UN recognition for traditional Koraput farming systems
IBN Live, 3 January 2012
UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation has recognized the efforts of the tribal community of Koraput to conserve biodiversity and develop climate resilient farm practices as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS)... more>>
Soon, database on Indian bio-resources
The Times of India, 27 December 2011
The Unit for Research and Development of Information Products (URDIP) here has prepared a database of patents granted world-wide to Indian bio-resources, including food crops, forest trees, marine organisms, microbial resources, livestock, other animals and agro-resources... more>>
E&Y: Biotech cos spending less on R&D
The Financial Express, 5 September 2011
Funding for research and development has grown increasingly scarce for a majority of firms in the global biotechnology sector, says a study... more>>
A new patron for biotech industry
Business Standard, 26 April 2011
The Department of Biotechnology is playing venture capitalist to private companies to push agri research. DBT is providing half the project costs, loans at giveaway rates and hand-holding to boot — all to encourage cutting-edge research in agriculture, healthcare and energy... more>>
Bioinformatics sees massive investments by R&D firms
The Financial Express, 22 April 2011
With collaborations and new products from IT companies enabling life sciences firms to quantify available information, bioinformatics is witnessing exciting changes... more>>
Asia emerging global biotechnology hub
The Hindu Business Line, 25 February 2011
Recent deals in Japan , China and India point towards the fact that Asia is on its way to becoming a global biotechnology hub. The Indian biotech sector grew $3 billion in size with the Chinese market touching $9 million last year.
GM rubber: MOEF proposes field trials for 14 years
The Hindu , 6 January 2011
Field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) rubber will be held in “designated experimental sites inside research farms” of the Rubber Research Institute of India in Kerala and Maharashtra for around 14 years, according to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests... more>>
PM’s panel bets big on farm biotech
Hindustan Times, 15 December 2010
India is likely to rely a great deal on biotechnology in
food crops to ease growing demand for food amid rising prices,
even though the country has clamped a moratorium on Bt brinjal,
its first genetically engineered food crop. A working group
set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to suggest long-term
solutions to high food inflation, which submitted its report
to the PM on Wednesday, has said a second green revolution
would not be possible without biotechnology-led breakthroughs...
more>>
TERI and Deakin University, Australia
comes together to augment research in the area of nano biotechnology
Business Wire India, 27 November 2010
TERI and Deakin University, Australia signed a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) to announce the setting up of a Centre
of Excellence, the TERI-Deakin Nano Biotechnology Research
Centre in the field of Nano Biotechnology in India. This
development is an outcome of TERI’s core capability
of knowledge creation and development of efficient, environment
friendly technologies and Deakin’s India Research
Initiative which is committed towards establishing a lasting
association with industry partners in India to chart a vibrant
culture of research and scholastic excellence. The initiative
is also aimed at bridging the gap between industry and academia
through research and collaboration of world leading experts,
which will enable efficiency, effectiveness and provide
solutions for a sustainable future through the utilization
of biotechnology. The TERI- Deakin Nano Biotechnology Research
Centre will bring to the fore Deakin’s expertise in
the design and characterization of novel nanomaterials while
TERI will bring their wealth of experience in biotech applications
in pharmacology, food, agriculture and environmental areas...
more>>
Regulator for biotech to be supervised by government
panel
The Financial Express, 11 November 2010
The performance of the upcoming Biotechnology Regulatory
Authority of India would be supervised by an inter-ministerial
governing board, even though the time frame in which the
regulatory body would come up is not clear... more>>
Israel to set up projects in Haryana
The Financial Express, 3 September 2010
Keen to help India with its highly developed technologies
in the farm sector, Israel will soon set up two centres
of excellence in the field of floriculture and horticulture
in Haryana to provide expertise to farmers... more>>
TERI begins oil `zapping'
Indian Express, 22 August 2010
To rid the shores of the oil slick without further polluting
the sea, TERI is using the bioremediation technology. TERI
is using the Oilzapper method for the partial clean-up of
beached after getting permission from the Maharashtra Pollution
Control Board. TERI, which had invented the oilzapper technology
of bioremediation, along with the Department of Biotechnology
of the central government after seven years of research,
scooped oil-stained sand from a 1.2 km stretch of the beach
with help of volunteers. It has dumped into a bioremediation
pit about 200 metres from the shore and the oilzapper technology
was applied. The sludge will get bio-degraded in two months.
TERI offers microbe to lick spill of Mumbai
The Pioneer, 16 August 2010
At a time when experts are battling the hazard posed by
the massive oil spill off the Mumbai coast, TERI has offered
to clean up the mess with its indigenously-developed cocktail
of oil-eating microbes. A similar mechanism was used in
BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico recently... more>>
Oilzapper 40% cheaper than other options
The Times of India, 19 July 2010
Using bacteria to clean up an oil slick is called bioremediation
and is practised in many parts of the world. But the Indian
formulation is unique as it eats up all four layers of crude
-- waxy element or saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic component
or benzene compounds, NSO (compounds of nitrogen and sulphur)
and asphaltene or tar. And unlike other formulations, Oilzapper
can work in temperatures ranging from 8-40 degrees Celsius.
The formulation was developed by TERI under a central government
initiative... more>>
Bt crops can be safer alternative to pesticides
Deccan Herald, 27 April 2010
Scientists had engineered these plants to produce an insecticidal
protein originally made by the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringeinsis
(Bt)... more>>
Australia-India partnership to establish a bionanotechnology
research center in New Delhi
Nanowerk, 16 April 2010
A new research centre to study food and water security and
health care is to be established by Deakin University in
partnership with TERI. A Memorandum of Understanding was
signed between the two institutions recently to establish
the new BioNanotechnology Research Centre in New Delhi...
more>>
OTBL and Oil India Limited collaborate to use TERI
developed “Oilzapper Technology” in Assam to
treat hazardous oil spill and sludge
Business Wire India; 16 June 2009
TERI with the support from Department of Biotechnology (DBT),
Government of India, has developed a bacterial product known
as ‘Oilzapper’ to clean up oil spills and treats
hazardous oily sludge generated unavoidably by Oil Industry...more>>
Biotech surge
The Financial Express, 9 March 2009
Researchers at various government and private institutes
in India are conducting extensive field trials on, not only
biotech rice but, a host of other biotech crops before they
are made available for cultivation on a commercial scale...more>>
Economy
DIT proposes to set up Rs 500-cr corpus for small-scale sector
The Financial Express, 24 September 2011
DIT (department of information technology) proposes to set up a separate Rs 500-crore corpus for MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises)..more>>
Cabinet clears land acquisition Bill
Business Standard, 06 September 2011
The cabinet on Monday approved the draft Land Acquisition, Relief and Rehabilitation Bill with changes that take away some of the farmer-friendly features it boasted of and some of the teeth industry was concerned about...more>>
Exports growth could taper off as US, Europe slows
The Financial Express, 5 September 2011
Even as India’s growth indicators point to a clear slowdown in the industrial sector, it could be exports that bear the brunt...more>>
Draft manufacturing policy receives PM's in-principle nod
Business Standard, 10 June 2011
Hanging in balance for about a year, the draft National Manufacturing Policy today got in-principle nod from a high-level committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh...more>>
India's wealth to grow at 14% in 2010-15: report
The Financial Express, 2 June 2011
Wealth in India is all set to grow at 14% between 2010 and 2015 with the country’s assets under management (AUM) accounting for 8% of the overall increase in AUM...more>>
Health plan success may lead to wider spread for more schemes
The Economic Times, 2 May 2011
The government is examining the possibility of turning its two important social sector programmes into universal schemes covering the unorganised sector in phases, taking a cue from the successful extension of a health insurance plan to 23 million poor families...more>>
India, China to drive global growth
The Times of India, 29 April 2011
Asia will continue to lead global economic growth over the next two years even as it grapples with risks including inflation, turmoil in the Middle East and the effects of Japan's tsunami, the International Monetary Fund said...more>>
Twelfth Plan could see up to 9.5% GDP growth
The Financial Express, 20 April 2011
Hoping that the turbulent global economy won’t plunge into a long-drawn crisis, the Planning Commission will target an average real GDP expansion of 9-9.5% for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17), up more than a percentage point from the current Plan...more>>
Government set to liberalize FDI policy on JVs, tech tie-ups
Business Standard, 16 March 2011
The government is likely to liberalize the foreign direct investment norms for entry of foreign companies that have existing joint ventures or technical collaborations in India...more>>
A new approach to rural programmes in 12th plan
The Hindu, 4 March 2011
Rural development programmes have either reached a point of saturation or are lagging behind, calling for a rethink...more>>
Infrastructure needs more investment through PPP model
The Financial Express, 26 February 2011
Calling for a second green revolution through new technological inputs for increasing yield, the Economic Survey suggested higher investment in agriculture infrastructure like storage, communication, roads and market on a priority basis through the private public partnership model...more>>
Growth at 9 per cent for FY12 if oil's well
The Financial Express, 26 February 2011
Powered by a rebound in agriculture growth and a robust expansion in savings and investment rates, the country's economy would grow at 9 per cent or slightly more in the next fiscal if there is no 'disproportionate spike' in crude oil price, the Economic Survey has forecast...more>>
PM stresses on green regulatory policies
The Tribune , 4 February 2011
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said the country should have a structure of regulatory policies to check the potentially damaging impact of development projects. He, however, cautioned against the risk of reverting back to licence permit raj. Addressing the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit organized by TERI, he said incentives for sustainable development must encourage economic decision makers to act in an environmentally benign manner...more>>
IMF voices concern over weaker fiscal consolidation by emerging economies
The Hindu Business Line , 28 January 2011
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that fiscal balances in several key economies among the G20, most notably Brazil, China and India turned out "weaker than projected" in November last, even as fiscal consolidation in emerging economies is likely to continue this year. In its Fiscal Monitor Update, released in Washington , the Fund said the average fiscal deficit in 2011 is likely to decline by about 0.75 per cent of GDP, enough to keep the average gross general government debt ratio constant...more>>
Productivity in India races ahead of China
The Financial Express , 25 January 2011
Though China 's productivity, at about twice India 's in the last three decades, has really driven its growth story (along with higher capital investments), the wheel could soon be turning...more>>
Core sector grows at 21 month low of 2.3%
The Economic Times, 31 December 2010
The output of six key infrastructure sectors grew 2.3% in
November from a year ago, the slowest pace in the last 21
months, raising the prospects of a drop in industrial growth
for the month...more>>
India's share of global trade set to cross $550
b
The Economic Times, 31 December 2010
Emerging from the grip of a crippling recession, world trade
is set to surge by 13.5% in 2010, with a resurgent India
contributing over half a trillion dollars to global commerce
for the first time in history...more>>
India–Russia set $20-billion trade target
in 5 years
The Economic Times, 21 December 2010
India and Russia have set a target of more than quadrupling
the bilateral trade to $20 billion in five years. The two
countries identified pharmaceuticals, energy, IT & communication,
chemicals & fertilizers and banking & finance as
thrust areas in a protocol on trade and investment signed
on Monday. An ambitious trade target and renewed focus on
key sectors could help both countries increase presence
in each other's markets, which has fallen to low levels
after disintegration of the USSR. Bilateral trade in 2009/10
was at $4.7 billion, with India's exports at less than $1
billion...more>>
Single licence, sops for risk taking on cards to
attract investments in mining
The Financial Express, 27 November 2010
In a move that could significantly reduce hassles for investors,
most mining related approvals — including environmental
and scientific — will be combined in a single licence.
An incentive structure to promote risk taking by investors
would also be one of the salient features of the revamped
mineral policy on the cards, apart from a new formula for
power sharing between the Centre and states. The GoM headed
by finance minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee also felt the need
for an empowered coordination committee at the Centre to
reconcile the policies of different ministries at an operational
level...more>>
India to grow at fastest pace globally by '12: Report
The Times of India, 16 November 2010
India is set to become the fastest growing major economy
in the world by 2012 and the third largest by GDP-size in
the next two decades , behind China and the USA, a global
study by British banking giant Standard Chartered said...
more>>
Gujarat launches innovation fund
Business Standard, 16 November 2010
In a move to support innovation among small and medium enterprises
in Gujarat, the state government has launched a fund with
a corpus of around Rs 60 crore. Gujarat Chief Minister Mr
Narendra Modi said that one of the main focus areas for
the government is SMEs... more>>
Obama seeks wider access to Indian market
The Financial Express, 8 November 2010
US President Mr Barack Obama sought reciprocity in trade
and wider access to Indian market to allay the fears of
Americans about losing more jobs to the new growth centre
of the world—Asian economies like India and China.
Sending out a firm indication of the growing ties between
US and India Mr Obama has already promised to remove restrictions
on US high tech exports to India while announcing commercial
deals worth $15 billion that will support 54,000 American
jobs... more>>
India, US urged to form CEOs' forum for small, medium
units
The Hindu Business Line, 1 October 2010
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in India should
create a focus group under US-India Trade Policy Forum for
SMEs, said Mr Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary, Ministry of MSME
at the Growth in Emerging Metropolitan Sector conference,
held in Pune recently... more>>
ADB raises India's GDP growth forecast to 8.5%
Business Standard, 29 September 2010
The Asian Development Bank raised the 2010 economic growth
forecast for India to 8.5 per cent, from 8.2 per cent estimated
in April. However, it warned that high inflation and an
appreciating rupee could potentially weaken future robust
expansion... more>>
National Innovation council aims to set up $1-billion
fund
Business Standard, 15 September 2010
The newly constituted National Innovation Council headed
by Mr Sam Pitroda, aims to have a $1-billion (around Rs
46 billion) fund to promote new ideas for inclusive development
and innovation in the
country... more>>
Investment norms for foreign firms with India ties
may ease
Business Standard, 12 September 2010
To further simplify the foreign investment regime, the Department
of Industrial Policy and Promotion proposes to ease investment
norms for foreign companies that have existing joint ventures
or technical collaborations in India... more>>
India 2nd in global competitiveness
Business Standard, 11 July 2010
India has been ranked second, ahead of the United States
and South Korea, in terms of manufacturing competence globally,
a report by Deloitte has said...more>>
India will grow at 9.5 per cent in 2010, says IMF
Business Standard, 9 July 2010
IMF (International Monetary Fund) revised its growth projection
for India in 2010 to 9.5 per cent...more>>
Finance Bill passed with some tax relief Mint, 30 April 2010
The Union Budget for 2010-11 was cleared with Parliament
passing the Finance Bill after amendments to provide marginal
direct and indirect tax concessions to sectors such as healthcare
and construction... more>>
Economy will grow 8.5%: FM
Deccan Herald, 29 April 2010
The Centre has projected the economy to grow by 8.5 per
cent in the current fiscal 2010/11 and over 9 per cent in
2011/12 but expressed concern over inflation nearing the
double digit figure... more>>
PM
pitches for cooperation in energy, food sector
The Financial Express, 17 April 2010
Noting that India, Russia, China and Brazil are resource
rich, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh pitched for close
cooperation among them in the fields of energy and food
security besides tapping potential in other sectors like
trade and investment, science and technology and infrastructure...
