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Billionaire <keyword id="19929098" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gautam-adani" source="keywords">Gautam Adani</keyword>'s group will supply <keyword id="19914923" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="clean-energy" source="keywords">clean energy</keyword> to power Google's cloud services and operations in India, the two firms said on Thursday. <keyword id="19955648" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Adani-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Adani Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Adani Group">Adani group</keyword> will supply 61.4 megawatt of electricity from a new <keyword id="21342349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-wind-hybrid-project" source="keywords">solar-wind hybrid project</keyword> located at its 30 gigawatt (GW) Khavda renewable energy park in Gujarat. <br /><br /> Google powers most of its cloud operations and services through electricity procured from the grid and is planning to run the entire operations on clean energy by 2030. <br /><br /> Adani is expected to start commercial operations in the third quarter of 2025. <br /><br /> At the '<keyword id="23413952" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-for-India" source="keywords">Google for India</keyword>' event, the search giant also announced a partnership with CleanMax for sourcing 125.4 MW of clean energy to power its offices and cloud regions in India. <br /><br /> Of the contracted volumes, 66 MW solar energy will come from Rajasthan and 59.4 MW wind energy from Karantaka. <br /><br /> "These projects are expected to start commercial operations in Q4 2025 and will deliver <keyword id="22243112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-free-energy" source="keywords">carbon-free energy</keyword> to the grid where Google operates offices and cloud regions in India," Google said. <br /><br /> While Google made the announcement at the 'Google for India' event here, the Adani Group gave details in a statement. <br /><br /> "Through this partnership Adani will supply clean energy from a new solar-wind hybrid project located in the world's largest renewable energy plant at Khavda, Gujarat. This new project is expected to start commercial operations in the third quarter of 2025," the Adani group statement said. <br /><br /> This innovative collaboration will help advance Google's 24/7 carbon-free energy goal by ensuring cloud services and operations in India are supported by clean energy and thereby contribute to the <keyword id="20289318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-growth" source="keywords">sustainable growth</keyword> of Google in India. <br /><br /> Adani had previously announced plans to set up data centres run on clean energy. It had in October 2022 leased 4.64 lakh square feet of space at its data centre in Noida to Raiden Infotech, an entity of Google.

Adani to supply clean energy for Google's cloud operations in India

<keyword id="20196387" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avaada-group" source="keywords">Avaada Group</keyword> on Monday said it has committed investments worth Rs 40,000 crore for development of 6,000 MW hybrid <keyword id="3418615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wind-solar" source="Orion">wind-solar</keyword> projects in <keyword id="19906863" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gujarat" source="keywords">Gujarat</keyword>. The agreement was signed in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 on January 10-12 at Gandhinagar, a company statement said. <br /><br /> According to the statement, <keyword id="20197400" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avaada" source="keywords">Avaada</keyword> Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the <keyword id="6370685" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gujarat-government" source="Orion">Gujarat government</keyword>. <br /><br /> This <keyword id="116175" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="strategic-alliance" source="Orion">strategic alliance</keyword> aims to set up hybrid wind-solar projects with an aggregate 6,000 MW (6 GW) capacity in the state with an investment of about Rs 40,000 crore. <br /><br /> The group's commitment to green initiatives in Gujarat is underscored by substantial investments in the development of a robust renewable energy ecosystem. <br /><br /> The <keyword id="6476394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hybrid-projects" source="Orion">hybrid projects</keyword>, located in various districts of Gujarat, predominantly in the underdeveloped wastelands of Kutch, will supply power to various utilities of India including GUVNL (Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd), and for captive use of Avaada's green hydrogen/ammonia projects. <br /><br /> These projects will substantially reduce the carbon emissions and dependability of conventional power sources. <br /><br /> With an estimated annual generation of 17.5 billion units of green electricity, this will lead to a reduction of approximately 16.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually, contributing significantly to India's green energy supply and powering nearly 12.6 million households. <br /><br /> Moreover, it will generate 1,200 direct and indirect jobs, thereby contributing to local and regional economic development. <br /><br /> "This strategic partnership signifies our unwavering commitment to foster a robust, clean energy ecosystem. Besides the signing of the new 6 GW capacity in the state, we already have projects of 2 GW capacity that are operational or at various stages of implementation in the state of Gujarat," Vineet Mittal, Chairperson of Avaada Group, said in the statement. <br /><br /> Avaada Group is into production of solar modules, renewable power generation, and the development of large-scale projects for green hydrogen, green methanol, green ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuel.

