Indias Clean Energy Push: Major

Developments(Updated,Very important
for Prelims)
xaam.in

July 9, 2016

BIS for solar water heaters

News:TheMinistryofNewandRenewableEnergy(MNRE)isworkingto

makeBureauofIndianStandards(BIS)certificationcompulsoryforallsolar
waterheatersinstalledinbuildingsThisfollowsaBISannouncementonthe

qualitystandardsforevacuatedtubecollector-basedsolarwaterheaters,the
designofchoiceforsuchwaterheatersBackground:TheIndiangovernment
stoppedsubsidiesforsolarwaterheaters,leadingtoanincreaseinimports
fromChina,whichofferedproductsupto50%cheaperDomestic

manufacturerssaythatthepoorerqualityoftheChineseproductsresultsina
higherreplacementandrepaircostImpact:Willstoptheuseofcheaper

Chineseproductsthatarebeingusedtobypasstheintentionofrulessetby

certainstatesInordertocomplywithKarnatakascompulsoryinstallationrule
of100litresolarwaterheaterperbuilding,cheapproductsareobtained,
withoutconsideringwhetheritworksornot
TheHindu

July 8, 2016
Let's know about The Green
Corridor Project

ItisaRs40,000croretransmission
networkforrenewableenergy,

envisagedbystate-ownedPower

GridCorporationin2011PowerGrid
issettingupthefirstcorridor

connectingstatesrichinrenewable

energyWorkisalsoonforasecondcorridorconnectingsolarparksinAndhra
Pradesh,MadhyaPradesh,Karnataka,RajasthanandGujarat.Theintra-state

projectsareworthRs11,000croreGermanbankKfWandtheNationalClean
EnergyFundwillpickup40%ofthetabeachandthestates20%These
projectswillbeawardedthroughtransparentbiddingtospeedup

transmissionforupcomingsolarparksThemoveisinlinewiththe

governmentsplantoopenuppowertransmissiontoprivateinvestment
Custom

July 8, 2016

Eight states to offer Rs 5,000-crore green-grid projects

News:EightstateswillissuetendersworthRs5,000croreforprojectsina
renewableenergytransmissionnetworkunderGreenCorridorProjectThe

Grid:Canhandle30,000Mwofrenewableenergyatpresent&anadditional

systemfor10,000MwwillbeissuedbySeptemberofwhich50%hasalready
beenissuedQuick fact:Thecountrysrenewableenergycapacityis40,000

Mw,ofwhichwindpowersshareis26,000Mwandsolarpowers7,000Mw
BusinessStan
July 6, 2016

Coal-based ethanol policy, coming soon

Policy talks:Theministryofroadtransportandhighwayshasinitiatedtalks
withtheministriesofpower,coal,petroleum,andagriculturetoformulatea
coal-basedureapolicyCoal-based urea:Wouldcost$60-75pertonneas
comparedto$160pertonnefornaturalgas-basedureaRationale:Coal

productionissurplusinthecountryandthatadditionalfuelcanbeusedfor
producingureaBenefit:CouldeasethegovernmentssubsidyoutgoofRs
45,000croreonurea
BusinessStan
July 1, 2016

World Bank offers US$ 1 billion for India's solar mission

News:TheWorldBankannouncedUS$1billiontosupportIndiasambitious

solarprogrammeWorldBankslargestfinancingofsolarforanycountryinthe

worldtodateThecommitmentUS$625millionfinancingfortheinstallationof
atleast40MWgrid-connectedsolarrooftopprojectsTherestofthe

commitmentwouldbeforinfrastructureforsolarparks,solarandhybrid

technologiesandtransmissionlinesTheWorldBankalsosignedanagreement
tobethefinancialpartnerfortheInternationalSolarAlliance,ledbyIndia
TheHindu

June 28, 2016

Renewable energy to soon get a separate trading platform

News:Aseparatepowertradingplatformisbeingjointlydevelopedbythe
MinistryofNewandRenewableEnergy(MNRE)andPowerTrading

