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US Bureau of Land Management progresses 6.2 GW solar projects

Global, News

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is inviting public review and comments on the draft environmental impact statement and resource management plan amendment for the proposed Esmeralda 7 Solar Project in Esmeralda County. If approved, the seven adjacent solar photovoltaic projects would produce up to 6.2 GW of clean electricity, sufficient to power around 1.6 million homes, according to the EPA Calculator. The BLM evaluated the environmental effects of these projects collectively within a 118,000-acre…

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TotalEnergies to acquire 100 per cent stake in SN Power

Global, News

TotalEnergies is set to acquire SN Power from Scatec, gaining a 28.3 per cent stake in Uganda’s 250 MW Bujagali hydropower plant, which supplies over 25 per cent of Uganda’s peak electricity demand. The deal also includes stakes in hydropower projects in Rwanda (260 MW) and Malawi (360 MW). This acquisition, managed through a joint venture (JV) with Norfund and British International Investment, aligns with TotalEnergies’ strategy to support Africa’s energy transition. The company aims…

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Serentica Renewables’ plans for expansion and diversification

India, News

Serentica Renewables, a subsidiary of Vedanta Group, is planning to expand its capacity, aiming to add nearly 2 GW in FY25 with a capital expenditure target of Rs 150 billion. The company currently has 4 GW under construction and plans to sign power purchase agreements (PPAs) for an additional 4 GW within the next two quarters. Serentica is also seeking partnerships for an energy storage project and has intentions to enter the green hydrogen sector…

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CEA recommends addition of 80 GW of coal-based capacity by 2031-32

India, News

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recommended a coal and lignite-based installed capacity of 283 GW, up from the current 217.5 GW. Consequently, the Ministry of Power (MoP) is planning to establish an additional minimum of 80 GW of coal-based capacity by 2031-32. This expansion is expected to entail an expenditure of at least Rs. 6,672 billion by 2031-32. According to Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), the country is committed to achieving approximately 50 per…

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Steps taken to boost production capacity from 2014-15 to 2023-24

India, News

The Ministry of Power (MoP) detailed steps taken to increase the production capacity between 2014-15 to 2023-24 in a recent press release. Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, India increased its power production capacity significantly. The installed capacity rose from 248,554 MW in March 2014 to 446,190 MW in June 2024, with coal-based power growing from 139,663 MW to 210,969 MW, and renewable energy from 75,519 MW to 195,013 MW. The country added 195,181 ckm of transmission…

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NCT recommends major ISTS schemes worth over Rs 220 billion

India, News

In its latest meeting, the National Committee on Transmission (NCT) recommended interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes worth over Rs 220 billion to the Union power ministry for final clearance. A total of ten ISTS schemes, costing Rs 227.3 billion, were discussed. Of these, seven schemes (costing Rs 93.99 billion) will follow the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mode, while three schemes (costing INR 133.38 billion) will use the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM). TBCB Schemes Each of…

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Indo-German Power Sector Collaboration

Analysis, Features

Germany’s Climate Strategy in the Power Sector Germany has long sought to lead international climate policy, championing the Kyoto Protocol and setting 1990 emissions targets. Despite setbacks in the 1990s and 2000s, Germany supported the European Union’s (EU) emissions trading system (ETS) and, following the Paris Agreement, the EU Green Deal for climate neutrality by 2050. Under Germany’s 2020 EU presidency, the 2030 emissions reduction target was raised to at least 55% below 1990 levels….

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Strengthening Renewable Purchase Obligations

Analysis, Features

The Electricity Act of 2003 mandates State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to set minimum renewable energy (RE) shares for states, known as Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs), which apply to distribution companies (DISCOMs) and other obligated entities. It binds entities to purchase a certain percentage of their total electricity consumption from RE sources. Initially, RPOs were divided into solar and non-solar categories. In 2019, hydro power obligations (HPO) were introduced, and in 2022, RPOs were categorized…

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Lessons from the Indo-Pacific for Latin America’s Energy Transition and Global Governance

Analysis, Features

The Indo-Pacific region, spanning the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific, has become increasingly prominent due to shifting geopolitical dynamics, particularly in trade, investment, infrastructure, and security. The Indo-Pacific’s experience with high carbon emissions and advancements in renewable energy—such as India’s 35.8% and Indonesia’s 22% share of clean energy in 2020—provides useful insights for Latin America, which faces similar energy supply and development issues. Both regions are facing transitioning to renewable energy amid large…

Opinions and perspective

News Subsections Analysis Features Opinions and Perspective Data Insights Power 101 Deep Dive Power Bytes Why Electrification is More Efficient Than Hydrogen for Renewable Energy Emissions Reductions? September 16, 2024 . Comment (0) . Nuclear Energy and the Future: A Journey Through Material Innovation September 14, 2024 . Comment (0) . Why is integrating renewable energy into aging grids so challenging? September 14, 2024 . Comment (0) . How Himachal Pradesh reduced its electricity procurement…