Avaada Group to invest Rs 40,000 cr to develop 6 GW hybrid renewable projects in Gujarat

<ul class="summary-list"><li>So far this year in the EU, wind and solar generated more electricity than fossil fuels.</li><li>Renewable energy met 50% of EU's power needs while fossil fuels met 27%, an Ember analysis found.</li></ul><p>For the first time, wind and solar generated more of the European Union's electricity than fossil fuels during the first half of the year.</p><p>Wind and solar accounted for an all-time high of 30% of the region's energy needs, <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=ZnrNxVqwnFMueGbLncJuAuDabJMBt5oFp&amp;_e=DrjEVSA8twutsmKnFEYiObpcG8HAd5Khu9DzJhWI1jKQrZSU47NpvAi3EelOn56l0d-kjcJpIhHOGRZfHYlnuDelFXOzvHbD_zs0a7QOFQ8z7u9_7cynOR91rLd0fR6Y48Hj_8n7WmcpbFqdJXG3cdqOMvGV98qe4zCtc_OkLyVivBKk-WB_hlpCePc2gXJwc8tvwdRSnmvjfU6QsausQh6c5BXfLawYk6X_MAayMO_aSOuosARFTvpz-LjzzdEUhVmHRUYX32p91pIMg115ZT_g76PjqtzD-9qwfj0fvBfCad9RI72mo2hKDjo3Ot7dUR0DLeAIESJtClKTQghWwNAGbRowO8BkJ6J60d0SaMh_NbXB3bhRu531nxT078inXDLLSXUEpXJyjzCiCHJW1A%3D%3D"><u>according to an analysis by the think tank Ember</u></a>. Oil, gas, and coal contributed a combined 27% of power — a 17% drop compared with the same period in 2023.</p><p>It's a remarkable milestone considering that two years ago, Europe was racing to import gas because Russia cut off supplies following its invasion of Ukraine. Gas prices spiked and demand dropped. Since then, demand has started to rebound, and it's being met with renewables. Hydropower made a comeback after drought eased in certain parts of the EU, meaning that when combined with wind and solar, renewables generated half the bloc's electricity in the first half of the year.</p><p>"Milestones like this point towards a very clear direction of travel," Chris Rosslowe, an analyst at Ember, told Business Insider. "The question is not if, but when, renewables will dominate the European power system."</p><p>The trend raises questions about the rapid build-out of gas-export terminals, known as LNG terminals, in the US and Canada to ship more fuel to Europe. Ember found that so far this year, gas generation in the EU dropped 14% compared with the same period in 2023, even as electricity demand ticked up. A mild winter helped, but the rise of renewables pushed out fossil fuels in countries like Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=ZnrNxVqwnFMueGbLncJuAuDabJMBt5oFp&amp;_e=DrjEVSA8twutsmKnFEYiObpcG8HAd5Khu9DzJhWI1jLkQpmfsgRzS5IVBo7tvu_7EcCA7zzwPX3K8ncAfQkkPqyCY76iHT8IQbIKGHCCQeeC7XgADeKZg0Xyn29dnhuE4vuWEYo5bKXJkbXS7iAX9l23nYkIHkLo23TdOrjzbT0jdPe6z5d3YurN21yr3NsB0kRj4D5cedKRMUqI_we8HR-dBpdMJW0r1L4u0b7GMuOjDI1nwRps5MmmhiQF1LmincNgpAlraRQaWTawJZN0gF5CEARDbZh8g9WtgTf4T-GOxX8em4736ohkB7Vf7KMJQtwd582MjhC9xFpPNEQ5T6_lpIvsgKi1R2mR3fqrCn_eBTjJ1Dcmd5LiEHfbZI8FlqlNB3bggVuS8_obXEVgnQ%3D%3D"><u>In a separate report</u></a>, Ember forecasted a global LNG supply glut by 2026 and a substantial drop in EU gas demand by 2030.</p><p>"There was an urgent, short-term need to diversify gas supply sources in Europe when Russia invaded Ukraine," Sarah Brown, Ember's Europe program director, said. But the rush to increase LNG exports from places like the US ignores the reality of rapidly declining gas demand in Europe, she added.</p><p>"It is now clear that the global supply of LNG that is online and under construction far outweighs projected demand," Brown said.</p><p>In 2023, the US became the largest LNG exporter in the world, surpassing Australia and Qatar, <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=ZnrNxVqwnFMueGbLncJuAuDabJMBt5oFp&amp;_e=DrjEVSA8twutsmKnFEYiOV6x2Rb4s-g1bOzk-dA1nG7aUge4A5I_qX_RO_bYgXHEkukR5LwS3YASqKytZ6JRhFowRXH1zAeFmrD3iklyjfbV3pauCkyR8m44FQw_oQgkKbZZ9vDEz0utOLATGDrl5mqcvFC_xfr_1cEudsYZFJNcQSbDasZGalBGuuqKqP5MccGz5D0YkOmiWs3Xg1JSWONk0AMUJfHJXRBxDyF2XU8bBV3E6qHH8a2yfQxjehdO1G-fFLuvEiBmRBevtNW9-RsurF2cHKegBOit7QvnADbWfmt-eqSUDkwQIusi1P2TOJu7OmFWgOGct_XbniglADNo3d7Hm9x6t0JxGZlvyCA%3D"><u>according to the US Energy Information Administration</u></a>. Europe is the main destination for those exports and demand is expected to rise through this year. Shipments to Asia are also growing. Five new LNG terminals are under construction in the US, and more than a dozen more could be on the way depending <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/a/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=ZnrNxVqwnFMueGbLncJuAuDabJMBt5oFp&amp;_e=DrjEVSA8twutsmKnFEYiObeUF_ZwpLGnhr0MUKMpsUyA96BruMRfPDrAZ0k9_7XgqLj_1TKZzT-pOrPIn2SECFhd6L0WgreMY3DNnHLgZnHWNRHbspKh2Y2ZdAA-EHB--kTGMeuvr8XPdZdkXRD-vpWGu1GfuYNYvBJtCdxBahYXMGtbY9byj8In6EYhDCQXuifp23eypwwkVIjMgyB10EGd4lQNwqNTsBGWlJdQRNVFywncpSehpNiWc_OoKt-AkAtzpVSUflsNCUX8OjNxDe8g5A_DRIpEqU8hOP3AIOD-l-o7j3OnBiRPO-4_2-JrLmr-v9lcXaZYsOr3FOAWtnPkuSKZbJVfLRGmupgijvEbPGhQe32FZTxU6hdVli7GLuSuZJI8jWqecv4wGE1KhnlZeNtjuLNvyAihi5VBS9c%3D"><u>on the outcome of a Biden administration review</u></a> of their climate impacts.</p><p>But the gas could eventually have trouble finding a home in European countries like Germany, which added the most wind and solar capacity of any EU member during the first half of the year. Germany also closed 15 coal power plants in April and imported more nuclear electricity from France.</p><p>Rosslowe said that Germany's transition away from fossil fuels reflects policy decisions made several years ago. In 2021, the government set more ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, including phasing out coal by 2030, and changed some permitting rules to speed up the construction of solar and wind projects.</p><p>Ember's report said that while it's unclear how swiftly fossil-fuel use will drop across Europe, a pipeline of solar and wind projects suggests this tipping point could be permanent.</p>

