Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Drop boxes for e-waste soon in Odisha

Drop boxes just like dustbins will be installed at different locations in all the 30 districts of the state to spread awareness about e-waste collection. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has asked five authorized collection centres to put up the boxes.

The boxes will mainly be set up at waste generating points like banks, industries, hospitals, IT companies, telephone service providers and educational institutions. If the e-wastes can't be reused or recycled, it can dumped in the box, which will be collected by authorized centres later.

"Installing drop boxes... Read more..

Date : Jun 3

Source: Times of India

SJVN to spend Rs 1,000 crore, start wind power plant

State-owned power producer SJVN Ltd plans to spend close to Rs 1,000 crore in the current fiscal on a number of power projects that would use a range of fuel sources such as hydro, thermal and wind, chairman R P Singh said.

“We made a capital expenditure of Rs 796 crore in fiscal 2013, most of which went into our 412 mw Rampur hydro electric project in Himachal Pradesh. This year we would spend about Rs 986 crore on several projects, including wind and thermal,” Singh told analysts on a conference call.

The Rampur project would be completed by September and starting December... Read more..

Date : Jun 3

Source: Daily News and Analysis

Jakson Power plans Rs 750 crore investment in 4 years

Diversified group Jakson Power Solutions plans to invest about Rs 750 crore primarily in its solar business in the next three to four years, a company official said.

Besides solar energy, the firm would be investing in EPC, generating sets and hospitality, where its foray is likely to happen by the end of this year.

"We intend to make investments of about Rs 750 crore in the next three to four years. The company has made invested around Rs 300 crore in nearly last two years," Jakson Power Solutions Managing Director Sameer Gupta told PTI.

Already, the company has a 20... Read more..

Date : Jun 3

Source: Economic Times

ACs ready for tougher green norms

Air conditioners are set to turn costly from next year because of tougher energy-efficient norms, but the makers are confident that this will not hurt sales.

Companies are planning to invest in ground staff who will educate customers on the scope of higher cost recovery in the long run.

According to Panasonic, it is still a challenge for a brand to communicate its value over price even though the Indian consumer has evolved.

“Although there still exists a class of consumers for whom pricing is of paramount consideration, we believe that the growth in technology and... Read more..

Date : Jun 3

Source: The Telegraph

ICICI mulls exclusive lending facility for clean energy space

Taking a lead among all the banks in the country with its pro-environment initiatives, ICICI Bank is working on an exclusive lending facility for businesses and people working in areas of clean energy and energy efficiency.

"We are always on the lookout for good projects that seek to develop and/or deploy clean energy technologies. We have the resources to support a large number of such projects and we would want to expand our activities in this area," ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar said.

Talking about the steps being undertaken by ICICI Bank for lending... Read more..

Date : Jun 3

Source: Times of India

Hotels to sign MoU to check pollution

The 35-odd 5-star hotels in the Capital will on Monday sign a memorandum of understanding with the Delhi government for time-bound and strict adherence to green guidelines.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit will be present at the Delhi Secretariat when director (environment) Anil Kumar signs the MoUs with the hotels.

A recent survey by the Delhi government had revealed most of these hotels were biggest guzzlers of power and water and were also causing massive air and water pollution.

As many as 16 5-star... Read more..

Date : Jun 3

Source: Hindustan Times

Janwani, Pune Municipal Corporation and Cummins India Limited create awareness about garbage disposal

Janwani along with the Pune Municipal Corporation and Cummins India Limited recently organized a meeting with 40 secretaries of societies from Aundh , Baner and Balewadi area to create awareness about garbage disposal.

Public awareness about garbage disposal is the first step in moving towards decentralized waste disposal system, Janwani, which is a social initiative of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture said.

The residents need to be educated about wet and dry garbage so that the waste can be utilized either for... Read more..

Date : Jun 3

Source: Times of India

Economically backward class to get 'green homes'

As many as 184 homeless families in Malappuram can reside in their 'green houses' as the municipality will soon inaugurate the flats constructed for economically backward families, under the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme ( IHSDP) project.

The houses would be handed over to the beneficiaries at a public function to be held here.

The work to provide water supply is underway, after which the project would be inaugurated and the houses handed over to the beneficiaries, sources said.

The... Read more..

Date : Jun 3

Source: Times of India

New proposals increase solar project capacity to 690 MW

Even about a month ago, it looked as if the State government’s Solar Energy Policy was able to attract only a modest number of project proposals with capacity of 260 MW.

But, in the last few weeks, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) received letters of commitment from many developers for capacity addition or fresh projects to such an extent that eventually, the quantum of capacity of projects rose almost two-and-a-half times.