more>>
ADB raises India's growth forecast to 7%
The Times of India, 16 December 2009
The Asian Development Bank raised its growth forecasts for
developing economies in Asia on Tuesday, but warned against
any hasty withdrawal of stimulus packages, saying they were
needed to ensure a solid recovery. It also cautioned governments
that restricting the capital flooding Asia's emerging economies
carried risks, suggesting that allowing more flexible exchange
rates was one way to control the investment flows into the
region. The report showed that the ADB maintained its growth
forecasts for China at 8.2% in 2009 and 8.9% in 2010. It
raised the 2009 growth forecast for India to 7% from 6%,
but kept 2010 at 7%. The ADB raised its regional forecast
to 4.5% on average in 2009 and 6.6% in 2010 from expectations
in September of 3.9% and 6.4%, respectively...more>>
Government plans education model for rural healthcare
The Financial Express, 19 October 2009
In order to bridge the rural-urban healthcare access divide,
the government is planning to create a scheme wherein it
could impart medical training to selected candidates from
rural areas on the condition that they have to serve a certain
prescribed tenure in rural areas...more>>
Economy to grow by 6.5 pc, says PM’s panel
The Tribune, 15 October 2009
Despite poor foodgrain production, rising crude oil prices
and the uncertain economic environment around the world,
India is expected to grow by around 6-8 per cent in the
current year...more>>
IMF pares India's 2010 growth forecast to 6.4%
Mint, 3 October 2009
India and China will lead the world out of a deep recession
in 2010 but the global recovery could be sluggish, the IMF
(International Monetary Fund) said in the latest edition
of the World Economic Outlook, its bi-annual report on the
world economy...more>>
New IT policy pitches for Bangalore as R&D innovation
hub
Deccan Herald, 2 October 2009
From IT for the common man to pitchfork Bangalore as a hub
for R&D, product development and innovation, will be
the key focus of the new IT Policy currently being formulated
by the Karnataka State government...more>>
PM favours new strategy to boost demand for investment
Business Standard, 26 September 2009
India has outlined a new strategy of expanding investment
demand, with a view to expediting the process of the ongoing
global economic recovery...more>>
ADB, UK to give $14 million in tech assistance
The Financial Express, 2 September 2009
The ADB (Asian Development Bank) and the United Kingdom
would provide $14 million in technical assistance to help
improve the quality and delivery time of projects in a few
states...more>>
Trade policy offers exporters more sops
Business Standard, 28 August 2009
The government has allowed duty-free import of capital goods,
extended the duty refund scheme for exporters, and cut transaction
costs for them, in a bid to reverse the decline in exports
and double outbound sales of goods and services in five
years...more>>
UNIDO to launch industrial clusters
The Hindu, 25 August 2009
The UNIDO has joined hands with the DIPP to launch a series
of new industrial projects worth $9 million to benefit industry...more>>
Cabinet forms team to monitor infra projects
Business Standard, 12 July 2009
In an attempt to get core sector projects off the ground,
the government has constituted a 13 member Cabinet Committee
on Infrastructure, which will be headed by the prime minister...more>>
More focus on rural India: expenditure increased by 45%
Mint, 7 July 2009
In a bid to attack poverty, Finance Minister, Mr Pranab
Mukherjee, announced lavish spending to build rural infrastructure,
reduce poverty, and raise employment opportunities among
the youth...more>>
Economy is sound, let's push reforms, says Economic Survey
Business Standard; 3 July 2009
Painting a picture of a resilient economy, the pre-Budget
Economic Survey 2008-09, tabled in Parliament by Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee, said India could grow up to 7.75
per cent in 2009-10, up from 6.7 per cent in 2008-09, provided
the global economy, particularly the United States, bottomed
out by September and the government was able to push the
button on significant economic policy reforms...more>>
Urban mission to add 28 cities, seeks Rs 1.5 lakh crore
funding
The Financial Express; 30 June 2009
The government is working on the expansion of Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) by including
cities having a population of at least 5 lakh, thus expanding
into 28 more cities, and is seeking to raise earmarked funds
from Rs 1,00,000 crore to Rs 1,50,000 crore...more>>
At 8%, India to grow fastest in 2010: World Bank
The Economic Times, 23 June 2009
The World Bank has projected an 8% growth for India in 2010,
which will make it the fastest-growing economy for the first
time, overtaking China’s expected 7.7% growth...more>>
Green homes: For a sustainable tomorrow
The Economic Times, 4 June 2009
Building 'green' homes has become a necessity, for a sustainable
tomorrow and the real estate sector, too, is slowly waking
up to the potential of carbon credit trading. Even though
there has been a great amount of activity in the commercial
sector, opposite is the case, in the residential space...more>>
Infrastructure growth kindles revival hopes
The Financial Express; 3 June 2009
Reviving hopes of a recovery in industrial production, which
has been sliding since December, the index of infrastructure
sectors grew 4.3% in April, against 2.3% a year earlier...more>>
Political stability to positively impact India's
rating: S&P
The Financial Express; 22 May 2009
Formation of a stable government at the Centre will have
positive implications for India’s sovereign rating,
global agency Standard and Poor's today said without indicating
when it would review country's rating...more>>
Indo-US ties need to be 'reset'
Mint; 18 may 2009
As the election of 2009 in the world’s biggest democracy
creates history by returning the Congress-led coalition
to power, it is an opportunity to pause and ponder on what
kind of global scenario the Prime Minister will inherit
and how he might address it....more>>
RBI survey of forecasters predicts 5.7% GDP growth
The Hindu Business Line, 15 May 2009
The real gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the current
fiscal will be 5.7 per cent, the latest survey of professional
forecasters by the RBI says....more>>
Trade
policy to be aligned with GST after April1, 2010
Business Standard; 17 April 2009
The new foreign trade policy, which is being prepared by
the commerce ministry, will be aligned with the GST (Goods
and Services Tax) only after implementation of this indirect
tax mechanism....more>>
Nuts and bolts of revival
The Hindu Business Line, 17 April 2009
A close look at industrial output data since 2004, when
the good times began, suggests that the present downturn
is not entirely due to the slowdown.....more>>
Investors pour $794 million in Asia funds; India
sees inflows
Business Standard, 14 April 2009
Global investors have poured in over $ 794 million in Asia-dedicated
equity funds in the first week of April as India-focussed
funds broke their 11-week outflow streak.....more>>
Migration to cities will ease poverty: World Bank
The Financial Express, 13 March 2009
Urbanisation can help lift people out of poverty, the World
Bank said in its World Development Report 2009: Reshaping
Economic Geography ....more>>
Now, an economic governance index for districts
The Economic Times, 11 March 2009
A group of researchers at the Institute for Financial Management
and Research (IFMR) are trying to come up with a unique
index that will help gauge economic governance at the district
level....more>>
MSMEs: Brand new opportunities
The Economic Times, 6 March 2009
Given the economic distress worldwide, the micro, small
and medium scale enterprises (MSME) had been hit hard. Large
numbers of workers have been laid off because of depressed
demand, piled up inventory, pending retrievables and squeezed
credit market
Economy gets another rate cut stimulus...more>>
Economy gets another rate-cut stimulus
The Economic Times, 5 March 2009
Amid mounting fears that the slowdown could linger, Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) governor is not holding back policy
ammunition....more>>
Fiscal gap at 7.8 pct of GDP with oil bonds
The Financial Express, 26 February 2009
Including bonds issued to oil and fertilizer companies,
the Indian government's fiscal deficit for the year to March
is estimated at 4.22 trillion rupees ($84 billion)....more>>
Finance Minister unveils fiscal stimulus III
Business Standard, 25 February 2009
Finance Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee announced a stimulus
package for the economy, the third this financial year,
cutting excise duty and service tax two percentage points
each, effective midnight, and extending previous excise
cuts beyond 31 March 2009....more>>
Decks cleared for Delhi SEZs
The Asian Age, 19 February 2009
The Delhi government announced a service sector specific
SEZ (special economic zone) policy for the city. The government
move has now cleared the ways for setting up SEZs promoted
by the leading firms of the
country....more>>
Influencing India
Business Standard, 1 January 2009
Wielding power is relatively easy, particularly when you
get it through birth or through elections, but influence
is something altogether different - it can sometimes flow
from power but it can just as easily be divorced from it.
Among the list of those who wield enormous influence in
their fields, there are those with genuine international
reach, like Dr R K Pachauri on global warming, Mr Ratan
Tata in the most influential board rooms around the world,
and Mr Mukesh Ambani, who is on the governing bodies of
the Brookings Institution in Washington and the International
Red Cross....more>>
India to give opportunities for business growth: Study
Business Standard, 17 December 2008
As the markets evolve and adjust to new realities, several
opportunities are likely to emerge for the entrepreneur
to start and grow businesses in India thereby meeting the
country’s inclusive growth target, says a joint perception
survey....more>>
Industry
Meeting new challenges: Responsible business – Annapurna Vancheswaran The Financial Express, 30 September 2011
In the past couple of years, the business environment has been dynamic and constantly changing.
Indian SMEs high on optimism: report
The Financial Express, 18 June 2009
Despite the economic downturn, Indian small and medium enterprises
(SMEs) showed most optimism regarding economic growth in
2009, over majority of their counterparts in the Asia-Pacific,
the UPS Asia Business Monitor survey reveals ....more>>
RIL, ONGC, Bharti among 500 top global companies:
report
The Financial Express; 1 June 2009
Ten Indian companies, including Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance
Industries and telecom major Bharti Airtel, are among the
500 top global companies for 2009 in terms of market capitalisation,
according to The Financial Times.....more>>
Poverty
Addressing urban povert
The Hindu, 3 June 2009
India’s inequalities are more glaring in its urban
areas. The country’s urban poor, according to Planning
Commission estimates, number 80 million and constitute 25.70
per cent of the urban population...more>>
Energy
Tata Capital to disburse Rs 5k crore for clean energy projects
The Economic Times, 4 January 2012
Tata Capital has said that it would disburse around Rs 5,000 crore over five years for clean energy projects. The company has entered into an agreement with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for extending funds for energy efficiency initiatives...more>>
Securing the future: Energy security – Charles K Ebinger
The Financial Express, 3 October 2011
Despite evidence of a direct relationship between energy access and social, economic, and political stability, policy makers in India rarely fully appreciate the importance of energy security to national and economic security...more>>
India: Release of draft guidelines for green large area development
Steel Guru, 22 September 2011
Mr Deepak Gupta secretary, ministry of new and renewable energy released the “Draft Guidelines and benchmarks for green large area developments such as townships, neighborhoods, educational and institutional campuses, special economic zones and medical college hospitals”...more>>
TERI and HUDCO plan green buildings
The Times of India, 14 September 2011
HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation Ltd) will soon construct only energy efficient buildings that will have a minimum of a three-star rating. The government agency has tied up with TERI to develop designs and build capacity in the sector of energy efficiency...more>>
South Asia needs to build energy cooperation, says expert
One World South Asia, 7 September 2011
Energy policy specialist Dr Charles K Ebinger spoke on the inner workings of South Asia’s energy sector and its future prospects at the launch of his latest book, Energy and Security in South Asia: Cooperation or Conflict?. The event was organized by TERI and the Brookings Institution...more>>
PSU wealth, $5 billion forex to help build energy fund
The Financial Express, 25 August 2011
Keen to reduce the economy's vulnerability to costly and rising energy imports, the finance ministry and Planning Commission have decided to move fast on setting up a sovereign fund to acquire natural assets like oil, coal and gas abroad...more>>
IIM-A incubator to start Rs 100 crore green fund
Mint, 24 August 2011
IIM-A (Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad) incubation centre is starting a `100 crore fund that will back start-ups developing technology related to sustainable energy...more>>
Educational campuses rush to qualify as green structures
Mint, 2 August 2011
In the delta region where the Cauvery flows into the Bay of Bengal in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, what’s billed as India’s first completely green university campus is coming up on 517 acres sprawled across two villages...more>>
Financing bridges energy efficiency barriers
The Financial Express, 5 June 2011
India, the second most rapidly growing economy in the world, has been facing significant challenges in providing reliable power to its urban cities and meeting basic electricity needs for its rural population...more>>
India Inc expands its green footprint
The Financial Express, 5 June 2011
In an attempt to attract customers and also show their concern for the environment, India Inc is going green by constructing environment-friendly buildings and registering for green rating for their buildings...more>>
IBM, BEE partner for India’s first smart grid
Financial Chronicle, 18 May 2011
IBM has announced that it is working with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to create the country’s first smart grid project...more>>
OIL and TERI sign a ten year agreement to augment research in areas of petroleum biotechnology and new & renewable energy sources
APN News; 25 April 2011
India’s national oil company Oil India Limited (OIL) signed a ten year MOU with TERI to broaden the scope of Joint Research Collaboration in areas of Petroleum Biotechnology and New & Renewable Energy Sources. The MOU was singed by Mr B N Talukdar, Director Exploration and development, OIL and Mr M M Joshi, Director Technology Dissemination and Enterprise Development, TERI in the presence of Mr N M Borah, Chairman and Managing Director, OIL and Dr R K Pachauri, Director General, TERI...more>>
Eight sectors to pump Rs300 billion into green technology
The Indian Express , 27 January 2011
In a significant boost to green energy, eight industrial sectors, including power and fertilizers, are set to invest Rs 300 billion over the next three years in energy-efficient technology, which will help them save 10 million tonnes of oil equivalent...more>>
US government arm to give $100 million for energy
projects
Business Standard, 10 November 2010
The US OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation) will
provide $100 million in financing for the $300 million South
Asia Energy Fund, part of GEF (Global Environment Fund)...more>>
$175 million worth deals on clean energy signed
The Hindu, 9 November 2010
Even as India and the US inked an agreement to establish
a bilateral energy cooperation programme to promote clean
and energy-efficient businesses, Indian and US companies
inked joint venture deals worth $175 million in the renewable
energy sector...more>>
TERI-North America organizes the 2nd US-India Energy Partnership
Summit 2010: Technologies & Policies for Energy Security
Business Wire India, 30 September 2010
Carrying the momentum of unprecedented cooperation and providing
the perfect setting for deliberation on strategies and activities
for Indo-US collaboration towards energy security ahead
of the much awaited visit of US President Mr Barack Obama
to India in November, TERI North America organized the second
annual US-India Energy Partnership Summit...more>>
Rajya Sabha clears nuclear liability Bill
The Hindu Business Line, 31 August 2010
The path has been cleared for victims of a nuclear accident
to claim higher compensation than earlier. This follows
the Rajya Sabha clearing the Civil Liability for Nuclear
Damage Bill 2010. The Bill, which has already been passed
by the Lok Sabha, seeks to hike the operator's liability
three-fold to Rs 15 billion... more>>
Engineering giants gear to set up nuclear projects
Business Standard, 31 August 2010
With passage of the nuclear liability Bill, the heavy engineering
supply chain, led by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL),
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Forge Ltd, is gearing
to take up the challenge ahead. India plans 25,000 Mw of
nuclear capacity addition by 2020 and this will be partly
done through indigenous technology-driven reactors for a
capacity addition of about 7000 Mw and the balance through
technology transfers from countries such as Russia, France
and the US... more>>
New emission norms for nine sectors
The Asian Age, 8 July 2010
The Government will introduce new emission limits for mine
designed energy intensive industrial sectors, including
thermal power, cement, iron and steel, railways and fertilizer
by April, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency director general
Dr Ajay Mathur said. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under
the ministry of power, has worked out a mechanism to specify
the parameters to enable companies cut their energy consumption
and save energy for trading credits.
