Low Carbon News in India in July 2014
Electric bus pilot project to be launched in Gujarat
As part of efforts to ensure a cleaner and greener environment, the Gujarat Government will soon introduce a pilot project to run ‘electric buses’ for public transport between the state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.
In the first phase, electric buses will be running from Gandhinagar to Ahmedabad and if the project meets with success, it can be implemented in other parts of the state.
This project includes purchase of 15-40 seater mini-buses same as the city-buses used in capital Gandhinagar.
The project also includes setting up of solar power-based electric charging stations at regular distances on the over 35-km-long stretch between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
Indo-US Group to Work Very Closely on Climate Change: Environment Minister
Terming the Indo-US Joint Working Group as an “important platform” for addressing environment and sustainable development concerns, Environment minister Prakash Javadekar today said the group needs to work “very closely” and develop common understanding and balanced package for post 2020 period.
Mr Javadekar today met the US Special Envoy Climate Change Todd Stern and discussed a sequence of events in the run up to the Conference of the Parties (CoP) in Paris next year which was followed by the first meeting of the India US Joint Working Group on combating Climate Change.
Stressing that both the countries have “experience and technologies”, Mr Javadekar said that the best practices can be shared by both the nations and hoped the joint partnership to go ahead and become “very active” cooperation partners in days to come.
“In view of the 2015 agreement on climate change, the group needed to work very closely and develop common understanding for ambitious and balanced package for post 2020 period. The Joint Working Group would also establish coordination on Mitigation and Adaptation aspects,” he told reporters after the meeting.
An IEA blueprint for a lower-carbon India
Twin challenges are testing India as it strives to transform its energy sector: to maintain strong economic growth, while seeking to provide electricity to the 300 million citizens still without access. India is pursuing a low-carbon growth strategy, but how will the country develop its energy sources? What emissions trajectory will India find itself on as it builds new infrastructure and tackles the efficient distribution of electricity and continued investment in more effective, more environmentally benign operations and equipment?
In a focus section on India, the IEA publication Energy Technology Perspectives 2014, (ETP 2014) offers both analysis and guidance aimed at helping the country meet its goals under a long-view scenario.
http://www.iea.org/newsroomandevents/news/2014/july/an-iea-blueprint-for-a-lower-carbon-india.html
UK to help India reduce emission without affecting growth
The UK government will share new technologies in clean and renewable energy to help India in addressing climate change in a way that its growth will not be affected, a British minister said.
“We want to work very closely with India in addressing climate change by sharing the lessons we have learnt and the technologies we have access to. We see this as an opportunity to work together and share our knowledge,” UK’s Minister of the Department of Energy and Climate Change Baroness Sandip Verma told PTI during a visit here last evening.
Disagreeing with the contention that reducing carbon emissions would affect India’s growth, the Indian-origin British politician said that there is no conflict between growth and addressing the challenges of climate change as the two could work hand in hand with the help of technology.
Lecture on Changing Economics – Tackling Climate Change and Driving Growth’ by British Minister
The British Cabinet Minister for Energy & Climate Change, the Rt Hon Edward Davey MP delivered a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Speaking on the topic ‘Changing Economics & Tackling Climate Change & Driving Growth’ as part of the Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPX) hosted lecture series, Davey said that as one of the fastest growing cities in India, Ahmedabad was demonstrating that fact that both environment and growth & development can go hand in hand.
Davey, who earlier in the day met Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, said, “Vibrant Gujarat has become a byword for attracting investment: it’s a powerful symbol of the success of Gujarat. The UK was delighted to be a country partner to the 2013 event and we look forward again to partnering Vibrant Gujarat 2015. And because Gujarat matters, I am delighted that the UK will strengthen our relationship further with an agreement to open a Deputy High Commission here in Ahmedabad.”
China and India must cut their emissions ‘or else’, says Davey
Britain will not sign a global deal on climate change unless it includes commitments from China and India on reducing emissions, the energy and climate change secretary said on the eve of visiting the two countries. China is the world’s highest emitter and India is the third. Davey said there was no point in Britain making great efforts to reduce emissions when other countries did not.
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/environment/article4152863.ece
Tata Power explores renewable energy opportunities
To expand its clean energy portfolio, Tata Power is looking for opportunities in India as well as overseas, including in the Middle East and Africa.
The private power utility has an installed generation capacity of more than 8,580 MW, with around 1,170 MW coming from clean energy sources.
Besides India, opportunities are being eyed in the Middle East, South East Asia and parts of Africa.
Out of current renewable capacity, hydel projects make up for about 447 MW while wind plants account for around 460 MW.
The company aims to have 18,000 MW capacity by 2022, with 20-25 per cent contribution coming from clean energy sources.
Ministry planning integrated policy to cover all parts of renewable energy
The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) is in the process of building a policy that would integrate and cover all parts of the renewable energy sector. This policy would guide the states on issues of inter-state character, Alok Srivastava, joint secretary, MNRE, said on Thursday.
Addressing the 13th edition of the `Green Power 2014′ international conference on renewable energy organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Chennai, he said the proposed policy “will not tell the states what to do, but will help them in the form of guidance and how they should move forward.”
The investment potential in the renewable energy sector in the next five to six years was estimated to be over Rs 1,00,000 crore and the need of the hour was to forge a vibrant and robust partnership with all the national and international stakeholders, industry experts at the CII said.
India’s largest ultra mega solar power plant planned in Madhya Pradesh
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BHOPAL: Plans are afoot to set up the country’s largest ultra mega solar power plant (UMSPP) in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The plant, to produce 700 MW of electricity, would require an investment of Rs 4,000 crore, state’s additional chief secretary for new and renewable energy S R Mohanty told PTI.
The electricity from the plant would be available at Rs 5.40 paise per unit, which would be the lowest in the country, Mohanty said.
The state government would set up the plant as a joint venture with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Power Grip Corporation and the Solar Energy Corporation of India, he said.