Coronavirus could cost Chinese battery makers 26 GWh of output
WoodMac analysts say the amount of new battery manufacturing capacity added in the nation this year could fall by as much as 10% because of the outbreak. With Tesla’s Shanghai gigafactory affected by the extended new-year-holiday shutdown, the analyst warned of potential supply shortages for Australia and the U.S. and U.K.
Highly conducive tax, policy environment is solarizing India’s digital economy
India is fostering a digital future via Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Digital India’ initiative – a national blockchain strategy that includes quantum computing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, as digital technologies become the primary platform for economic activity and growth.
India’s future energy options all add up to coal, agree the experts
Panellists including a government representative and a member of the chief policy thinktank used by Narendra Modi agreed coal will continue as the staple source of Indian power into the mid century and technology should be employed to ‘clean’ it.
Energy density advances and faster charging would unlock EV revolution
With electric vehicles making up only 3% of the global car market last year, analyst WoodMac says battery packs need to be cheaper and lighter and range anxiety must be addressed to change the habits of drivers.
MNRE opens facilitation centre for renewable energy investors
The Centre will work as a fast-track mechanism in resolving the investors’ issues and taking the ease-of-doing business ranking to a notch higher.
Larsen & Toubro wins 20 MW floating solar project for NTPC
The grid-connected solar project shall come up at a reservoir of NTPC’s Auraiya Gas Power Plant in Uttar Pradesh. It is to be developed under Open category, allowing use of solar cells and modules of any origin.
Qatar Investment Authority buys 25.1% stake in Adani Electricity Mumbai
The total QIA investment in AEML is Rs 3220 crore (US$ 452 million), which includes equity consideration of Rs 1210 crore (US$ 170 million) and shareholder subordinated debt of Rs 2010 crore (US$ 282 million).
Gujarat tenders 685 MW grid-connected solar capacity
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd has invited global bids to set up 500 MW of grid-connected solar projects. It shall enter into a 25-year PPA with successful bidders. Tariff ceiling is set as Rs 2.65/unit. Another tender for 185 MW—floated by Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited—seeks to select EPC contractors for plants ranging from 20 MW to 40 MW, which shall come up at various substations of Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited.
India’s lithium-ion battery imports increase fourfold in two years
China, Hong Kong and Vietnam are the top three nations exporting batteries to India. Chinese imports were worth $773 million in the last fiscal year with Hong Kong shipping $267 million worth and Vietnam $114 million, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Clarify basic customs duty on solar modules as Change in Law, NSEFI writes to SECI
Solar cells and modules will continue to attract zero basic customs duty unless exemption notification 24/2005, dated March 1, 2005 is amended to reflect the 20% increase by Ministry of Finance, said the lobby group.