NTPC, CIL tie up for foreign assets
The Financial Express, 29 April 2010
NTPC and CIL (Coal India Ltd) have formed a JV (joint venture)
to pursue acquisition of coal assets in India and abroad,
raising questions about the future of another JV, ICVL (International
Coal Ventures Ltd), that was set up by NTPC along with steel
major SAIL (Steel Authority of India Ltd), RINL (Rashtriya
Ispat Nigam Ltd), CIL and NMDC two years ago with a similar
objective but still remains a non starter... more>>
Coal India to seal deals abroad in six months
Business Standard, 26 April 2010
Government owned CIL (Coal India Ltd), the world's largest
miner, expects to seal strategic partnership deals with
three listed companies abroad within six months, including
Peabody Energy of the US... more>>
Amendments to Energy Act cleared
The Hindu, 11 December 2009
The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Energy
Conservation Act, 2001 to introduce the system of issuing
energy saving certificates to be traded in the domestic
market. The ‘Perform, Achieve and Trade’ mechanism
would assign energy efficiency improvement targets to the
country’s most energy-intensive industrial units,
with the provision of allowing them to retain any energy
efficiency improvements in excess of their target in the
form of Energy Saving Certificates. The units will also
be allowed to use purchased certificates to meet their greenhouse
gases emission targets. The approval for the amendments
comes just as the negotiations for a comprehensive climate
treaty are under way in Copenhagen. The provision for such
a mechanism was made under the National Mission on Enhanced
Energy Efficiency. The industries that could benefit from
these certificates are steel, cement and aluminium...more>>
NPCIL lines up Rs 330 billion for Maharashtra nuclear
plant
The Financial Express, 15 October 2009
Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL), which currently
operates projects having a total capacity of 4120 mw, has
tied up funds of Rs 330 billion for two units of 1,650-mw
each at the nuclear power project at Jaitapur in Maharashtra...more>>
Essar to ink pact for blocks in Nigeria, Vietnam
The Financial Express, 3 October 2009
Essar Group will sign a contract for exploring offshore
blocks in Nigeria and Vietnam. Essar Exploration, which
currently has stakes in six overseas oil and gas blocks,
would have a 100% stake in OPL 226 area in Nigeria and Block
114 in Vietnam...more>>
GSPC builds on LNG trading biz
Business Standard, 29 September 2009
Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd (GSPC) is planning
to import one liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo every month
as part of its strategy to enter into the LNG trading business...more>>
Indian Oil enters nuclear power
The Hindustan Times, 2 September 2009
Aided by the Indo-US nuclear deal, public sector giants
are eyeing new fortunes in nuclear power. Indian Oil Corp
has joined the fray with a plan to enter nuclear power generation...more>>
National mission on enhanced energy efficiency approved
The Hindu, 25 August 2009
The Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change has approved
‘in principle’ the National Mission on Enhanced
Energy Efficiency...more>>
Far-sighted policy-making and investment decisions can ensure
energy Security - Krishnan, Rekha
The Financial Express, 24 August 2009
Energy insecurity is a matter of grave concern for all.
More so for India. The country is already on a shaky wicket
importing 75% of its oil consumption with 75% of these imports
from just one region—West Asia...more>>
Private entry into nuclear power, coal mining
Business Standard; 3 July 2009
The Economic Survey has made a pitch for greater private
participation in the infrastructure sector, including the
sensitive sectors of nuclear power generation and coal mining...more>>
Green buildings may define new status quotient
The Economic Times, 20 June 2009
The ISHRAE (Indian Society of Heating Refrigerating and
Air Conditioning Engineers) has undertaken an exhaustive
exercise to gauge energy conservation efficiency of over
1000 buildings across the five climatic zones of India...more>>
Energy efficiency a top priority for India Inc
The Financial Express, 10 June 2009
The Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) survey for corporate
India , reveals that 47% of the respondents are paying more
attention to energy efficiency, compared to last year and
94% of the respondents feel that energy management is extremely
important...more>>
Russia offers India role in uranium centre project
The Hindu Business Line, 15 April 2009
Russia has offered India the option of participating in
its IUEC (International Uranium Enrichment Centre) at Angarsk,
Siberia as a means of securing guaranteed fuel supplies
in the future...more>>
India’s energy conundrum- Srivastava, Leena
Financial Chronicle, 10 March 2009
Following the usual pattern of the past several decades,
half way into a Plan period the estimates for electricity
capacity expansion have been severely downsized from the
original level to roughly half of it...more>>
Kakodkar: India all set to achieve N-power target
The Tribune, 19 February 2009
Despite the current economic recession, India is well on
course to surpass the production target of 20,000 MW of
nuclear power by 2020, the Atomic Energy Commission chairman
Dr Anil Kakodkar said...more>>
BEE gets to set fuel efficiency norms
Mint, 30 December 2008
The Union government has finally empowered the BEE (Bureau
of Energy Efficiency) to set fuel efficiency standards for
the country's automobile industry, putting an end to a turf
war between two ministries...more>>
Energy policy gets Cabinet nod
The Indian Express, 27 December 2008
The Union Cabinet approved an Integrated Energy Policy for
the country...more>>
TERI inks deal with Mexican institute
The Hindu; 25 December 2008
To devise energy efficient policies and technologies of
renewable energies and their usage in India and Mexico,
TERI and the Centre for Innovation and Renewable Energy
(CIRE), Mexico City signed a memorandum of understanding.
As per the MoU, TERI will work closely with CIRE in the
areas of human resources and infrastructure development;
working out the research agenda and its plan of action so
that the aims of CIRE are met...more>>
India to invest in uranium mines in Russia
The Financial Express, 25 December 2008
India will invest in uranium mines in Russia, Kazakhstan
and a few other countries to acquire up to 50% ownership
to ensure uninterrupted supply of fuel for its safeguarded
nuclear power plants, according to a top official...more>>
Coal
Coal ministry go-ahead to new pricing mechanism
The Financial Express, 24 December 2011
The Union coal ministry has given a go-ahead to gross calorific value-based (GCV) pricing of coal from January 1, after a series of meetings...more>>
Govt to import 194 million tonnes coal by 2017, Says Minister
The Pioneer, 28 December 2011
With Coal India Ltd (CIL) already having downwardly revised its production target to 440 million tonnes from the original 452 million tonnes due to various factors like heavy rains and delays in grant of forest and environmental clearances, the Government has further painted a grim picture of the dry fuel crisis by saying the country is likely to import 194 million tonnes of coal in 2017, as against 135 million tonnes at present, to meet the demand of the power sector...more>>
Coal India set to invest Rs 40k cr in 12th Plan
Business Standard, 3 October 2011
State-run Coal India said it might invest up to Rs 40,000 crore in the 12th Plan period ending 2017 towards development of mines for augmenting production...more>>
India Inc on coal mine acquisition drive
The Economic Times, 17 December 2010
Coal mine acquisitions have risen sharply in India in the
current year and are expected to rise further due to strong
demand, as user companies in steel and power industries
expand capacities and fuel the need for larger coal usage.
However, the pace of acquisitions would be tempered by new
regulations that will focus on the role of companies in
mining and in developing adequate rehabilitation policies
for displaced people...more>>
New Mechanism on anvil to free coal blocks
from no-go list
Business Standard, 27 November 2010
At a time when many coal blocks have come under a 'no-go'
restriction, the government plans to tweak the approach
adopted for calculating the green cover of a block-bearing
region to dilute the average affected forest land. While
this measure would not reduce the impact of mining on the
environment, it will help free around 25% area from the
no-go list. The mechanism, if adopted, could come as some
relief for around two dozen companies, including NTPC, Coal
India, Hindalco, Essar Power and Adani, whose coal blocks
have come under the no-go shadow...more>>
Adani to spend $4 billion on Aussie mine
Business Standard, 30 September 2010
After completing its big-ticket acquisition of an Australian
coal asset from Linc Energy, Adani Enterprises will now
make an additional investment of $3.5-4 billion (Rs 157-180
billion) to develop the necessary mining infrastructure
and logistics, including a rail link and a coal terminal
in a port facility...more>>
NTPC eyes stake in foreign mines
Deccan Chronicle, 31 August 2010
NTPC is expanding its operations into neighbouring countries
like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The PSU is also scouting
for new coal and natural gas sources to boost fuel security
for its plants...more>>
CIL road shows for foreign anchors
The Economic Times, 25 August 2010
CIL (Coal India) will kick off road shows to bring in foreign
anchor investors from September 6 for its proposed IPO where
the government will divest 10% of its stake. Road shows
for domestic anchor investors will start from August 31...more>>
Coal blocks to private companies via auction
The Times of India, 14 August 2010
Government has moved a bill in Rajya Sabha for amendment
of the Mining Act to pave the way for auction of coal blocks
for captive use by industries like power, steel and cement.
Moving the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)
Amendment Bill, 2008, mines minister Mr B K Handique said
the present system of allocating coal blocks for captive
use through a screening committee "is vulnerable to
criticism on the ground of lack of transparency and objectivity"...more>>
Government to speed up green nod for coal projects
The Financial Express, 19 June 2009
The government said it will develop model TORs (terms of
reference) for coal projects to bring down the time taken
in assigning environmental clearances to such projects from
3–5 years...more>>
Government to speed up green nod for coal projects
The Financial Express; 19 June 2009
The government said it will develop model terms of reference
for coal projects to bring down the time taken in assigning
environmental clearances to such projects from 3-5 years...more>>
Govt may allow pvt coal mining
Business Standard, 16 June 2009
In a bid to plug the demand and supply gap of coal in the
country, the government is considering a proposal to open
coal mining to the private sector...more>>
NTPC to source 30-40 MT coal from abroad
The Financial Express, 18 February 2009
State-run power producer NTPC is targeting coal reserves
in Indonesia, Mozambique and South Africa to source 30-40
MT of the fuel for meeting its requirement...more>>
Oil & gas
RIL gets in principle nod to develop new D6 fields
The Economic Times, 4 January 2012
The government has given in-principle approval to Reliance Industries' $1.5-billion plan to develop new gas fields in the D6 block to produce an estimated 10 mmscmd, signalling a significant upturn in the relationship between the oil ministry and the conglomerate...more>>
Euro-III fuel to be phased out in 7 cities from March 31
The Economic Times, 29 December 2011
Environment-friendly Euro-IV quality petrol and diesel will be sold in seven more cities by March 31, government and industry officials said...more>>
DGH okays Cairn's Bhagyam plan
The Economic Times, 19 December 2011
The directorate general of hydrocarbons (DGH), the technical arm of the oil ministry, has approved Cairn India's proposal to commence production from Bhagyam, the second-largest oil field in the prolific Rajasthan block, but the ministry has still not given the go-ahead, industry and official sources said...more>>
GAIL inks 20 year LNG import deal with US co
The Economic Times, 12 December 2011
State-run Gail has signed a 20-year deal with Sabine Pass Liquefaction to import liquefied natural gas from the US from 2017 to secure long-term supplies at prices linked to the US benchmark Henry Hub, company executives said. At current price of gas in the US and prevailing liquefaction and transportation rates, the price would be $10-11 per unit in India, about $5-6 cheaper than the recent LNG contract with an Australia firm...more>>
RIL sees potential of more exports to Africa
The Financial Express, 11 December 2011
Reliance Industries (RIL) is currently selling two to three million tonnes of petroleum products a year to Africa and sees potential for more, Mr P Raghavendran, president of refinery business, RIL, said...more>>
HPCL, Petronet plan Africa assets
Mint, 10 December 2011
State-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) and Petronet LNG Ltd are eyeing hydrocarbon infrastructure opportunities in South Sudan and Mozambique as part of India's efforts to step up its presence in energy-rich Africa...more>>
India looks to Africa for secure energy supplies
Mint, 6 December 2011
As part of India's effort to counter the growing Chinese influence in Africa and provide a fillip to India's efforts to secure hydrocarbon assets in the continent, at least 16 countries will be participating in the third India-Africa hydrocarbons conference starting on 9 December...more>>
ONGC reports two discoveries
The Times of India, 2 December 2011
Flagship explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has announced two "significant oil discoveries", even as the government told Parliament that the state-run company is to spend Rs 25,000 crore in bringing about a dozen marginal fields into production by 2014...more>>
India seeks LNG from south-east Asian countries
The Financial Express, 22 September 2011
India has started dialouge with South East Asian nations such as Brunei, Indonesia, Australia and Malaysia to import liquefied natural gas to meet the needs of a host of industries including power, fertilisers, petrochemicals and steel... more>>
HPCL evaluates Australian companies for acquisition
Mint, 18 August 2011
State owned Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) is evaluating about 10 Australian companies with expertise in coal bed methane (CBM) and shale gas for an acquisition... more>>
Continental shift in LNG demand
The Financial Express, 23 August 2011
More and more LNG is on its way to Asia, reversing a trend of only a few years ago when most LNG was being imported by the West... more>>
India caps offer price for Turkmenistan Gas at $12.67
The Economic Times, 28 April 2011
India is not willing to agree to Turkmenistan's price for natural gas from its Dauletabad gas field, as it would make it costlier than importing liquefied natural gas (LNG)... more>>
NRL to build 100 km pipeline from India to Bangladesh for Rs 150 crore
The Economic Times; 15 April 2011
Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Ltd will construct a 100-km long pipeline from India to Bangladesh for exporting high speed diesel... more>>
ONGC Videsh gets foothold in Kazakh
Business Standard, 17 April 2011
India and Kazakhstan have signed seven agreements, one of which formalizes the transfer of 25 per cent stake of the Kazakh oil and gas company, Kazmunaigas, in its Satpayev Exploration Block to ONGC Videsh Ltd. No details of the payment made by ONGC Videsh for the stake were available, but the agreement marked the entry of the Indian state-controlled company into Kazakhstan’s hydrocarbons sector... more>>
India in talks with Indonesia, Kuwait for LNG supply
The Economic Times, 19 April 2011
India is in talks with Indonesia, Kuwait and Brunei for long-term import of liquefied natural gas to feed its rapidly growing energy demand, which has attracted global energy giants such as BP... more>>
Saudi petrochem giant plans big for India
Business Standard, 24 February 2011
Petrochemicals major Sabic (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) is planning big investments in India that may run into billions of dollars...more>>
BP inks mega deal to pick up 30% in RIL oil, gas blocks for $7.2 billion
The Hindu, 22 February 2011
In what can be termed as one of the biggest FDI (foreign direct investments) in the energy sector, RIL (Reliance Industries Ltd.) announced the sale of 30% stake in its 23 blocks, including the giant KG-D6 gas fields, to BP of U.K. for $7.20 billion...more>>
Gas pricing key to TAPI project
The Hindu Business Line, 14 February 2011
Gas pricing will be the key to TAPI (Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India) pipeline project that is expected to get India 38 mscmd (million standard cubic metres a day) of gas from Turkmenistan...more>>
Fifth PCPIR to come up in Tamil Nadu
DNA , 21 January 2011
The Union government will give its approval for the fifth Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR), one of the most ambitious and massive projects of the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers, in Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu in the next two to three months...more>>
ONGC, Sistema to merge Russian oil and gas assets
The Economic Times, 22 December 2010
State-run ONGC and Russian conglomerate Sistema have decided
to merge their oil & gas businesses in Russia under
a joint venture in a no-cash deal where the Indian firm
will have a 25% shareholding with a say in management...more>>
ONGC Tripura signs MoU with Bangladesh
The Hindu, 18 December 2010
ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) has announced that
it's power subsidiary, ONGC Tripura Power Company has inked
a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Bangladesh to open
up a new transport corridor for transporting heavy equipment
for its plant in Tripura. With the new MoU in place, Bangladesh,
for the first time, will allow the use of the Ashuganj port
on the mighty Meghna River and the connecting road network
between Ashuganj–Sultanpur–Akhaura check post
(around 48 km) for transporting project equipment to Palatana
in Tripura...more>>
BPCL, partners strike gas in Mozambique
Business Standard, 30 November 2010
BPCL and its partners have made a major natural gas discovery
in offshore Mozambique but no estimates of reserves the
find may contain has been made. The Lagosta exploration
well "encountered a total of more than 168 net metres
of natural gas pay" in the Rovuma Basin, Area-1, offshore
Mozambique, BPCL and Videocon Industries, which are partners
in the block, said in separate but identical statements.
