Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Green Logistics Gaining Impetus in India

Green logistics is a form of logistics, which is considered to be environment-friendly in addition to being economically functional. Logistics comprises a vital link in the current transportation system. They have enhanced the cost efficiency and consistency aspects of delivery system constituting the end party of supply chain. The concern for the green logistics has gained fast momentum over the past few years. In the present scenario, many international and domestic industry players are opting for ways to reduce green house gas emissions, according to a recent research report by RNCOS, “... Read more..

Solar energy: Government planning to set up 10,000 water systems

To meet the drinking water needs of people in Naxal-affected areas, the government is planning to set up 10,000 solar based water systems in 78 districts which have been hit by Left Wing Extremism.

"We have just prepared a proposal for 10,000 solar based water systems which supply drinking water to communities in rural areas," Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh said while addressing a conference here.

Ramesh said that this ambitious project would cost Rs 540 crores.

"It is a very ambitious project of 10,000 solar based drinking water systems with a total cost of... Read more..

Emergence of wind IPPs has revived investment rationale for sector

Despite policy and regulatory uncertainties, tight credit situation and cautious market sentiment, wind energy remained a preferred investment proposition of renewable investors in India through 2011.

Of the total investment of $10.2 billion in renewable energy, $4.6 billion was invested in wind energy. India had the third-most new installations in 2011, behind China and the US. Overall the country added a record 2,827 MW against 2,140 MW in 2010. An additional 2,500-3,200 MW of new wind power installation is expected in 2012.

While venture capital and private equity... Read more..

Solar Power system to clean energy in Gujarat

The initiatives taken by the Gujarat government in the field of solar power generation are expected to help the state reduce carbon emissions by a staggering 8 lakh tonnes every year.

Officials say this is a small but a definite step in the battle against global warming and climate change.

According to officials, a coal-based thermal power plant of 600 MW capacity consumes around 7.5 lakh tonnes of coal in a year.

"We will need to burn less coal because of this solar power generation capacity. This would result in significant reduction of 8 lakh tonnes of carbon... Read more..

CII proposes integrated logistics hub in South India

Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), on Friday, said that the body would give thrust to infrastructure development, manufacturing, skills training and promotion of Tier II & III cities during the current year.

Outlining the key priorities for 2012-13, CII Southern Region Chairman G V Sanjay Reddy said that CII would focus on the theme ‘South India 2020– Accelerate Inclusive Growth & Sustainable Development’.

“South India has been a major driver of growth for India, contributing to over 22 per cent of India’s GDP and 28 per cent of its employment.... Read more..

Suzlon creates country's largest wind park

The Jaisalmer Wind Park being developed by the Suzlon Group has crossed 1,000 Mw of installed capacity and has reached 1,064 Mw (one gigawatt) on April 1. This makes the wind park, the largest of its kind in the country, Suzlon claimed in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The company initiated the development of the wind park in 2001. Suzlon said in the filing that its entire wind portfolio -- from the earliest 350 Kw model to the latest S9X - 2.1 Mw series -- has been used to create the park

The wind park consists of a cluster of wind farm sites in Jaisalmer district... Read more..

First 2 MW solar power plant of Uttar Pradesh switched on

The state got its first megawatt-capacity solar power plant operational on Thursday. Situated in village Sandauli of Barabanki, the 2 MW project was inaugurated by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that the state government would promote the non-conventional source of energy. "The state budget will have provisions that will cater to the sector in all possible ways," said Akhilesh.

The power sector, the CM said, continues to face a crunch, despite all claims. "We still have villages which were though electrified long back, but never got... Read more..

India first among developing countries to submit GHG report

Atmospheric pollution by greenhouse gas (GHG) in India is on the increase as industrial development is taking its strides and rapid urbanisation taking place.

The net carbon dioxide equivalent GHG emissions in India increased to 1771.66 million tonne in 2007 as compared to 1301.21 million tonne in 2000. The recorded GHG emission of 2000 marked an increase of 4.2% in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the levels in 1994.

India has submitted its Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in May, 2012 giving... Read more..

Climate treaty may demand more carbon cuts from India, China

Old divisions between developed and developing countries in who should lead the fight against climate change should be laid aside, according to ministers from some of the world's poorest countries and European representatives meeting on May 8.

The vexed issue of which countries should bear the greatest responsibility for cutting greenhouse gas emissions has been a sticking point in international negotiations for two decades. Under the original settlement reached in 1992 at the Rio Earth summit, and formalised in the 1997 Kyoto protocol, some rapidly emerging economies such as China... Read more..

Indian PV projects grow to 1GW in 2012

Shaibal Ghosh, President of International Business at Vikram Solar, was one of the 6 experts interviewed for the PV Technology Outlook: India Guide.  He pointed out that conditions in India are ideal for the growth of the manufacturing industry in the country:  “India is an emerging market and is growing rapidly without a doubt. With the implementation of the National Solar Mission, as well as a number of local government support programs, and thanks to the abundance of sunshine here, it’s a perfect market for PV development”.  When asked how far the industry could go, Ghosh was adamant... Read more..

DOE makes selections for U.S.-India clean energy research, development center

The U.S. Department of Energy announced the selections for three consortia that will make up the $125 million U.S.-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC). These consortia – led in the U.S. by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the University of Florida, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) – will bring together experts from national laboratories, universities, and industry in both the U.S. and India. Consortia researchers will leverage their expertise and resources in solar technology, advanced biofuels, and building efficiency to unlock... Read more..

Moser Solar's CDR plan gets bankers' nod

Moser Baer Solar (MBS), pioneer of solar power in India and a subsidiary of Moser Baer India, has received bankers’ in-principle approval for its proposed `739 crore corporate debt restructuring (CDR).

In April 2012, MBS had approached the CDR Cell for the purpose.

MBS’s bankers — Punjab National Bank (PNB), State Bank of India (SBI), Bank of Baroda (BoB), IDBI Bank and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) and a few other banks — met in Mumbai on Monday.

A public sector bank official who attended the meeting confirmed the approval.

Although it is a no-brainer that MBS is... Read more..