A senior Mantralaya official stated, “The central govt has set a target to bring carbon emissions to zero by 2070. For this, the state govt has set targets to generate 50% energy through renewable energy sources by 2030 and 75% by 2047.”

A memorandum of understanding was already signed on June 14, 2023, between Mahagenco and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited to develop renewable energy generation projects. According to this agreement, the development of various renewable energy projects in the state, including pumped storage hydroelectric projects, green hydrogen with solar-wind hybrid, and floating solar projects, is included. All these projects have a total capacity of 5000 MW.

The official further stated, “The establishment of a joint venture company for this was approved by the state cabinet on Tuesday. Satluj Vidyut Nigam Limited will have 51% and Mahagenco will have 49% equity.”

Through this joint company, in the first phase, projects with a total capacity of 735 MW will be developed, including the Ghatghar Phase-2 pumped storage hydroelectric project (125 MW), Irai floating solar energy project (105 MW), and Nimnawardha floating solar energy project (505 MW).

Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-cabinet-approves-joint-venture-for-5000-mw-capacity-renewable-energy-project/articleshow/123925535.cms?utm_

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With solar and wind energy generation highly dependent on local weather conditions, the country is finding traditional broad-scale forecasts — such as state-wide or regional predictions — no longer sufficient.

“You need a very, very granular forecast,” Central Electricity Authority Chair Ghanshyam Prasad said at a BloombergNEF Summit on green energy, adding that the ability to track cloud movements at specific locations was now critical.

Currently, India’s forecast resolution – the precision of weather predictions over small time intervals or areas – does not match 15-minute operating cycles of the power grid, where weather conditions can shift rapidly, he said. The goal was to improve the resolution to minimum possible distances, he added.

Beyond short-term forecasting, the government is also focusing on building long-term predictive tools that can aid planners in projecting weather trends over multi-year horizons.

“Across the world, nobody has that kind of visibility to forecast weather for that kind of horizon,” Prasad said.

“But we are trying to build long-range forecasting tools which can give us at least some predictions.”

These developments are seen as critical for ensuring power sector stability as India scales up its reliance on renewable sources.

“Until we are able to do that, probably we will not be able to sustain the power sector as such,” Prasad said.

New Delhi has curbed its solar and coal power output during periods of low demand to keep its power grid stable and ease congestion in power lines as green supply rises, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) told Reuters earlier this week.

India added a record 22 GW of new solar and wind capacity in the first half of 2025 and is planning to increase non-fossil fuel power capacity to 500 GW by 2030.

As part of its reforms, the CEA is also shifting from a five-year energy planning cycle to an annual model.

“That’s a challenge that we have taken — if I do it every year, that means I will be able to capture the forecast better,” the official said.

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/india-moves-sharpen-weather-forecasting-amid-renewable-energy-push-2025-08-22/?utm_

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The Ministry of Power said it was dissolving the solar power central pool and the solar-wind hybrid central pool, set up in February 2024 to standardise tariffs for clean energy projects over a three-year period, the memo dated August 1 said.

The pools were part of a uniform renewable energy tariff (URET) mechanism aimed at protecting buyers from fluctuating prices.

However, developers and government renewable agencies raised concerns that the buyers were hesitant to sign contracts due to uncertainty over future tariffs for three years, the memo said.

India has a large pipeline of renewable energy projects waiting for power sale agreements and to avoid further delays, the ministry said it was withdrawing the order.

India’s stranded renewable power capacity – projects awarded but unable to come online – more than doubled over nine months, due to unfinished transmission lines, and legal and regulatory delays, Reuters reported last week.

While the pools will no longer exist, the government said bids already received and letters of award issued under the scheme will remain valid.

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/india-scraps-central-renewable-energy-pricing-pools-speed-up-power-deals-2025-08-05/?utm_

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Echoing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has united the global community on climate action and continues to lead efforts both domestically and internationally, the governor stressed the urgent need for coordinated action across key sectors.

Jishnu Dev Varma underscored the importance of involving all relevant departments, including energy, transport, buildings, rural and urban development, industry, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in advancing renewable energy and accelerating energy efficiency initiatives. “Energy efficiency alone can contribute over 40% in mitigating climate change impacts,” he noted.

As part of this climate roadmap, the governor proposed an ambitious afforestation drive by the forest and environment department, with a long-term goal of increasing Telangana’s green cover to 50% by 2047. He also called for mass awareness campaigns involving all stakeholders, both public and private, with a particular focus on women and students, to be conducted through schools, colleges, and universities.

He further emphasised the need for institutional initiatives to drive policy and grassroots implementation of energy-efficient technologies.

The governor also commended the concerted efforts of the ministry of power, particularly through the bureau of energy efficiency (BEE) and energy efficiency services (EESL), as well as the ministry of environment and climate change, for their ongoing support to state govts in deploying global best practices and clean technologies. He specifically praised Telangana’s initiatives to engage women in the adoption of solar energy.

As part of ongoing outreach efforts, A Chandra Sekhara Reddy, southern regional media adviser to the BEE, along with senior officers from EESL, briefed the governor on key developments in the field of energy efficiency.