This is the third natural gas discovery; the earlier ones
being Windjammer and Barquentine, the statements said but
did not put a reserve number to any of the finds...more>>
E&P companies to get more time for
deep water exploration
The Financial Express, 26 November 2010
The government will make the terms of oil and gas exploration
in deep water and frontier area blocks more friendly to
the investing companies in order to improve the chances
of finding hydrocarbon. The idea is to mainly give more
time to oil and gas exploration companies that win such
blocks in March next year under the Nelp (new exploration
licensing policy) as well as under the open acreage licensing
policy that will come into force subsequently...more>>
HPCL to invest Rs 300 billion in Maharashtra refinery
The Hindu, 14 November 2010
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) announced a
mega plan to invest Rs.30,000 crore to set up an 18-million
tonnes a year refinery in Maharashtra. The 9-MT Bhatina
Refinery would be ready by April next, the company said...more>>
Essar Energy up on refinery margin, sales
Business Standard, 13 November 2010
Essar Energy said its gross refining margins (GRMs) had
risen 49 per cent to $6.75 a barrel for the September quarter...more>>
Chevron takes over Reliance JV
Business Standard, 10 November 2010
Chevron Corp's decision to buy US natural gas producer Atlas
Energy has brought the two former partners Chevron and RIL
(Reliance Industries Ltd) together, after the American company
had exited Reliance Petroleum in April last year...more>>
US to help in shale gas technology
The Hindu, 9 November 2010
India has inked an agreement with the US for cooperation
in shale gas technology that would help it exploit vast
untapped unconventional resource...more>>
India, Angola to cooperate in oil & gas sector
Business Standard, 2 November 2010
Angola could become India's second partner country for gas
imports with the two countries signing an MoU to commence
supply of LNG (liquefied natural gas) from the African nation.
India switches fully to Euro III and IV petrol and
diesel
The Hindu, 24 September 2010
India has announced that it had completely switched over
to the cleaner Euro- III and Euro- IV petrol and diesel,
well ahead of the October 1 deadline fixed by the Petroleum
and Natural Gas Ministry... more>>
OVL bids for two new Russian oil fields
The Hindu, 21 September 2010
OVL (ONGC- Videsh Ltd) has bid for Russia's strategic Trebs
and Titov oil fields, even as its proposed bidding partner,
Rosneft, has pulled out of the race. OVL submitted its application
through Nord Imperial, which is part of Imperial Energy,
an OVL subsidiary in Russia, hours before the bidding closed...
more>>
NELP IX to be launched on 18 October
Business Standard, 27 September 2010
The government will launch the ninth round of the New Exploration
Licensing Policy (NELP IX), which will see an auction of
around 35 oil and gas blocks, on 18 October, with a road
show in Mumbai. Some of these blocks could be from the eighth
round, for which no bids were received... more>>
Essar to bid for gas blocks in Indonesia
Business Standard, 15 September 2010
London Stock Exchange-listed Essar Energy Plc plans to bid
for coal-bed methane (CBM) and shale gas blocks in Indonesia
next month. The company will also bid for similar assets
in China at the end of this year, a company official said...
more>>
RIL eyes more shale assets in US
The Financial Express, 7 September 2010
RIL, which has struck three shale gas joint ventures with
US firms this year, may go for a full buyout next as the
cash rich firm builds the knowledge it needs to run such
operations. Reliance has received about 20 to 25 pitches
from investment bankers for shale assets... more>>
BPCL acquires shale gas assets in Oz
The Asian Age, 21 August 2010
Public sector oil firm BPCL (Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Ltd) has entered the shale gas business by purchasing a
stake in two exploration blocks in Australia. The company
has executed a letter of intent with Norwest Energy of Australia
for purchasing stakes in two blocks in Perth Basin... more>>
Vedanta to buy up to 60%in Cairn India for $9.6
billion
The Financial Express;, 17 August 2010
Metals baron and industrialist Anil Agarwal has moved a
step closer to his ambition of owning a diversified portfolio
of natural resources in India. Agarwal’s Vedanta Group
said it was looking to buy a controlling stake of between
51-60% in oil production firm Cairn India for $8.5-9.6 billion.
This values Cairn India at roughly $17 billion...more>>
Ports will soon get systems to combat oil spills
The Hindu Business Line, 15 August 2010
The Mumbai and JN Ports would soon be equipped with Tier-I
pollution response system to combat oil spills...more>>
New licensing policy for oil companies likely by
2010
The Hindu Business Line, 13 August 2010
OALP (Open Acreage Licensing Policy) regime, which will
allow oil exploration companies to choose the blocks they
want to take up for their hydrocarbon search, is likely
to be introduced by 2012. Introduction of OALP will provide
continuous opportunity to bidders for expediting the oil
and gas hunt in the country...more>>
RIL to take US lessons for shale E&P in India
The Financial Express, 7 August 2010
RIL (Reliance Industries Ltd), which announced its third
shale gas asset acquisition in the US this year for Rs 18,000
million, will leverage the technological acumen gained from
operating those assets to aggressively bid for shale gas
assets in India, when the government invites bids for shale
gas E&P (exploration & production) next year...more>>
PNGRB to make licensing norms investor-friendly
The Financial Express, 19 July 2010
The Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB),
the downstream regulator in the energy sector, has proposed
to finetune its licensing norms as it cautiously prepares
to enter a new regime of authorising trunk and city gas
pipeline networks...more>>
Petrol price review every month
Business Standard, 15 July 2010
Government-controlled oil marketing companies (OMCs) have
decided to review retail prices of petrol on a monthly basis.
However, the date for the next price review and the mechanism
to fix the price are yet to be finalized...more>>
IOC, RIL among 8 Indian companies in Fortune 500
list
The Economic Times, 12 July 2010
Eight Indian companies, including oil major Indian Oil Corporation
and Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Industries, have made the
cut in the list of the world's 500 largest companies compiled
by Fortune...more>>
Energy companies queue up for Canada's oil sand
assets
The Financial Express, 10 July 2010
Canada's oil sands are calling and India's energy explorers
are raring to go. Upstream companies including Essar Oil,
OVL (ONGC Videsh) and RIL (Reliance Industries Ltd) are
scouting for oil sand assets in northern Alberta, and have
lined up investments over $1 billion each...more>>
India scouts for international LNG deals as prices
stay low
The Financial Express, 10 July 2010
India is planning an aggressive foray into the global market
for natural gas, as it reckons that the output from Reliance
Industries' KG-D6 block would hardly meet the growing demand
from key sectors like fertilisers...more>>
Oil India to scout for small oil wells overseas
The Asian Age, 5 July 2010
The oil exploration company OIL (Oil India Ltd) is aggressively
looking to expanding its oil properties...more>>
Reliance strikes 4th oil find in Cambay
The Financial Express, 29 April 2010
Energy major Reliance Industries has discovered more oil
on the country's western coast, raising the potential of
the exploratory blocks it has been drilling, the company
said... more>>
Cairn starts second oil processing unit in Rajasthan
The Economic Times, 26 April 2010
Cairn India has started a second crude oil processing plant
at its giant Mangala oilfield in Thar desserts of Rajasthan,
which will help the company ramp up output for the nation's
most prolific oilfield... more>>
Oil and gas hunt gets $10.3 billion from private funding,
FDI
The Financial Express, 23 April 2010
Oil and gas fields in India have attracted a princely $10.3
billion (about Rs 460 billion) private and FDI till January
this year since the beginning of Nelp (the New Exploration
and Licensing Policy) a decade ago... more>>
Atlas, Reliance to buy more shale gas acreage
Business Standard, 23 April 2010
Independent oil and gas company Atlas Energy Inc has said
it would buy 42,344 acres in the gas rich Marcellus shale
along with energy giant Reliance Industries... more>>
Dual petroleum tax to boost industry
The Financial Express, 17 December 2009
The proposed dual levy for petroleum products augers well
for consumers and industrial users if the excise component
is fixed at a level that does not raise the tax burden,
say experts. The 13th Finance Commission’s task force
on GST proposed a dual tax of GST and excise duty on emission
fuels like petrol, diesel, jet fuel and kerosene. The task
force recommended a 12% GST at central and state levels
together and asked for a ‘revenue neutral’ excise
rate to be set...more>>
Cairn India to merge oil, gas biz of group firms
Business Standard, 14 December 2009
Cairn India, part of the UK-based Cairn Energy, said it
will merge oil and gas businesses of some of its subsidiaries
with itself, a move that will improve administrative efficiencies.
The company’s board, at its meeting held recently,
has approved a scheme of arrangement between Cairn India
and some of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, oil and gas exploration
major said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Under the scheme, the company's four subsidiaries - Cairn
Energy India, Cairn Energy India West BV, Cairn Energy Cambay
BV and Cairn Energy Gujarat BV -- would merge their Indian
oil and gas businesses with Cairn India, it said...more>>
OVL, Sistema to jointly explore biz opportunities in Russia,
CIS region
The Financial Express, 14 December 2009
ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) and Russian company Sistema have agreed
to work together for the acquisition of oil and gas assets
in Russia as well as in other countries. A non-exclusive
memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed
at the Indo-Russian CEOs business council meeting held in
Moscow during Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s
recent visit to Russia. OVL entered the Russian hydrocarbon
sector in 2001 by acquiring participating interest in the
Sakhalin-1 project. Earlier this year, OVL bought out Imperial
Energy which has hydrocarbon assets in the Tomsk region,
Western Siberia...more>>
Petronas buys 2.3% in Cairn India
The Economic Times, 16 October 2009
Malaysian oil firm Petronas has bought 2.3 per cent stake
in Cairn India for USD 240 million (around Rs 1,100 crore)
to raise its holding in the company, which gave the nation
its largest oil find in recent times, to near 15 per cent...more>>
Cairn India ties up $1.6 billion for Rajasthan project.
Business Standard, 15 October 2009
Cairn India has raised funds worth $1.6 billion from domestic
and overseas lenders to repay an existing debt and to accelerate
the ongoing Rajasthan Project where crude oil production
commenced recently...more>>
RIL plans to raise Jamnagar refining capacity by
a quarter
Mint, 15 October 2009
India's largest company by market capitalization, Reliance
Industries Ltd (RIL), plans to bolster the refining capacity
of its new Jamnagar facility, already the world's biggest
refining hub, by nearly a quarter and raise it to 720,000
barrels a day (bpd)...more>>
Mangala oil fields mark beginning of a new era
The Hindu, 30 August 2009
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh dedicated to the nation
the Mangala oil field, marking the start of commercial production
of oil from the area...more>>
IOC to provide hydrogen-blended CNG
The Pioneer, 27 August 2009
IOC has taken a step forward by setting up country's first
commercial filling station at Dwarka in Delhi, which will
make available hydrogen- blended CNG for three-wheelers
and cars...more>>
Gulf majors may help build oil storage units along coastline
The Economic Times, 13 July 2009
Several Gulf–based oil producers are considering a
proposal from the Indian government to invest in creating
large crude oil storage facilities along the country coastline...more>>
RIL’s gas finds to save country $8.3 billion annually,
says Morgan
The Financial Express, 11 July 2009
RILs’ eastern offshore KG D-6 gas fields at peak production
will help the nation save $8.3 billion annually or 0.7%
of the GDP, investment banker Morgan Stanley said...more>>
OVL consortium to invest $5 billion in Iranian gas fields
The Hindu, 26 June 2009
Giving thrust to exploration of oil and gas assets abroad,
OVL (ONGC Videsh Ltd) in partnership with IOC and OIL (Oil
India Ltd) has outlined a plan to invest around $5 billion
over the next four years to produce gas from the Farsi block
discovered in offshore Iran...more>>
RIL’s gas field to double supply of cleaner
fuel
Mint; 19 June 2009
India’s biggest natural gas field will transform the
energy landscape when production begins this month, eventually
doubling the nation’s supply of the cleaner-burning
fuel and lessening its reliance on oil...more>>
India's third LNG terminal at Dabhol in October
Business Standard, 15 June 2009
India is all set to get its third LNG import terminal commissioned
this October at Dabhol on Maharashtra's west coast.