Russia's war pushed Europe to a tipping point on wind and solar

<keyword id="20357709" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Power-Renewable-Energy" source="keywords">Tata Power Renewable Energy</keyword> Ltd (TPREL) has joined hands with state-owned <keyword id="22457046" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NHPC-Renewable" source="keywords">NHPC Renewable</keyword> Energy Ltd (NHPC-REL) for installation of rooftop <keyword id="20297569" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-projects" source="keywords">solar projects</keyword> on government buildings of central ministries, states, and union territories. "This collaboration represents a major step forward in our shared vision of a sustainable and <keyword id="19895435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-energy" source="keywords">green energy</keyword> future. By leveraging our combined strengths, we are confident in achieving our goal of 100 per cent solarisation by 2025," Nanda said. <br /><br /> A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in this regard was signed on July 17, 2024 between Deepesh Nanda, CEO &amp; MD of TPREL, and S P Rathour, CEO of NHPC-REL, TPREL said in a statement. <br /><br /> "This initiative will not only help us meet our solarisation targets but also contribute significantly to reducing the carbon footprint of government buildings," NHPC CMD R P Goyal said. <br /><br /> An arm of Tata Power, TPREL is a developer of renewable energy projects including solar, wind, hybrid, round-the-clock (RTC), peak, floating solar, and storage systems including battery storage. It owns, operates, and maintains these projects.<br /><br /><b>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/samsung-galaxy-m35-5g-with-6000mah-battery-launched-in-india-starting-at-16999/slidelist/111806447.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/samsung-galaxy-m35-5g-with-6000mah-battery-launched-in-india-starting-at-16999/slidelist/111806447.cms" target="_blank">Samsung Galaxy M35 5G with 6,000mAh battery launched in India starting at ₹19,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/oneplus-nord-4-vs-realme-gt-6t-which-mid-range-phone-should-you-buy-under-35000/slidelist/111803604.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/oneplus-nord-4-vs-realme-gt-6t-which-mid-range-phone-should-you-buy-under-35000/slidelist/111803604.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus Nord 4 vs Realme GT 6T – which mid-range phone should you buy under ₹35,000?</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-added-3-45-million-subscribers-in-may-2024-while-vi-lost-nearly-a-million/articleshow/111800758.cms" target="_blank"></a></b><br /><br /> <b><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-added-3-45-million-subscribers-in-may-2024-while-vi-lost-nearly-a-million/articleshow/111800758.cms" target="_blank">Reliance Jio and Airtel added 3.45 million subscribers in May 2024, while Vi lost nearly a million</a></b>

