Think India Foundation

Agitating residents likely to be taken on tour of sewage plants

KOCHI : Faced with increased public resistance against proposed sewage treatment plants in the State, the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project (KSUDP) is planning to placate the agitated residents by taking them on a tour to some plant sites outside Kerala.

One of the proposals under consideration of the KSUDP authorities is to take the representatives of the residents of the area to a modern plant at Vijayawada.

The proposal of the Kochi Corporation to set up a sewage treatment plant at Mundanveli had met with stiff resistance from locals. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Managing Indian cities

The Indian Institute for Human Settlements(IIHS) is accepting applications for its 'Programme for Working Professionals in Urban Development (PWP-UD )' scheduled to run from September 2013 to August 2014. The PWP-UD is an, inter-disciplinary , practice-based programme that allows participants to build upon their existing backgrounds to specialise in urban practice. 

Taught by a diverse faculty of leading academics and practitioners, it is designed to focus on applied learning and skill-development necessary for finding effective, sustainable and integrated solutions to problems facing Indian cities. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Local content norms for solar projects ineffective: First Solar

NEW DELHI : Emphasising that local content requirements for solar projects are “ineffective”, solar gear maker First Solar has said creating a transparent market with significant demand is the best way to promote local industry.

The comments from US-headquartered First Solar come against the backdrop of the US dragging India to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over alleged discrimination by New Delhi’s national solar mission against American products. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.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

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

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

Japan can help India in waste water management

Tokyo (ANI): A growing population combined with a huge demand of water for development purposes, has put excessive stress on available water resources in India.

From 813 billion cubic metres in 2010 the demand of water is set to reach 1,093 billion cubic metres by 2025 in the country. Read more

Source : www.newstrackindia.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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Afforestt creates first urban jungle in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram : 

Bangalore-based company Afforestt, that works to revive forests, Saturday took the initiative to grow an "urban jungle" in the campus of an educational institution here.

"We work towards creating maintenance free, self-sustainable and greenery that will bring back our rich bio-diversity," said Shubhendu Sharma, founder and director of Afforestt. Read more

Source : www.business-standard.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

India says US cannot point fingers on local input norm

Cites American water schemes to counter US case against India on solar projects

NEW DELHI : In a move to counter the US gripe against compulsory local sourcing for solar projects, India is digging up cases where American states have mandated domestic sourcing .

At a meeting earlier this week of the WTO Committee on Trade Related Investment Measures, India said water utilities in many US states — South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia among others — have made domestic sourcing of ductile iron pipes and fittings compulsory for use in water projects. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

ADB backs 75 MW India wind plan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has made a $30m equity investment in NSL Renewable Power to help it develop a 75 MW wind farm and other clean-energy projects in India.

NSL Renewable, a unit of conglomerate NSL Group, will use the funds to develop the 75MW Chilarewadi wind farm near the city of Pune, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Read more

Source : www.rechargenews.com

Conserving urban ecosystems for sustainable development

AHMEDABAD: While Gangtok, a picturesque town in Sikkim, is fighting with urbanization to conserve fragile Himalayan ecosystem, Kozhikode in Kerala wants to preserve the wetlands in heart of the city that is under threat from constant urbanization.

It were some of the cases that got represented at a meet at Center for Environment Education (CEE) on Monday as a part of the Supporting Urban Sustainability (SUS) program being conducted by Swedish International Centre of Education for Sustainable Development (SWEDESD), CEE and International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) South Asia. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

3 MW waste to energy gasification plant underway in India

Following years of delays preliminary civil works have begun on a waste to energy facility in the village of Venkatamangalam, India which will use gasification technology to process municipal solid waste (MSW) from Tambaram and Pallavaram municipalities, according to a report in The Hindu.

3 MW waste to energy gasification plant underway in Venkatamangala, India

To mark the start of construction, a 'bhoomi pooja' ceremony was reported to have been performed at the 50-acre site located around 15 km from Tambaram in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Read more

Source : www.waste-management-world.com

Indian states miss renewable energy targets: Greenpeace

MUMBAI : Twenty two out of 29 states in India have failed to meet their Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets which lead to loss of more than 25% electricity that was expected to be generated from renewable energy sources in 2012, said the recently released report ‘Moving Ahead with Renewables: Leaders and Laggards,’ prepared by Greenpeace with its research partner Infraline Energy.

