Think India Foundation

22-hour power supply in Haryana

CHANDIGARH: As the mercury is soaring, the electricity distribution companies in Haryana have made arrangements to provide at least 22-hour power supply in urban areas. Besides monitoring the demand and supply, distribution companies Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam(UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam(DHBVN) have created a bank of transformers to ensure smooth flow of electricity.

Peak summer has set in and the demand for power has risen up to 7,258 MW against the demand of 6,122MW on Friday. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

New techniques to help trees grow

MUMBAI: World Environment Day 2013 is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of a 'green' economy in improving human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. It is also an opportunity to think about how we are progressing as a nation towards a clean and renewable energy future. 

In one such sustainable solutions initiative, Siemens India, through a paper innovation is celebrating the World Environment Day 2013 in a unique way. This is an idea which allows actual seeds to be embedded in a piece of paper. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India could face 200 mt coal shortfall by end of 12th Plan

HYDERABAD :  Despite efforts to ramp up indigenous coal production, the Planning Commission feels that India will still face a shortfall of about 200 million tonnes of the fuel source by the end of the 12th Plan Period.

Tapping other resources: I. A. Khan, Advisor Energy, Planning Commission, talking to mediapersons after his special address at the annual general meeting of the Ficci State Council, in Hyderabad on Saturday. — Mohammed Yousuf

I. A. Khan, Advisor Energy, Planning Commission, said India would have to depend on imported coal, unless it is able to tap other natural resources to a greater extent for power production. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

ISS to join hands with US society to harness solar power in space

Chandigarh : The global electricity demand is expected to increase by 87 per cent around 2035. It is believed that by 2050 the world may not be able to fulfill its overall energy requirements in spite of using every available energy resource. In such a scenario, Space-Based Solar Power (SBSP) can be seen as a future energy source.

To make this a reality, International Space Society (ISS), India is going to collaborate with National Space Society (NSS), USA, to promote an international consensus on Space-Based Solar Power. Read more

Source : www.indianexpress.com

Green energy from blue sea

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Offshore wind farms to produce power for Kerala

File photo of Donghai Bridge Offshore Wind Farm, Shangai, China. Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) is preparing to take up a wind monitoring study to identify potential offshore sites in Kerala.

A few years from now, wind farms located at sea could be churning out clean energy to feed the starved power grid in Kerala. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Solar-powered irrigation pumpset has its limitations, say farmers

TIRUCHI : Chief Minister’s announcement on 8,000 solar IP sets draws praise

Although Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s announcement on extending 80 per cent subsidy for 2,000 solar-powered pumpsets has elicited hearty approbation from a number of farmers, they have a lurking fear on its efficacy as well.

Mahadhanapuram V. Rajaram, working president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association, is sceptical whether such pumpsets would be able to draw water beyond a depth of 50-60 ft (20 metres at the most). Besides, the quantum of water required for irrigation may not be pumped. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Government discussing setting up of Green Energy Corridors

New Delhi: Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is in Germany to discuss an agreement that would provide support for setting up Green Energy Corridors for transmission of power. 

The aim is to supply 30,000 MW of clean power (wind and solar) to the national grid by 2020. Germany has committed to provide an assistance of Euro 1 billion to India. Read more

Source : english.manoramaonline.com

Greenpeace activists take solar power to Delhi Power minister

New Delhi: Delhi’s Power Minister Haroon Yusuf was in for a shock recently when Greenpeace activists decided to deliver a powerful message to him. To make their point that clean energy can solve Delhi’s energy deficit, they wheeled in a set of solar panels in front of the Minister’s residence and then chained themselves to it.

Greenpeace activists stage a sit-in with solar panels in front of Delhi power minister's residence.

The activists were protesting against Delhi's dull performance on its renewable energy targets as highlighted in the Greenpeace report, ‘Powering Ahead with Renewables: Leaders and Laggards’. Over 75% of Delhi’s electricity comes from coal-fired power plants from other states. During the biggest blackout in India’s history in 2012, Delhi was severely affected and came to a standstill for two days. If decentralised renewable energy like solar power was available, Delhi could have powered itself to a large extent during the grid failure. Read more

Source : www.deccanchronicle.com

Have solar power, can sell to Andhra government soon

HYDERABAD: Hoping to lure residents to opt for solar power by offering monetary benefits, the state government is set to buy power at the rate of Rs 3.50 per unit from domestic consumers who install solar units at their residences and generate power more than their individual requirement.

