Newsletters: January 2014

 
Renewable Energy Newsletter
 
Date: January 2014
 

Dear Reader,

Over the last few years, the RE team at Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) has published several analyses, studies, and stories to bring out the developments in the renewable energy sector in India. As you might be aware, we have also held several workshops, meetings and roundtable discussions to deliberate on different issues. This year, the team is organizing the 4th Anil Agarwal Dialogue (AAD) dedicated to Energy Access and Renewable Energy.

CSE organises AAD to bring different stakeholders to a common platform and discuss issues of national importance. The previous editions of the dialogues have discussed mining, forest clearances and water management. These discussions have been instrumental in pushing for reforms in the respective sectors. This year, the two-day conference will be focused on deliberating energy access issues, including electricity for lighting and clean sources of energy for cooking and the role of renewable energy to meet the overall unmet energy demand. CSE’s research on Renewable Energy and Mini-grids will also be released during the conference.

The Citizen’s Report on Renewable Energy provides a holistic view of the current status of the sector in India. In addition, the book highlights stories that played a significant role in shaping the industry to what it is today. The mini grid study establishes the need for a policy and regulatory framework to scale up the implementation in rural areas.

We also have a short term course coming up, ‘Capacity for Change’, for anyone who wishes to get an insight into the Renewable Energy sector in India. It includes field visits to villages that are completely dependent on renewable energy for their electricity needs. The lectures will be delivered by experts in their respective field. Professionals and students, wanting to get a head-start in the renewable energy sector or looking to make a career in this field, will benefit from this course.

 
 
Renewable Energy
 

Draft policy on rooftop solar power generation favours Delhi’s private utilities, say experts
Delhi's power regulator has called for public feedback on a policy that will allow consumers to use solar panels to generate electricity at their homes and also sell excess power if any. Renewable energy analysts say the draft proposal is contradictory and could benefit private power distribution companies, leaving little incentive for domestic consumers.

December 24, 2013
 
 

Towers of pollution
India, the second largest mobile phone market and also the fastest growing, has over 440,000 telecom towers now—over 60 per cent powered by diesel. The diesel-operated telecom towers emit one per cent of the country’s total carbon emissions, says a report by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
November 30, 2013


Green energy will account for nearly half the increase in global power generation by 2035
The latest report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), which focuses on the new trends in the global energy market, says that renewable energy will account for nearly half of the increase in global power generation in 2035, with variable sources – wind and solar photovoltaics – making up 45 per cent of the expansion in renewables. International Energy Agency report says China will dominate energy demand in Asia till 2020, before India takes over as principal engine of growth.
November 21, 2013

Central tribunal admits Gujarat power utility’s plea to lower feed-in-tariff for renewable energy
The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (Aptel) at the Centre has admitted an appeal of the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), state power utility, seeking reduction in the tariff of already installed renewable energy projects in the state. The tribunal on November 12 sent out notices to around 80 companies that have installed the projects in the state. Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam’s change of mind on feed-in tariff comes three years after signing agreement with project developers.
November 15, 2013

MNRE recommends measures to minimise environmental impact of renewable energy projects
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has recently released a report, recommending division of the country into various zones to minimise the environmental impacts of renewable energy (RE) projects. Report focuses on wind, solar projects in India; overlooks small hydropower projects.
October 31, 2013

Amendment proposed in Electricity Act to enforce renewable energy purchase obligation
Most states in India are not meeting their targets for purchase of renewable energy. To set matters right, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MRNE) has asked the Union power ministry to amend the Electricity Act. It wants provisions in Act to ensure strict implementation of renewable energy targets by state governments.
October 18, 2013

Solar Mission: Centre releases policy for 750 MW grid connected projects
The Centre has cleared the decks for setting up 750 MW grid-connected solar PV power projects under second phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). The projects will be supported by the National Clean Energy Fund through viability gap funding or VGF—capital subsidy to bridge the gap between the project cost dictated by the prevailing electricity rate and the price quoted by a developer.
October 17, 2013

Cabinet clears phase II of solar mission
The Union Cabinet cleared phase two of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) on October 3. The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), which is responsible for executing the mission, is expected to float tenders inviting bids for 750 MW of solar photovoltaic power under batch one of the phase two shortly.
October 4, 2013

Rajasthan to have world’s largest solar power project
India is going to be a home to the world’s largest solar power project. It has been finalised that the 4,000 MW project will be set up close to Sambhar lake, about 75 km from Jaipur in Rajasthan. Sambhar Ultra-Mega Green Solar Power Project will have more than double the total installed power capacity of India.
September 30, 2013

Renewable Energy Purchase Obligation waiver for Gujarat power utilities
The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission has waived off the obligation imposed on state power utilities to buy additional renewable energy over and above what was required in the financial year 2012-13. The commission’s order passed on August 8 applies to Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) and Torrent Power Limited who filed a petition with the commission.
August 29, 2013
 
Thank you for taking your time for reading our newsletter
 

Renewable Energy Unit
Cent
re for Science & Environment
New Delhi
 


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