Solar Hut constructed using Bamboo consisting of 4 nos. of 75W Building Integrated Photo (Voltaic) Panel and 12 nos. of 75w framed solar Photovoltaic module, at 'Energy Park' inside Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park in Bangalore. A file photo: K. Murali Kumar

The national capital, Delhi, has stood out as worst state in this respect as it has virtually no renewable energy in it supply chain. Other states which are at the bottom are Maharashtra, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

IFC to light homes not connected by electricity network in India

World Bank member has a clean energy portfolio of $ 4.6 billion

NEW DELHI : International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group with $4.6-billion clean energy portfolio, plans to provide safe, clean, and affordable off-grid lighting in India over the next three years. Read more

Source : www.thehindubusinessline.com

Is it time Indian cities think about sustainable transport?

MUMBAI: Starting May New York city will join the league of many global metros that boast of a bike sharing programme for its citizens. It will ensure bike depots at every nook and corner from where New Yorkers can rent and deposit bikes for their rides.

The city's eco-friendly transition coincides with a recent global meet of Asian countries to address transportation as an important means to fight climate change and achieve sustainable development. "As agreed at the Rio+20 Summit, and as can be seen day by day through the innovative steps being taken in the world's cities and towns, local governments have a crucial role to play in steering the world towards a path of truly sustainable and equitable urban development," said UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon in his address at the meet. The delegates explored various sustainable mechanisms including bike sharing, integration of public transport modes and greening of pedestrian pathways. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Solar Sector: India's Next Employment Hub

While solar energy production has the potential to end the power woes of a country, the added advantage is that it also creates a plethora of new job opportunities for its citizens. Find out the solar scenario in India, job opportunities available, skill set in demand and, of course, the pay package...

The four most useful natural energy resources that would probably remain always available on the Earth are wind, waves, geothermal heat and solar power. Among these, solar power is one of the most cost-effective sources of tapping energy. Read more

Source : www.power-eng.com

Indian IT majors pitch for renewable energy

Chennai: While most Indian states have failed to achieve their renewable energy targets, Indian IT firms are stepping up their efforts in advocating for a higher share of renewable energy in the country. 

Indian IT brands Wipro and HCL along with global majors Cisco, Google Ericcson and Fujitsu have emerged the winners amo­ng companies in technology sector that provide energy solutions to help address climate change in the global IT-sector climate leadership assessment by Greenpeace International While Wipro secured a 5th position, HCL was ranked 13th in the sixth Cool IT Leaderboard  that pitched 21 technology leaders against each other to find who comes out top in the fight to stop climate change. Read more

Source : www.deccanchronicle.com

Solar powered petrol stations pumping in India

Petrol pumps in some of the rural areas in India have started getting solar power backup in an attempt to provide fuel more efficiently to customers.

Reports claim solar energy is powering two of Indian Oil’s petrol stations in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Su-Kam Power Systems installed a 2KW solar plant at Kuchipudi Village in Kodada Mandal and another 3KW plant in Shadnagar. Read more

Source : www.energylivenews.com

India needs to increase focus on electric vehicles

The country has an electric mobility mission in place, and manufacturers like Toyota, Mahindra & Mahindra and Nissan are enthusiastic about electric vehicles. But there is a lot India needs to do to achieve its goals.

Globally, the auto industry sold 79.4 million units in 2012. This year, the industry will sell more than 80 million units and by 2020, that number maybe more than 100 million.

While giving out these numbers to a news channel during his visit to India in February this year, Toshiyuki Shiga, COO of Nissan Motor, said there was considerable environmental damage being done by increased use of fossil fuel, which could lead to the shortage of energy. Read more

Source : www.zdnet.com

Bartering green ideas

The government collaborates with the World Bank for exchange of ideas in clean energy among CEM countries

Eco-friendly: Wind power for clean energy. Photo: A.Shaikmohideen

A collaborative effort between The World Bank, the Planning Commission, the Centre, including other CEM partner led to the launch of a South-South-North Knowledge Exchange (SSNKE) facility during the 4th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) held in the Capital recently. The facility will enable exchange of ideas and experiences in clean energy among the members of the CEM, a high-level global forum to advance clean energy issues. Read more

Source : www.thehindu.com

Solar expo in Aurangabad for a green future

AURANGABAD: The Aurangabad municipal corporation (AMC) and Apar Urja, a voluntary organization, would jointly hold a three-day exhibition on renewable energy resources with an aim of generating about 1,000 kilowatt electricity with the help of renewable energy resources for about 1,000 houses in the coming months. 