The standards & labelling (S&L) programme, which accounts for 60% of India’s energy efficiency-related CO₂ reductions, is a vital component of India’s commitment to cut one billion tonnes of emissions by 2030.

Recognising the importance of institutional energy leadership, the governor recommended that EESL conduct a comprehensive energy audit at Raj Bhavan and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad, to assess the feasibility of transforming them into model energy-efficient campuses. He urged close coordination with the energy development agency for effective implementation.

Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-aims-for-50-green-cover-by-2047-in-guvs-climate-push/articleshow/123050945.cms?utm_

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Manufacturers must now buy components like blades, towers, generators, gearboxes, and special bearings from vendors approved under a new government list, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said in a notification late on Thursday.

A technical team constituted by MNRE will carry out inspections, and a separate standard operating procedure will be issued.

The approved list of models and manufacturers will be issued by the ministry separately, the notification said.

The directive also mandates that all wind turbine data be stored within India, prohibits real-time operational data transfers abroad, and requires operational control and research and development centres to be located in India within one year.

The move aims at promoting domestic wind turbine manufacturing industry in the country, which is now at 20 GW in annual manufacturing capacity, as per government data.

India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity – including hydro and nuclear – by 2030, nearly double the current 235.6 GW.

Exemptions apply to certain bid-out and near-term projects, while new models under exemption are capped at 800 MW over two years and must submit quarterly progress reports, the notification said.

The move is likely to benefit domestic wind equipment makers like Suzlon Energy (SUZL.NS), opens new tab, Inox Wind (INWN.NS), opens new tab and Adani Wind, and will likely be a setback for China’s Envision Group, which has gained a stronghold in the Indian market.

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/indias-new-wind-turbine-norms-mandate-local-sourcing-data-control-2025-08-01/?utm_

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Under the new DSPV system, citizens can install solar panels not just on the rooftop but also on the walls of buildings and any elevated structures on the ground, including carports and other structures in apartment communities and govt buildings.

The KERC’s latest order is viewed as a game changer for apartment communities, domestic consumers, govt buildings, and charitable institutions. The new DSPV method not only provides them with better revenue options for harnessing solar energy but also offers a lucrative tariff permitted through Virtual Net Metering (VNM) and Group Net Metering (GNM) models.

The new methods and tariff will be applicable to all solar projects commissioned after July 1, 2025, and will be valid for the next 25 years, according to the order.

The Karnataka Renewable Energy Association and Solar Manufacturers had requested KERC to allow setting up of solar panels on all elevated structures on the ground with a net-metering facility,besides permitting facade-integrated solar panels on the walls of buildings.

The KERC, considering the latest developments in solar technology, permitted it along with VNM and GNM.

Raghunandan A, president of Karnataka Renewable Energy Association, revealed VNM benefits multiple consumers within the same utility service area to share the benefits of a single solar power system, even if they do not have solar panels on their property.

“VNM is best suited for those who do not wish or cannot install solar on their own rooftops. But if they have invested in rooftop projects elsewhere in the same premises, they will receive credits on their electricity bills based on their share of the generated power,” he said.

Similarly, GNM is a method where a single consumer with multiple accounts can pool the solar energy generated from a single or multiple solar power plants and offset their electricity bills across all those accounts linked to the entity.

The VNM is seen as a shot in the arm for domestic consumers, group housing societies (apartments), institutions managed by charitable organisations, and govt buildings, including schools or those belonging to local bodies.”The minimum capacity of the solar plant under VNM would be 5kW, and the maximum size shall not exceed the combined sanctioned load of all participating consumers,” the KERC order said. Under VNM, consumers can sell their entire solar energy to the grid, but under GNM, the consumers must consume at least 20 per cent of the total energy generated by the solar plant in a month.

Better Tariff

To promote solar energy, KERC has offered the best tariff, according to stakeholders. “Consumers can avail Rs 3.86 per unit for up to 10kW, and Rs 3.8 per unit for power generated above 10 kW. Given the existing tariff structure for solar projects, this is a very decent tariff and will be a good revenue model for apartment communities as these earnings would balance their monthly maintenance expenditure,” explained a member of Karnataka Renewable Energy Association.

Cost per kW

1kW – 10 kW (Rs 40k/kW)
1 kW up to sanctioned load kW

(Rs 30k/kW)

Life of the Solar Plant
25 yrs
25 yrs

Debt equity Ratio & Debt
70:30 (Rs 28,000)
70:30 (Rs 21,000)

Debt repayment in years
13
13

Equity in rupees
Rs 12,000
Rs 9,000

O&M expenses (per kW)
Rs 791.31
Rs 791.31

Tariff per unit (without subsidy)
Rs 3.86
Rs 3.08

Tariff per unit (with subsidy)
Rs 2.30 (1 kW–2 kW)
Rs 2.48 (2 kW – 3 kW)
Rs 2.93 (3 kW & above)

Reference : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/now-karnataka-electricity-regulatory-commission-permits-citizens-to-install-solar-panels-on-walls-of-apartment-buildings/articleshow/123004203.cms?utm_

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Through one of the largest investments seen so far in the solar manufacturing space in India, the plant in Greater Noida will boost SAEL’s total module manufacturing capacity to 8.5 GW.

