Tag: renewable energy

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India hits 200 GW milestone in renewable energy

Solar power leads the way with 92.12 GW, playing a crucial role in India’s efforts to harness its abundant sunlight..reports Asian Lite News

India has surpassed 200 GW (gigawatt) in renewable energy capacity, accounting for more than 46.3 per cent of the country’s total installed capacity, the Centre said on Wednesday.

According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the total renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity now stands at 203.18 GW, as the country aims to achieve 500 GW from non-fossil sources by 2030.

Solar power leads the way with 92.12 GW, playing a crucial role in India’s efforts to harness its abundant sunlight. Wind power follows closely with 47.72 GW, driven by the vast potential of the coastal and inland wind corridors across the country.

“Hydroelectric power is another key contributor, with large hydro projects generating 46.93 GW and small hydro power adding 5.07 GW, offering a reliable and sustainable source of energy from India’s rivers and water systems,” according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Biopower, including biomass and biogas energy, adds another 11.32 GW to the renewable energy mix.

The country’s total renewable energy installed capacity surged by an impressive 24.2 GW (13.5 per cent) in just one year, reaching 203.18 GW in October 2024, up from 178.98 GW in October 2023.

Additionally, when including nuclear energy, India’s total non-fossil fuel capacity rose to 211.36 GW in 2024, compared to 186.46 GW in 2023, according to the ministry.

“This achievement underscores India’s growing commitment to clean energy and its progress in building a greener future,” it said, adding that this marks a major shift in the country’s energy landscape, reflecting the country’s growing reliance on cleaner, non-fossil fuel-based energy sources.

When factoring in the 8,180 MW (megawatt) of nuclear capacity, the total non-fossil fuel-based power now accounts for almost half of the country’s installed electricity generation capacity, signalling a strong move toward clean energy leadership on the global stage.

India’s total electricity generation capacity has reached 452.69 GW, with renewable energy contributing a significant portion of the overall power mix.

In 2023, India’s renewable energy sector reached a significant milestone, with an estimated 1.02 million jobs created, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 2024 Annual Review.

The global renewable energy workforce expanded to 16.2 million in 2023, up from 13.7 million in 2022, with India playing a significant role in this growth.

The report, created in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), underscores India’s increasing leadership in clean energy and its commitment to generating green jobs that fuel economic growth.

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Arab News Environment UAE News

Pavegen plans to plant 1000 mangrove trees in UAE

Pavegen plans to plant 1000 mangrove trees in UAE

Pavegen is planning to plant 1000 mangrove trees around the UAE to highlight the importance of sustainable development and environmental conservation in the fight against climate change…reports Asian Lite News

Pavegen, renowned for its fascinating technology that coverts human footsteps to renewable, made headlines by planting 279 mangrove plants during the third day of the World Future Energy Summit. Hosted by Masdar at ADNEC from April 16th to 18th, 2024, the summit provided the perfect platform for Pavegen’s innovative interactive installation. This initiative seamlessly converts human movement into a tangible means for mangrove tree planting, exemplifying the fusion of sustainability and cutting-edge technology.


Pavegen is planning to plant 1000 mangrove trees around the UAE to highlight the importance of sustainable development and environmental conservation in the fight against climate change.

Laurence Kemball-Cook, CEO of Pavegen, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that:’’As attendees walk over Pavegen’s tiles, their movements are converted into energy. The energy is used to illuminate LED lights, with a display providing real-time feedback on the real amount of energy generated. For this edition of the World Future Energy Summit, the footsteps and subsequent energy produced will be tied to an environmental cause – planting mangrove trees in the UAE. This will provide a tangible sense of the impact of each participant’s contribution.’’
This initiative is part of Pavegen’s broader mission to blend technological innovation with environmental stewardship, offering solutions that empower communities and promote sustainability. By focusing on smart energy generation and ecosystem conservation, Pavegen is paving the way towards a more sustainable future.

The mangrove planting initiative is part of the UAE’s Climate Change Strategy with a goal of planting 100 million mangrove trees by 2030 to achieve climate neutrality. Mangroves are critically important to many tropical and sub-tropical ecosystems, providing habitat for thousands of species, stabilising shorelines, preventing erosion, and protecting land from waves and storms. Their unique ability to absorb and capture carbon makes them a vital component in the fight against climate change.

