Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar has signed the implementation roadmap with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
In the presence of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, King of Malaysia, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, has signed an implementation roadmap with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to advance the development of 10GW of clean energy projects in Malaysia.
The implementation roadmap, which includes plans to develop ground-mounted, rooftop and floating solar power plants, onshore wind farms and battery energy storage systems, follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in October.
The agreement was signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of MIDA, paving the way for five additional agreements to develop new solar and wind energy projects in Malaysia.
Together, these five deals will unlock up to 8GW of clean energy across the Southeast Asian nation:
– Joint Development Agreement for 2GW of solar plants with Citaglobal Berhad Tiza Global in Malaysia. – Collaboration Agreement with Tadau Energy and PSK to develop 2GW of wind power in Malaysia. – Strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Cypark Resources Berhad for up to 1GW of renewable energy projects in Malaysia. – Heads of Agreement with Malakoff to develop solar photovoltaic power projects with a targeted aggregate capacity of up to 1GW. – Memorandum of Understanding with Citaglobal Berhad and TNB Renewables to develop 2GW of renewable energy projects.
These agreements, signed at COP28, demonstrate Masdar’s ongoing commitment to Malaysia and to supporting the country’s ambitious target of 70 percent renewable energy installed capacity and net-zero emissions by 2050.
Millions of Indian rural women if provided with energy access can actually turn out to be game-changers in clean energy transition journey …. writes Bansi Shukla.
Clean energy technologies like solar PV based induction cookstoves, solar lamps, solar streetlights and also e-bicycles increases their productivity, security and enables greater mobility. The time saved can be utilised by them to engage in activities which can in turn generate income and make them self-reliant.
Bansi Shukla
India is leading the clean energy transformation journey with aggressively allocating a sizeable budget of INR 35,000 crore in green energy projects, central and state agencies aligned to release policies complimenting it- Uttar Pradesh’s latest Solar Energy Policy 2022 is one example, passing of The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 in the parliament- which focuses on use of non- fossil fuel energy sources and creation of a national carbon market, bilateral partnerships being inked with countries like UK, Denmark, Norway and the onset of G20 presidency in India which is expected to promote more global alliances supporting the execution of clean, sustainable and just energy transitions in the country.
But before we start lauding the numerous efforts made for adoption of cleaner fuels – do all of us even have access to energy at first place? While the urban India is sorted and adopting several climate friendly measures, the rural part (also in majority i.e 64.61%) shares a different picture all together. Interestingly, a report published by Smart Power India (SPI)-implementing arm of Rockefeller Foundation on ‘Rural Electrification in India’ mentions that between 2000 and 2016, half a billion people gained access to electricity in rural India, increasing the share of grid-electrified households from 43% to a whopping 82%. However, deeper studies reveal that wider electricity coverage doesn’t automatically equate to higher rate of adoption and use. An estimated 30 million households still lack access to grid-electricity and those having access are facing supply side challenges like- unscheduled power cuts and poor quality supply.
This grim picture reveals that India – particularly rural areas is still lagging to realise United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 7: “Ensuring access to affordable, reliable and modern energy for all”. Studies tell that presently only 16% of village households are using non-grid sources like solar home systems, rechargeable batteries, mini grids. And contrary to the challenges faced after connecting to the grid, villagers – over 80% show satisfaction and interest in mini-grid connections, despite having affordability challenges. So, does this mean that India will not have trouble achieving its net zero target, if the lens is focussed more on the rural segment- as clearly there is great potential and interest in clean energy access here.
Lack of reliable energy access leads to many challenges in rural areas – from poverty to sub-standard livelihoods, limited healthcare facilities- no refrigerated medical storage and much more, but women in particular are extra sufferers to it. For example, grid connection in villages are only confined to enterprises/ agricultural areas utilized majorly by men. Women on the other hand are spending upto 6hrs a day on cooking itself – from preparation of Indian spices manually to walking long hours to bring biomass/fuelwood for cooking. Safety and security risks like harassment and other dangers of reptiles are extra while commuting in low lit areas collect the fuelwood. Access to energy limits the working time of these women to only daylight hours as well. Additionally, absence of clean cooking technologies exposes them to toxic smoke which proves to be detrimental on their overall health. The adversity list keeps mounting.
