You are here
Sustainability Outlook Headlines
World Bank to cease providing funding for new coal projectsThe World Bank is set to consider dramatically cutting down its funding for coal-related power projects, according to a draft strategy document leaked this week.
The bank’s continued focus on coal projects, particularly in poor countries, has been a key frustration for environmentalists and some development experts, who have warned that such a stance is at odds with the Washington-based multilateral lender’s attempts to strengthen its focus on climate-change mitigation and adaptation.
While the new moves would be applauded if passed, many... Read more.. Date : Jun 30 Source: Business Mirror
|
Bhopal gas victims lose case against Union Carbide in US Court - Business StandardJanki Bai Sahu, who had filed a case in US court and sought damages relating to the operation Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) plant in Bhopal was dismissed last week on several grounds, including the expiration of the statute of limitations. She was fighting the case against the multinational company for the last eight years. Sahu has filed case on behalf of herself, her family, as guardian of her minor children. Sahu, the court said, appears to focus on public nuisance, and emphasizes that "everyone who creates a nuisance or participates in the creation or maintenance of a nuisance... Read more.. Date : Jun 30 Source: Business Standard
|
ABB looks at energy efficiency, solar to beat slowdownDespite market sentiments remaining subdued over the past 18 months, ABB India Limited (formerly ABB Limited) has shown signs of revival during the first quarter ended March 2013, with a growth of 10 per cent in revenues despite delay in decision-making by the customers. It has also recorded growth in orders for its short-cycle business, which are fast moving orders for the company. ABB follows January to December financial year. “The sentiment in the market is such that people are hesitating to take decisions. The discussions are going on, the projects are not as such shelved. It... Read more.. Date : Jun 29 Source: Business Standard
|
Domestic users get uninterrupted powerContinous rain in the hill areas of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris along with the heavy wind flow have brought the much awaited relief to the power-starved western Tamil Nadu, especially for Coimbatore. With the increased power generation, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) has completely withdrawn power cut for domestic and low tension users. "Coimbatore region is free from power cut now for domestic users and low tension (LT) users. We are implementing 40% power cut for high tension (HT) users. The HT users are advised to use 10% power during peak... Read more.. Date : Jun 29 Source: Times of India
|
US Exim Bank to work with states for renewable energyThe Export-Import Bank of the US (Exim Bank), is set to work closely with state governments in India for financing renewable energy projects. Of late, states have shown great intent in the segment. Therefore, US Exim Bank would work both at the state and the national levels, Fred Hochberg, chairman and president of the bank, told reporters. Hochberg is on a visit to India, as part of a US delegation for a bilateral strategic dialogue. Exim Bank's India book is estimated at about $8.2 billion. Hochberg said there was greater clarity in policymaking in India. But, businesses still had... Read more.. Date : Jun 26 Source: Business Standard
|
Treatment plants in 328 Punjab industriesTo check discharge of industrial waste into rivers, 328 large scale industries of Punjab have installed Effluent Treatment Plant systems, Ravinder Singh, chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board said here on Sunday. He added that a further 3,621 water polluting small scale and 170 medium scale industries have installed the ETP or re-circulation treatment systems. "Thus, all the large, medium scale units and 99.75 per cent of small scale unit have installed effluent treatment plant," he said. Singh said that about 1,000 industrial unit have joined various Common Effluent... Read more.. Date : Jun 26 Source: Indian Express
|
PM lays foundation stone of 850 Mw Hydel project in Jammu and KashmirPrime Minister Manmohan Singh today kick-started work on a mega 850 megawatt hydro-electric project on the River Chenab as part of efforts to tap the hydroelectric potential in Jammu and Kashmir. The 850 MW Ratle project, which is the nation's first hydroelectric project that was bid out through tariff based international competitive bidding, will cost Rs 5,500 crore, Singh said laying foundation stone of the project. "I hope that every effort will be made to complete the project by its scheduled deadline of February 2018," he said adding electricity generated from the Ratle... Read more.. Date : Jun 26 Source: Economic Times
|
Canadian Solar, Bonfiglioli bag orders for 20 MW solar project in TNSolar module manufacturer Canadian Solar and the Italian inverter maker Bonfiglioli have picked up orders for a 20 MW solar project coming up in Tiruchi district of Tamil Nadu. The project is being put up by a group of five textile companies that have operations in Tirupur, the knitting hub of Tamil Nadu, which is also one of the places worst hit by an unprecedented power crisis. Mumbai-based Chemtrols is building the plant for the project. Chemtrols is mainly into instrumentation for oil and gas, but also has a solar division. Chemtrols’ Chief Executive Officer Sharad... Read more.. Date : Jun 26 Source: Hindu Business Line
|