‘’Our installation is more than a technological demonstration – it’s a call to action, inviting everyone to take a step towards improving our planet’s future,” he added.

This initiative is part of Pavegen’s broader mission to blend technological innovation with environmental stewardship, offering solutions that empower communities and promote sustainability. By focusing on smart energy generation and ecosystem conservation, Pavegen is paving the way towards a more sustainable future.

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-Top News Environment India News

India commits to 50% non-fossil power by 2030

Prime Minister Modi said India has shown leadership in climate action and achieved its non-fossil installed electric capacity target nine years in advance, reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India would achieve the target of generating 50% of its electricity from non-fossil fuels by 2030 as part of the stepped up war against climate change.

Addressing the G20 Energy Ministers meeting in Goa via video on Saturday, the Prime Minister said India has shown leadership in climate action and achieved its non-fossil installed electric capacity target nine years in advance.

He pointed out that India is among the global leaders in solar and wind power and is making great efforts in green growth and energy transition.

“For decarbonizing India, we are working on a mission mode on Green Hydrogen as an alternative. The aim is to make India a global hub for the production, use, and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. We are happy to share our learnings,” PM Modi said.

India is the most populated nation and the fastest-growing large economy in the world yet the country is moving strongly on its climate commitments, the Prime Minister pointed out.

PM Modi said that the world looks to the G20 countries to advance sustainable, just, affordable, inclusive, and clean energy transition and urged the ministers to ensure that the Global South is not left behind.

“We must ensure low-cost finance for developing countries. We must find ways to bridge technology gaps, promote energy security, and work on diversifying supply chains. And, we must strengthen collaboration on fuels for the future,” PM Modi said.

“The High-level Principles on Hydrogen are a step in the right direction. Transnational grid interconnections can enhance energy security. We are promoting this mutually beneficial cooperation with our neighbours in this region. And I can tell you, we are seeing encouraging results. Realizing the vision of inter-connected green grids can be transforming,” the Prime minister explained.

“It will enable all of us to meet our climate goals, stimulate green investment, and create millions of green jobs. I invite you all to join the Green Grids Initiative – ”One Sun, One World, One Grid of the International Solar Alliance,” he remarked.

PM Modi also highlighted the fact that caring for the environment was part of India’s culture and traditional wisdom. He emphasised his vision of Mission LiFE which is a Lifestyle for Environment that will make each individual a climate champion and the fight against global warming a mass movement.

“No matter how we transition, our thoughts and actions must always help preserve our ”One Earth”, protect the interests of our ”One Family”, and move towards a Green One Future.” PM Modi remarked.

Highlighting the other measures that have been undertaken to reduce India’s carbon footprint, the Prime Minister said more than 119 million families in the country have got LPG connections in the last nine years. “We have also achieved the historic milestone of connecting every village to electricity,” he said.

“In 2015, we began a small movement, by launching a scheme for the use of LED lights, this became the largest LED distribution programme in the world. Saving more than 45 billion units of energy per year,” the prime minister said.

He said that India’s domestic electrical vehicle market is projected to reach 10 million units of annual sales by 2030.

“We have commenced the rollout of 20 per cent ethanol blended petrol this year. Our aim is to cover the entire country by 2025,” he said.

Energy Ministers from G20 member countries, nine invited countries and high-ranking officials from 14 international organizations are attending the Ministerial meeting In Goa under India’s presidency.

(India Narrative)

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-Top News Economy USA

Biden makes $11 bn renewable energy push

The Empowering Rural America program will make $9.7 billion available for rural electric cooperatives to create renewable energy and zero-emission…reports Asian Lite News

The US Department of Agriculture announced a nearly $11 billion investment on Tuesday to help bring affordable clean energy to rural communities throughout the country.

Rural electric cooperatives, renewable energy companies and electric utilities will be able to apply for funding through two programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said during a media briefing on Monday.