Tata Power Renewable Energy, NHPC Renewable join hands for installation of rooftop solar projects

French energy giant <keyword id="11344358" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="totalenergies" source="Orion">TotalEnergies</keyword> has invested USD 300 million in a <keyword id="34553" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="Orion">renewable energy</keyword> <keyword id="6373972" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="joint-venture" source="Orion">joint venture</keyword> with <keyword id="4343578" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adani-green" source="Orion">Adani Green</keyword> Energy Ltd. In a statement, AGEL said it completed "1,050 MW joint venture (JV) with TotalEnergies. As part of the JV, TotalEnergies invested USD 300 million in AGEL subsidiary, for acquiring 50% stake in the projects." <br /><br /> This follows the binding agreement about the JV announced between AGEL and TotalEnergies in September 2023. <br /><br /> The JV houses the 1,050 MW portfolio comprising a mix of already operational (300 MW), under construction (500 MW) &amp; under development assets (250 MW) with a blend of both <keyword id="45681" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar" source="Orion">solar</keyword> and <keyword id="43948" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wind" source="Orion">wind</keyword> power projects in India. <br /><br /> "Wth this transaction, TotalEnergies has reinforced its strategic alliance with AGEL and support in enabling AGEL's target of 45 GW capacity by 2030." It added.

TotalEnergies invests USD 300 million in Adani Energy project

India will spend nearly Rs 143 lakh crore on infrastructure between fiscals 2024 and 2030, more than twice the Rs 67 lakh crore spent in the past seven financial years starting 2017, rating agency Crisil said on Tuesday.  Of the total, Rs 36.6 lakh crore will be green investments, marking a five times rise compared with the amount spent during fiscals 2017-2023, it added. <br /><br /> "India's infrastructure spending will double to Rs 143 lakh crore between fiscals 2024 and 2030, compared with 2017-2023," Crisil said in its Infrastructure Yearbook 2023. <br /><br /> Crisil Ltd managing director and CEO Amish Mehta said the agency expects India's gross domestic product to grow at an average 6.7% through fiscal 2031 to be the fastest-expanding large economy. <br /><br /> "Per capita income is seen rising from USD 2,500 now to USD 4,500 by fiscal 2031, creating a middle-income country," he said, adding that this growth will be underpinned by massive all-round infrastructure development, with sharp focus on integrating sustainability." <br /><br /> While releasing '<keyword id="19169539" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="crisil-infrastructure-yearbook-2023" source="Orion">CRISIL Infrastructure Yearbook 2023</keyword>', which includes a unique national index CRISIL InfraInvex, Mehta said policy interventions and a conducive investment climate have aided the uptrend in the CRISIL InfraInvex scores across sectors. <br /><br /> "Four of these -- roads and highways, power transmission, renewable energy and ports -- have an overall score of 7-plus (out of 10), which underscores the pace of reforms and developments of the past few years," he added. <br /><br /> The rating agency noted that the next phase of infrastructure development will be marked by growth in the average ticket size of projects and a significant number of mega-scale projects. <br /><br /> Appropriate and consistent policy and regulatory interventions and focus on timely execution build an attractive case for various stakeholders to accelerate investments across infrastructure sectors, Crisil said. <br /><br /><strong>The renewable push <br /></strong><br />The rating agency predicted that prominent sectors such as roads and power are expected to remain major contributors, while relatively nascent ones such as <keyword id="312660" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="EVs" source="Orion">EVs</keyword>, solar, wind, and hydrogen will pick up pace.<br /><br />"The share of EVs in India's overall automobile sales is likely to reach 30% by 2030.<br /><br />"Two-wheeler EV sales are expected to outpace other segments up to 2028, while demand for EV buses will be driven by state transport undertakings," it said.<br /><br /><br />According to Crisil, favourable total cost of ownership and total cost of acquisition, as well as model availability for two- and three-wheelers will support EV offtake in coming years. <br /><br /> It said the share of renewable energy in total capacity is estimated to grow 4x between fiscals 2023 and 2030. <br /><br /> While solar will account for half of the incremental non-fossil generation, Crisil said there is a growing need to leverage emerging technologies such as 'floatovoltaics' (floating solar), offshore wind technology and green hydrogen. <br /><br /> Noting that the hydrogen sector is poised to attract substantial investments, estimated at Rs 1.5 lakh crore between fiscals 2024 and 2030, the rating agency said mandates for green hydrogen use and incentive schemes will be important here considering the cost of production of green hydrogen is twice that of fossil-based hydrogen. <br /><br /> Crisil said India's first sovereign green bond issuance will pave the way for the development of the domestic bond market for green issuances. <br /><br /> Over the past few years, global experience has shown increasing appetite for green assets among investors, leading to Indian companies seeking funds in global markets, it added.