RIL refinery can now sell fuel in local mkt
The Financial Express, 17 April 2009
The EOU (Export Oriented Unit) status of Reliance Industries’
Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat has ended, allowing the company
to sell petrol and diesel locally including through its
1,432 now-closed petrol pumps...more>>
Oil firms raise ATF Price 6.7%
Business Standard; 16 April 2009
State-run oil companies today raised ATF (aviation turbine
fuel) prices for the third time in a month, this time by
about 6.7 per cent, in step with international rates, which
are firming up...more>>
RIL, GAIL to lay pipeline for K–G gas
Business Standard, 15 April 2009
RIL and state-run gas marketer GAIL India are gearing up
to start the second phase of construction of the pipeline
to transport gas from the Krishna–Godavari basin to
the southern parts of the country...more>>
RIL expected to be top gas producer in 3 years
Business Standard, 11 April 2009
RIL could overtake state-owned ONGC and Oil India to account
for over 40% of the country’s natural gas production
in the next three years, say analysts. Supply from RIL’s
Krishna Godavari basin reserve on the east coast began on
2 April...more>>
NELP -VIII offers all-time high 70 blocks
Business Standard, 10 April 2009
Amid concerns of the economic slowdown, the government today
launched the eighth round of NELP-VIII (eighth round of
New Exploration Licensing Policy) offering 70 blocks, the
highest so far...more>>
Pakistan to go ahead with IPI sans India
The Asian Age, 11 March 2009
Pakistan has expressed its readiness to go ahead with the
USD 7.5 billion gas pipeline with Iran even if India, which
has security and other concerns, opts out of the trilateral
project...more>>
Govt for PPP in securing overseas energy assets
Business Standard, 10 March 2009
In partnership with Japan, South Korea and Singapore, India
must explore options for joint storage of oil reserves and
setting up a financial reserve for borrowing and lending
to tide over the volatility of oil prices, according to
Mr H S Puri, secretary (ER) in the Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA)....more>>
India firms offered 25% stake in Satpayev oil deal
The Indian Express, 5 March 2009
In pursuance of the objective of energy security, India
is all set to seal the Satpayev Oil Concession deal with
the Kazakhstan Government wherein ONGC Mittal Energy Limited
will acquire at least 25 per cent stake in the Caspian Sea
Oil block....more>>
3 petrochem regions cleared
The Indian Express, 26 February 2009
With the union cabinet clearing proposals of the West Bengal,
Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat governments for setting up PCPIRs
(Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Regions)
in their territorial domain, a major hurdle has been removed
in the way of investment worth more than Rs 4500 billion
in PCPIRs, chemicals minister Mr Ram Vilas Paswan said...more>>
World’s biggest refinery poised to start in Jamnagar
The Indian Express, 25 December 2008
Reliance Industries is set to double its capacity by starting
up its new 580 000 barrels per day plant this weekend, creating
the world’s biggest refinery just as global oil demand
collapses...more>>
NELP VIII likely to offer 100 blocks
The Economic Times, 23 December 2008
The petroleum ministry is planning to auction over 100 prospective
areas for oil and gas exploration by March 2009 under the
eighth round of NELP-VIII. ‘It would be our endeavour
to launch NELP-VIII in first quarter of 2009,’ petroleum
minister Mr Murli Deora said...more>>
Cairn India makes oil and gas discovery
The Indian Express, 23 December 2008
Cairn India Ltd has announced that it has made an Oil and
gas discovery adjacent to the Raageshwari oilfield in its
Rajasthan block. ‘The first exploration well in the
2008/09 exploration programme has been successful with the
completion of the Raageshwari East 1/1Z well,’ Cairn
India said...more>>
India wants regulator to ensure transparency in
oil market
Business Standard, 21 December 2008
India has underlined the need for putting in place an appropriate
regulatory mechanism to restrain unhealthy ‘speculative
practices’ and bring about transparency in the crude
oil market... more>>
Power
Panel for more UMPPs in coastal areas
Business Standard, 29 December 2011
Even as the two coast-based ultra-mega power plants (UMPP) facing an uncertain future, it has not stopped the Working Group on Power for the 12th Plan from recommending more coastal power plants based on imported coal, due to the rising shortage in domestic coal... more>>
RPower Rosa phase II unit goes commercial
The Hindu, 29 December 2011
Reliance Power has commenced generation from the first 300-MW unit of phase II of its Rosa project in Uttar Pradesh three months ahead of schedule... more>>
Nod to set up power subsidy fund
Business Standard, 14 December 2011
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved setting up of a National Electricity Fund to give interest subsidy of Rs 8,466 crore for 14 years to power distribution projects. The scheme will be operational within 12 months, an official statement said... more>>
Neyveli to invest Rs 40k cr to set up power plants
Business Standard, 6 September 2011
State-run Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) plans to invest Rs 40,200 crore to build power plants in Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh... more>>
CERC for new rules to curb grid indiscipline
Business Standard, 26 August 2011
To curb utilities' tendency to overdraw power by using the unscheduled interchange charge (UI) mechanism, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has proposed stricter rules.
Renewable energy... more>>
Solar equipment majors eye India as manufacturing hub
The Financial Express, 26 August 2011
With the prospect of a slowdown in the renewable power sector in their home markets, US and European solar power equipment manufacturers are betting big on Indian demand... more>>
Dr Farooq Abdullah urges the nation to transform the promise of boundless and clean energy into reality on TERI’s Foundation Day
Business Wire India, 18 August 2011
Outlining India’s achievements in the field of renewable energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, assured that the government and his ministry, along with the support of think-tanks like TERI and leading corporates in the nation have launched major efforts to ambitiously move the country towards greater use of renewable energy resources, while ensuring the well-being of generations yet to come. This message came out strong at 10th Darbari Seth Memorial Lecture that marked the Foundation Day of TERI... more>>
Six more solar plants to be commissioned by year-end
The Hindu, 10 August 2011
The accent on clean and green energy becoming more pronounced, power distribution company NDPL (North Delhi Power Ltd) has lined up half a dozen more plants to be commissioned over the next few months... more>>
Bharat Petroleum, SG Biofuels ink deal for massive Jatropha 2.0 deployment in India
Biofuels Digest, 9 August 2011
In India, SG Biofuels and Bharat Renewable Energy, a unit of India’s second largest oil company, Bharat Petroleum, signed a landmark commercial agreement to develop and deploy elite hybrids of Jatropha across a total 86,000 acres in this phase of development... more>>
CERC to audit price discovery mechanism at power exchanges
Business Standard, 25 April 2011
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) will audit the price discovery mechanism being used at the country's two power exchanges -- Indian Energy Exchange and Power Exchange India... more>>
Plan panel's working group to prepare road map for growth of power sector
The Financial Express, 23 April 2011
Power sector has come in the centre stage of government planning with the Planning Commission constituting a working group on power for the coming 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17)... more>>
All 11th Plan power plants to get tax holiday boost
The Financial Express, 21 February 2011
The government is likely to give a breather to the power sector by extending the tax holiday for the sector by another year... more>>
India , Bangladesh giving shape to SAARC electricity market
The Hindu Business Line, 28 January 2011
India and Bangladesh have been entrusted with the task of giving a final shape to the proposed South-Asia electricity grid. Participation in the SAARC Market for Electricity — envisaging electricity trading across member states — is likely to happen on the electricity market windows that are already in place in India...more>>
India to develop coal fired ultra supercritical plant
The Economic Times , 27 January 2011
A 800 MW coal-fired power project based on more efficient advanced ultra supercritical thermal power technology is being set up jointly by BHEL, NTPC and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research...more>>
R-Power to invest $5billion in Indonesia
The Times of India , 25 January 2011
In what is being seen as one of the largest foreign investments in Indonesia , Reliance Power will infuse $5 billion (around Rs 220 billion) in two projects-one each in South Sumatra and Jambi provinces...more>>
New tariff regime will electrify power sector
The Hindu Business Line, 31 December 2010
The transition to a new regime, under which power projects
will be awarded to prospective developers offering the most
competitive tariffs, is the most anticipated change in the
power sector as we move into the year 2011... more>>
Supercritical tech set to be made mandatory for
coal power plants
The Financial Express, 27 December 2010
The government may soon make it mandatory for power companies
to switch to energy-efficient supercritical technology for
their upcoming coal-fired power projects as it looks at
playing a major role in global efforts to fight climate
change by cutting down emission of greenhouse gases. The
coal-based power projects have been identified as major
contributor to environmental pollution... more>>
India to start power trade with Sri Lanka by 2014
Business Standard, 25 November 2010
The government's initiative to have trading of electricity
with Sri Lanka is likely to bear fruit by mid-2014, with
the commissioning of a high capacity power transmission
link between the two countries. PGCIL (Power Grid Corporation
of India Ltd), the country's largest electricity transmission
utility and the implementing agency for the project from
the Indian side, is likely to sign a MoU (memorandum of
understanding) for developing the Rs 25 billion project
with the neighbouring country by next month... more>>
RPower, US Exim Bank in $5 billion deal
The Financial Express, 8 November 2010
Reliance Power, the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group's
power firm, has sealed a $5 billion (nearly Rs 220 billion)
funding deal from the US Export Import Bank for its gas
based and renewable energy projects totalling about 9000
mw... more>>
R-Power sees eight-fold capacity rise in 2 years
Business Standard, 29 September 2010
Reliance Power is planning to commission its entire portfolio
of projects by 2017, which would be around 35,000 Mw. At
the company's annual general meeting, Chairman Mr Anil Ambani
said it had embarked on a fast-track implementation of its
huge portfolio, which include three ultra mega power projects
(UMPPs)... more>>
RPG co inks 20 year coal deal with Australian miner
The Economic Times, 15 September 2010
Integrated Coal Mining Ltd, owned by the Rs 170 billion
RPG Group, inked a 20-year offshore coal procurement contract
with Australian coal miner Resource Generation (RGL)...
more>>
Torrent Power to invest Rs 60 billion on Dahej plant
The Hindu Business Line, 30 April 2010
Torrent Power Ltd (TPL), part of the Rs 186-billion Torrent
Group, will invest nearly Rs 60 billion on setting up a
1200 MW gas-based power plant at Dahej, Bharuch district,
to meet the requirements of the upcoming Petroleum, Chemicals
and Petrochemicals Investment Regions (PCPIR). ONGC Petro-additions
Ltd (OPaL), incorporated in 2006 as a joint venture promoted
by ONGC (26 per cent) and co-promoted by GAIL (19 per cent)
and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd (5 per cent),
is the anchor tenant in setting up the Dahej Special Economic
Zone (SEZ) as part of the PCPIR.
Expert group to study T&D losses
The Hindu, 29 April 2010
The Planning Commission, perturbed by the continued theft
of electricity and massive T&D (transmission and distribution)
losses that are expected to touch Rs 680 billion this fiscal,
will soon set up an expert group to find out the causes
for such losses... more>>
CERC raises overdrawal charge to Rs 12.25 a unit
The Economic Times, 29 April 2010
To discourage states from overdrawing electricity from the
grid, power regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
has increased the overdrawing charge to Rs 12.25 per unit.
An additional UI (unscheduled interchange) charge of 40%
on the normal UI rate of Rs 8.73 per unit will now become
applicable, an official statement said... more>>
CERC plans to hike trading margin to 7 paisa
The Financial Express, 15 October 2009
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has
proposed to increase the trading margin from 4 paisa to
7 paisa if the sale rate is more than Rs 3 on a short-term
trading market...more>>
Government to set up panels for power sector growth
The Financial Express, 5 October 2009
Against the backdrop of the Planning Commission’s
recent observation that the capacity addition of just 60,000
mw against the target of 78,700 mw could be possible by
end of 2011-12 , the Parliamentary Standing Committee of
Energy will set up various groups to make recommendations
for an overall growth of the power sector...more>>
SEZs to get leeway in power distribution
The Financial Express, 25 August 2009
In a move to ease procedural hassles, the Commerce Ministry
is pushing for removal of licensing requirements needed
to distribute power to factories, business outsourcing units,
software developers, and social infrastructure like hospitals
and malls located inside SEZs...more>>
India plans gas-based power plant in Iran
The Hindu Business Line, 25 August 2009
India is working on a proposal to build a gas-based power
plant in Iran, with a capacity of at least 4000 MW. Options
for bringing the electricity to India, either over land
or through an undersea transmission cable, are being explored...more>>
Six restructured electricity boards made profits in 2007/08
Business Standard, 11 July 2009
Less than half of the SEBs, which have been restructured,
have made profits in 2007/08, Power Minister, Mr Sushilkumar
Shinde said...more>>
Government hikes allocation for power reform scheme by 160%
The Hindu Business Line, 7 July 2009
The power reforms programme got a booster dose in the Budget,
with the finance minister hiking the allocation for the
centre’s flagship distribution reforms scheme by 160%
over the previous fiscal...more>>
Govt looks for changes in mega power policy
The Times of India; 3 June 2009
The government is prepared to make it easier for generation
projects to qualify for incentives under the mega power
policy by dropping the clause on mandatory privatisation
of distribution networks for states that plan to buy electricity
from plants of up to 1000 mw....more>>
Big push to rural electrification on cards
The Hindu, 21 May 2009
Apart from giving a major thrust to power reforms and attracting
large private investment, the new Government in office will
give a big push to the rural electrification programme,
curbing aggregate and technical losses (A&T) and working
a roadmap for achieving the open access goal propagated
by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, in his last tenure....more>>
CERC's new criteria to revise power tariff
The Financial Express; 18 May 2009
Electricity tariffs may change as power sector regulator
Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) will soon
announce new parameters determining the cost of generation
and transmission for thermal power projects....more>>
Tajikistan eyes JVs in power sector
The Financial Express, 12 April 2009
Tajikistan is looking for Indian power companies to set
up about 20 power stations to reduce the energy crisis and
establish a pretreatment of coal and redundancy elimination
of electricity and gas loss...more>>
.
