India is planning to replace retiring coal-fired power plants with renewable generating capacity in a bid to cut the nation's carbon footprint. India is the world's second largest coal consumer after China, and the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases. Coal-fired plants currently account for over half its nearly 373 gigawatt (GW) power generating capacity. Many of those plants are getting retired. Some plants are already retired, and about 29 more plants are going to retire, and all that space will be occupied by renewable energy.  

IESA, India’s leading alliance on energy storage & e-mobility welcomes the Union Cabinet’s approval to introduce the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Enhancing India’s Manufacturing Capabilities and Enhancing Exports – Atmanirbhar Bharat. A total financial outlay of INR 1,45,980 crore (€18 bn) over a period of five years, of which, Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery has been approved a financial outlay of INR 18,100 crores (€2.25 bn).

• Testing of all equipment, components, and parts imported for use in the power Supply System and Network in the country to check for any kind of embedded malware/trojans/cyber threat and for adherence to Indian Standards. Read more/Download>>
• All Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) to come under Energy Conservation (EC) Act, 2001. Read more/Download>>
• Amendments to the Guidelines for Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Process for Procurement of Round-The Clock Power from Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Projects, complemented with Power from Coal Based Thermal Power Projects. Read more/Download>>

• Concept Note on Plan for one Solar City in Each State/ UT. Read more
• Amendments to the Guidelines for Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Process for Procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV Power Projects. Read more/Download

Executive Director of International Energy Agency (IEA), Mr. Fatih Birol said that India has moved to the Centre stage of international Energy Affairs and is a role model for other major emerging economies. Speaking at a virtual launch of the Energy Technology Perspectives 2020, a new study of IEA which focusses on the technology needs and opportunities for reaching international climate and sustainable energy goals, Mr. Birol praised the Indian government for its efforts in providing clean energy to millions by way of schemes like Ujjawala and Ujala.

Should India achieve its 2030 electric vehicle ambition and targets, it would present a market opportunity worth nearly $206 billion in the course of this decade, says an independent study released by the CEEW Centre for Energy Finance (CEEW-CEF). The study also estimates a cumulative investment need of over $180 billion in vehicle production and charging infrastructure until 2030 to meet India’s EV ambition. While India is yet to officially spell out its electrification targets for 2030, the aspiration as stipulated by NITI Aayog-government’s primary think tank, states that 70% of all commercial cars, 30% of private cars, 40 % of buses, and 80% of two-wheeler (2W) and three-wheeler (3W) sales would be electric by the end of this new decade. 

NITI Aayog CEO said the government was pushing for electric mobility with FAME and FAME 2 schemes, bringing down the rate of taxes on electric vehicles at 5%, as compared to 28% for other vehicles and 43% for hybrid vehicles. Tax exemption, up to Rs 1 lakh, to people who are buying electric vehicles to increase focus on electrification will be huge. If India has to emerge as a leader in clean, connected and shared mobility, there are two important things to keep in mind — one is that India is a major user of two- and three-wheelers and 80% of people travel in these vehicles. Second, battery will be an important component. Battery manufacturing and storage will be a key component and storage will have to be linked to renewable energy integration with the grid.