India's infra spending to ride EV, solar, wind and hydrogen push

As the global urgency to combat <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword> intensifies, all eyes are on India's <keyword id="19955368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-2024" source="keywords">Budget 2024</keyword>, as there’s no better way to walk the talk than allocating funds. Speculation is rife about the potential measures the government may introduce to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future — a move that is supremely necessary after the slew of deadly climate catastrophes that we saw last year.<br /><br />India’s Union Budget 2024 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a couple of days, and is expected to reflect the nation’s commitment to achieving <keyword id="21280854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="net-zero-carbon-emissions" source="keywords">net-zero carbon emissions</keyword> by 2070. Here are some of the key initiatives from the interim budget that was presented in February earlier this year, along with their anticipated impacts!<br /><h2>Rooftop Solarisation</h2>One of the most talked-about initiatives is the ambitious rooftop solar programme, which aims to provide free electricity up to 300 units per month to one crore households. If implemented, this move will help in not only cutting down energy bills — a godsend for the middle- and lower-income folks — but will also give households a chance to generate and even sell their surplus power.<br /><h2>Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem</h2>Charging up the electric vehicle movement, the interim budget included measures to expand EV manufacturing and infrastructure in the country. The move aimed to accelerate the adoption of <keyword id="19895203" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicles" source="keywords">electric vehicles</keyword>, reducing emissions from the transport sector and making your commute cleaner and greener. Additionally, the government seemed keen on encouraging the adoption of electric buses to make urban travel more eco-friendly.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111855546" title="Budget 2024: How will budget affect India’s position in the global space race?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2><keyword id="20495045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="offshore-wind-energy" source="keywords">Offshore Wind Energy</keyword></h2>Riding the winds of change, the interim budget introduced a viability gap funding for 1 GW of offshore wind energy. As per the Finance Ministry, this initiative aims to harness the power of India’s vast coastline, pushing the envelope on <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> and reducing our fossil fuel dependency.<br /><h2><keyword id="22499996" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-green-hydrogen" source="keywords">National Green Hydrogen</keyword> Mission</h2>The interim budget also supercharged the National Green Hydrogen Mission with a massive boost to Rs 600 crore from last year’s Rs 297 crore. The government has continually insisted that Green Hydrogen is set to become the fuel of the future, and this announcement supports its development and adoption, paving the way for cleaner industrial processes.<br /><h2>Coal Gasification and Liquefaction</h2>Switching up the coal game, the interim budget plans to set up coal gasification and liquefaction projects that will be able to process 100 metric tonnes by 2030. These projects aim to make the most out of coal in a cleaner way, especially by reducing our reliance on imported natural gas and slashing emissions.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111827903" title="Union Budget 2024 for Railways: Expectations focused on improving passenger safety, experience, infrastructure" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Bioenergy and Biomass Aggregation</h2>Turning waste into wealth, the interim budget has also promised additional financial assistance for biomass aggregation. This, they explain, will help in creating a sustainable model for managing agricultural waste, promoting bioenergy production and giving farmers a new revenue stream.<br /><h2>Research and Development (R&amp;D)</h2>In a nod to innovation, the interim budget allocated a whopping Rs 1 lakh crore for interest-free financing in “sunrise” R&amp;D for emerging <keyword id="19931192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-technologies" source="keywords">green technologies</keyword>. If the government follows through on this promise, the funding could catapult a wave of innovation, supporting the transition to a sustainable energy future.<br /><br />By focusing on renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and supporting green technologies, India’s initial budget allocations seem to be taking significant strides towards its net-zero goal. Whether this will ultimately pan out to become a greener and more resilient future for its citizens remains to be seen.<br />