CERC amends its cross-border trading norms
The Financial Express, 24 February 2009
The CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Commission) has
amended its trading regulations after the MEA (ministry
of external affairs) argued that any attempt to dilute its
control mechanism on international trade in electricity
would adversely impact national and strategic interests
...more>>
GMR Energy takes over Indonesian co for $80 million
The Economic Times, 26 February 2009
GMR Energy, a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure, has acquired
100% stake in Barasentosa Lestari PT, an Indonesian coal
mining company, for $80 million to fortify back-end integration
for its future power projects. With this move, GMR aims
to achieve fuel security for its power projects in India...
more>>
Renewable energy
Solar power gains foothold in country's energy mix
The Hindu Business Line, 14 December 2011
Almost 180 megawatts of electricity you buy is now coming from solar energy sources. Of this, almost 148 megawatts were added to the country's energy mix in the last one year alone, with no additional burden on the consumer's pocket... more>>
Govt working on special policy for roof-top solar units
The Hindu Business Line, 14 December 2011
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is working on a special policy for roof-top solar units, Mr Tarun Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MNRE, said... more>>
Green energy: CERC proposes alignment of financial norms with market rates
Business Standard, 11 December 2011
For renewable energy projects in the country, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has proposed assured long-term tariff visibility and alignment of financial norms with the prevailing market conditions... more>>
Green energy to be made mandatory for powering cell towers
The Hindu Business Line, 9 December 2011
The Department of Telecom will make it mandatory for mobile companies to tap into renewable sources of energy for powering their towers... more>>
RPower, ADB to develop country’s largest solar power plant
The Financial Express, 06 December 2011
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Reliance Power are joining forces to build what will be the country's largest solar photovoltaic power plant... more>>
TVS Group lines up Rs 1800 crore for wind energy
Business Standard, 1 October 2011
TVS Group has lined up Rs 1,800 crore to set up wind energy farms of 200 Mw over the next three years, according to a senior official of Sundaram Clayton Ltd (SCL), a holding company of TVS Motor Company, India’s third-largest two-wheeler manufacturer... more>>
$100-m ADB loan for Gujarat solar power project
The Hindu Business Line, 14 September, 2011
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of $100 million for a solar power transmission project in Gujarat... more>>
Renewable energy can help bridge energy deficit, check govt's subsidy burden
The Economic Times, 10 June 2011
Switching rural India on to renewable energy sources could help the country bridge its widening energy deficit , according to the Planning Commission... more>>
India to be third largest investment destination for renewables this year: KPMG The Economic Times, 8 June 2011
India is the third most favoured destination globally for investments in the renewable energy sector and will also be a major source of new entrants into the sector, behind the US and China, according to a survey released by global consulting firm KPMG... more>>
Nation’s solar power potential mapped
Deccan Herald, 21 May 2011
The Energy and Wetland Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have jointly mapped the solar hotspots of the country... more>>
Advanced biofuel to meet over 50% of India’s transport demand
Commodities Now, 18 May 2011
Transforming agricultural waste into biofuel could create up to one million jobs in India over the next decade, while radically improving India’s energy efficiency by meeting up to 59% of the demand for transport gasoline through greener fuels by 2020, according to a new study released recently... more>>
Cabinet OK for national clean energy fund
The Economic Times, 7 April 2011
The Union cabinet has cleared the creation of a national clean energy fund that will finance green energy projects and research ventures aimed at reducing India's carbon footprint... more>>
$ 150 million ADB guarantee to support solar power
The Hindu, 20 April 2011
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide up to $150 million in credit guarantees to help India scale up use of solar power as a major renewable energy source... more>>
TERI's solar lanterns light up lives of under-privileged children of Yamuna Khader
India Education Diary; 5 April 2011
It is estimated that more than 400 million people in India are living in darkness... more>>
Trading in renewable energy certificate launched
The Hindu, 25 February 2011
IEX (Indian Energy Exchange) has announced the launch of trading in REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) on its platform... more>>
Scope for generating 68,000 mw of green power: World Bank report
The Hindu, 15 February 2011
The World Bank has stated in its latest report that India can generate 68,000 MW of power, costing less than Rs 6 a unit from renewable energy sources, a step that can address the country's energy security concerns... more>>
Small US firms tap into India 's solar mission
Mint , 27 January 2011
India 's bid to increase solar power production is energizing the business of a number of small and medium-sized US firms that offer innovative equipment and technologies... more>>
NTPC in talks for setting up renewable projects in Maldives
Mint , 5 January 2011
As part of India 's effort to s part of India 's effort to promote greater engagement with neighbours, state owned NTPC Ltd is in talks with the Maldives for setting up renewable energy projects in Male, the island nation's capital... more>>
Gujarat Chief Minister launches Asia's first solar
energy park
The Pioneer, 31 December 2010
Gujarat Chief Minister Mr Narendra Modi launched Asia's
first solar energy park to generate 500 megawatt power from
the non-conventional source in Patan district of the State.
Located at the northern periphery of the Little Rann of
Kutch at the borders of Patan and Kutch districts, the Gujarat
Solar Park would finally be spread over 2000 hectares in
the arid region which gets at least 300 sunny days in a
year...
more>>
PEs sharpen focus on green energy
Business Standard, 22 December 2010
The MPG (Muthoot Pappachan) Group, a leading non-banking
finance company, decided to invest heavily in wind energy,
to create 50 Mw generation capacity. The RE (renewable energy)
sector in India saw 135% more PE and VC (venture capital)
investments in 2010. Data from VCC edge show five PE/VC
investments worth $377 million (Rs 17,150 million), including
a mega one of $290 million by Blackstone in Moser Baer,
the solar power company. As against this, 2009 saw six deals
in the sector, worth $160 million...
more>>
Power players eye high seas for
wind energy
The Hindu Business Line, 30 November 2010
Indian wind energy producers and related research organisations
are eying the high-seas to harness wind power for electricity
generation. Renewable energy majors such as Suzlon and Tata
Power are exploring the potential of setting up offshore
wind farms, a technology platform that is yet to emerge
in India. To back the intentions of these companies, research
firms such as Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for
Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry
of Earth Sciences, and Chennai-based Centre for Wind Energy
Technology (C-WET) have taken up projects to study the feasibility
of offshore wind mills and map potential zones off the Indian
coast to set up such projects...
more>>
Government incentives RE generation,
trading
Business Standard, 26 November 2010
The government has come out with a slew of measures for
promoting power generation using renewable sources. These
incentives will coincide with trading in RE (renewable energy)
receipts on power exchanges that will begin in the next
couple of months. The incentives for RE producers include
exemption of customs duty on import of equipment for state
electricity projects and relaxation of norms for grid access...
more>>
Norway to step up solar funding
in India
The Hindu Business Line, 25 November 2010
Norway is keen to increase its investments in the Indian
renewable energy sector. The Norwegian Government is in
talks with MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) to
scale up the solar village electrification projects in States
such as Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Norway and MNRE are
collaborating and co-funding a solar based rural electrification
project that aims at developing sustainable and scalable
business models for accelerating large scale roll out of
CSPPs (community solar power plants) in India...
more>>
Renewable energy sector to attract
more private equity investments
The Hindu Business Line, 20 November 2010
India has the macro drivers and a clear edge to be a key
clean energy market for private equity investors, states
the India Infrastructure report 2010 by 3i Network –
IDFC. Private equity investment in renewable energy sector
picked up pace in the country from 2004, with Citigroup
Venture Capital's $22.5 million investment in Suzlon Energy
being a noteworthy deal. According to the report, from a
private equity investment of $851 million in 2005, inflows
into the renewable sector in India soared to $2,136 million
in 2008...
more>>
India explores offshore wind farms
The Financial Express, 11 November 2010
With land acquisition and environmental clearances proving
increasingly difficult for wind power projects, India is
exploring the potential for offshore wind power generation...
more>>
Areva has Rs 133 billion plans for solar energy
Business Standard, 1 November 2010
After a small presence in the biomass energy sector, Areva,
the French energy major, is betting big on solar power in
India. It plans to float two subsidiaries for channelising
investment to the tune of $3 billion (Rs 133 billion) in
solar power generation...
more>>
REC could boost investment in renewable energy, says Fitch
The Financial Express, 15 September 2010
India's move to introduce renewable energy certificate (REC)
scheme should help improve cost economics of renewable energy
projects and attract investments to the sector... more>>
Azure to build 100 Mw solar power capacity
Business Standard, 12 September 2010
Solar power company Azure Power aims to build a 100 Mw solar
power capacity in the next three–five years and is
in initial discussions with mobile phone operators and other
industrial houses to offer commercial solar power... more>>
Institutional funding for renewable energy sector
soon, says Farooq
The Hindu Business Line, 31 August 2010
Institutional finance will soon flow into to the new and
renewable energy sector in a big way to boost generation,
according to Dr Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New
and Renewable Energy... more>>
CLP plans 39.6 MW wind farm in Karnataka
The Financial Express, 28 August 2010
CLP India, the largest foreign player in the Indian power
sector, plans to launch a 39.6-mw wind farm in Harapanahalli
at Davanagere district in Karnataka... more>>
Astonfield bets big on India's solar power market
The Financial Express, 13 August 2010
US-based Astonfield is betting big on the Indian solar market
as the government starts work to implement the first phase
of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission...more>>
Clean energy fund may garner Rs 670 billion in 10
years
The Hindu Business Line, 15 July 2010
The National Clean Energy Fund, which will come about through
a Rs 50 a tonne cess on coal used, it is estimated, will
garner more than Rs 670 billion over the next 10 years...more>>
Railways looks at biofuel to cut costs
The Pioneer, 5 July 2010
After CNG, the Indian Railways now wants to tap bio-diesel
potential to cut down on its operational cost...more>>
Atlas to guide in tapping of wind energy launched
The Hindu, 30 April 2010
The government and industry need to jointly explore new
sites with wind energy potential to scale down the use of
fossil fuels, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy
Mr Farooq Abdullah said... more>>
Suzlon forms JV to tap Bulgaria's energy market
The Financial Express, 29 April 2010
Suzlon Energy is tapping the wind energy market in Bulgaria
through a 50:50 JV with Volkswind Bulgaria GmbH. The company
has already tested the market, which is considered to be
attractive among Eastern Europe markets because of the appealing
tariff structures announced for wind energy... more>>
Amritsar village gets country’s first commercial solar
power plant
The Indian Express, 16 December 2009
Amritsar has got the country’s first commercial 2
MW solar power plant. The plant is set up by American company
Azure Power in IPP mode, it has the capacity to be expanded
to 5 MW...more>>
Big push to R&D in renewable energy
The Hindu, 12 December 2009
To promote generation of energy from renewable sources,
the Central Government has decided to invest Rs 5000 million
on its research, development and technology demonstration
during the XI Plan. The government had already taken up
around 77 projects and sponsored various R&D institutions
for the Plan period. These projects include development
of high efficiency solar cells, hydrogen and fuel cells;
solar photovoltaic and solar thermal power generation; high-rate
bio-methanation; and medium and large capacity biogas plants
for energy and power generation. These new projects would
also help in employment generation, he said, and pointed
out that a wind power project would help in the creation
of 6-10 direct and 30 indirect jobs per megawatt capacity
addition...more>>
Uttar Pradesh extends sops to RRBs for solar power
promotion
The Financial Express, 15 October 2009
In what could be a boon for rural Uttar Pradesh, which is
reeling under a serious power shortage, remote villages
in the state will soon be illuminated, thanks to the Centre's
solar home lightning scheme...more>>
India can generate 48,000 MW through wind energy
Business Standard, 14 October 2009
India has a potential of generating over 48 000 MW through
wind energy farms, and for that it would require just 1%
of its land, according to an estimate by the C-WET...more>>
BHEL expands capacity for solar photovoltaic modules
Deccan Herald, 2 September 2009
BHEL has enhanced the capacity to manufacture solar photovoltaic
module at its electronic division in the City from 3 MW
to 8 MW per annum...more>> TERI
introduces a unique platform: LaBL partners in technology
to illuminate lives of those living in the dark The
Financial Express, 20 August 2009
As the world struggles to control energy-related GHGs, electricity-starved
rural families in the developing world toil and work without
light...more>>
Bring solar to our villages
The Asian Age , 17 July 2009
Out of more than 6,00,000 villages in India, something like
1,05,000 are still officially not electrified. The Lighting
a Billion Lives model has been launched by TERI wherein
a village level charging station is put up by the efforts
of TERI using resources collected from different sources
and the panels are used to charge up solar lanterns at the
charging station...more>>
'Green’ push to rural telecom
The Hindu Business Line, 8 July 2009
The DoT has decided to offer financial support from the
USC fund to telecom players using renewable source of energy
to power their base stations in rural areas...more>>
EU sees potential for renewable energy tie-ups
The Hindu Business Line, 22 June 2009
With the European Union charting out a strategy to ensure
20 per cent of its energy requirement comes from renewable
energy sources by 2020, opportunities for cooperation in
wind and photovoltaic power generation segments are set
to grow...more>>
Bid to launch renewable energy certificates under way
The Financial Express, 22 June 2009
The forum of power regulators (For) has kicked off an exercise
for introduction of renewable energy certificates to promote
renewable energy generation...more>>
ADB to double clean energy outlay to $2 billion
The Financial Express, 18 June 2009
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will increase its clean
energy investments to $2 billion a year from a previous
target of $1 billion, in a bid to accelerate low carbon
growth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region....more>>
Renewable energy use to be made mandatory for SEZs
The Financial Express, 16 June 2009
The government is considering a regulation to make use of
renewable energy mandatory for special economic zones (SEZ)
to save on traditional fuel like coal and diesel....more>>
CERC for inter-state trade of wind power
Business Standard, 14 June 2009
To attract more investment in the renewable energy sector,
particularly in windpower, the CERC (Central Electricity
Regulatory Commission) has proposed that wind power should
be freely tradable across the country, a top official today
has said.
