact on Asia Pacific markets is key to the future growth of the renewables sector. Over the last five years (2015 – 2019), the Asia Pacific region accounted for over three-quarters of global power... Read more.. Date : Apr 22 Source: ET Energy World
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Electricity Act Amendments The Big Bang Reforms Solar Sector NeedsThe amendments proposed in the draft Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill 2020 by the power ministry could be the big bang reforms the power sector, and by extension, the renewable energy sector in India, has been waiting for. If these go through without major changes, then some of the biggest roadblocks holding back the proper growth and expansion of the sector, besides planning for a smoother energy transition to renewable energy, could finally move. For Power Minister R.K. Singh, who also holds charge of the MNRE, passage of the amendments could mark his tenure as one of major reform, and... Read more.. Date : Apr 21 Source: Saur Energy International
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Andhra Pradesh plans new export policy for renewable energy projectsThe state government is planning to launch an export policy aimed at large-scale promotion of renewable energy projects. The policy will enable the state to export power without obligation to discoms, stated a statement by the energy department on Sunday. The projects will be designed for a combination of pumped hydro storage, solar and wind energy. The government has proposed to construct 29 pumped hydro storage projects (PSP) with a capacity of 33,240 MW both on-river and off-river sites to convert renewable energy sources into round-the-clock power and attract investments. New and... Read more.. Date : Apr 21 Source: ET Energy World
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Softbank, O2, Axis Energy, EDEN, Avaada emerge successful bidders for 2 GW solar projectsSoftBank, O2, Axis Energy Ventures, EDEN Renewables and Avaada Energy have emerged as successful bidders for 2,000 megawatts (MW) solar energy projects, entailing an investment of Rs 11,000 crore, in an auction concluded last week. "SoftBank got the maximum 600 MW in the auction conducted by state-run NHPC followed by Axis Energy Ventures (Brookfield promoted) at 400 MW, O2 (Temasek promoted) at 380 MW and EDEN Renewables at 300 MW at a tariff of Rs 2.55 per unit each," a source said. The source added that Avaada Energy was also the successful bidder at 2.56 per unit for 320 MW (against... Read more.. Date : Apr 21 Source: Outlook India
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Airbus to support France and India climate change monitor with TRISHNAThe French space agency (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, CNES) has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the development and manufacture of the thermal infrared instrument for the TRISHNA satellite. TRISHNA (Thermal infraRed Imaging Satellite for High resolution Natural resource Assessment) is the latest satellite in the joint Franco-Indian satellite fleet dedicated to climate monitoring and operational applications. CNES and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) are partnering on the development of an infrared observation system with high thermal resolution and high... Read more.. Date : Apr 21 Source: The Hindu Business Line
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Electric vehicle sales in India up 20% in 2019-20Electric vehicles sales, excluding e-rickshaws, in India grew by 20 per cent at 1.56 lakh units in 2019-20 driven by two-wheelers, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) said on Monday. In 2018-19, total EV sales in India stood at 1.3 lakh units, SMEV said in a statement. Out of the total sales in FY20, 1.52 lakh units were two-wheelers, 3,400 cars and 600 buses. The corresponding sale for the 2018-19 was 1.26 two-wheelers, 3,600 cars and around 400 buses, it added. "This figure does not include e-rickshaws which is still largely with the unorganized sector with a reported... Read more.. Date : Apr 21 Source: Livemint
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Transforming energy systems can create 42 million renewable energy jobs by 2050: IRENAAdvancing the renewables-based energy transformation could nearly quadruple renewable energy jobs to 42 million by 2050, according to a recent report by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) published on Monday. “Transforming the energy system could boost cumulative global gross domestic product (GDP) gains above business-as-usual by $98 trillion between now and 2050. It would nearly quadruple renewable energy jobs to 42 million, expand employment in energy efficiency to 21 million and add 15 million in system flexibility,” said the report titled ‘Global Renewables Outlook: Energy... Read more.. Date : Apr 21 Source: ET Energy World
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Covid-19: India woos renewable energy equipment makersIndia is eyeing renewable energy equipment manufacturers looking to shift base from China following the Covid-19 outbreak. “At a time when many companies are planning to shift their manufacturing base from China, it is an opportune time for India to bring policy changes to facilitate and catalyse manufacturing in India,” a statement from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said. MNRE has set up the renewable energy Industry Facilitation and Promotion Board to facilitate investment in the sector, the statement said. “The three power and renewable energy sector non-banking... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: The Hindu Business Line
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Basic customs duty on solar modules being planned: MNRE secyTo incentivise domestic manufacturing of solar modules and cells, the government is planning to introduce a basic customs duty (BCD) on import of equipment for the sector. The idea is to start with a small duty and gradually raise it to 20%, so that local solar power developers, who rely a lot on imports from China, don’t take a big hit in the short term. The BCD introduction will be concurrent with the removal of the current safeguard duties on import of solar equipment from China and Malaysia in July this year. Anand Kumar, secretary, ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), told FE... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: The Financial Express