CorporationofIndia(PTC)Reason:Increasingshareofrenewableenergy(RE)
inthegridandthelikelihoodofitdisturbingtheexistingpower

systemsTrade:StateswithsurplusRenewableEnergygenerationcouldsell
andthoseoneswhichwanttomeettheirRenewablePurchaseObligation

(RPO)wouldgetaplatformtodosoNational Tariff Policy:Mandatesthat

stateshavetomeetpartoftheirenergyrequirementfromrenewable

sourcesRPO:Waslaunchedin2010&makesitobligatoryfordistribution

companies,open-accessconsumersandcaptivepowerproducerstomeetpart

oftheirenergyneedsthroughgreenenergyProgress:During2015-16,barring
afewexceptions,noneofthestateshasmetitsRPO,forfifthyearina
rowPTC:Ajointventureofseveralentitieswiththegovernment
BusinessStan

June 28, 2016

Centre asks states to set up biogas plants to provide clean fuel

News:MinistryofNewandRenewableEnergyhasaskedstatestosetupone

lakhsmallbiogasplantsthisyearObjective:Toprovidecleangaseousfuelfor

cookingandorganicbio-manureasaby-productExpected:Savingof21.9lakh
LPGcylinder
TheHindu

June 17, 2016

Draft wind-solar hybrid policy proves restrictive

Context:Govtsdraftpolicyforwindandsolarhybridplants,releasedfor

publiccommentsrecentlyAim:Tofacilitatehybridisationofexistingsolaror
windsystems,besidesnewhybridprojectsComments:Itisagoodstep,but
restrictiveasitputsacaponthesizeofsuchunits&alsolacksindetails

relatingtotariffsRestrictive:Hybridcapacityaddition,forexistingplants,
mustbelimitedtothesanctionedtransmissioncapacityThiscouldposea

problemforareaswheretransmissioncapacityisnotenoughtocatertothe

energypotentialHow?Inwindfarmswithlowturbinedensity,asignificant

solarpotentialcouldbetapped(evenoftheorderof500kWto1MW),which
wouldrequireadditionaltransmissioncapacity
TheHindu

June 11, 2016

Renewable energy capacities surpass hydro generation- II

Thermal:Thetotalcapacityofthethermalsectorstoodat2,11,420.40

MWHydro:Itsuffersfrommultiplechallenges,includingnon-availabilityof
long-termfinancingAlsothecostimposedbyroyaltypower(from12%to

36%)tobeofferedfreetothestategovernment&limitedopportunitiesfor

theprivatesectorThisispotentiallychanging,asthecentralgovernmenthas

proposedtogivepolicyattentiontohydropowertooFurther,thegovernments
bilateraleffortswithBangladeshtoimplementcross-bordertransmission

meansthathydro-powerfromthenorth-easternstatescanbedeliveredtothe
loadcentrescheaperthanbefore
TheHindu

June 11, 2016

Renewable energy capacities surpass hydro generation- I

Context:TheCentralElectricityAuthoritydataFinding:Therenewableenergy
sectorhasforthefirsttimesurpassedhydropowergenerationData:Thetotal
capacityofrenewableenergysectorincreasedto42,849.38MW,surpassing

thetotalcapacityofhydropowersectorat42,783.42MW,outofthenations
totalinstalledcapacityofalittleover3lakhMWonApril30,

2016Reasons:Therenewableenergyinvestmentsinsolarandwindhave

benefitedfromastrongcentralpolicyandseveralyearsofearly-stageprivate
sectorinvestment,respectively
TheHindu

May 19, 2016

Solar parks to come up on dam sites

Context:InitiativeforsolarparksbytheStateWaterResourcesDepartmentof
MaharashtrastateSolarparkswillbemadeonthelandwhichisavailablefor

differentirrigationprojectsAlsoproposalofafforestationprogramontheland
availablewithdepartmentBothprojectswouldhelptocontributein
environmentprotection
TheHindu

May 14, 2016

A quick fact check on wind energy in India

AccordingtoNITIAayog,Indiaswindpotentialispeggedat302GWThesector
isexpectedtocontribute60GWtothetargetof175GWofrenewableenergy
by2022Indiahastotalinstalledwindpowercapacityof23,439MWasof31