Hydrogen run three wheelers planned for Indian roads
The Hindu, 13 March 2009
United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)’s
International Centre for Hydrogen Energy Technology (ICHET)
signed a memorandum of understanding with its Indian partners
to run three-wheelers on Indian roads on the most advanced
and clean fuel: hydrogen....more>>
E-Solar gets $30mn to help build solar plants in India
Mint, 4 March 2009
E-Solar, a closely held solar power company backed by Idealab
Inc. founder Bill Gross, said it will license its technology
to Acme Group to build solar plants in India that can provide
as much as 1 gigawatt of power....more>>
Yes Bank to close clean energy fund by June
The Financial Express, 16 February 2009
With LPs (limited partners) turning cautious as the global
recession leaves them with less surplus cash to invest,
Yes Bank will now close its first PE (private equity) fund,
the $200 million SACEF (South Asia Clean Energy Fund), by
June this year rather than the earlier target of March...more>>
'Wind Atlas' in the works
The Hindu Business Line, 20 February 2009
The Centre is in advanced stages of getting an 'Indian Wind
Atlas' commissioned, which would identify windy locations
across the country, and thereby, enable better harnessing
of resources by project developers in the future...
more>>
Environment
Entire Western Ghats ecologically sensitive
The Hindu, 27 December 2011
The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) has designated the entire hill range as an ecologically sensitive area... more>>
Indo-French climate satellite set for 12 October launch
The Hindu Business Line, 11 September 2011
Megha-Tropiques, the novel Indo-French climate satellite, is planned for launch soon. The 1,000-kg satellite - a combination of the Sanskrit 'megha' or cloud and the French word for the tropics – will give a better understanding of the crucial convection systems, humidity in the tropics, said ISRO's Chairman, Dr K Radhakrishnan... more>>
Sustainability issues becoming critical for industry
The Financial Express, 7 June 2011
Sustainability issues such as natural resource management, water use and climate change mitigation are increasingly becoming critical for the economic performance of India Inc... more>>
World Bank approves one billion to clean Ganga The Times of India, 2 June 2011
The World Bank has approved a $1 billion credit and loan for cleaning the river Ganga that accounts for one-fourth of India's water resources... more>>
Mumbai densest in Asia with 27,000 people per sq km
The Indian Express, 15 February 2011
As Many as 27,000 people live per square km in Mumbai, making the metro one of the densest cities in Asia , as per the Asian Green City Index... more>>
ADB to extend $7.4 b loan for sustainable growth
The Hindu Business Line, 1 February 2011
ADB (Asian Development Bank) is to provide lending assistance worth $7.4 billion to support inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth in the country. This funding assistance will be part of a new three year business plan extending to 2013... more>>
TERI organizes 3rd YUVA Meet for youth to understand the ‘Road to Global Sustainability via Local Initiatives'
India Education Diary ; 1 February 2011
The world is grappling with serious issues of Climate Change with far-reaching consequences for our forthcoming generations... more>>
India gets 1st green railway station
The Times of India , 27 January 2011
Railways has inaugurated India 's first green station at Manwal on the Jammu-Udhampur rail route. With the tiny station facing frequent power cuts, it has been a provided a supply of solar power... more>>
Jairam to include industry in policy advisory council
Business Standard , 20 January 2011
Union environment minister Mr Jairam Ramesh said he would set up an advisory council with participation of industry to look into policy issues regarding environment clearances... more>>
3rd research base at Antarctica launched
The Tribune , 11 January 2011
India formally launched its third research base "Bharati" in Antarctica . Science and Technology Minister Mr Kapil Sibal unveiled a plaque in Delhi , indicating the laying of foundation stone for "Bharati" in Antarctica... more>>
Government clamps green norms on 37 sectors
The Pioneer, 25 December 2010
In a bid to tune in economic growth and development in the
country with regulations for environmental conservation,
MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forest) has notified the
Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2006. It has
brought 37 developmental sectors under its ambit which would
require prior environmental clearance...
more>>
Electric cars to get cheaper by Rs 1 lakh on Government
sop
The Hindu Business Line, 23 November 2010
Electric cars may become cheaper by up to Rs 1 lakh with
manufacturers expected to pass on to the consumers the benefits
of the Rs 950-million incentive package extended by the
Government to the industry. This subsidy will be applicable
till 2011/12, after which it will be merged with the National
Electric Vehicle Policy that is currently being formulated...
more>>
Centre issues new regulations to protect coastline
The Hindustan Times, 14 September 2010
The Centre notified regulations imposing fresh restrictions
on development activity within 500 meters of the 7500 km
long Indian coastline divided into four zones depending
on ecological sensitivity. A special relaxation has been
given to Greater Mumbai, which includes old and new Mumbai...
more>>
India emerging as hub of eco-entrepreneurs
The Financial Express, 22 April 2010
Driven by supportive government policies, maturing clean
technologies and growing investor appetite, India is fast
becoming a hub of eco-innovation for all manner of people
— small town residents, Indian expats returning home
with Ivy League education to boot, and even a few enterprising
foreigners... more>>
This Earth Day, salute the heroes
The Asian Age, 18 April 2010
The founder of Earth Day is the late US Senator Gaylord
Nelson, one of the greatest champions of environment, not
only in the US but worldwide. Senator Nelson, who announced
his plans for Earth Day in 1969, later wrote that the germination
of the idea for an Earth Day goes back to November 1962
when he decided to bring environment into political limelight,
once and for all.
Government seeks public view in BT brinjal
The Financial Express, 16 October 2009
Despite the recommendation of the Genetic Engineering Approval
Committee (GEAC) granting environmental clearance to Bt
Brinjal, the union minister for environment and forest decided
hold further public discussion on apprehensions expressed
in many quarters on the safety aspect of the transgenic
crop...more>>
Bt Brinjal gets biotech regulator's approval
The Hindu Business Line, 15 October 2009
In a significant development, the Indian biotechnology regulator
Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has given
its green signal to the environmental release of Bt brinjal,
the first genetically modified food crop to be allowed in
the country...more>>
Green sector set to paint the job town red
The Financial Express, 23 September 2009
The green sector is set to bring about an employment revolution,
as information technology did two decades ago...more>>
India, Britain to jointly develop green tech
The Asian Age, 9 July 2009
India and Britain agreed to exchange notes on jointly developing
green technologies where the two have inherent strengths...more>>
TERI University receives support to launch new programme
to train students in sustainable development
Indian Express, 1 July 2009
TERI University has been selected by the John D. and Catherine
T. MacArthur Foundation, globally headquartered in Chicago,
as one of 10 universities worldwide to receive significant
support in the amount of $ 900,000 to create a new master’s
degree program in Development Practice...more>>
Green initiatives seek to create awareness and inspire
action
The Financial Express, 5 June 2009
World Environment Day is not only time for governments and
NGOs to reaffirm their commitment to the cause of the environment,
but also for companies to highlight their eco-friendly initiatives.
The 8th TERI Corporate Awards recognises corporate excellence
in environmental management, corporate social responsibility
and fight against HIV/AIDS. The President Ms Pratibha Devisingh
Patil will be the chief guest at the awards function to
be held on 5 June 2009...more>>
HP partners with TERI to launch green programme in schools
The Hindu, 17 February 2009
Hewlett-Packard India, in partnership with TERI, has announced
the launch of Hewlett Packard-TERI Schools' future programme,
an initiative it said will improve environment projects
in schools...more>>
Climate change
Pachauri to set up TERI unit in Bengal
The Times of India, 2 January 2012
Dr R K Pachauri, Director-General of TERI and Chairman of IPCC, has said he would soon set up a unit of TERI in West Bengal to work on climate change impact...more>>
ICT can help India meet climate change goals
The South Asian Times; 23 December 2011
TERI-Business Council and NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Services Companies) launched a report titled, ‘Sustainable Tomorrow: Harnessing ICT Potential’...more>>
Much ado at Durban - Bhadwal, Suruchi
The Financial Express, 16 December 2011
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 7th Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP7) to the Kyoto Protocol was held at Durban, South Africa, from November 28 to December 9, 2011...more>>
Delhi Metro gets certification from UN
The Economic Times, 25 September 2011
The United Nations has certified Delhi Metro as the first metro rail based system in the world to get carbon credits for contributing to the fight against climate change by helping in reducing pollution levels in the city by 6.3 lakh tons every year...more>>
Climate change affecting crop yield: Icrisat
The Hindu Business Line, 17 August 2011
A recent study by International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) found that crop yields in crops such as maize and sorghum in Nalgonda (Andhra Pradesh) and Parbani (Maharashtra) have fallen in the last few years as a result of increase in temperature...more>>
Indian Railways to go LNG way for less carbon footprints
The Statesman, 15 August 2011
Railways has decided to gradually opt for liquefied natural gas on a large scale as part of its effort to reduce diesel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and ensure major operational savings...more>>
Global warming hurts coastline most
The Pioneer, 21 April 2011
Even as the debate on climate change and the wisdom of following a development model of energy-intensive industrialisation rages on, there are tell-tale signs that indicate that the threat faced by India from global warming is increasing with every passing day...more>>
National Water Mission under National Action Plan on Climate Change
Press Information Bureau, 6 April 2011
The Union Cabinet has approved the Comprehensive Mission Document of the National Water Mission. The National Water Mission is one of the 8 National Missions which form the core of the National Action Plan for Climate Change...more>>
India : PM council on climate change okays Green India Mission
The Financial Express, 24 February 2011
The Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change has approved the Green India Mission, which targets 5 million hectare improvement in forest and tree cover besides adding another 5 million hectare to existing forest cover...more>>
Climate change impacts small nations more
The Asian Age, 4 February 2011
Speaking at the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit organized by TERI, President of Afghanistan Mr Hamid Karzai lamented that the last 30 years of war in his country had resulted in "the massive destruction of trees, soil, earth and all the support systems on which his country had survived"...more>>
Delhi Metro scores a world first with carbon credits
The Times of India , 19 January 2011
Delhi Metro has earned Rs 30 million annually in carbon credits since 2009. The railway project is the first transport project in the world that was registered under the United Nations programme for dealing in the carbon market...more>>
Himalayan glaciers to shrink by 10% by 2100: analysis
The Hindustan Times , 11 January 2011
Himalayan glaciers are likely to shrink by 10% by 2100, much slower than in the Alps and other regions, scientists have determined through possibly the most rigorous analysis of global warming effects on glaciers...more>>
TERI, Assam government organize a multi stake-holder discussion
on "North East and the Response to Climate Change"
India Education Diary; 28 December 2010
With an aim to have a thorough strategy to understand the
implications of climate change in Assam and the North Eastern
region, so that well formulated measures could be taken
for its people to adapt to its effects, Government of Assam,
in association with TERI, organized a major state-level
summit North East and the Response to Climate Change- Policies
for Watershed Management, Energy Security, and Biodiversity...more>>
Bangladesh sand to help keep the Maldives afloat
Business Standard, 28 December 2010
After looking to buy land in other countries, Maldives is
making a last-ditch effort to avoid its citizens becoming
climate refugees. It is importing sand. In this endeavour
to tackle the effects of global warming, none other than
Bangladesh is playing Good Samaritan. Both countries are
planning to sign a deal within four months to ship sand
to the Maldives...more>>
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat to have pilot emissions trading scheme
Mint, 24 December 2010
Tamil Nadu and Gujarat will soon have India's first domestic
ETS (emissions trading scheme), which will be tied to air
pollution. It will be implemented under a cap on air pollutants
set by the respective state pollution control boards as
a pilot for the rest of the country for six months. Mr Jairam
Ramesh, minister of state for environment and forests, described
the plan as "a big innovation...in market-friendly
systems of implementing environmental laws". The scheme
works thus: A ceiling on emissions of a certain pollutant
is set, based on its desired concentration in the atmosphere...more>>
India, China to hoist green flag together to keep
West pressure on emission at bay
The Financial Express, 17 December 2010
A new era of cooperation is in the works between India and
China to adopt greener technologies in various industrial
sectors that help reduce overall emission levels. Greenhouse
emissions have become a major cause of concern for both
the countries fighting a hard battle with the West that
is putting pressure on them to agree to legally binding
arrangement to cut emissions in a time-bound manner...more>>
Incentive driven policy for emission
The Financial Express, 29 November 2010
In order to encourage companies to step up investment in
green technologies, the government is planning to provide
tax benefits to firms that prove their carbon content to
be on the lower side. The tax breaks are likely to be spelt
out in the Budget for 2011/12. The government is considering
several options to sensitise the industry on the dangers
of high carbon emissions...more>>
UK, India business leaders set road map
to handle climate change
Business Standard, 16 November 2010
Top business leaders from the UK and India have called for
closer trade ties on clean technologies with the aim of
boosting economic growth at the same time as cutting carbon
emissions. The report from the UK-India BLCG (Business Leaders
Climate Group) — chaired by Sir Stuart Rose and Mr
Rajan Bharti Mittal — is the first report of its kind
where business leaders have come together to consider the
practical steps necessary to deliver a low carbon economy.
India, UK firms to step up cooperation in clean
technology
The Hindu Business Line, 16 November 2010
A low carbon economy summit to examine further cooperation
between India and the UK will be held in India next year,
following the recommendations of a high-profile climate
change group published recently....more>>
India proposes new emission check system
The Economic Times, 10 November 2010
India has suggested a system of "international consultation
and analysis" that could well turn the tables on industrialized
countries, particularly the US. Environment minister Mr
Jairam Ramesh presented the proposal at Mexico ministerial....more>>
DRDO to study climatic changes in Ladakh
The Tribune, 9 November 2010
Following the freak cloudburst that devastated Leh during
the monsoon, DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation)
has embarked upon a project to study the changing weather
phenomenon in Ladakh and subsequently develop new models
for weather forecast....more>>
ADB may step up funding for clean development projects
The Hindu Business Line, 5 November 2010
ADB (Asian Development Bank) expects to step up its CDM
(clean development mechanism) financing to Indian projects
in areas such as renewable energy and solid waste management....more>>
German-aided project on climate change in Nagaland
The Hindu, 29 September 2010
A German development bank and Nagaland government have signed
an agreement to raise adaptive capacity of rural people
in the face of climate changes. As part of the climate change
adaptation project in the North-East, the German government-owned
development bank, Reconstruction Credit Institute (KfW)
signed the ‘minutes of meeting” with the Nagaland
government for implementation of the programme...more>>
Government to set up 16 carbon credit centres
The Hindu Business Line, 25 September 2010
The government is in the process of setting p 16 carbon
credit accredited centres across India with a funding of
Rs 15 lakhs a centre as grant, according to Mr D Chandra
Sekhar, Director, MSME Development Institute, Ministry of
Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises...more>>
National project to help crops fight climate change
The Times of India, 5 September 2010
In the near future, Goa could avail of funds under the national
agriculture innovation project to tide over instances of
saline water entering agricultural land... more>>
Government earmarks Rs 250 billion for climate change The Times of India, 22 August 2010
The government said India was going to be affected "the
most" by climate change, but it had made a provision
of huge fund to the tune of nearly Rs 250 billion from different
sources, including clean energy cess on coal, to mitigate
its impact... more>>
India to launch satellite to monitor sea levels
The Hindu Business Line, 12 August 2010
India will launch a satellite next year to monitor sea water
levels in collaboration with the French National Space Agency...more>>
Carbon credit prices rise 20%
Business Standard, 8 July 2010
The carbon credit market has revived, with prices of CER
(carbon emission reduction) certificates up nearly 20 %
over last month on expectation that Europe would proceed
with its plan for a 30 % cut in emissions by 2020, without
waiting for the global accord review in 2012...more>>
Low carbon footprint to make highways green
The Financial Express, 5 July 2010
NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) is preparing
a strategy to construct environment-friendly highways to
reduce its carbon footprint...more>>
SAARC plans expert group on climate change
The Hindu, 30 April 2010
With the more vulnerable Bangladesh and Maldives seeking
firmer commitments to combat climate change, a watered down
declaration was issued at the end of the 16th summit of
the SAAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation),
which ended recently... more>>
$75 million IFC loan to IDFC for climate change projects
The Financial Express, 21 April 2010
World Bank's multilateral lending arm, IFC (International
Finance Corporation), will provide $75 million (around Rs
3380 million) to IDFC (Infrastructure Development Finance
Corporation) for investments in renewable energy, cleaner
production and energy efficiency projects. This project
is part of IFC's climate change strategy of partnering with
financial intermediaries to scale up the impact for climate
change projects in India. IDFC, which has its registered
office in Chennai, invests in infrastructure projects all
over India. The project will help IDFC scale up its capacity
to assess renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
through sharing of IFC's experience and knowledge of these
sectors worldwide... more>>
Grim forecast for climate talks
The Hindustan Times, 17 December 2009
As negotiations to save the planet from overheating dissolved
in intense bickering between the rich and poor, the European
Union made a last-gasp 100 billion euro payout to the poorest,
mainly African, nations. The announcement is unlikely to
please India and China, which earlier in the day led a protest
against a Danish move to leave the final text to be adopted
on December 18 to 103 heads of state...more>>
India and China are the most decisive factors -
Somayaji, Sakarama
The Financial Express; 16 December 2009
‘Climate change’ is the buzz word today. According
to reports of the International Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), there is enough scientific evidence to prove that
the matter is serious and needs immediate global action.