The exhibition, to be held on the Marathwada Sanskritik Mandal ground from April 26, is expected to help establish Aurangabad city as a role model in terms of using renewable sources such as solar, wind and biomass conversion, said civic chief Harshadeep Kamble. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rating system for green buildings launched

MUMBAI: Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), part of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has launched a first-of-its-kind rating system to address sustainability aspects in existing buildings. 

The rating tool facilitates building owners and facility managers in implementation of green building strategies, measure their impacts and sustain the performance in the long run, a CII statement said. Green existing buildings have the potential to bring about operational savings in energy and water consumption to a tune of 15-30%, apart from enhanced air quality. Read more

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Carbon tax: A revenue for investment in low carbon growth

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for phased adjustments in the energy prices to bring them to the international level, at the 57th meeting of the National Development Council.

The increase in energy prices is a politically sensitive issue which can invite critics as being hard on  common man and affecting economic growth, the Kirit Parikh committee report on ‘Viable and Sustainable System of Pricing of Petroleum Products’ invited criticism as worse for the aam admi . Read more

Source : www.deccanherald.com

India’s stand on energy use responsible: Bahgat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : India as a global power has taken a responsible position in energy use, Gawdat G Bahgat, Professor of National Security Affairs, National Defence University, Washington DC, has said. Countries including India have started investing in clean, non-polluting and renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind power.

 “The future belongs to renewable sources of energy with the technology for harnessing them getting better and prices becoming lower,” Bahgat said at a presentation on ‘Global Energy Outlook: What Lies Ahead?’ organised here jointly by Asian School of Business (ASB), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and the United States Consulate-General, Chennai. Read more

Source : newindianexpress.com

Save energy, paint the town green

New Delhi : Ten years ago, the term green building would have meant the colour of the structure to most people. Today, India is on the perch of witnessing a green building revolution. 

Exactly a decade ago, in 2003, the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre came up in Hyderabad and received the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Green Building certificate. Read more

Source : www.hindustantimes.com

Now, Sachin Tendulkar to light up villages

Cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar and Schneider Electric have joined hands to provide cheap, efficient and eco-friendly electrification in the rural areas in the country.

"Sachin Tendulkar and Schneider Electric India have come together for 'Spreading Happiness', a non profit organisation, to provide access to rural electrification by installing solar home lighting systems for the benefit of over 25,000 villagers in India," Schenider Electric said in a release. Read more

Source : www.indianexpress.com

Andhra Pradesh government to purchase solar power at Rs 6.49 per unit

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday fixed the benchmark price for purchase of solar power at Rs 6.49 per unit. The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Power fixed the benchmark price at its meeting on Tuesday. The state government has invited bids from interested parties for generating solar power in view of the unprecedented electricity crisis.

AP : Government to purchase solar power at Rs. 6.49 per unit.

"We hope to finalise the bids within a month now that the price has been fixed," Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said after the meeting. The state government plans to generate 2000 MW of solar power to tide over the crisis, caused due to non-availability of traditional fuels like coal and gas besides depletion in reservoirs that led to a drastic fall in hydro power generation. Read more

Source : ibnlive.in.com

India's wind energy output up 1250% in a decade: Report

Mumbai : India has aggressive renewable energy targets and industry energy efficiency policies. But it faces significant infrastructure challenges which may derail otherwise good policy. 

This is mentioned in a report on the country’s national climate policy by Climate Policy Initiative, a US-based global policy effectiveness analysis and advisory organisation. Read more

Source : www.dnaindia.com

Delhi yet to find its place under the sun

New Delhi : If data from the India Meteorological Department were to be believed, Delhi gets 350 days of sunshine in a year. Going by that figure and considering the energy rut the country is in, the city should have had in place adequate solar power infrastructure to meet its energy requirement. 

Yet, going by the number of power outages one witnesses in summer, it is clear that the city has no such infrastructure. Moreover, it fared among the worst in not meeting the set target of sourcing at least 2% of its power demand from renewable sources, says an assessment report on Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO). Read more

Source : www.hindustantimes.com

Kolkata celebrates Earth Day with stress on green initiatives

Kolkata: Honouring planet earth that is battling the impact of climate change, the city celebrated Earth Day with stress on novel ideas and strategies that can be adopted by its residents for a sustainable future.

Themed "Faces of Climate Change", the 43rd Earth Day was observed on Monday. Read more

Source : www.ndtv.com