Hit hard by severe power shortage, the state government is mulling a policy that would allow individual consumers to sell their excess solar power to the state power grid. The cabinet sub-committee headed by finance minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy has almost finalised the rate at which excess power generated at rooftops, terraces and balconies of individuals' houses, apartments and commercial complexes would be bought. "It would be around Rs 3.50 per unit. We will submit a report to chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy in a week's time," a minister, who is a member of the sub-committee, told TOI. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Sharing the burden of going green

The Centre must make richer, more developed States take up the responsibility for switching to renewable energy and reducing the country’s dependence on coal

If there are two words that describe India’s current energy scenario, they will be: inefficient and starving. Power cuts are back with a bang and the country’s apex electricity regulator has confirmed that 21 major coal power plants are running with stockpile that won’t last beyond seven days. Coal, we all know, won’t last forever; yet we insist that we have more of it. We are importing more coal than ever before without worrying that it is pushing the fiscal deficit to dangerous levels. The over-dependence on this fossil fuel, rather than powering India, has instead turned into an Achilles’ heel in India’s growth story. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

TN to subsidise solar powered irrigation pump sets

CHENNAI : The Tamil Nadu Government will distribute 2,000 solar powered agriculture pump sets at subsidised rates to farmers in the current year, announced the Chief Minister, J. Jayalalithaa in the Assembly today.

The Agriculture Department will distribute the 2,000 pump sets of 5 hp fitted with solar tracking device during 2013-14. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

Cement-makers want green status for power generated through waste-heat recovery

HYDERABAD : Co-generation of power through waste-heat recovery process in cement plants should be given renewable energy status, according to N. A. Vishwanathan, Secretary-General, Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA). The two-day conference has about 80 presentations from industry experts.

Greener power: Green tech motors from Seimens displayed at the Green Cementech in Hyderabad on Thursday. — P. V. Sivakumar

Speaking at inaugural session of Green Cementech 2013 here on Thursday, he said Indian cements plants were trendsetters in energy conservation measures. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

Residents of Sukhdev Vihar want waste plant to go, pledge terraces for solar panels

NEW DELHI: Residents of Sukhdev Vihar's Pocket B have embarked on a unique mode of protest against the government's waste-to-energy plant in the area. They have pledged their rooftops for solar panels to increase the city's renewable energy supply so that technology like incineration may be abandoned altogether. 

"We have 18 blocks with four buildings each and there is a lot of open rooftop area that can be dedicated to solar panels. The idea is excellent and we have volunteered the space but would like the government to work with us. Solar power is quite expensive and not everyone will find it easy to install such projects. The government should step up and involve the resident welfare associations in a bigger project to set up rooftop solar panels," Anshu Garg, president of Sukhdev Vihar's Pocket B RWA, said. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

India Rides on a Growth Curve

The year 2012 was important in India’s perspective as the plan for the next five years was laid in this year. Based on those plans, the country will continue its further journey towards attaining the economic growth. Therefore, 2013 is expected to witness implementation of plans, schemes and decisions that have been taken a year before.

The new year has brought in new hopes, especially in the Indian businesses. The Government of India has released its Five Year Plan 2012-17, which is expected to boost the Indian businesses in many sectors. At the same time, foreign companies continue to look at India as an investment destination. This approach has led towards many partnerships and joint ventures. One of such notable joint ventures (JV) in 2012 was between Russian oil giant Sibur and Reliance Industries (RIL). Read more

Source : www.bulk-solids-handling.com

Reliance Power Solar-Thermal Plant Stalled by Water Delay

A Reliance Power Ltd. (RPWR) solar-thermal plant should start up next month after missing a May deadline because Indian authorities failed to lay a water pipeline to the site in time, Chief Executive Officer Jayaram P. Chalasani said.

The 100-megawatt project “is ready to go” as soon as the water arrives, Chalasani told reporters today in Mumbai. The Rajasthan state government is completing the pipeline and the plant should begin generating after testing, he said. Read more

Source : www.bloomberg.com

New technology to instantly convert solar energy into electricity

HYDERABAD : A Vijayawada-based solar energy equipment manufacturer, Jyothi Solar Power Projects has claimed that by using two new technologies together with the existing photo-voltaic (PV) panel system, 91 per cent of the Sun’s energy could be converted into electrical power.