At 5 p.m. on Friday when the deadline for submission of proposals ended, 23 more developers formally conveyed their... Read more..

Date : Jun 2

Source: The Hindu

Pharma industry big consumer of water

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a big consumer of water. As per estimates by Frost & Sullivan, the water and waste water treatment market for the pharmaceutical industry in India earned revenues of Rs 5.08 billion in 2011 and this is expected to move up to Rs 9.47 billion by 2016, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 13.3 per cent.

"Currently, India's pharmaceutical industry is third largest in the world in terms of volume and the fourteenth largest in terms of value," said Frost & Sullivan. "As both international and domestic demand for... Read more..

Date : Jun 1

Source: Times of India

Concrete tiles threaten urban greenery

Almost 14 years after the Union urban development ministry issued specific guidelines to refrain municipal agencies from undertaking unnecessary civic building exercises, the rules are being breached by Noida Authority.

Much to the ire of environmental activists and experts, the rules formulated in 2000 have been pushed off by the Authority which is rampantly concretizing footpaths. Laying down interlocking concrete tiles on footpaths, as is the practice with Noida Authority, has reduced green cover and blocked percolation of rainwater into the soil, say experts... Read more..

Date : Jun 1

Source: Times of India

NGT conditional nod to Sterlite unit

In a major respite to Sterlite Industries Limited, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi, on Friday, allowed the restarting of its copper-smelting plant in Thoothukudi albeit with some riders.

The Principal Bench headed by Chairman Justice Swatanter Kumar granted the interim relief to the factory, which was issued closure orders by the State in March following alleged sulphur dioxide leak from its premises.

Sources told Express that the bench made it clear that the plant could be restarted only in the presence of a committee consisting of Member Secretaries of the... Read more..

Date : Jun 1

Source: The New Indian Express

Govt clears 8 FDI proposals worth Rs 696 crore

The government on Friday said it has approved eight FDI proposals worth Rs 696 crore, including those of ACME Solar Energy, GETIT Infoservices and McKinsey & Company.

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) cleared the proposal of ACME Solar Energy to bring in foreign investment worth Rs 275 crore, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Besides, FIPB cleared GETIT Infoservices' proposal to receive foreign investment worth Rs 216 crore for carrying out the publishing business.

It also approved France's GeoPost S.A.'s proposal to acquire shares of an Indian... Read more..

Date : Jun 1

Source: Zee News

WWF-India and Woodland light up remote villages in Central India

Woodland, the global adventure wear brand and supporter of WWF-India’s conservation initiatives, donated solar lanterns to over 115 households in 3 villages in WWF-India’s Central Indian Satpuda Maikal Landscape at an event today in Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh. This initiative was part of WWF-India’s Earth Hour campaign, which encouraged corporate organizations to go beyond the hour to combat climate change, by providing renewable energy solutions to villages without any access to electricity. The event is being organized at the onset of the launch of WWF’s new global campaign which... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: Sustainability Outlook

Jakson Power bags 2 solar rooftop installation orders

Jakson Power Solutions has bagged two new orders for installing solar rooftop systems at Bangalore and Pune.

According to Sundeep Gupta, Joint Managing Director, Jakson Power Solutions, “the first order is to set up the 80 KWp solar rooftop unit with a facility of battery back-up at Karnataka State Disaster Management centre, Bangalore.”

The Bangalore project is slated to be completed by July. The project will provide round-the-clock, uninterrupted power to the disaster management centre.

Gupta said the second order is from Ascot Infrastructure, Mumbai, to set up a 77.... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: Hindu Business Line

Gujarat's wind power capacity grows highest in 4 years

In yet another leap in renewable energy sector, Gujarat has registered highest growth in wind power generation during past four years. Installed wind power generation capacities in the state has increased by 36 per cent during 2011-12 to 2,966 megawatt (Mw), making the state second only to Tamil Nadu in India's wind energy sector.

As per the Indian Wind Energy Association (IWEA) data, growth in wind power generation capacity has been highest since 2008-09. The state has outperformed the national average growth of 22 per cent for the wind power generation capacities.

Notably,... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: Business Standard

Reliance Infrastructure power consumers in suburbs to get energy-efficient

Power consumers of Reliance Infrastructure will get refrigerators of renowned brands up to 55% discounted rates. Besides an additional discount of Rs 1000/- will be given on replacing old double door refrigerator with energy efficient single door refrigerator.

