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India’s renewable energy goals may increase dependence on solar imports, GTRI warns

India’s target of installing 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 could drive its annual solar equipment import bill to USD 30 billion, according to a report by think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).  The report emphasizes that without significant investments in developing a self-reliant solar manufacturing industry, particularly in polysilicon and wafer production, India may struggle to meet its ambitious goals and reduce import costs. India installed 15 GW of solar capacity in…

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India seeks critical minerals agreement with the US to counter China

India and the US are working together to bolster their critical minerals supply chains, aiming to reduce dependency on China.  As part of this effort, the two countries plan to jointly explore third-country sources for securing critical minerals, with India seeking to transform the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) into a more comprehensive partnership agreement. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed hope that this move could pave the way for a future free trade…

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JSW JFE acquires thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel India

JSW JFE Electrical Steel Pvt Ltd has finalized the acquisition of thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel India Pvt Ltd (tkES India) for Rs 40.51 billion.  This move enables JSW-JFE to enter the grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) business, aligning with their plans to expand into this crucial sector. tkES India, based in Nashik, Maharashtra, is one of India’s pioneers in GOES manufacturing. The acquisition is being carried out through Jsquare Electrical Steel Nashik Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary…

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Fugro to site investigate Rhein-Main-Link offshore wind cable project

Fugro has been awarded a contract by the ARGE R-M-L consortium, comprising Arcadis and ILF Consulting Engineers, to conduct site investigations for the 600km Rhein-Main-Link underground cable project.  This project will connect offshore wind farms in the North Sea to the Rhein-Main area in Germany.  Fugro will provide consultancy services, including project management, route planning, environmental permitting, and geotechnical evaluation, ensuring optimal wire performance and minimal environmental impact. Fugro’s services will cover two of the…

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TOYO to build 2GW solar cell manufacturing facility in Ethiopia

Japanese firm TOYO has announced plans to build a 2GW solar cell manufacturing facility in Hawassa, Ethiopia, with an estimated investment of $60 million. The facility will be developed on a 31,500m² site, with construction set to begin in November 2024 and production expected by the end of Q1 2025. The project will create up to 880 jobs in manufacturing and engineering. Ethiopia’s favourable investment policies and tariff exemptions, along with its reliance on green…

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Floating Offshore Wind: Key to Achieving Global Renewable Energy Goals by 2030

The global push to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C includes decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. At COP 28, leaders pledged to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. Offshore wind, with its high efficiency and competitiveness, is key to these efforts. In 2022, offshore wind reached 63 GW of installed capacity, but to meet the 1.5°C target, this needs to grow to 494 GW by 2030 and 2,465 GW by 2050. Floating offshore wind, a promising subset, can…

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Global perspectives on rooftop solar energy: Leading economies and strategies

The global energy transition is gaining momentum, and rooftop solar (RTS) systems are playing a significant role in addressing the world’s growing energy demand. With projections suggesting a 75% increase in global electricity demand by 2050 (IEA 2022), geopolitical disruptions, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, have further underscored the need for a shift toward renewable energy (RE) sources. Solar photovoltaics (PV) in particular, including distributed solar technologies, are well-positioned to…

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Musashi and Log9 Materials form partnership for EV powertrain solutions

Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd., Japan, the parent company of Musashi India, has entered a strategic partnership with advanced battery technology company Log9 Materials. The collaboration aims to deliver an integrated powertrain solution for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers by combining Musashi’s high-performance e-Axle system with Log9’s cutting-edge battery technology. This partnership seeks to tackle key challenges in EV energy management and enhance scalability and service reliability, optimizing performance and durability. By integrating battery packs with…

Key Power Sector News Roundup for September 25, 2024

CEA releases report on Right-of-Way width for transmission lines The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released a report on Right-of-Way (RoW) width calculations for transmission lines using monopole towers and HTLS conductors. The report compares configurations and highlights challenges like higher costs and limited manufacturing for monopole structures. It supplements the July 2020 guidelines and was compiled by a 13-member committee. CTUIL approves Rs 4 billion transmission projects to boost infrastructure CTUIL has approved seven…

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ENEOS acquires 20% stake in Norway’s GoliatVind floating offshore wind farm

ENEOS Holdings’ renewable energy arm, Eneos Renewable Energy, has acquired a 20% interest in the GoliatVind floating offshore wind farm project in Norway. Located between the northern Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea, the 75 MW project will feature five 15 MW wind turbines mounted on semi-submersible steel foundations developed by Odfjell Oceanwind. The project aims for commercial operation by 2028. The other stakeholders include Galileo Norge, which holds the largest share at 40%, alongside…