At a meeting to showcase the technologies here on Saturday, P. Lakshminarayana, Director-Technical of the company said they had applied for patents. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Solar power all set to heat things up as state pushes the rooftop scheme

CHENNAI : After making rain water harvesting a mass movement, the state government is now working towards a mass revolution in generating solar power from the rooftops, according to chairman and managing director of Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency, Sudeep Jain.

Embracing the solar panels may seem as alien as bikes once were to bicycle riders, but this too shall pass, is what experts believe | Martin louis

Hit hard by a power crisis, the state is focusing on renewable energy and has now embarked on a major solar energy initiative by announcing the Solar Energy Policy and is trying to generate 3,000 MW in the next few years, said Jain. Interestingly, solar home lighting is being installed in three lakh houses under the Chief Minister’s Solar Powered Green House Scheme (CMSPGHS) and will be completed by 2015-16. Read more

Source : newindianexpress.com

Delegation of MPs to visit UK to study renewable energy model

New Delhi : A delegation of MPs will visit the UK to study its renewable energy model and hold discussions on low carbon growth and climate change with their British counterparts. 

The visit is being organised by Climate Parliament, an international network of cross-party Parliamentarians, in association with the British High Commission-India. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Siddaramaiah's first task is a thorough cleansing of administration

BANGALORE : My post is not a bed of roses, says the Chief Minister-designate

Ever since it was announced that Siddaramaiah would be Chief Minister, there has been a steady stream of supporters and well-wishers at his house in Bangalore. Photo: K. Gopinathan

Chief Minister-designate Siddaramaiah, who will be sworn in on Monday at the Kanteerava Stadium, says his first task would be a “thorough cleansing” of the administration by taking the bureaucracy into confidence and speedy implementation of development programmes. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

7th district in MP gets uninterrupted power supply

Rajgarh: Rajgarh has become the 17th district in Madhya Pradesh to get 24x7 power supply under the "Atal Jyoti Abhiyan." 

"This is a historic day for Rajgarh as it has become the 17th district which will get electricity 24 hours from today," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on the occasion. Read more

Source : zeenews.india.com

Plants being used as alternate source to generate electricity

Washington: Researchers led by an Indian origin professor at the University of Georgia are developing a new technology that will make it possible for plants to generate electricity. "Clean energy is the need of the century," Ramaraja Ramasamy, assistant professor in the UGA College of Engineering and the corresponding author of the paper said. 

"This approach may one day transform our ability to generate cleaner power from sunlight using plant-based systems," he said. Read more

Source : zeenews.india.com

WB-assisted centres of excellence a matter of honour, says CoEP

The College of Engineering Pune (CoEP), which has earned two centres of excellence on its campus under the World Bank-assisted Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP), has called it a honour as well as a responsibility.

The CoEP centres for excellence for inter-disciplinary research, will focus on 'smart renewable energy' and 'signal and image processing'. Other notable institutes have got the nod for only a single centre each under the TEQIP of the Government of India. Read more

Source : www.indianexpress.com

Solar power market sees growth, but challenges remain

Solar power tariff is comparable with commercial rates applied for conventional power obtained from fossil fuels.

Powering ahead: An employee rides a battery powered bike in front of an array of solar panels at the Renergy 2013 conference on renewable energy where solar power was the central theme in Chennai on Thursday. — Bijoy Ghosh

CHENNAI : Correcting the misconception of solar power being expensive, getting bank funding and bottlenecks in acquiring land for solar projects are among the major challenges for those keen on investing in this form of renewable energy say industry experts. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

‘Rajasthan national leader in solar energy’

JAIPUR : Rajasthan is set to play a major role in solar and renewable energy, according to its Governor Margaret Alva.

“Energy is the key to progress. At the same time, it is a big challenge too. Rajasthan is a national leader in solar energy and under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, a majority of the solar projects are located in Rajasthan. In wind energy, India is globally positioned at No. 5, generating 11,000 MW after the U.S., Germany, China and Spain,” she said. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Quality rating of rooftop solar products on cards

Chennai : As numerous solar rooftop products are being rolled out in the country, the Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) is contemplating launching a quality rating system for such products on the lines of the star rating model introduced in consumer goods like air conditioners.