Vilsack said it was the largest single federal investment in rural electrification since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act in 1936 as part of the New Deal.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Rural Utility Service to work collaboratively with our great partners, the Rural Electric cooperatives, in order to advance a clean energy future for rural America,” Vilsack said. “So this is an exciting and an historic day, and it continues an ongoing effort to ensure that rural America is a full participant in this clean energy economy.”

The Empowering Rural America program will make $9.7 billion available for rural electric cooperatives to create renewable energy, zero-emission and carbon capture systems.

Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, praised the administration for the investment.

“This is an exciting and transformative opportunity for co-ops and their local communities, particularly as we look toward a future that depends on electricity to power more of the economy,” Matheson said. “USDA has smartly structured this program in a way that will help electric co-ops leverage new tools to reduce costs and keep energy affordable while meeting the future energy needs of their rural communities.”

The Powering Affordable Clean Energy program will make $1 billion available in partially-forgivable loans for renewable energy companies and electric utilities to help finance renewable energy projects such as large-scale solar, wind and geothermal projects.

The Department of Agriculture said in a press release that the goal of this program is provide affordable clean energy to vulnerable, disadvantaged and Indigenous communities. But there is tension between building a clean energy infrastructure for all and mining the materials needed for that infrastructure.

For example, conservationists and Indigenous communities in Nevada have sued to block the opening of the largest mine planned in the U.S. for extraction of lithium used in electric vehicle batteries.

When asked about tribal concerns about mineral extraction at Monday’s briefing, Vilsack said there would be a “significant tribal consultation” for mining projects on land his agency controls. But when pressed about what would happen if an Indigenous community said no to a mining project, he declined to answer the question, calling it hypothetical.

Rural electric cooperatives can apply for grants, loans and loan modifications through the Empowering Rural America program between July 31 and Aug. 31. The application period for the Powering Affordable Clean Energy program is June 30 — Sept. 29.

Experts said that these programs could have a significant impact for rural America. “The ERA Program has the potential to help rural electric co-ops and municipal co-ops move the needle toward a cleaner, less carbon-intensive electricity mix,” said Felix Mormann, a professor of law at Texas A&M University who specializes in energy law and policy.

The programs will have relatively less impact on electricity growth in rural communities than the Rural Electrification Act during the New Deal, said Carl Kitchens, an associate professor of economics at Florida State University.

“When enacted in the 1930s, only 10 percent of farms had electric power; by 1950, it had risen to over 90 percent,” Kitchens said. “Today, electricity is nearly universal except for a few small pockets and portions of reservation land.”

Funding for the new programs comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, which has generated hundreds of billions of dollars for renewable energy transition and environmental cleanup. In February, the Biden administration announced details on how states and nonprofits could apply for $27 billion in funding from a “ green bank.” The next month, officials announced $2 billion to create the Rural Energy for America Program.

And since the beginning of the year, they’ve announced hundreds of millions of dollars for the renewable energy transition from climate-warming fossil fuels, environmental cleanup and climate mitigation in poor communities and communities of color.

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-Top News Environment India News

India aligns green energy push with G20 Presidency

The government announced an outlay of Rs 19,700 crore for the recently launched National Green Hydrogen Mission.

Keeping pace with the green energy focus of the world and reducing its carbon intensity, India has planned big for the green energy sector in its financial budget.

The government announced a slew of measures for the initiatives related to green fuel, green farming, green mobility, green buildings, and green equipment. Also since India has an ongoing G20 Presidency, its focus on green energy will have a better impact.

The government announced an outlay of Rs 19,700 crore for the recently launched National Green Hydrogen Mission, which it said will facilitate the transition of the economy to low carbon intensity, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports and make the country “assume technology and market leadership in this sunrise sector”.

It has a target of the annual production of 500 MMT (million metric tonnes) of green hydrogen by 2030, reported The Hindu.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget 2023-24 in the Lok Sabha, in New Delhi,on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Photo:IANS/Sansad TV)

“The Union Budget presents a positive outlook for the renewable energy sector in India. The allocation of Rs 35,000 crore towards the green energy transition is a step in the right direction and demonstrates the nation’s will for a sustainable future,” commented Girish R Tanti, Vice Chairman, Suzlon Energy.

