Indian, UK Science Ministers Discuss Green Energy Collaboration
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh held an online meeting with the United Kingdom (UK) Science Minister, George Freeman, wherein the two discussed Green Energy collaboration between the two countries as well as host of other issues of mutual interest. The Indian Minister informed his British counterpart that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UK has emerged as India’s second largest international research and innovation partner. The India-UK Science & Technology (S&T) collaboration has been growing at a rapid pace and the joint research programme has gone from an almost zero base to close to £300-400 million now, he said. Dwelling on the issue of India’s net zero journey, Dr Jitendra Singh said, energy efficiency and renewable energy are central pillars, where India has already taken lead by various initiatives like India Solar Alliance, Clean energy mission etc.
IOCL Invites Bids for Setting Up Green Hydrogen Plant at Panipat and Mathura
The Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) floated a global tender to set up green hydrogen generation units at two of its big refineries in North India. IOCL, a State-owned oil and gas major with the largest number of refineries in India, has invited Expression of Interest to set up green hydrogen generation units at its Mathura, Uttar Pradesh and Panipat, Haryana refineries in India. The plants, to be on a ‘build-own-operate’ (BOO) basis, will have installed capacities of 5,000 MT per annum and 2,000 MT per annum, respectively. The BOO operator shall be responsible for investment in CAPEX and OPEX required for the creation of the facility and operation and maintenance, including supply of all materials and consumables. The contract period for operating the proposed green hydrogen plants is 16 to 24 years. The last date to submitt the bid is 8 December 8 2021.
1500 MW of Solar Parks to be Functional Soon: CM Chouhan
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Madhya Pradesh will set an example for other states by working speedily in the field of conventional and non-conventional power generation. The work of generating electricity from the sun will be taken up in a mission mode. An awareness campaign will be paced up so that all citizens encourage the use of electricity generated from saving power and alternative energy sources. Chouhan and union minister for Energy and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh performed a bhoomi pujan in Shajapur on Thursday for 1500 MW capacity solar power parks in Agar, Shajapur and Neemuch districts. The project will involve a cost of Rs 5250 crore, as per an official release. They also signed contracts with private investors for Pradhan Mantri Kusum- Yojana while Chouhan launched a ‘USHA’ (Urja Saksharta Abhiyan) for the purpose of public awareness in the field of power. He said that the target is to begin power generation from the three plants before March 2023. These units of 550 MW in Agar district, 450 MW in Shajapur district and 500 MW in Neemuch district will be helpful in changing the scenario of solar power generation. The electricity produced in Madhya Pradesh is also used for Delhi metro rail.
Electricity Provided in Every Village Home in India: RK Singh
Union power minister R K Singh on Thursday claimed the government has provided electricity in “every village and every house” in the country and if any settlement or home remains untouched, officials should be informed about it. He said the government has set up 1.59 lakh-km-long power grid. “The government has provided electricity in every village and every house in the country. If any house is still left, then let it be known, power will be provided in that household too,” the minister said, addressing a function at Shajapur town in Madhya Pradesh. The Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy said the Centre has set up 1.59 lakh km long power grid and provided electricity in every household. “Today, we have the capacity to transfer 1.12 lakh MW power per day,” the minister said and praised Madhya Pradesh’s efforts in the area of solar power generation. Speaking at the event, Chouhan said Madhya Pradesh is fast heading towards generating 50 per cent of the country’s total energy requirement through solar source as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s target of achieving that goal by 2030.
Minister of State for MNRE Inaugurates 1st International Conference on Hydrogen Energy
The 1st International Conference on Hydrogen Energy – Policies, Infrastructure Development and Challenges is being organized by Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) with the support of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Central Electricity Authority and NTPC on 24th -25th November 2021. Shri Bhagwanth Khuba, Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy, Chemicals and Fertilizers inaugurated the event. In his inaugural address he said that Hon’ble Prime Minister has emphasized his conviction for decarbonisation of India in COP26. By 2030, India has target of 500 GW of RE and India has aimed for net zero emissions by 2070 for which we are continuously moving forward. He inspired technologists from IITs and other organizations for maximum research for Hydrogen Energy to culminate the challenge of reducing cost of production for eletrolysers. He informed that MNRE is coming out with scheme for the same. He said that India has to work towards production of Hydrogen Energy so that apart from our consumption we may also be able to export to rest of the world. He hoped that this conference will be able to deliberate future challenges for Hydrogen Energy and find solutions.
Jindal Steel Tenders For Procurement of Max 224 MW of RE Power
Jindal Steel issued tender for procurement of up to 224 MW of renewable power through Open Access. The bid submition deadline is 30th Nov 2021 and bids will be opened on December 5. To meet companys additional power requirements due to the expansion of its plant capacity, Jindal Steel, Jajpur is seeking to procure 224 MW of renewable power (solar and non-solar) through the open access route. The company will procure power from generators, state electricity boards, independent power producers, and traders with a valid interstate or intrastate trading license issued by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) or State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC). The company has invited bids from the interested power generators and traders. As per tender details. The bidder must bid for a minimum of 80 MW.
IEX, PXIL Resume Trade in Renewable Energy Certification Market Afer 16 Months
The Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) as well as Power Exchange of India Ltd (PXIL) are set to resume trading of renewable energy certificates (REC) with effect from Wednesday 24 November 2021, after a gap of almost 16 months. The last REC trade session took place in June 2020. The trade has been resumed in line with APTEL’s recent order dated 09.11.2021 and CERC order dated 18.11.2021. Renewable Energy Certificate or green certificate trades were suspended in July 2020 after APTEL decided to postpone the trading by four weeks while hearing three separate petitions related to an issue of fixing floor and forbearance prices of RECs by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). Appellate Tribunal For Electricity (APTEL) and CERC have given the go-ahead to begin RECs trading in their orders issued on November 9 and November 18, respectively.
