Indian Oil to introduce Hythane in Delhi

A report in Economic Times suggests that Indian Oil is planning to introduce Hythane (hydrogen-mixed CNG) in Delhi during Commonwealth Games next year. The firm is currently in talks with the state government for setting up fuel-dispensing network for the zero-carbon blended fuel which is likely to cut emissions by 30%. It has already set up two pilot Hythane stations in the capital city with plans for the third dispensing station in progress.

BHEL expands PV module production capacity

Bharat Heavy Electricals has expanded its PV module manufacturing capacity from 3MW from 8MW per annum. The state-owned firm said that it will now be able to handle “larger and thinner” silicon wafers in its Bangalore factory. BHEL is also planning to set up a joint venture with Bharat Electronics for a 250MW integrated factory to produce silicon wafers, and solar cells and modules.

Tehri plans 30MW small hydro project in UP

Tehri Hydro Development Corporation is planning to set up a 30MW small hydro power project in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The USD 20.5m Dhukwan project is expected to be online within three years. THDCL has already signed a MOU with the UP government and intends to complete the detailed project report and hydrological studies by mid 2010.

Neyveli Lignite eyes 200MW of wind portfolio

Neyveli Lignite is planning to expand its earlier announced 50MW wind power project in Tamil Nadu to 200MW. NLC intends to set up the wind farm in the Tuticorin and Kanyakumari region and use the power generated for captive consumption. The firm is also exploring solar and hydro sectors.

Nakoda Textiles eyes wind power for tax savings

Nakoda Textile Industries is setting up a 6.75MW wind farm in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. The USD 8.4m project will use turbines procured from Global Wind Power, a company promoted by Reliance ADAG Group. Nakoda claims that the investment in the wind farm will result in significant tax savings and earn revenues from carbon credits.

Renewable Energy Chennai 2009 Conference

India currently has an installed capacity of nearly 15GW of renewable energy. However, this is a mere fraction of the total energy that can be harnessed from the country’s solar, wind, small hydro and other clean energy sources. Attend Renewable Energy Chennai 2009 Conference in Chennai to explore the revenue generating opportunities in the sector and interact with equipment manufacturers, project developers and other stakeholders. Mark the date: October 28, 2009

Solarcon India and Intersolar India 2009

Want to know more about the emerging solar market in India? Solarcon India and Intersolar India 2009, a three-day conference cum exhibition in Hyderabad, will provide you the platform to network with the key industry players and policy makers. Mark the dates - November 9-11, 2009.

Moser Baer to build 1MW thin film plant

Moser Baer has won an EPC contract from Indian utility Mahagenco to set up a 1MW project in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. The firm claims that this will be one of the world’s biggest solar projects using thin film technology. The project is expected to be commissioned on January 2010. The thin-film technology uses only a fraction of the pure silicon (compared to traditional PV projects) which cuts down the capital cost of solar projects.

Indian biodiesel firm flags off export order

Universal Biofuels, a subsidiary of US-based AE Biofuels, has completed its first European export sale. The USD 3m order was shipped to an undisclosed “large European customer”. Universal Biofuels has a 50m gallon per year biodiesel production unit in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The firm plans to double its nameplate biodiesel production capacity to 100m gallons per year by Q2 2010.

India’s RE industry annual turnover pegged at USD 550m

According to a UN report, India is the most developed renewable energy market in South Asia, with an annual turnover of USD 500m. The “World Economic and Social Survey 2009: Promoting Development, Saving the Planet” report claims that renewables still account for less than 1% of all electricity currently produced in India. The report suggests that the country must explore technologies other than wind as the production of wind power is hitting capacity constraints in some states.

BSNL to tap solar/wind hybrid systems

Telecom major BSNL is exploring the use of renewable energy in shared mobile infrastructure site. Indian telecom service providers have so far focussed on using solar/wind hybrid systems to power individual mobile sites. However BSNL intends to take this a set up further by testing renewable energy for larger power requirement of a shared mobile infrastructure site. The firm said that it plans to set up pilot projects in different states to determine the technical feasibility and financial viability of solar/wind systems in rugged rural conditions.

Gujarat – India’s solar manufacturing hub?

A report in Business Standard claims that Gujarat is in talks with seven firms for setting up solar modules manufacturing units in the state. The firms include Lanco Solar, Moser Baer, PLG Power, Solar Semiconductor, Sunkon Energy, Top Sun Energy and Waree Energies. It is reported that the manufacturing units will be set up in a "solar" special economic zone.

The Gujarat Energy Development Agency recently approved 716MW of solar projects. It seems the state is now eyeing investment from the manufacturing side of the solar industry.

Indian Energy raises funds for wind portfolio

Guernsey-based wind power producer Indian Energy has raised USD 16m from existing stakeholders and new investors. The firm has its presence in India via its subsidiary Belgaum Wind Farms that owns and operates a 24.8MW wind farm in Karnataka. Indian Energy plans to use the funds to acquire wind farms in India and have a portfolio of 300MW of wind power by FY13.

D1 Williamson Magor Bio Fuel to pump USD 10m in jatropha biz

In an interview to India Infoline, a company spokesperson of D1 Williamson Magor Bio Fuel said that the firm intends to invest nearly USD 10m in jatropha plantation over the next two years. He said that the firm has invested nearly USD 5.5m so far and completed 100,000 hectares of jatropha plantation through contract farming.

D1 Williamson Magor Bio Fuel is a joint venture between UK’s D1 Oils and India’s Williamson Magor.

Kiri Dyes to enter ethanol sector

Gujarat-based Kiri Dyes and Chemicals is planning to raise nearly USD 51m through securities sale to fund the firm’s expansion plans including ethanol. According to the company, the funds raised will be used to expand its existing dyes units, diversification project for ethanol and acquisition of one or more companies in India or abroad. Kiri has also secured board approval to hike the limit of FIIs from 24% to 49%.

KSK Energy to raise funds

KSK Energy has secured shareholder approval to raise up to USD 415m through sale of securities in the international market. The Hyderabad-based power producer, also into solar modules manufacturing and small hydro, intends to raise funds via Global Depository Receipts, American Depository Receipts and/or Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds.

Dollex to set up integrated sugar unit

Indian sugar firm Dollex Industries has signed an agreement with the state government of Madhya Pradesh to set up an integrated sugar factory including ethanol. The firm expects to make an investment of nearly USD 21.5m in the proposed project.

Dollex said that it is currently negotiating to acquire a sugar factory of 2500 TCD in which it intends to set up a distillery and power generation unit.
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