“There are some rating systems but these are intended for the companies, not for the products. We are planning to come out with some quality grading system like the star-rating system for air conditioners. We are working out some mechanisms and will come out with a quality rating system for solar rooftop products,” Tarun Kapoor, joint secretary, MNRE told Financial Chronicle at the renewable energy conference, Renergy 2013, here. Read more

Source : www.mydigitalfc.com

Huda initiative to tackle water problem

Gurgaon : For the residents of Sectors 3, 5 and 6, this summer will not be as difficult as the ones before. The Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) has replaced the 60 KW transformer with a 200 KW one. This will enable efficient functioning of the motors installed at the station and boost water supply till the end of the Sectors 3, 5 and 6.

Says Gyan Sharma, junior engineer, HUDA, "Due to short supply of electricity, the motor couldn't function efficiently here. Now we have installed a transformer costing Rs. 3.5 lakh. However, the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) is yet to release the connection to the transformer. It can be made functional only after the connection." Read more

Source : www.hindustantimes.com

Extended deadline for India’s CSP projects until March 2014

India’s Concentrated Solar Power deployment under first phase of National Solar Mission (JNNSM) has failed –as expected- to be commissioned on time. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has extended deadline for commissioning for ten months from May 9.

Seven CSP projects totaling 470 MW were allocated under phase I of JNNSM back in 2010. The projects, promoted by Corporate Ispat Alloys, Lanco Infratech,Hira Group, Aurum Renewable Energy, KVK Energy,Megha Engineering and Reliance Power, had to be commissioned by May 2013 or would face some penalties if delayed. Read more

Source : www.csp-world.com

Companies vie for Punjab solar energy project

CHANDIGARH: A large number of companies have bid for the proposed 300 MW solar photovoltaic power projects by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA).

Punjab non-conventional energy minister Bikram Singh Majithia said more than 30 companies participated in the bidding process and total bids for 270 MW were received against targeted allocation for in-house capacity of 300MW of solar power projects. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

States should bear the cost of subsidising power: Scindia

New Delhi : Determined to reform the crucial power distribution sector, power minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday said states were free to subsidise power but the cost of such subsidies should be borne by them and need not reflect on the balance sheets of state distribution companies.

Speaking to HT in an exclusive interview, Scindia said distribution companies buying and supplying power should be cash neutral. “There is no problem if state governments want to give subsidy but please ensure that the burden of such subsidies should not reflect on the balance sheets of distribution companies.” Read more

Source : www.hindustantimes.com

Regional waste treatment plant to come up by 2015

Will process 2,500 tonnes of garbage from MMR daily, convert it to electricity.

By the end of 2015, MMRDA expects to commission a regional solid waste management plant at Taloja with a capacity to process 2,500 tonnes of solid waste produced in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) daily, and convert the waste into power. Read more

Source : www.indianexpress.com

India May Defer Fines on $1 Billion of Solar Thermal Plants

India plans to defer fines for solar-thermal power developers that failed to complete $1 billion of plants in time as it seeks to spur investment in the industry.

Reliance Power Ltd. (RPWR), Godawari Power and Ispat Ltd. and Lanco Infratech Ltd. (LANCI) are among companies that failed to finish seven projects totaling 470 megawatts by May because of a lack of water and equipment and financing problems, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Joint Secretary Tarun Kapoor said by phone. Read more

Source : www.businessweek.com

Bihar Innovation Forum looks for innovations and rural solutions

KOCHI : Jeevika (Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society) is looking at innovations and rural solutions from across the country for the second Bihar Innovation Forum.

The Society has organised a road show in Kochi in this connection to interact with high impact social innovators from the city and surrounding regions. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

‘Mumbai groundwater level worsens’

MUMBAI : Forty two per cent of the respondents in Mumbai feel that the ground water availability has worsened over the last five years. The finding was released in a survey report of the Mumbai chapter by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) here on Tuesday.

The report, however, said that 39 per cent of the people perceived that there has been an improvement in the drinking water quality and availability, besides improvement in waste and waste management (46 per cent). Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

Reliance and IOC in Haldia warm-up

Calcutta : Reliance Industries Ltd and the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the country’s top two energy giants, are gearing up to bid for the Bengal government’s stake in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd (HPL).