March2015AccordingtoREN21-GlobalStatusReport2011,Indiancompany

SuzlonwasamongtoptenmanufacturersofWindTurbinemanufacturersin

theworldIthasaglobalmarketshareof6.7%Alsomajorworldcompaniesare
pouringintothefastevolvingWindEnergymarketinIndia
Custom

May 14, 2016

Wind energy developers must secure power grid connectivity

Context:TheRenewableEnergyMinistrysdraftguidelinesforthe

developmentofonshorewindpowerprojectsMinistryhassoughtcomments
fromstakeholdersuntilMay27DraftRules:Forsettinguponshorewind
projectsrangingfromlandusepermissionstometeringandreal-time

monitoringtoeventualdecommissioningPositive:Rulesarecomprehensivein
theirscopeCriticisms:Rulescouldalsobeover-prescriptiveRuleslaytheonus
ofsecuringgridconnectivityandtransportationonthedevelopersThiscould
dampeninvestorinterestinthesector
TheHindu

April 20, 2016

Outdated power grids hampering storage sector

What?Indiasoutdatedgridinfrastructureisincompatiblewiththestorage
technologythatprivateinvestorsarelookingtoinstallDisadvantage:Itis

holdingbacktheemergenceoftheelectricitystoragesectorNeed:Pushforthe

adoptionofrenewableenergysourcessuchassolarandwindwillincreasingly
relyonpowerstoragesincesupplyfromsuchsourcesisirregularPower
storagefacilitiesarecriticalforthegovernmentsruralelectrification
programmeaswell
TheHindu

April 15, 2016

Centre to create $1 bn fund for solar

Context:Govtislookingtocreatea$1billionequityfundforsolarenergyin
thecountryAim:Tohelpnewcompaniestocomeupforsolartobecomea

movementAlso,tomakeatransitfrommegawatttogigawattGovtwantstotap

globalfinancialinstitutionsliketheWorldBankforthispurposeToday,World
Bankgives5%oftheirmoneyforrenewable
TheHindu

April 13, 2016

Renewable energy projects got loans of over Rs. 29,000 cr

News:Banksandnon-bankingfinancialcompaniesdisbursedRs.29,000crore
forrenewableenergyprojectsBackground: In2015,40majorbanksand

NBFCscommittedtoprovidelargedebtfundingtorenewableenergyprojects
duringthespanofthenext5yearsSomeprivatebanksinIndiahavesigned
dealswithdevelopmentbankstoprovideloansatconcessionalratesThe

IndianRenewableEnergyDevelopmentAgencyisalsoprovidingloansatlow

ratesfollowingitsrecentagreementswithinternationalfinancialinstitutions
TheHindu

April 8, 2016

Benefits of switching to LED bulbs

News:AccordingtoEnergyEfficiencyServicesLtd.,shiftingtoLEDbulbs
couldsaveanaveragefamilyaroundRs.4,000ayearontheirpower
billsReason:Energyefficiencygainsandlowerreplacement

costsBenefits:ThelifeexpectancyofanLEDbulbis25,000hours,compared
to8,000hoursforCFLbulbsand1,200hoursforincandescentbulbsThe

countrywouldsave100billionunitsofelectricityayearbyswitchingoverto
LEDSwitchingtoLEDsalsohelpsthegovt.meetitscarbondioxideemission
reductiontargets
TheHindu

March 26, 2016

India to be 100% e-vehicle nation

Context:Indiaplanstobea100%electricvehiclenationby2030Thiswould
needmonetarysupportfromneithergovtnorIndiancitizensInsteadpower

ministryisworkingonaschemetogivee-vehiclesforzerodownpaymentFor
these,peoplecanpayoutoftheirsavingsonexpensivefossilfuels
BusinessStan

March 23, 2016

Waste-to-energy (w-t-e) gets investments

Context:Privatefirmslookingforguaranteedreturnsfrommicro-power

plantsareeyingprojectstogenerateelectricityfrommunicipalwasteAsmany
as24w-t-eprojectstoproduce233MWarecurrentlyindifferentstagesof

constructionAboutRs.65,000croreofpublicandprivateinvestmentswillflow
intocitywastemanagement,cleanlinessandw-t-eprojectsoverthenext3
years