“The government’s commitment to increasing the use of renewable energy in the country is commendable and will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating the impact of climate change. The National Green Hydrogen Mission will complement our efforts towards net zero,” he said.

The budget provides Rs 35,000 crores for priority capital investment toward energy transition, net zero objectives, and energy security the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

Industry body ASSOCHAM’s Secretary General Deepak Sood said, “Boost to transition through definite programmes for financing green energy with the help of flagship programmes like National Green Hydrogen Mission, grid integration of the renewable energy and promoting electrification of the automobile industry are the ‘stand out features of the Budget'”.

India’s energy demand is expected to increase more than that of any other country in the coming decades due to its sheer size and enormous potential for growth and development.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Denmark counterpart review Green Strategic Partnership.

Therefore, it is imperative that most of this new energy demand is met by low-carbon, renewable sources. India’s announcement India that it intends to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and to meet 50 per cent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030 marks a historic point in the global effort to combat climate change.

The Indian renewable energy sector is the fourth most attractive renewable energy market in the world. India was ranked fourth in wind power, fifth in solar power and fourth in renewable power installed capacity, as of 2020.

Installed renewable power generation capacity has gained pace over the past few years, posting a CAGR of 15.92 per cent between FY16-22. India is the market with the fastest growth in renewable electricity, and by 2026, new capacity additions are expected to double, according to India Brand Equity Foundation.

“With India holding the Presidency of the G20 till Nov 2023, the focus on adopting green energy, and efforts to enhance BioCNG bodes well. We are pleased with the focus that the Budget has had for our industry, in particular, esp. from the point of view of scrapping old/polluting vehicles, stressing the need to segregate waste and more importantly make and prep the cities to raise funds from the Municipal Bond market. The main theme reiterates the Country’s focus on adopting sustainable technologies, and higher focus on generating green energy,” said Jose Jacob Managing Director of Antony Waste Handling Cell.

PM Modi receives traditional welcome during his visit to Nagpur, in Maharashtra (PIB)

As of October 2022, India’s installed renewable energy capacity (including hydro) stood at 165.94 GW, representing 40.6 per cent of the overall installed power capacity.

The country is targeting about 450 Gigawatt (GW) of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030 – about 280 GW (over 60 per cent) is expected from solar. (ANI)

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-Top News UK News

UK govt plans cap on renewable energy revenues

Currently in the UK, wholesale electricity prices are set by gas-fired generation…reports Asian Lite News

Renewable energy generators and nuclear power plants could have their revenues capped under a new government plan.

The move could hit the profits energy companies, like SSE and Scottish Power, generate from record-high wholesale power prices, the BBC reported.

Consumers will pay a fairer price for their electricity as the UK government introduces new emergency powers that will ensure consumers across the country receive help with their energy bills this winter, the government said in a press release.

The Energy Prices Bill, introduced in Parliament today (12 October), provides the legislative footing needed to ensure that people and businesses across the UK receive support with their energy bills this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee for domestic consumers and Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses and non-domestic properties.

This includes essential measures that enable the UK government to deliver comparable schemes in Northern Ireland and legislation that will require landlords and heat network operators to pass benefits through to tenants, the statement added.

“With prices spiralling as a result of Putin’s abhorrent invasion of Ukraine, the government is taking swift and decisive action,” Business and Energy Secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, said.

He said the government have been working with low-carbon generators to find a solution that will ensure consumers are not paying significantly more for electricity generated from renewables and nuclear.

“That is why we have stepped in today with exceptional powers that will not only ensure vital support reaches households and businesses this winter but will transform the United Kingdom into a nation that offers secure, affordable and fairly-priced home-grown energy for all,” he added.

Currently in the UK, wholesale electricity prices are set by gas-fired generation.

With the price of gas rocketing in recent months, some nuclear power plants and solar and wind farms have made big profits.

This is different at newer facilities, which produce power at an agreed price.

The temporary cap, which will limit the amount generators can make, is set to be introduced in the House of Commons on Wednesday as part of the Energy Prices Bill.

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “Our actions will mean that energy bills for the typical household will be half what they would have been this winter.”

“We are protecting people, holding down inflation and preventing Putin’s energy price hike from causing long term harm to our economy by supporting businesses.”

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