Mamata Banerjee, Partha Chatterjee

Industry sources said both companies were keenly awaiting the publication of the expression of interest by Deloitte on behalf of the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), which holds the government shares in HPL. An expression of interest or EoI seeks responses from prospective bidders. Read more

Source : www.telegraphindia.com

Despite coal shortage state utilities reluctant to buy fuel

As ironical as it may sound, on the one hand power capacity addition has taken a hit due to shortage of coal, on the other, some state generation utilities are refusing to buy more fuel as there are no takers for the expensive electricity produced from these stations.

"Utilities are reluctant to buy coal due to low power demand," a Power Ministry official told PTI. "Some state power distribution utilities in states including West Bengal, Haryana and Gujarat have shown their reluctance in accepting more coal in view of adequate coal stock at their power stations," he said. Read more

Source : www.moneycontrol.com

Indian Supreme Court gives green signal to Kudankulam plant

The court cautioned the Indian government and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd to find safe areas to dispose of the nuclear waste which the plant would be generating.

The court observed that nuclear energy is extremely important for the country's growth and a balance has to be struck between the right to life and sustainable development. Source: Press Photo

The Indian Supreme Court on Monday gave its much-awaited clearance for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant project (KNPP) in THE southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu being built with Russian help.  Today’s judgment has come on the 630th day of Protests over the alleged not-up-to-the-mark safety features of the plant.

However, the court, while disposing of a public suit which sought the court’s direction to halt the commissioning of the plant on safety concerns, attached a rider. The court cautioned the Indian government and the KNPP’s operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to find safe areas to dispose of the nuclear waste which the plant would be generating. “Don’t commission the plant before final report on safety aspect is out,” the Supreme Court expressly directed in its judgment. Read more

Source : indrus.in

India, US joint research gets fresh leg up

New Delhi : India and the US will announce eight new agreements between top research universities at a summit level meet in June in a bid to give fresh impetus to their education diplomacy under the $10 mn Singh Obama 21st Century Knowledge Initiative. 

Eight Indian universities will each tie up with an American university handpicked by top researchers in the latest phase of the initiative, named after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama. The universities will collaborate on research projects on climate change, demographic gains, public health, sustainable infrastructure development, renewable energy and agriculture education. Read more

Source : www.hindustantimes.com

US firm to invest $240mn to light up Bihar's Buddhist sites

Washington : 

A power venture formed by Indian and North American energy professionals plans to create a role model for the world by lighting up famed Buddhist sites in Bihar with a $240 million (Rs. 13 billion) solar energy project as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative.

Founded in 2011, FJS Energy LLC, USA, aims to work around the Buddhist Circuits starting with Rajgir-Nalanda and Bodhgaya in the first phase and then taking up Vaishali and other places. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Despite success stories, most cities still offer a dark reality

While the majority of Indians still live in rural areas, this, too, is changing fast. From 1970 to 2010, India's urban population grew by 250 million. The next quarter-billion will be added in half that time. By 2030, 70 per cent of India's GDP will come from its cities.

But cities are simply unable to cope with the influx of migrants on the current scale. The fast-growing metropolises of India, China, Brazil, and other major emerging economies offer plenty of jobs, but basic amenities are lacking; as a result, many of the urban poor live in slums, without adequate health care, water supplies, or electricity. Read more

Source : www.timesofoman.com

NHPC’s project delays hit govt’s plan to raise power generation

Projects facing issues such as inter-state rows, geological surprises, resistance from local population

 NHPC, formerly the National Hydroelectric Power Corp., has a generation capacity of 5,295 MW and includes projects taken up in joint venture. Photo: Diptendu Dutta/AFP

New Delhi: A majority of state-owned NHPC Ltd’s hydropower projects that are under construction have been delayed, hampering the government’s bid to increase power generation in order to meet demand and boost economic growth.

These projects, with a total capacity of at least 3,808.5 megawatt (MW) capacity—nearly enough to cater to the demands of a user base as large as Delhi—have been inordinately delayed due to issues such as disputes between states, geological surprises and resistance from the local population. Read more

Source : www.livemint.com

India represents only 8% rise in global energy-related carbon emission: Report

New Delhi : This is one battle where India has an upper hand over China. India was responsible for only eight per cent increase of the global energy-related carbon dioxide emission in 2000-10, while China represented 68 per cent, according to a Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) report.