Budget 2024: Key sustainability and energy initiatives that Indian government plans to implement this year

The Union Budget for 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, places significant emphasis on <keyword id="19941381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-security" source="keywords">energy security</keyword> and sustainability. As per the government, the current strategy will focus on ensuring that energy resources are readily available, making energy affordable for all citizens and keeping energy costs low to prevent economic strain on consumers.<br /><br />Here's a breakdown of the key initiatives announced:<br /><h2>PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana</h2>One of the standout initiatives is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This program aims to install <keyword id="20366573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rooftop-solar-plants" source="keywords">rooftop solar plants</keyword> across 1 crore households, providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month. As per the FM, the scheme has already seen significant interest, with over 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications.<br /><h2>Pumped Storage Policy</h2>To enhance electricity storage capabilities and integrate more <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> into the grid, the government will introduce a policy promoting pumped storage projects. These projects are crucial for balancing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111956035" title="Union Budget 2024: What FM Nirmala took from your pocket, what she gave you" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Development of <keyword id="20876045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nuclear-energy" source="keywords">Nuclear Energy</keyword></h2>Recognising the importance of nuclear energy in India's future energy mix, the government plans to invest in new nuclear technologies. The announcement also mentioned partnering with the private sector to develop and set up Bharat <keyword id="20260886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Small-Modular-Reactors" source="keywords">Small Modular Reactors</keyword>.<br /><br />Boasting up to a 300 MW capacity, Small Modular Reactors are mobile, flexible in design and require a smaller footprint. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that need to be built on-site, SMRs can be factory-built. These advantages can add up to significant savings in cost and construction time.<br /><h2>Advanced Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plants</h2>The Budget highlights the completion of indigenous technology development for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal power plants. These plants boast higher efficiency and will be established through a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. The initiative includes government support for fiscal needs and aims to boost local production of high-grade steel and advanced metallurgical materials.<br /><h2>Roadmap for Hard-to-Abate Industries</h2>A significant shift is planned for industries that are difficult to decarbonise. The government will move these industries from energy efficiency targets to emission reduction targets. This transition will be regulated through the Indian Carbon Market, replacing the current '<em>Perform, Achieve and Trade</em>' mode.<br /><h2>Support for Traditional Micro and Small Industries</h2>To promote cleaner energy usage and efficiency, the government will conduct energy audits in 60 clusters of traditional micro and small industries, including brass and ceramics. Financial support will be provided to help these industries switch to cleaner energy forms and implement energy efficiency measures. This initiative will be expanded to 100 more clusters in the next phase.<br /><br />As per Sameer Jain, Managing Director at Primus Partners, MSMEs consume approximately 50% of the nation's power needs while generating over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, additional support — such as climate financing — will be crucial to ensure that the MSME sector adapts well to the green revolution, especially with how the budget has committed support to MSMEs to grow and compete globally.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111953230" title="Union Budget 2024-25: Mobile Phones to get cheaper, as FM Nirmala Sitharaman reduces basic customs duty to 15%" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2><keyword id="22521154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-resilient-crops" source="keywords">Climate-Resilient Crops</keyword></h2>The government will release 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops for cultivation by farmers. With the provision of research funding, including for the private sector, this move is part of a broader strategy to enhance agricultural productivity while adapting to climate change.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111957080" title="What does Union Budget 2024-2025 have in store for farmers and the agricultural sector?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br /><h2>Minerals for Green Technologies</h2>To support the growing demand for minerals used in green technologies, such as cobalt and lithium, the budget proposes exemptions from custom duties for 25 critical minerals and reduction on basic customs duty for two other essential metals. This move aims to bolster the domestic manufacturing of batteries and other components crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.<br /><h2>Development of Climate Taxonomy</h2>A new climate taxonomy will be developed to guide the green transition, ensuring that investments and policies are aligned with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. <br /><br />All in all, the Union Budget 2024-25 sets a promising course for India's energy and sustainability sector. With substantial investments and new initiatives, it aims to accelerate the transition to a greener future, and hopefully take us a step further towards India's net-zero emissions target by 2070.<br />