#WATCH | I'm proud to announce that Clinton Global Initiative will work closely with SEWA (Self Employed Women's Association) & with other organisations, to launch a $50 million Global Climate Resilience Fund for women: Former US Secy of State Hillary Clinton in Ahmedabad (06.02) pic.twitter.com/N9sLM5P4o6
Women if provided with energy access can actually turn out to be game-changers in clean energy transition journey. Clean energy technologies like solar PV based induction cookstoves, solar lamps, solar streetlights and also e-bicycles increases their productivity, security and enables greater mobility. The time saved can be utilised by them to engage in activities which can in turn generate income and make them self-reliant. Research tells that self-employed rural women with access to energy earn more than twice as much as their counterparts without energy access and it in turn increases prospects for their children to complete primary education as well.
SEWA-Self Employed Women’s Association – an autonomous non-profit organisation of Ahmedabad, Gujarat is setting an example for the developing world. SEWA founded in 1972 to empower women in the informal sector and create an environment of self-reliance is at present having 1.2million active members with presence in over 17 states of India. The organization, founded by late Shri Illaben Bhatt is awarded and praised worldwide for her great contribution in the field of poverty, social justice and women empowerment. While SEWA has a multifold agenda to achieve this with providing its members access to healthcare, education and trainings; one key feature SEWA addresses- is through its financial services- offering small loans and saving accounts in rural areas helping them to build financial stability and security. One interesting service they offer under this umbrella is – ‘Energy Loan’. This service enables rural women to adopt to clean energy technologies like LED bulbs, Tubelights, Fans, installing solar rooftop upto 1kW, Bio-gas systems, solar dryer etc. This small energy loan instrument not only helps rural women become self-reliant and productive but also generates a huge positive climate impact. Take a case example of 1 village household installing 1 kW solar rooftop system. This will generate on average 5.0 kWh of electricity per day ie. 1500kWh annually and supply 8-10hrs of electricity in a day. This household alone can mitigate upto 31 tonnes* of carbon dioxide emissions annually by just installing one clean energy solution. Now if approximately 300 households of a village install the same, carbon emission reduction upto 9300 tonnes can be accomplished. With currently 6 lakh villages in India with errant or no power supply lies an enormous energy saving potential for the country.
SEWA has brilliantly demonstrated that rural women if given an opportunity with credit facility can prove to be key agents in mitigating climate change. Clean energy access and rural women empowerment if addressed together have the ability to create humongous social and environmental impact. It is time India unlocks this huge energy and social potential of rural lands.
(Bansi Shukla is a climate change enthusiast with almost a decade’s experience in the space. She supports and encourages initiatives complimenting low-carbon transition which are just and equitable for its people and protects our natural resources. She is presently engaged with a Joint Venture under Ministry of Power – ‘Energy Efficiency Services Limited’, New Delhi.)
Along with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, Energy Ministers from each country attended the summit…reports Asian Lite News
The Heads of government of Denmark, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands signed a joint declaration at the North Sea Summit in Esbjerg, western Denmark, that aims to transform the North Sea into Europe’s green powerhouse by 2050.
The four European countries signed the joint pact on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.
At the summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen set an ambitious goal to quadruple the four countries’ total offshore wind capacity by 2030, and increase it to at least 150 gigawatts by 2050. This would allow them to power up to 230 million European homes with green energy.
The more interdependent we become in Europe, the more independent we become from Russia.
The ultimate aim is: an interconnected European market for clean energy.