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Renewable energy companies unlikely to restart construction post April 20Construction of renewable energy projects is among the activities that the ministry of home affairs has permitted resumption of from April 20, but developers maintained it will be a while before they can do so. Whether or not sufficient labour will return to the site is the biggest concern, developers told ET. “Mobilising the team will be a challenge. If people have gone across the country, they are not going to come back,” a solar developer said, requesting anonymity. “And if the project is in a village, a local government authority might be worried about migrant labour returning and the... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: ET Energy World
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NHPC concludes e-reverse auction for developing 2000 MW solar generation capacity amid lockdownNational Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has successfully concluded an e-reverse auction for developing a 2000 MW of solar generation capacity at a competitive tariff of Rs. 2.55/2.56 per unit at a time business are struggling due to lockdown. The E-RA was conducted amongst 7 bidders with an aggregate capacity of 3140 MW. Against the total allocated capacity of 2000 MW, the lowest e-RA tariff of Rs 2.55/unit to Rs 2.56/ unit was achieved against the initially quoted tariff of Rs 2.71/ unit to Rs 2.78/ unit. Earlier In a series of tweets, R. K. Singh, the Union Minister of Power and... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: The Statesman
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Discoms to suffer Rs 30K cr revenue loss, face Rs 50K cr liquidity crunch due to lockdown: CIIIndustry body CII on Friday said discoms are likely to suffer a net revenue loss of around Rs 30,000 crore and liquidity crunch of about Rs 50,000 crore due to the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown. According to government data, the discoms owe Rs 92,602 crore to Gencos as of February, 2020. In its report released on Friday, the CII has suggested host of measures like easy credit facility for discoms (from PFC and REC) to pay off its dues to Gencos, lower tariff especially for industrial and commercial consumers and deferral of indirect taxes like electricity duty, coal cess etc.... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: ET Energy World
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Covid takes a toll on Saubhagya scheme in Uttar PradeshThe pandemic triggered lockdown has gridlocked the Centre’s flagship Saubhagya scheme, which powered BJP’s poll juggernaut in 2017 assembly elections in UP with its last-mile electricity connectivity to households. UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) sources said, Saubhagya’s second phase aims at electrification of 12 lakh more rural households this summer. While the state energy department managed to provide power to 5.5 lakh households, there’s uncertainty over its outreach to 6.5 lakh houses. A senior UPPCL official said, work on the Saubhagya has come to a grinding halt because of the... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: ET Energy World
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Around 60 per cent of energy efficiency expenditure helps create employmentAround 60 per cent of expenditure on home energy efficiency retrofits goes towards labour sector, delivering strong employment growth, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). "Public sector programmes focusing on homes and certain relatively standardised building types such as social housing, hospitals, office buildings, or schools have proven effective in generating significant economic benefits," IEA said on its website. In a note on 'Energy efficiency and economic stimulus' the agency said energy efficiency opportunities in new and existing buildings can be split into two... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: ET Energy World
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Ampere Electric Vehicle announces ‘book online now and pay later’ offerAmpere Electric Vehicle, a wholly-owned electric mobility subsidiary of Greaves Cotton, has started an offer ‘book online now and pay later’ facility for its customers and corona warriors who are out to deliver essential items for people in this challenging time. The offer enables them to buy an electric scooter at the comfort of their home by paying a nominal booking amount and rest at the time of delivery. The contactless delivery of sanitised e-scooters will be done once the market is open. “In these difficult times, our warriors, the last mile delivery staff are using Ampere’s electric... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: ET Energy World
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Hero Electric offers Rs 5,000 discount on online booking of electric scootersHero Electric has announced an online sales scheme on its entire range of electric scooters (excluding Flash lead-acid low-speed model). The online sale is limited to all online bookings made starting from 17 April to 15 May 2020 and the booking amount has been fixed at Rs 2,999 (non-refundable), irrespective of the model. The booking amount, however, is refundable if the national lockdown extends beyond June. Customers can take delivery of vehicles any time after the lockdown opens and up to June end. All customers who book any Hero Electric scooter would avail an instant cash discount of... Read more.. Date : Apr 20 Source: Financial Express
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Business rejig: PTC Financial Services to focus on new energy, sustainable segmentsPTC Financial Services Ltd has restructured its business portfolio to lay focus on new energy and sustainable segments. It is evaluating some of the opportunities that will unfold once the Covid-19 pandemic situation settles down. Pawan Singh, Managing Director and CEO, PFS, said, “When I took over the reins in October 2018, it was a very challenging environment for the NBFC sector. In September 2018, the IL&FS crisis precipitated the NBFC crisis across the country. But we managed to come through this phase successfully.” “We were one of the few NBFCs who got extra lending from various... Read more.. Date : Apr 17 Source: The Hindu Business Line
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