Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Dubai to operate world's largest solar power project valued at $3.87 bn

Dubai will implement the world's largest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project valued at 14.2 billion dirhams ($3.87 billion), UAE daily Gulfnews reported on Saturday.

The CSP project will be implemented by Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (Dewa). And the largest single-site project will generate 700 megawatts (MW) of power when it is completed in the last quarter of 2020, parallel to the World Expo... Read more..

Government puts on hold auctions for 1 gigawatt of wind power projects

The government has put on hold auctions for 1gigawatt of wind power projects, which were to be conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on September 19. 

Industry executives termed this as a relief because they would be in a better position to make a bid after the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) decides on a petition filed by Power Grid Corporation of India on availability... Read more..

Vikram Solar commissions 80 MW solar project in Gujarat

Energy solutions provider Vikram Solar today said it has commissioned an 80 MW solar PV power project in Gujarat.

The 80 MW project has been developed under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission Phase II Batch IV Tranche-I Scheme with grid at Gujarat solar park for Gujarat Industries Power Company, the firm said in a statement here.

... Read more..

Maruti will make electric cars in Gujarat

The government's push to electric vehicles received a boost on Thursday with Maruti's Japanese parent Suzuki Motor deciding to make electric cars at its factory in Gujarat for India and the world. It will also be the first commercially-available electric car for Suzuki.

The Japanese company had once showcased an all-electric version for Swift (called Swift REEV, or Range Extender) around 2010. However, this... Read more..

Green building code to hike construction costs by 5%: BEE

The new green building code 2017 will lead to a rise in construction costs by 5 per cent but save energy up to 50 per cent, a senior official said today.
“New green building code 2017 will raise the costs by 5 per cent. But savings in energy can be as high as 50 per cent.

The new code could play big role in achieving India’s climate goals,” a statement quoted Abhay Bakre, Director General, Bureau of... Read more..

India’s wind turbine makers mull cuts as auction pace lags

ReGen Powertech Pvt., one of India’s top five wind turbine makers, last month shuttered a factory at Udaipur in Rajasthan and laid off workers, signalling challenges roiling the nation’s wind turbine manufacturers as they adjust to an auction system that’s throwing into doubt how much wind energy gets built.

“We all have extra capacity so it was a good decision to restructure to stay lean,” Madhusudan Khemka... Read more..

Ganga: NGT orders inspection of drain connecting Jajmau CETP

The National Green Tribunal has directed inspection of a sewer pipeline going to a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) at Jajmau in Kanpur to verify the claim of the Uttar Pradesh government that it was blockage free. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar constituted a team comprising Dr A B Akolkar, ex-member secretary of Central Pollution Control Board, a representative of UP pollution control board (UPPCB) and a Director in National Mission for Clean Ganga that will inspect the sewer... Read more..

Need to tap potential on Indo-US synergy on renewable power, says USISPF

Renewable hybrid projects are key to ensuring uninterrupted power supply and there is a need to explore full potential on this front, said US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) Secretary Nolty Theriot.

The USISPF is a Washington headquartered not-for-profit body focused on deepening business ties between the US and India.

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Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) lists 3 models for electric vehicle charging segment

Companies keen to enter electric vehicle charging space may either partner power distribution companies or set up battery swapping shops, as per the business models identified by power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

The commission has recognised three business models viable within the framework of the Electricity Act 2003. For any other model, an amendment to the act will have to... Read more..

Mizoram governor expresses concern over climate change

Mizoram governor Lt General Nirbhay Sharma today urged the tribal people of the state to go back to their roots to ensure protection of environment for arresting climate change.

Sharma, who was addressing a three-day media workshop Climate change reporting in the Himalayas, said that rise of temperature during the past few decades in Mizoram is a matter of concern.

... Read more..

H&M Foundation, HKRITA find way to recycle textiles

The non-profit H&M Foundation and the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) together have found groundbreaking solution to recycle blend textiles into new fabrics and yarns, without any quality loss, through a hydrothermal (chemical) process. The technology will be scaled up and made available to the global fashion industry. 

The finding is the result of the four-year innovative... Read more..

Mercedes-Benz to offer electric option for every car by 2022

Daimler's Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche on Monday said Mercedes-Benz will offer electric versions of all its models by 2022, converting its Smart city car brand to become fully electric.

Speaking at the company's investor day in Sindelfingen, Germany, Daimler said it will offer at least 50 electrified versions of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in hybrid and fully electric car variants.

... Read more..