Uttarakhand floods: GVK Power, Lanco assessing hydel project damageGVK Power & Infrastructure Ltd and Lanco Infratech Ltd are in the process of assessing the damage to their hydel projects coming up in Uttarakhand. The recent floods and hostile weather and difficulty in accessing the sites have made the task a tough one for the companies. While GVK is implementing several hydel projects, one of them Shrinagar hydro electric project of 330 MW is in an advanced stage. This project is coming up on Alaknanda in Tehri/Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. The company has executed most of the civil works and has also developed a 90-... Read more.. Date : Jun 26 Source: Hindu Business Line
|
India Plans to Revive Wind-Farm Tax Break, Raise SubsidyIndia plans to revive tax breaks for wind farms after the expiry of earlier incentive programs led to a 47 percent slump in installations, according to two government officials with direct knowledge of the matter. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy proposed to resume a break for depreciation on wind farms and boost a subsidy for alternative generation, the officials said, asking not to be identified because the proposal is awaiting Cabinet approval. Attachment: Bloomberg Ranking: Countries by Electricity Production Investment in the wind industry sputtered after... Read more.. Date : Jun 25 Source: Bloomberg
|
Indian state of Punjab plans 2GW solar projectA state in northwest India is set to have 2GW of solar power projects within the next two years following a new agreement signed recently. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Punjab agreed to co-operate in boosting renewable energy in the Indian state (pictured), with the ADB also pledging to help build coal, biomass, biogas and hydro energy projects. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said work on the projects would start soon and completed at the earliest in a bid to tackle the electricity crisis across India, with protests recently seen... Read more.. Date : Jun 25 Source: Energy Live News
|
Need to asses climate change, says disaster management chiefCautioning that the Uttarakhand disaster may be a warning towards "extreme weather", National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) vice chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy Monday said detailed assessment of impact of climate change is needed.
Speaking at the inauguration of South Asia Regional Consultation on Climate Change Adaptation, Reddy said: "Nothing more serious could have been witnessed. It is an example of extreme weather events we all are concerned about."
"We need to make a serious efforts to understand the implication of... Read more.. Date : Jun 25 Source: Newstrack India
|
Tamil Nadu may lose its leadership position in wind energyTamil Nadu, which has been enjoying leadership position in wind energy sector in India, may lose out on its top position now as investments are now shifting towards Gujarat and Rajasthan. According to industry representatives, investment for setting up wind farms in Tamil Nadu have dropped to around Rs 600 crore invested so far this year, from Rs 7,000 crore 2011-12. Investments in the current fiscal year are also down, and one of the main reasons attributed for the drop is the poor infrastructure to evacuate the power produced. According to Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers... Read more.. Date : Jun 25 Source: Business Standard
|
U.S. and India Build Climate, Clean Energy CooperationIndia and the United States will combat global climate change, collaborate on energy security and support the development of low-carbon economies to fuel job growth in both countries, government officials said today in New Delhi. At the annual U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue meeting, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and India’s Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid reaffirmed their countries’ strong commitment to work together based on the 2009 U.S.-India Memorandum of Understanding on clean energy, energy efficiency, energy security, and climate change. In New Delhi,... Read more.. Date : Jun 25 Source: Environment News Service
|
Nereus Raises $140 Million for India Clean Energy FundNereus Capital Management LLC said it raised as much as $140 million from Northern Lights Capital Group LLC and the U.S. Agency for International Development for its India clean energy fund. Northern Lights will contribute $100 million to Nereus Capital’s India Alternative Energy Fund, while the USAID will provide a $40 million credit guarantee, Nereus Managing Director Jonathan Winer said in an e-mail. The money will be used in the construction of as much as 400 megawatts of clean-energy capacity in India, according to a joint statement by Northern Lights and the U.S. agency... Read more.. Date : Jun 24 Source: Bloomberg
|
HCL Tech in focus after multi-year engagement with Vestas Wind SystemsHCL Technologies after market hours on Friday, 21 June 2013, said it entered into a multi-year engagement with Vestas Wind Systems A/S as the latter's strategic partner. Vestas is a global leader in manufacturing, selling, installing, and servicing of wind turbine power-plants. HCL will provide application development and management and IT-consultancy services to applications run by Vestas as part of this engagement. The services will be delivered to Vestas primarily from India, but also from the Philippines and across locations in Denmark. Besides cost reduction, Vestas IT expects... Read more.. Date : Jun 24 Source: Business Standard
|
NDMC struggles to raise awareness about e-wasteNew Delhi Municipal Council's ambitious electronic waste collection project is facing problems as residents of the VIP zone have turned a deaf ear to the pleas of agency to dispose of e-waste in bins marked for it.
