Day: August 1, 2024

Issuance of green, social, sustainability, sustainability-linked, and transition bonds fell 19 per cent quarter-on-quarter after a spike in Q1 2024. According to Moody’s Investors Service, global sustainable bond issuance declined in the first half of 2024, with Q2 issuance down 20 per cent year-on-year to USD 238 billion. However, reaching USD 1 trillion in full-year issuance is still “within reach.” The recent quarter saw USD 146 billion in green bonds, USD 39 billion in social…

Global battery investments are set to decline for the first time since 2020, mainly due to reduced infrastructure investments in China. China, a leader in lithium-ion battery (LIB) development, is shifting focus to Europe and the United States (US), despite a slowdown in growth after achieving self-sufficiency. Europe faces reduced LIB investment due to falling electric vehicle (EV) market demand, while the US struggles with nascent industrial infrastructure despite rising lithium demand. China’s dominance in…

China’s State Grid has commenced construction on a 2,370 km ultra-high voltage transmission line, costing CNY 35.3 billion. This line will transport over 36 billion kWh annually from Gansu province to Zhejiang, passing through four other provinces. This amount represents about 0.4 per cent of China’s projected electricity demand of 9.82 trillion kWh for the year. The project is part of China’s strategy to transfer power from its renewable energy-rich western regions to the more…

China’s Politburo, the top decision-making body of the Communist Party, has endorsed a strategy to boost the economy by increasing consumer spending and eliminating inefficient companies. It warned of challenges ahead, possibly related to global uncertainties before the U.S. presidential election. Key measures include restoring financial market confidence and increasing government spending. The central bank has lowered interest rates, and the government has doubled subsidies for electric vehicles to drive growth and reduce reliance on…

Enel Green Power Australia, a joint venture of Enel Green Power and INPEX Renewable Energy Australia, has signed a long-term agreement with ElecSome to recycle solar photovoltaic (PV) modules across its Australian portfolio. ElecSome, based in Australia, will repurpose damaged and end-of-life solar modules to support the country’s decarbonisation efforts. With around 1.4 million solar PV modules expected to reach their end-of-life by 2025, solar module upcycling is becoming vital. By 2030, non-usable PV panels…

The Millennium Challenges Account Nepal Development Committee (MCA-Nepal) has awarded a USD 38.89 million contract to India’s Techno Electric and Engineering Limited for constructing a 400KV substation at Damauli, Tanahun.   The Damauli substation will facilitate electricity transmission from Ratmate, Lekhnath, and New Butwal, supported by the MCC-Nepal Compact to ensure power supply across a 314-km stretch from Kathmandu to Bardaghat Susta near the Indian border.