That is the foundation of a true Union of Clean Energy.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 19, 2022
Along with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, Energy Ministers from each country attended the summit.
The Ministers signed a number of bilateral declarations, including goals for green hydrogen, and the creation of more energy islands in the North Sea.
“These commitments made in Esbjerg will also help Europe become independent from fossil fuels in a sustainable way,” said Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities, Dan Jorgensen.
“The North Sea will become a renewable hub for Europe and provide power to millions of Europeans.”
Earlier on Wednesday, von der Leyen presented the RePowerEU initiative to become independent of Russian gas.
“As part of the measures to accelerate the green transition, we have proposed to make permissions in the EU faster and more streamlined, which will help to take full advantage of the offshore wind potential in Europe,” said Simson.
Calling the leadership inspiring in synchronising global climate action, he said that Adani Group will commit USD 70 bn to energy transition via solar, wind and H2…reports Asian Lite News.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said that policies to manage and overcome the climate change crisis must be equitable and pragmatic.
Speaking to business leaders on the sidelines of the UK’s Global Investment Summit at the London Science Museum, he noted that green policies and climate action not based on equitable growth will struggle in the long run.
Decision makers, he said, must consider the voices of the vulnerable when developing climate strategies and mitigation measures. He also suggested that a collaborative approach was needed wherein developed nations, which have emitted more greenhouse gases over time, shoulder greater responsibility and propose policies and targets that fairly address the needs of the developing world.
“While net zero targets are much needed, a company’s sustainability initiatives must be aligned with the nation’s sustainability goals,” said Adani. “One must recognise that India has already demonstrated its commitment through the bold stand taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since the 2015 COP-21 summit and India has emerged as one of the most responsible major nations in the world when it comes to addressing climate change. However, at the heart of any nation’s sustainability journey lies the principle of equitable growth, and a net zero number unaligned with a nation’s development agenda may end up creating greater disequilibrium across the global sustainability initiatives.”
“We are putting money where our mouth is,” added Adani, “and the portfolio companies of Adani are leading the way with investment plans to honour the nation’s commitment”.
Adani’s logistics utility APSEZ has committed to the 1.5-degree pathway through SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative) as has AGEL, Adani’s renewable energy company. Adani Transmission has also made the same commitment and the other portfolio companies are working towards committing to the 1.5-degree pathway. Adani is also incubating the first Indian data centre company that will power all its data centres by renewable power by 2030.
Furthermore, AGEL will triple its renewable power generation capacity over the next four years – a scale and speed unmatched by any company in the world. AGEL is also consolidating its position as the world’s largest solar power developer, having achieved its initial target of 25GW four years ahead of schedule.
“This transformation has multiple dimensions that will impact not just the world of energy but also the world of chemicals, plastics, mobility, computing, and metals,” said Adani.
He said that, over the next decade, the Adani portfolio companies in the energy and utility business will invest over $20 billion in renewable energy generation and the overall organic and inorganic investments across the entire green energy value chain will range between $50 billion and $70 billion. Over 70 per cent of its planned capex until 2030 will be in sustainable technologies. This includes investments with potential partners for electrolyzer manufacturing, backward integrations for component manufacturing to secure the supply chain for the solar and wind generation businesses, and AI-based utility and industrial cloud platforms.
Honoured to meet UK PM @BorisJohnson at the #GlobalInvestmentSummit. What a platform! Inspiring leadership in synchronizing global climate action. @AdaniOnline will commit $70bn to Energy Transition via Solar, Wind & H2. Thank you, UK Govt and @TradeGovUK, for the opportunity. pic.twitter.com/26FrUCeSTl
When combined with India’s cost and locational advantages, this will enable Adani to produce the world’s least expensive green electron and be on track to become the world’s largest renewable power portfolio by 2030. This, he said, will lay the foundation for Adani to become one of the largest green hydrogen producers in the world and, in turn, will make India the producer of the world’s cheapest hydrogen.