LiveMint

March 12, 2016

Learn about UJALA

Acronym:UnnatJyotibyAffordableLEDsforAllAgency:EnergyEfficiency
ServicesLimited(EESL),underMinistryforPower,CoalandNew&

RenewableEnergyItisthenamegiventoLEDbasedDomesticEfficient

LightingProgramme,whichiscurrentlyrunningsuccessfullyinover120cities
acrossIndiaAchievement:EESLhasdistributedover7.47croreLEDbulbs
acrossthecountry
PIB

March 8, 2016

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd (IREDA)

What?APublicLimitedGovernmentCompanyEstablished:AsaNon-Banking
FinancialInstitutionin1987Under:AdministrativecontrolofMNREAim:To
promote,developandextendfinancialassistanceforrenewableenergyand

energyefficiency/conservationprojectsMotto:ENERGYFOREVERHasbeen
awardedMiniRatna(Category-I)statusin2015byMNRE
Custom

March 8, 2016

Wind Re-powering Policy

ItwasunveiledbytheMinistryofNewandRenewableEnergyon07March,
2016Issue:Mostofthewindturbinesinstalleduptotheyear2000areof

capacitybelow500kWSolution:Phaseoutwindturbineswithlessthan1MW
capacityandbuiltbeforetheyear2000andreplacethemwithnewones,

whichwillfurtherexpandcapacityPolicywillbeimplementedthroughstate

nodalagencies&allstateshavecomeonboardProducersgeneratinglessthan
1MWofwindpowerwillgetaninterestrebateof0.25%fromtheIREDAfor
revampingtheirwindturbinesTheywillalsogetaccelerateddepreciation
Custom

March 8, 2016

Small wind energy gets boost

Context:Centreofferedinterestraterebate,flexibilityintimingoftax

paymentstosmallwindproducerswhoupgradetheirplantsMoveisinline

withgovtswindre-poweringpolicyStrategy:Steppinguppowercapacityby
revampingexistingprojectsratherthangoingfornewonesWhy?Acquiring
landandgettinggreenclearancesfornewprojectsmaybetime-consuming
LiveMint

February 8, 2016

Clean energy sector sees 44% rise in new capacity addition

Thefirst9-monthperiodofthisfiscalrecorded 44% growthcomparedwith

theyear-agointhesameperiodNew Capacity Addition 3,030 MW,during

firstthreequartersofthisfiscalFocus Area Solarcontinuestobethefastgrowingsegmentandhasovertaken bio-powerintotal

capacityAchievementWindpowersectorcrossedthemilestoneof25,000
MWintotalcapacityTotalgrid-installedrenewablepowercapacityinthe
country 38,822 MW
February 5, 2016

$1.25 billion renewable energy fund

Governmentisintheprocessofsettingupa $1.25 billion fund,backedby

state-ownedandprivateinstitutions,tofinance renewable

energyprojectsThemovewillhelpinthescalingupofcleanenergy

generationfrom37GWatpresentto175 GW by 2022State-ownedinstitutions
suchasPowerFinanceCorp.LtdandRuralElectrificationCorp.Ltdhave

alreadycommittedatotalof$300milliontothefundThisfundwillmake

equityandmezzanine investmentsinrenewableenergyprojectsandwillbe
modelledliketheNational Infrastructure Investment Fund(NIIF)
LiveMint

December 1, 2015

$7-bn pledge for clean energy research

Microsoftco-founderBillGatesandotherinvestorspledged$7billion
forR&D of clean energy.Itwaspartofalargerinitiativewithworld

governmentsthatpromisedtodouble spendingonrenewableenergy

research.Hewarnedpotentialinvestorsthatnew energy technologiestake

longerthanITorbiotechtolaunch.Thefundwillsupportawide range of

technologiessuchasbiofuels,carboncapture,highwind,fission,fusion,etc.