Average annual saving on power consumption has been envisaged at 40% on single door and 50% on double door energy efficient refrigerators. RInfra under its initiative 'Change for Mumbai' has once again brought this scheme for its consumers where the consumers will get Bureau of Energy Efficiency... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: Times of India

Power Min, Environ Min discuss hydro projects clearances issue

In a bid to foster development of hydro sector, the Power Ministry has taken up the issue of environmental and forest clearances related to hydel projects with the Environment Ministry.

Even though India is estimated to have a hydro power potential of about 1,50,000 MW, only about 39,000 MW of hydro projects are operational while many are stuck at various developmental stages.

A senior official said the Ministry earlier this month took up the issue of environmental and forest clearances regarding hydel projects with the Environment Ministry... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: Zee News

Delhi ranks 30th on environment index

The Planning Commission’s environment index for 2012 has ranked Delhi quite low on different environmental parameters. The Capital is placed at the 30th position among 35 states and union territories.

High air pollution, low groundwater level and inadequate facilities to treat hazardous waste has earned Delhi this dubious distinction. As per a latest Central Pollution Control Board report, particulate matter in Chandni Chowk was highest for any location in India.

The plan panel’s report for Delhi’s annual plan (2013-14) says the water drawn from the ground was ‘unsustainable... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: Hindustan Times

Award credits for planting trees, says Welspun

In an innovative plan to increase forest cover, Welspun Energy, India's biggest developer of solar projects, has proposed that private firms planting trees should be awarded credits similar to tradable carbon credits.

According to Welspun, private sector should be involved to reforest and maintain degraded forest land patches. These organisations in turn should then be rewarded with an economic instrument -- Grow Forest Certificate (GFC) which is similar to the tradable Certified Emission Reduction (CER). GFCs should be awarded by the local governments after scrutinising and... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: Economic Times

India Solar-Credit Demand Sinks as Companies Snub Targets

Indian demand for solar-power credits has dropped 43 percent this month as electricity producers and distributors sidestep clean-energy targets, according to REConnect Energy Solutions Pvt.

Bids for credits, which power companies and industrial consumers need to meet renewable-energy goals, declined to 1,999 in May from 3,522 in April, REConnect said in an e-mail. The Indore-based trader records all the transactions on the Indian Electricity Exchange and the Power Exchange of India.

Trading remains “dry” because authorities are failing to enforce clean-energy targets on state... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: Bloomberg

Vacon starts manufacture of solar inverters in India

Global AC drives manufacturer Vacon has begun the production of its inverters for solar power generation in the company's factory in India, having inaugurated it in 2011.

The final assembly operations of solar inverters were commenced at Vacon's facilities in Bangalore in April this year.

Vacon's solar inverters, rated from 10 to 1,200kW, are cabinet-installed systems, and they are based on Vacon's AC drive technology. Vacon's factory in Bangalore manufactures products available for the power ranges of 10 to 200kW and 1,000kW, and their... Read more..

Date : May 31

Source: PV-Tech

ONGC plans to invite partners for 6.5 GW renewable energy venture

The state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd (ONGC) plans to invite expressions of interest (EoI) shortly from potential partners in a joint venture for generating 6.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy such as wind and solar power, chairman and managing director Sudhir Vasudeva said.

The venture may provide a boost to renewable energy generation in the country.

In addition, the explorer also plans to sign an agreement with state-owned Nuclear Power Corp. of India Ltd for setting up six nuclear plants, each with a capacity of 1,740 MW, Vasudeva said in an announcement made... Read more..

Date : May 30

Source: Livemint

Andhra Pradesh seeks Rs 2122 cr under JNNURM

The state government will send proposals worth Rs 2, 122 crore to the Centre under the JNNURM scheme for infrastructure projects including construction of grade separator at Tolichowki, railway under bridge (RUB) at Uttam Nagar and development of new roads including link road from Raj Bhavan to Begumpet.

This was decided during the state-level steering committee meeting presided over by chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy here on Wednesday. The meeting reviewed the proposals for projects worth Rs 2,122 crore for which Additional Central Assistance (ACA) of Rs 1,130 crore is available... Read more..

Date : May 30

Source: Times of India

NLC to invest Rs 29,000 cr

Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) has announced its plans to invest around Rs 29,000 crore to set up power projects with a capacity of around 8,450 Mw. These projects are expected to go on stream by the end of 13th Five Year Plan (2017-22).

“The investments would help the company raise power generation capacity from the current 2,740 Mw to 11,195 Mw,” said B Surender Mohan, company's chairman and managing director.

He said the company aimed to grow its business 4-5 times to acheive the status of Maharatna PSU.

The PSU firm plans to acquire coal assets in the order of... Read more..

Date : May 30

Source: Business Standard