Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Autonomous institution boost for solar energy

In a bid to realize India's solar energy potential through research and innovation, the government on Tuesday approved a proposal to set up an autonomous institution - National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) - in Gurgaon. 

The NISE is to be set up immediately by converting the Solar Energy Centre (SEC), Gurgaon as a world class institute in the field of developing solar energy technologies. 

The proposal was approved by the Union Cabinet in its meeting under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. ... Read more..

Andrah Pradesh opens new solar PV solicitation

 The Indian state of Andrah Pradesh has issued a new solicitation for solar photovoltaic (PV) development in the state, offering 20-year power purchase agreements at INR 6.49 (USD 0.0983) per kWh.

Developers have until September 30th, 2013 to submit proposals for 109 locations, which will be awarded on a pro-rata basis, or at proposed new locations subject to technical criteria. This follows on the partial success of the state's earlier bidding process for 1 GW of PV, which was notable for its low level of participation.

Efficient Carbon (Hyderabad, India) notes that most of... Read more..

Delay in thermal projects brings back power cut in rural Tamil Nadu

 Delay in commissioning two state-owned thermal projects has brought back power outages to rural Tamil Nadu. With wind power generation coming to a standstill in the state, districts have started experiencing power cuts for about five to six hours a day. Officials are blaming it on the delay in commissioning two thermal plants, one in North Chennai and the other in Mettur. Both have a capacity to generate 600 MW each and this would more or less compensate the wind power loss, say officials.

North Chennai Unit 1, with a capacity to produce 600MW, was scheduled to be commissioned in... Read more..

Let the sun free India from CAD crisis

Investment in solar power can lead to a significant improvement in the balance of payments by reducing energy imports as well as, eventually, driving down power tariffs for end-users

The biggest freedom a country can wish for is freedom from external overdependence. With our humongous current account deficit (CAD), which forces us to depend on volatile capital flows to finance our import bills, the rupee has taken a beating, falling 14 percent in a matter of weeks. But a bad CAD affects more than just the value of the rupee; it... Read more..

Govt should reduce subsidy on diesel over time: Kirit Parikh

 The government need not interfere in the fixing of diesel prices and should continue with the policy of reducing subsidy on the fuel, Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe) Chairman, Kirit Parikh said today.

“I do favour increase in diesel price by 50 paise... Over time, the government can reduce subsidy from Rs 8 to Rs 7 to Rs 6.

“No need for government interference for fixing the prices because we really don’t know one month later what will be government’s ability to raise prices even by 50 paise and that uncertainty should be removed,” said Parikh.

... Read more..

Building curbs in NCR forests set to go

In a move that could deal a body blow to threatened forests and water bodies in the National Capital Region, Haryana government has successfully got restrictions on construction activity in 'conservation zones' deleted from the revised NCR regional plan, which is now in the final stages of getting notified.

If the change is notified, all four state governments in the NCR will get a much freer hand in allowing constructions in eco-sensitive zones such as the Aravalis and the Yamuna riverbed. Although mandatory clearances would still... Read more..

DPSC merges with India Power Corp

 SREI Group on Monday announced amalgamation of its listed power distribution arm DPSC with group outfit India Power Corporation. The integrated entity will be named as India Power.

DPSC Ltd distributes 250 MW electricity in Asansol, West Bengal. This apart, the company was recently awarded with distribution rights for Gaya in Bihar. DPSC shares closed at Rs 15.45, up by 2.66 per cent, on the NSE on Monday.

According to Arun Kedia, Chief Financial Officer, India Power, the company is currently, implementing a 450-MW generation facility entailing an investment of Rs 2,650... Read more..

Ujaas Energy to establish 100 MW solar power capacity by March 2014

Ujaas Energy Ltd said it is aiming to establish 100 megawatt capacity of solar power production by March 2014. The Indore-based listed entity, which has already set up nearly 27 MW of capacity, would add 30 MW more, developed as two facilities of 15 MW each for investors in the company’s solar parks in Madhya Pradesh by the end of September, Vikalp Mundra, Joint Managing Director, said.

The Indore-based listed entity, which has already set up nearly 27 MW of capacity, would add 30 MW more, developed as two facilities of 15 MW each for investors in the company’s solar parks in Madhya... Read more..

Tesla turning to Samsung SDI for batteries

Tesla Motors has, over its short life, sourced its batteries pretty much exclusively from Panasonic. Now that sales of the Model S are blowing up – expected to be in excess of 21,000 units this year, with production ability increasing to potentially double that – and the company's future product path is becoming more clear, it seems time to diversify its battery supply lines.

The automaker may eventually have a need for more lithium cells than the entire laptop industry and finds itself one earthquake (or other natural disaster) away from a huge production disruption. If previous... Read more..

DoT for running towers on renewable energy

Concerned over the widespread usage of diesel by over six lakh telecom towers in the country, the telecom department is working on running towers on renewable energy, starting with non-grid areas. 

Telecom companies are estimated to be the second-biggest consumers of diesel in the country, behind only the railways. Apart from leading to high carbon emissions, diesel usage by telecom towers is also a big drain on the exchequer as the loss to the government on account of the cheaper fuel is pegged at over Rs 4,500 crore. 

World Bank approves $360 million to strengthen and modernize water sector in UP

A $360 million credit to India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh (UP), was approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors today to help build the institutional capacity needed to increase agricultural productivity in this low-income state where agriculture will continue to play an important role in alleviating poverty.

With a population of approximately 200 million, UP lags behind most Indian states across a number of human development indicators. Currently, over 50 million people live below the poverty line, the... Read more..

Growth recovery depends on agriculture: CRISIL

Rating agency CRISIL said on Friday that any recovery in India’s economic situation would depend on agriculture growth on the back of a satisfactory monsoon. The momentum in services and industry is likely to remain weak, the rating agency noted.

According to CRISIL, the 4.4 per cent GDP growth in the first quarter came on the back of higher government spending. The growth may not be sustainable in the coming quarters, it added.

Higher government spending lifted the growth of community, social and... Read more..