As the Copenhagen Conference has started, every international
leader is keen to be in the centre of the talks on climate
change. However, one thing remains unclear—who will
do what and by when, to save the planet from global warming...more>>
The Copenhagen conundrum- Srivastava, Leena
Financial Chronicle; 15 December 2009
The news media has been full of the controversies surrounding
the climate change summit at Copenhagen. Prime space and
time has been accorded to the stand-off between members
of India’s negotiating team as also to the stand-off
between the developing and the developed world; within the
developing world and within the developed world too! There
seems to be a complete breakdown in negotiations...more>>
Innovation centres to develop clean technologies:
India
The Financial Express, 14 December 2009
The approval of India's technology transfer proposal to
establish a global network of climate innovation centres
for developing and deploying clean technologies at the ongoing
climate change talks in Copenhagen should cheer businesses.
In its submission to the UNFCCC, India had suggested that
climate innovation centres be located in various parts of
the world for undertaking development and deployment of
clean technologies suited to their respective regions. The
centres would do so by forging private and public sector
partnerships...more>>
India gets pat on back for its green tech plan
The Times of India, 11 December 2009
India got all-round credit for suggesting a proposal and
forging a consensus on a deal to share new green technologies.
Even as talks on the issue of financing technologies and
other actions got stalled, the Indian delegation was able
to forge near complete consensus on the formation of Climate
Innovation Centres which would be akin to the CGIAR model
created during Green Revolution to develop and share crop
varieties. The innovation centres would be a collaborative
effort by all countries in terms of both funds and capacities
to create new green technologies. The rights over these
new technologies would be shared by all countries that contribute
to the work. The CGIAR model created during the food crisis
in the 1970s had led to large scale deployment of hybrid
and high productivity seeds across the poor world. Its authors
– primarily the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and the
power ministry - have pinned hopes on similar breakthrough
on the clean tech front through the innovation centres...more>>
Carbon credits offer us a Rs 280 billion opportunity
Business Standard, 11 December 2009
The Indian government has approved more than 1400 projects
as part of the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) that could
attract around $6 billion (Rs 280 billion) into the country
by 2012 through sale of CER (Certified Emission Reduction)
certificates, according to the Minster for Environment and
Forests Mr Jairam Ramesh. NCDMA (National CDM Authority)
in India has accorded Host Country Approval to 1455 projects.
These projects have seen an investment of more than $33.7
billion. If all these projects get registered at the CDM
executive board, it will earn developers over 600 million
CERs by 2012. At a conservative price of $10 per CER, the
figure works out to a little over $6 billion...more>>
Bangalore to have world class research institute
on climate change
The Hindu, 19 October 2009
India will demonstrate to the world that “we are serious
about climate change” through a set of new initiatives
— the first being the setting up of a world class
institute here to carry out research on climate, global
warming and its impact on the economy and environment...more>>
Climate mission gets PM panel's green signal
The Indian Express, 15 October 2009
In an effort to create India’s own knowledge base
and generate data and services related to climate change,
the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change, the
government’s top-most advisory body on climate change
gave in-principle approval to the National Mission on Strategic
Knowledge.
Bad news: glaciers in Jammu and Kashmir melting
faster than others
The Hindustan Times, 13 October 2009
Environment specialists have long warned that the Himalayan
glaciers, a source of water to rivers that flow across India;
China; Bangladesh; and Burma, are melting faster than the
glaciers in the rest of the world...more>>
EU for linking social disparity, climate change
with India FTA
Business Standard, 14 October 2009
With increasing pressure on the EU to stick to a rigid stand
on linking climate change and social disparity with trade,
the conclusion of talks on India-EU FTA is set to get delayed...more>>
Climate change hits poor in Africa, South Asia hardest:
World Bank
Deccan Herald, 5 October 2009
Climate change could depress the economic output of Africa
and South Asia by as much as five percent per year, the
World Bank has warned...more>>
India offers to discuss climate with US and Europe
The Hindustan Times, 4 October 2009
Environment and Forest minister Mr Jairam Ramesh has offered
talks with the US and Europe on India’s stand on a
Kyoto-type protocol for climate change agreement in Copenhegan...more>>
Climate change poses threat to wheat yield
The Financial Express, 3 October 2009
As climate change makes the tropical wheat environment less
favourable and challenges the sustainability of wheat yields,
global efforts are under way to develop new varieties of
wheat which can withstand excessive heat and continue to
retain their productivity levels...more>>
India to give annual climate report to UN
The Hindustan Times, 27 September 2009
In a major concession to rich countries before December’s
climate change negotiations in Copenhagen, environment and
forests minister Mr Jairam Ramesh has offered an annual
report to the Union Nations on India’s GHG (greenhouse
gas) inventory and measures to reduce it...more>>
Investors, business leaders lend support to climate
treaty
The Financial Express, 24 September 2009
While urging governments to take collective action to address
the challenge of climate change, global business leaders
and investors have extended their support for arriving at
a balanced and effective global agreement in Copenhagen
later this year...more>>
IDBI to promote green technology
The Asian Age, 28 August 2009
IDBI Bank signed a project agreement with the World Bank
for the implementation of CEEP in India.
Stand on climate change unchanged: Shyam Saran
The Hindu, 17 July 2009
Allaying fears that India had diluted its stand on the climate
change at the recently concluded G8 meeting in Rome by accepting
carbon emission caps, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy
on Climate Change Shyam Saran said that there was nothing
in the declaration to suggest this...more>>
Funds announced for climate change
The Tribune, 7 July 2009
The Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, in the Union
Budget speech, has announced the government’s decision
to fully exempt petro-diesel blended with biodiesel from
excise duty...more>>
India, Japan to work together on climate change
The Tribune, 4 July 2009
Cementing their strategic ties, India and Japan have agreed
to cooperate on pressing global issues of climate change,
disarmament, and non-proliferation while moving ahead in
negotiations to stitch a comprehensive economic partnership
pact...more>>
Improving environment education in schools
The Hindu, 29 June 2009
Global systems and services company Dell in partnership
with TERI announced the launch of “The Climate EduXchange
Initiative”, an IT-enabled initiative to improve environment
education in schools across India...more>>
Maharashtra to set up panel to tackle global warming
The Hindustan Times, 20 June 2009
The delayed monsoon and severe climatic changes has forced
the Maharashtra government to get environment conscious.
Emission trading rights and India
The Economic Times; 19 June 2009
Developing countries including India have been absolved
of any responsibility towards reducing emissions in the
first commitment period, 2008-2012, of the Kyoto Protocol...more>>
Asia set to become biggest climate change driver
The Times of India, 17 June 2009
Asia's share of global greenhouse gas emissions could rise
to more than 40% by 2030, making it the world's main driver
of climate change, experts have warned....more>>
TERI launches Specialized Library on Climate Change
Business Standard, 15 June 2009
In a first of its kind initiative in the country, TERI has
launched a Specialized
Library on Climate Change to spread awareness and information
on the issue....more>>
Economic recovery ups carbon credit demand
Business Standard, 3 June 2009
As the 2012 deadline for limiting carbon emissions under
the Kyoto Protocol draws near, and with the overall market
sentiment perking up, the demand for carbon emission reduction,
popularly called carbon credit and European allowances,
have seen a sudden spurt...more>>
Climate change: Poorest worst hit - Pachauri, R
K
Deccan Herald,2 June 2009
Even as we observe the World Environment Day on June 5,
Dr R K Pachauri reflects on climate change and points out
that while few doubt the science of climate change, its
impact on the world’s poor is largely ignored. Also,
he adds, it is time to break the silence...more>>
McKinsey endorses India's green stand
The Times of India; 22 May 2009
After the World Bank endorsed India's stand in international
climate negotiations, McKinsey and Company in its yet to
be released study has acclaimed that India is already on
way to becoming one of the least carbon intensive countries
in the world even as it continues to climb up at a healthy
7.5% economic growth rate.....more>>
US wants India's help on climate change issue
The Times of India, 22 May 2009
The Obama Administration is all set to embark on a dialogue
with India on addressing climate change and related issues,
similar to a mechanism it currently has with China, US Secretary
of State Hillary Clinton said.....more>>
World Bank support for India’s climate change
stance
Mint; 15 May 2009
a multilateral agency has endorsed India’s stance
on climate change: that it cannot undertake deep emission
cuts without sacrificing poverty alleviation plans and development
needs.....more>>
TERI to support glaciers research in the Himalayas
The Hindu, 8 April 2009
A memorandum has been signed by TERI and the Indian Mountaineering
Foundation (IMF) to provide logistic support to researchers
studying at the high-altitude glaciers in the Himalayas....more>>
Dr R K Pachauri to Lead New Climate and Energy Institute
at Yale University
Businesswire India; 10 March 2009
Dr R K Pachauri, Director General of The Energy and Resources
Institute (TERI), has accepted the additional responsibility
of leading the newly established Yale Climate and Energy
Institute (YCEI), Yale University...more>>
Metro earns UN acclaim
The Asian Age, 23 February 2009
Delhi Metro has become the first rail network in the world
to get a UN certificate for preventing over 90,000 tonnes
of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere,
doing its bit to fight against global
warming ...more>>
India awaits Obama’s stand on green energy
for carbon trading prospects
The Financial Express, 25 December 2008
India is now looking forward to US President-elect Mr Barak
Obama’s stand on climate change and green house gas
emission issues, much of which would determine the country’s
future in carbon trade...more>>
Population
Emerging population dynamics in India - Deshpande, S V
Deccan Herald; 12 March 2009
In the history of it’s population growth, India crossed
the one billion mark on May 11, 2000, standing next to China
in the world. And between 2000 and 2008, the population
boomed by another 16 crores...more>>
Trade
India, Pakistan to double trade to $6 billion
The Hindu, 29 September 2011
India and Pakistan agreed to jointly work towards doubling the bilateral trade to $6 billion annually from the current level of $2.7 billion by 2014...more>>
India, South Africa set $15-bn bilateral trade target by 2014
Business Standard, 30 August 2011
India and South Africa on Monday decided to increase two-way trade between both countries to $15 billion by 2014 from $10.64 billion while concluding the India-South Africa CEOs Forum...more>>
India not for IPR beyond domestic law in free trade pact with EU: PM
Business Standard, 1 May 2011
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed Indian negotiators not to take Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) obligation, particularly in pharmaceuticals, beyond domestic laws or as mandated in a World Trade Organisation pact, while entering into a Foreign Trade Agreement (FTA) with European Union (EU)...more>>
Trade policy to focus on Latin America, Africa
The Times of India, 25 April 2011
After Look East, India is now adding a 'Focus West' chapter to its trade policy...more>>
Indo-US trade up 29.6% at $48.75 billion
The Financial Express, 22 February 2011
The total two way trade between India and the US between January to December 2010 was over $48.75 billion...more>>
India , Japan sign landmark trade deal
The Times of India , 17 February 2011
India and Japan signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement which is expected to give greater market access to both countries...more>>
Talks in advanced stage for free trade pact with
EU: Ministry
The Hindu Business Line, 15 September 2010
The Government will be signing Free Trade Agreements (FTA)
with the European Union, Japan
and Malaysia in the next few months... more>>
Transport
NHAI plans swanky makeover of 10 highways across 11 states
The Economic Times, 27 September 2011
NHAI will develop 60 service plazas on major highway stretches, and set up complexes every 50-60 km along the roads...more>>
Electric vehicle market to touch five million units by 2020: study
Mint, 7 September 2011
Demand for electric and hybrid vehicles in India, the world’s second fastest growing automobile market, is estimated to increase 50-fold to 5 million units by 2020, according to two people involved in a study funded by the government...more>>
Fuel economy standards for cars get PMO green signal
The Times of India, 3 June 2009
The government has finally decided to implement auto fuel
economy standards...more>>
Corporate Social Responsibility
India's green IT, sustainability spend to reach $70 b by 2015
The Hindu, 20 September 2011
India's spending on green IT and sustainability initiatives will double from $35 billion in 2010 to $70 billion in 2015, according to Gartner, Inc., a leading IT research and advisory company...more>>
SME awards by TERI & HSBC
The Pioneer, 22 April 2010
TERI along with HSBC announced the HSBC Living Business
SME awards, recognizing the social commitment of SMEs. Marco
Food products bagged the first prize for building a school
for imparting free education to underprivileged children
of Ratnagiri district. Impetus Infotech (I) Pvt Ltd, figured
second in the fray for its community initiatives as English
speaking workshops, blood donation camps etc while Sports
Goods Foundation of India won a special prize for working
towards the prevention of child labour in the sporting goods
industry.
New Companies Bill stresses CSR
The Financial Express, 17 December 2009
The Companies Bill 2009 has proposed laying guidelines for
CSR (corporate social responsibility), although it does
not intend to infringe the voluntary aspect of CSR. Minister
of corporate affairs Mr Salman Khurseed has said the objective
of incorporating CSR in the Companies Bill is to guide India
Inc on the way of making money that helps inclusive growth...more>>
Sustainability meets sound business sense
The Economic Times, 25 August 2009
TERI is the winner of the Economic Times Award for Corporate
Excellence in the category, Corporate Citizen...more>>
Clinton to talk CSR with India Inc
The Financial Express; 17 July 2009
India Inc’s initiatives in corporate social responsibility
(CSR) will dominate the discussions between visiting US
secretary of state Ms Hillary Clinton and a 10-member team...more>>
Natural disasters
Bangalore to host World Water Summit in February
The Hindu, 8 September 2011
Leading water innovators, policy makers, academics, researchers, investors, thinkers, catalysts, technocrats and entrepreneurs from across the globe will congregate in Bangalore for three days in February to discuss the future of innovation in the water sector...more>>
Indian Ocean tsunami warning system tested by 18
countries
Mint, 15 October 2009
For the first time after the December 2004 tsunami, 18 countries
tested the effectiveness of the new Indian Ocean Tsunami
Warning Mitigation System...more>>
Waste Management
E-waste management project launched
The Hindu, 15 August 2010
The Mumbai-Pune corridor may be the hot spot for investors.
It is also the highest producer of India's electronic waste.
About one third of India’s electronic waste is generated
in this region...more>>
EU to help India draw up waste management policy
The Hindu Business Line, 2 July 2010
EU (European Union) is providing technical expertise to
the Government as it drafts a policy framework for waste
management, said Ms Daniele Smadja, Ambassador and Head
of the Delegation of the European Union in India, while
addressing a two day FICCI Environment Conclave 2010...more>>
UN recognition for traditional Koraput farming systems