"Though India is better placed, it needs some real policy level intervention from the government. It should focus more on renewable space," said David Nelson, senior director, CPI. However, the report adds that in India, as with China, most new power generation since 2000 came from conventional sources, though the past decade saw exponential growth in renewable energy generation. During the 10 years from 2000, India's wind energy capacity grew by 1,250 per cent. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

A clean energy strategy for India

Renewable energy resources can provide India a degree of energy security, provide a cheaper alternative to fossil fuels

In 2012 India was the world’s fourth-largest market for new wind power projects. Photo: Bloomberg

At the Clean Energy Ministerial hosted in New Delhi recently, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged to double India’s renewable energy capacity by 2017. This target adds to India’s already significant clean energy plans: In 2012 India was the world’s fourth-largest market for new wind power projects, it has ambitious solar energy and state-level targets, and it has significant government programmes on energy efficiency. Read more

Source : www.livemint.com

Sunny future

As a sun-swept country, India should have been a pioneer in the use of solar power with a photovoltaic panel on every roof. Good policy can help make up for lost time.

The domestic manufacturers of solar equipment are livid at the government’s failure to protect the interests of the solar industry from cheap imports.

Solar is the most secure of all energy sources, since it is abundantly available in India. With crippling electricity shortages, the price of electricity traded internally touched Rs. 7 a unit for base loads and Rs. 8.50 during peak periods. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Coimbatore industries evince interest in solar projects

COIMBATORE : Larger industries in Coimbatore region are exploring the possibility of going in for solar installations, especially in their wind farms.

Chairman of the Southern India Mills’ Association S. Dinakaran told The Hindu on Saturday it would be easy to maintain the solar panels if they were installed in the wind farms. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

‘Generation-based incentive crucial for wind energy growth’

CHENNAI : The wind energy sector is hoping the Central Government announces the details of the generation-based incentive soon to encourage investments.

Ramesh Kymal

The Government has committed to reintroduce the incentive for wind energy generators in the Central budget. But the details of the policy and the effective date are yet to be announced. The incentive is crucial for wind energy growth, according to Ramesh Kymal, Chairman, Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

Banks advised not to reject loans for renewable projects: govt

Minister says banks have been advised by the govt to play a pro-active role in financing renewable energy projects 

New Delhi: The government on Friday said banks have been advised not to reject financing proposals for renewable energy projects on the grounds that power sector as a whole is under stress.

Minister of state for finance Namo Narain Meena. Photo: Mint

Minister of state for finance Namo Narain Meena in a written reply to the Lok Sabha said that banks are providing loans to renewable energy projects. “To promote clean energy, banks have been advised by the government to play a pro-active role in financing renewable energy projects and not to reject any proposal for financing otherwise viable renewable energy project on the ground that power sector as a whole is under stress,” he said. Read more

Source : www.livemint.com

A paint that can generate solar power

LONDON: The paint on your wall could soon power your home by generating electricity from sunlight. Interestingly, it could even change colour on request if you find it tiring to stare at the same shade. 

British scientists have found that combining the wonder material 'graphene' with other stunning one-atom thick materials could create the next generation of solar cells and optoelectronic devices. The breakthrough, published in the journal Science on Friday, could lead to electric energy that runs entire buildings by sunlight absorbed by its exposed walls. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Govt launches USD 4 mn cleantech project for SMEs

In order to promote Cleantech ecosystem among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the Ministry of MSME in association with Global Environment Facility (GEF) Friday launched a USD 4 million  GEF - UNIDO Cleantech Project in New Delhi. 

"Of the total funding, the ministry will provide USD 3 million and grant of USD 1 million will come from the GEF for a period of three years to help small units to use clean energy and become energy efficient," MSME Secretary Madhav Lal said at a FICCI function. Read more

Source : www.smetimes.in

Power supply in Haryana villages increased by 3 hrs per day

Hisar : The Haryana government today announced to increase power supply for domestic use in villages by three hours a day. 

The villages will now get electricity for 14 hours a day from 7 PM to 6 AM during night and from 12.30 PM to 3.30 PM during day, said Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in a release here. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.com

Govt seeks ways to clear CIL pithead coal

New Delhi : The coal ministry has sought the power ministry's help to find a way to clear the excess stock at Coal India's mines after power generating companies of four states refused to take coal from the company.

On April 4 this year, West Bengal Power Development Corporation had written to Coal India saying it is not in a position to take more supply as the stock at its power plants had reached an alarming level. Read more

Source : www.dnaindia.com