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Bengal to generate 2 MW solar power
23 June 2008, Financial Express
West Bengal becomes the first state in India to implement a
megawatt-level grid connected solar power project with the
Centre providing assistance to offset the entire loan given
by the Power Finance Corp (PFC). West Bengal Green Energy
Development Corp (WBDEDCL), a company formed by the West
Bengal Power Development Corp, the West Bengal State
Electricity Distribution Company and the West Bengal
Renewable Energy Development Agency, is implementing a 2 MW
solar photovoltaic project at Jamuria in Burdwan. It entails
an investment of Rs 400 million. While the PFC has extended
a loan of Rs 309 million, DPSC Ltd has provided a little
over 8 acres for the project. According to the power
purchase agreement, WBGEDCL will buy the project's entire
generation of around 3 million units per year at a cost of
Rs 5 a unit.
MNRE Plans Solar Villages
22 June 2008
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed
to launch a program on “Development of Solar Cities” to
support urban local bodies to prepare a road map to guide
their cities in becoming “green cities”. According to a
recent concept paper, the action involves the framing of a
city wise Master Plan which will provide total and
sector-wise projections for energy demand and supply for
next 10 years, and providing complete sector-wise base-line
energy utilization and GHG emissions in the city. Further
actions will include identifying year-wise targets for
energy conservation, renewable energy addition and GHG
abatement along potential sources of funding. According to
MNRE, the Master Plan will set a goal of minimum 10 per cent
reduction in projected total demand of conventional energy
at the end of five years.
JREDA lights 447 villages
20 June 2008, The Pioneer
Jharkhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (JREDA) has
electrified 447 remote forested tribal villages of the State
using solar power. A population of 1,51,000 tribals of
Jharkhand, covering above 37,761 households, has moved out
of the dark age as a result. The electrification of eight
more villages is in the offing. These villages were largely
located in the thickly forested, hard to reach terrains. The
447 electrified villages are in the districts of Palamau,
Dumka, Giridih, Bokaro, east Singbhum, West Singbhum,
Saraikela- Kharsawan, Deoghar amongst others.
National action plan on climate change might be delayed
20 June 2008, Financial Express
The 22-experts part of the Prime Minister's committee on
drafting the country's national action plan for dealing with
adverse impact of climate change is still divided over the
approach to be adopted for reduction of green house gas
reduction. The action plan, which was supposed to be
unveiled by the end of this month might be delayed.
According to sources, the bone of contention is ways of
means of adopting green technology particularly by mining,
thermal power and cement industry without compromising on
the economic growth. On one hand one group of experts have
been insisting that the country should put in place a
comprehensive mitigation strategy for reduction in carbon
emission while the other group is pitching for a adaptation
strategy by the industry to be in place first.
RPT-Entegra board okays 1-for-1 rights share issue
18 June 2008, Reuters News
Renewable energy services firm Entegra Ltd has approved a
one-for-one rights share issue at the price of 25 rupees a
share.
Tax sops mooted for solar water heaters in homes
13 June 2008, DNA - Daily News & Analysis
The ministry of new and renewable energy has mooted a
proposal to provide income tax benefits to households that
install solar water heaters in a bid to promote the use of
alternative energy sources and conserve traditional energy
sources. The proposal is to provide tax benefits to the
extent of the cost of installing one such water heater per
household. The proposal is currently under the consideration
of the finance ministry. Currently, the ministry of new and
renewable energy provides incentives such as low-cost loans
at the rate of 2% to domestic users, at 3% to institutions,
and at 5% to community users. It also provides Rs 100 per
square metre of the area covered by such heaters as
incentives.
DVC to go for green energy systems
10 June 2008, UNI (United News of India)
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Kolkata-based
public sector Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) will deploy
renewable energy systems and devices at the premises of DVC
and bring down carbon dioxide emission levels. Under a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the
Ministry and DVC in the presence of the Power Secretary, it
was decided to deploy renewable energy systems at the
premises, power plants and various establishments of DVC to
conserve fossil and other fuels and augment energy
generation through environment-friendly and sustainable
renewable energy sources. The MoU will be valid for a period
of five years. The Ministry will provide necessary technical
assistance, examine the possibility of retro-fitting solar
thermal systems in their power plants and feasibility of
installation of suitable solar concentrating system.
Suzlon mulls making REpower a subsidiary
7 June 2008, DNA - Daily News & Analysis
Suzlon Energy tightened its control over REpower Systems,
the German windmills major, by acquiring French nuclear
energy giant Areva's 30% stake in the company for an
estimated $690 million. The acquisition is according to an
agreement signed between Areva and Suzlon last year. A
Suzlon spokesperson said the company's auditors are now
considering whether REpower can be made a subsidiary. The
acquisition consolidates Suzlon's holding in REpower to
approximately 66%. Suzlon also enjoys voting rights of
approximately 89% through its voting pool agreement with
Martifer SA of Portugal, the other major shareholder in
REpower, subject to certain minority protection and other
rights.
India unlikely to meet target for biofuel mix
2 June 2008, The Economic Times
The government is unlikely to meet its deadline of October
2008 for increasing the level of ethanol from 5% to 10% in
the ethanol-petrol blend being tried out under the ethanol
blending programme. Indications of the missed deadline are
becoming clear with sugar industry watchers and experts
estimating a dip in sugarcane output in the next sugar year
(October 2008 to September 2009) by 20%-25%. What is likely
to be a bigger worry for the government is that experts have
projected that India could become a sugar importer by
2010-11. Sources from the ministry of new and renewable
energy (MNRE) have indicated a strong possibility of a
slowdown in the ethanol blending program timeline and the
extension of deadline for 10% blending.
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