Construction is expected to begin this year.

The move aligns with India’s push to localise solar manufacturing. From June 2026, only domestically made solar cells from approved manufacturers will be allowed in government projects.

India currently has 80 GW of module manufacturing capacity but about 15 GW of cell capacity, with most modules relying on Chinese imports.

SAEL operates assets capable of generating more than 6.7 GW of solar power, including operational and constructional projects, and aims to drive that to 10 GW in three years. The company has already raised more than $2.4 billion in equity and debt, and has issued a $305-million green bond in 2024.

“By 2030, tentatively, we are looking at a power generation capacity of around 18 to 20GW as an independent power producer,” Laxit Awla, CEO of SAEL Industries said.

The company also plans to file for an initial public offering this year, Awla said, declining to share more details about the timing and size of the IPO.

SAEL’s revenue from its biomass and independent power production business nearly doubled to 6.87 billion rupees in fiscal 2025 from fiscal 2023. The company aims to grow its revenue from these businesses to 30.94 billion rupees by fiscal year 2027.

($1 = 85.9500 Indian rupees)

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/indian-clean-energy-firm-sael-invest-954-mln-solar-manufacturing-plant-2025-07-14/

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The boom in electric truck sales in China follows that of electric cars and the rise in recent years of LNG-powered heavy trucks. Those factors, combined with slowing economic growth, have stifled its oil consumption growth.

Sales in the world’s biggest market for new energy trucks are estimated to have risen 175% year-on-year to 76,100 in the first half of this year, or about a quarter of new truck sales, according to consulting firm Sublime China Information (SCI). Electric models, still mostly used for short-haul runs in ports, mines or steel mills, accounted for over 90% of that increase.

The rapid pace has surprised analysts who have revised down diesel demand forecasts as a result and brought forward their predictions for a peak in Chinese oil demand.

SCI’s analyst Xu Lei said he cut the firm’s China diesel demand expectations by 1%-2% given the boom in electric truck sales.

“The surge in electric heavy trucks was a surprise and has become a new factor accelerating China’s oil consumption to peak, most likely this year,” said Ye Lin, vice president at Rystad Energy, who had previously expected a 2026 peak.

The transport sector, which burns about two-thirds of all diesel in China, will use 40% less by 2030, cutting overall diesel consumption by about a quarter compared to 2024 levels, according to Rystad.

Diesel consumption this year is forecast to fall by 11.3 million tons, or 6.3%, on par with last year’s drop, according to SCI.

‘BEIJING TO YUNNAN’

After more than six years behind the wheel of a diesel truck, Li Shuai, who drives for a cement plant in Hebei province near Beijing, switched to an electric truck six months ago.

“Charging infrastructure has improved noticeably in the past half year, making things much more convenient,” Li, 38, said. “It is even possible to drive an empty truck more than 2,000 km from Beijing to Yunnan to pick up goods without worry.”

The rapid buildup of charging infrastructure, primarily through industrial corridors, is underpinning adoption, although charge times that can stretch to 90 minutes and limited charger availability in some areas remain issues.

Teld, an EV charging infrastructure provider that has built more than 2,400 truck charging stations across China, officially opened an 800 km corridor in March linking Shanxi and Shandong provinces, a key route through the country’s coal-producing region.

At a charging station next to the Hebei cement plant, car and truck chargers sit side by side in the dusty lot. Owner Yongji Liu had originally only planned to service EVs but said “the electric truck market is growing so fast that we also installed chargers for trucks”.

CHEAPER THAN ALTERNATIVES

The booming market for electric trucks is partly due to cheap electricity and government subsidies introduced last July of up to 95,000 yuan ($13,264) for new vehicles, analysts and truckmakers said.

While diesel trucks are cheaper upfront, higher fuel costs make them more expensive after a million kilometers of driving.

Once fuel is included, diesel trucks cost about 2.25 million yuan ($314,000) at the million-kilometer mark, roughly 10% more than LNG trucks and 15% more than electric trucks, according to GL Consulting.

Rising fuel costs have also eroded some of the price advantage enjoyed by LNG trucks, which along with limited refueling stations in some regions, have hindered their growth, said SCI analyst Wang Neng.

SCI forecasts LNG truck sales to hit around 92,000 units in the first half, down 15% from a year earlier, although the surge in electric adoption is more than offsetting the impact on diesel consumption.

China’s second-best-selling electric truck maker Sany (600031.SS), opens new tab says the growth potential for electric trucks is greater than for passenger EVs because lower operating costs bolster the profitability of corporate users.

“We expect electric heavy trucks to account for 70% to 80% of new sales within as little as two to three years, driven by lower operating costs and more comprehensive charging infrastructure,” said Zhaoting Yue, SANY’s vice president of international marketing.

($1 = 7.1625 Chinese yuan)

Reference : https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/soaring-electric-truck-sales-deal-new-blow-diesel-use-china-2025-07-11/

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