According to a senior official at the council, the agency wrote to residents' welfare associations (RWAs) many a time asking them to dispose of electronic waste properly. The council has also taken on board a private company, who sends workers door-to-door to collect e-waste. However, the agency did not get the desired response from the RWAs. ... Read more..Date : Jun 24 Source: Indian Express
|
Development of Geothermal Energy is essential for Indian energy sectorThe economic growth in India is opening up great potential for development of renewable resources. Technological advancement in this sector is essential for meeting up with ever increasing energy demand of the country. Geothermal energy has the potential to generate and deliver sustainable supplies of clean, renewable base load. A number of government and private sector companies are exploring the opportunities to develop this valuable resource. Various geothermal prospects have been identified in Himalayan belt, Cambay basin and Central India. There is an urgent need to develop... Read more.. Date : Jun 24 Source: Sustainability Outlook
|
Low valuations bring back investors in wind energy projects; sector sees 1,500-crore investmentMore investors are backing wind energy projects as low valuations make the sector attractive for risk capital deals. This year over 1,500 crore has been invested so far and the momentum is expected to continue with deep-pocketed players, such as Goldman Sachs, increasing their exposure in the sector. Earlier this month, a private equity fund run by the Wall Street investment bank invested 760 crore in wind energy firm ReNew Power Pvt Ltd. "Wind assets are now available at a very good price. The entry-level valuations are quite cheap, and investors can look to recover money within... Read more.. Date : Jun 24 Source: Times of India
|
USAID commits $100 m to India cleantech fundIndia and the US can build a strong and smart future as the two nations have the ability to tackle the three major challenges of economy, security and climate change, said US Secretary of State John Kerry, on his maiden visit to India after taking charge at the State Department early this year. In the backdrop of his visit, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) said it would facilitate a $100-million investment in India’s clean energy sector. Date : Jun 24 Source: Hindu Business Line
|
GVK, L&T hydel projects hit by floodsTwo major hydel projects being built by construction majors GVK and L&T have suffered severe damages in the floods which hit Uttarakhand last week.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and its contractors, who were putting up the generators in the GVK project on the Alakhananda river, suffered losses, too. Large amounts of water and silt have been deposited on the turbines and the generators of these plants, pushing back the expected completion by at least a couple of years, according to estimates.
|
India slips in renewable energy rankHigh entry-barriers for foreign investors and the rising cost of financing have led to the country slipping to a low eighth position on the renewable energy country attractive index in the first quarter of 2013, says an Ernst & Young survey. According to the report 'Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index', India's ranking slipped from fourth position to eighth in this period. The reasons included high cost of finance, entry-barriers for external investors, among others. "A high barrier to entry for external investors causes India to score lower than most of its top... Read more.. Date : Jun 24 Source: Business Standard
|
IFC bets big on India's green bizThe World Bank’s private sector lending arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC), sees a bright future in the Indian renewable energy sector.
By the end of this month, its investment in Indian renewable energy and clean technology sectors that began in 2009-10 would have exceeded $1 billion (R5,900 crore).
IFC follows a July-to-June calendar.
Pravan Malhotra, who leads IFC’s clean technology investment team in South Asia, said more than a third of this investment occurred this year alone.
|
UT administration seeks 50% subsidy to go solarIn a first of its kind initiative to popularize solar plants in residential buildings, the science and technology wing of the UT administration has requested the science and technology ministry to provide 50% subsidy for the installation of solar plants in 40 houses of the city. A draw of lots will be conducted and the facility will be provided to residents. "Out of these 40 houses, one kilowatt solar plant will be installed at 30 houses, while two kilowatt solar plant will be set up in 10 houses. We have also decided to simplify the procedure to avail the subsidy so that applicants... Read more.. Date : Jun 23 Source: Times of India
|
NMC to measure city's carbon footprintThe Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to measure the carbon footprint of the city in a bid to tackle problems related to climate change. Municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare on Saturday claimed that Nashik would be the first city in the country to do so. As part of the plan, the civic administration has started preparing sustainable urban habitat action plan (SUHAP). Khandare said, "Global warming has become a major cause of concern today. We are planning to measure the carbon footprint of the city with the objective of studying elements of global warming and... Read more.. Date : Jun 23 Source: Times of India
|
