Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Solar, wind energies help to tide over power crisis in Vijaywada

While the demand for power is rising in tandem with the peaking summer, the Energy Department is banking on solar and wind energies to compensate any shortfall.

Fortunately, there has been consistent availability of solar energy over the last few weeks, with the output hovering around 200 MW. The generation is obviously more in the daytime.

... Read more..

IREDA may be converted into a Green Bank

State-run Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) might be converted into a Green Bank to enable it to access funding from overseas banks, a top official said today.

IREDA might be converted in to Green Bank without under going any altercation in its basic structure to enable it access funding from overseas banks that are currently not supporting the solar and wind funding, barring well-known KFW... Read more..

Indian utility NTPC commissions first 200MW of Mega Solar Project

Indian utility NTPC has commissioned 200MW out of 250MW of its Stage-I Ananthapuramu ultra mega solar power project in Andhra Pradesh.

India’s largest utility now has 310MW capacity of non-conventional energy projects, as of 30 April.

Energy Minister Piyush Goyal described NTPC as “a thermal giant leading... Read more..

Renewables reach 5.7% of India’s energy mix

The share of renewables, excluding hydropower, in India’s energy mix has reached 5.7% as of February this year, up from 4.97% in 2012/13, according to data released by the Central Electricity Authority.

Energy minister Piyush Goyal said amendments to the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) in January, have set the target for 8% of the energy mix (excluding hydro) to come from renewables by March 2022.... Read more..

Global water shortages to deliver 'severe hit' to economies, World Bank warns

Water shortages will deliver a “severe hit” to the economies of the Middle East, central Asia, and Africa by the middle of the century, taking double digits off their GDP, the World Bank warned on Tuesday.

By 2050, growing demand for cities and for agriculture would put water in short supply in regions where it is now plentiful – and worsen shortages across a vast swath of Africa and Asia, spurring conflict... Read more..

MNRE to implement Off-Grid & Decentralized Solar Applications Programme

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has announced that it is implementing a Programme on “Off-Grid and Decentralized Solar Applications” for promoting use of solar power through solar home lights, solar street lights, power plants, solar pumps and mini micro grids to meet the energy requirements of the rural areas of the country. Central financial assistance equivalent to 30% of the system cost is provided under the scheme to encourage the people in the remote/ rural areas adopt these systems to meet... Read more..

Union Cabinet Encourages Setting Up of Solar Power Plants on Waste Lands

Government of India has announced that it is encouraging use of waste land for installation of solar power plants. Setting up of solar parks is a step in that direction. This was stated by Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy. Under the scheme, 32 solar parks of 19,400 MW capacity have been sanctioned in 20 states so far.

The Minister further stated that a... Read more..

CLP likely to buy 100 MW of solar power from Suzlon

CLP India is likely to step into ‘solar’ with the purchase of 100 MW of solar power plants from Suzlon.

Sources in CLP confirmed discussions but said there was much distance to cover before a deal was finalised.

Suzlon, India’s second-largest wind turbine manufacturer, made its maiden entry into the solar... Read more..

Solar Energy Corporation of India plans to set up more solar plants

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), set up primarily to facilitate the growth of solar power, is going ahead with plans to become a renewable energy developer itself. After having set up a solar project in Rajasthan, it will soon embark on two projects: a 300-MW hybrid project, comprising both solar and wind energy in Andhra Pradesh, and floating solar plants across Kerala (10 MW), Andhra Pradesh (10 MW) and Lakshadweep Islands (5MW).

... Read more..

Wealth from waste: A novel Indian biotech solution

Agricultural waste is becoming a mammoth problem for India, not knowing what to do with the stubble many Indian farmers especially in granary of the country simply burn it after harvest.

This not only causes air pollution but also even causes a huge plume of air pollution over many cities a little after the harvest season.

... Read more..

BEPI, ZDHC Programme partner to drive sustainability in textile & footwear industry

Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI), an initiative supporting companies to enhance the environmental performance of their global supply chains, and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme, for delivering sustainable chemistry management, are partnering to scale chemical management in the textile and footwear industry.

“Our vision is to have ZDHC guidelines in responsible... Read more..

Cabinet approves 200 mw solar project at Jetsar in Rajasthan

The Cabinet today approved a proposal to provide 400 hectares of barren land at Central State Farm (CSF), Jetsar in Rajasthan for setting up of more than 200 mw solar power plant.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for utilisation of 400 hectares of un-cultivable farm land at the Central State Farm (CSF), Jetsar in Sri Ganganagar District, Rajasthan for setting... Read more..