Free solar electricity to mobile nuclear plants — major sustainability initiatives announced in Budget 2024!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Amazon wants to expand its use of nuclear power to meet rising AI energy needs.</li><li>The company's energy strategy team recently pitched CEO Andy Jassy on the benefits of nuclear power.</li></ul><p>In June, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-big-tech-cash-king-wall-street-wants-a-piece-2024-10">Amazon's</a> Global Energy Strategy team pitched CEO Andy Jassy the idea of doubling down on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-google-microsoft-openai-big-tech-investment-nuclear-ai-race-2024-10">nuclear power</a> to support its growing network of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-data-energy-centers-water-energy-land-2023-10">data centers</a>.</p><p>The group argued that nuclear can be more reliable and cost-efficient than other clean energy sources, such as wind and solar. Jassy agreed, according to an internal Amazon document from the third quarter that was obtained by Business Insider.</p><p>"We have strong conviction that nuclear power is the most economical and credible path to scale carbon free energy to meet the next decade's rapid capacity growth," the company's energy strategy team wrote. "We took this conviction to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-andy-jassy-wooed-wall-street-overhauled-bloated-tech-giant-2024-7">Andy Jassy</a> in June 2024, and received approval to execute against our proposed expansion to the carbon free energy strategy through new nuclear generation."</p><div type="image" title="Andy Jassy onstage at an event." height="1293" width="1940" msid="114563910" hostid="261" sizebytes="57026"></div><p>Fast forward a few months and Amazon's nuclear ambitions are becoming clearer. Last week, Amazon <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-invests-in-nuclear-for-aws-following-google-and-microsoft-2024-10">led</a> a $500 million investment in X-energy to develop small modular reactors, following <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-centers-amazon-ai-nuclear-power-grid-2024-5">an earlier deal</a> to buy power from a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania.</p><p><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/servicenow-ceo-bill-mcdermott-ai-software-2024-10">Generative AI</a> is the main reason for this sudden interest in nuclear energy. Running these new AI workloads in data centers requires <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-data-centers-energy-cloud-microsoft-chatpgt-amazon-google-2023-7">way more electricity</a> than traditional computing tasks. Burning <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-centers-energy-demand-utilities-green-renewable-2023-10">more coal</a> and other fossil fuels is bad for the environment, so nuclear is an attractive alternative, despite its checkered safety record.</p><p>Amazon sees nuclear as a key part of dealing with this AI-driven <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-data-centers-delays-costs-power-labor-shortages-aws-ai-2024-10">surge in energy demand</a>. The company considered tapping into at least four additional existing nuclear power plants and sought even more small modular reactor deals. It also looked at other energy sources, such as geothermal, to meet long-term renewable energy goals, according to the internal document.</p><p>"Machine Learning, GenAl and commercial capacity demand continues to significantly outpace available power capacity globally and requires new solutions that are reliable, cost-effective and carbon free," the document explained, while noting that success in this space would help Amazon Web Services meet customer needs for sustainable data center capacity.</p><h2 id="9f054fc5-4a26-481d-81e9-4ebeece00b52">Amazon considers all solutions</h2><p>An Amazon spokesperson said the final details of the company's plans could be "very different from the preliminary ideas," and cautioned against drawing conclusions from an "outdated" document.</p><p>The cloud giant supports more than 500 solar and wind projects, and has been the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy for four years in a row. It's also investing in emerging technologies through a Climate Pledge Fund, the spokesperson added.</p><p>"There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for transitioning to carbon-free energy and we believe all viable and scalable options should be considered, so we frequently consider a wide range of projects before deciding which ones we move forward with," the spokesperson wrote in a statement.</p><h2 id="e4e8b6a9-955c-4738-a29e-1533eb23b75f">Big Tech's embrace</h2><div type="image" title="three mile island" height="1343" width="2000" msid="114563911" hostid="261" sizebytes="136424"></div><p>Amazon isn't the only big tech company embracing nuclear to meet AI's insatiable hunger for power.</p><p>Google recently <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-nuclear-power-ai-data-centers-2024-10">unveiled</a> a partnership with Kairos Power to build small modular nuclear reactors. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman loves talking about nuclear and has backed projects. Microsoft <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/three-mile-island-nuclear-plant-reopens-power-microsoft-ai-push-2024-9">struck a deal</a> to get power from the Three Mile Island nuclear plant.</p><p>That last deal highlights the nuclear industry's troubled past. In 1979, Three Mile Island <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happened-three-mile-island-worst-us-nuclear-disaster-2019-8">experienced</a> a major disaster that stalled the US nuclear sector for decades. There have been even worse events in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/chernobyl">Chernobyl</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/haunting-photos-of-the-fukushima-disaster-zone-2017-3">Fukushima</a>.</p><h2 id="991ea7a5-102b-4e4a-bbbd-ca9c560c342b"><strong>"Piano Man"</strong></h2><p>Prior to the June meeting with Amazon's Global Energy Strategy team, Jassy approved another nuclear plan in December 2023, according to the internal document obtained by BI.</p><p>Under that plan, codenamed "Piano Man," Amazon targeted existing nuclear plants that had spare capacity. The company wanted to sign agreements that gave it access to "dedicated, reliable power"<strong> </strong>in the future. The first project within this strategy was announced in March, when Amazon <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-centers-amazon-ai-nuclear-power-grid-2024-5">agreed</a> to pay $650 million to purchase energy from a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, the internal document showed.</p><p>Amazon considered at least 4 other similar nuclear projects, the document stated. One was in Maryland for an option to use up to 0.88 gigawatt of energy. Another was in Texas for 1.2 gigawatts. There were two other arrangements in Pennsylvania for 0.96 gigawatt and 0.9 gigawatt of power each. In general, a one gigawatt plant is estimated to have enough capacity to power roughly 876,000 households for a year.</p><p>It is unclear whether Amazon is still looking into these types of "Piano Man" deals.</p><p>"There are limited pipeline opportunities after these projects, but we will continue to develop all feasible options," the document explained.</p><h2 id="8dc1cc69-aec8-4677-aef7-89452bc1e7b2"><strong>Learning curve</strong></h2><div type="image" title="The cooling towers of a nuclear power plant against a blue sky." height="1414" width="2121" msid="114563912" hostid="261" sizebytes="98642"></div><p>Amazon has also been "actively conducting due diligence" on more than a dozen opportunities in the small modular reactor space. As part of this, the company has developed relationships with utilities, nuclear construction companies, and the US Department of Energy, according to the document.</p><p>Nuclear power can be safer, more reliable, and more cost-efficient in the long term compared to other power sources, according to Jacopo Buongiorno, a nuclear engineering professor at MIT. However, he said some of the new advanced small modular reactors are still being tested and often use different designs and systems, making them a relatively riskier option.</p><p>"There will be a learning curve because some of these technologies are not mature yet," Buongiorno told BI.</p><h2 id="1b22c795-2c48-4282-8e9c-8728dc854c1e"><strong>Prioritize 'earlier access to power'</strong></h2><p>The internal Amazon document described the company's nuclear initiatives as part of a broader "non-standard" energy plan. The company also looked into power arrangements for natural gas plants and geothermal energy.</p><p>"As we drive development of first of a kind, non-standard energy sources within the industry, our scope is primarily medium to long term, supplying power in large amounts beyond 2030," the document stated.</p><p>In 2024, Amazon's goal is to deliver 8 gigawatts of incremental renewable energy, the document said. Amazon reached 4.1 gigawatts of renewable energy in 2023 and 10.2 gigawatts in 2022, it noted.</p><p>The internal document listed the main "tenets" that the Global Energy Strategy team follows. It emphasized delivering "highly reliable, cost-effective" power on time, and making bets on technologies that are "on the cusp of scaling and mass adoption."</p><p>It also stressed the need to find the earliest available power options.</p><p>"While we target obtaining large amounts of power over time, we will prioritize opportunities with the earlier access to power," it said.</p><p><strong><em>Do you work at Amazon? Got a tip?</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Contact the reporter, Eugene Kim, via the encrypted-messaging apps Signal or Telegram (</em></strong><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="c-link"><strong><em><u>+1-650-942-3061</u></em></strong></a><strong><em>) or email (</em></strong><a target="_blank" href="mailto:ekim@businessinsider.com"><strong><em><u>ekim@businessinsider.com</u></em></strong></a><strong><em>). Reach out using a nonwork device. Check out Business Insider's </em></strong><a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-guide-to-securely-sharing-whistleblower-information-about-powerful-institutions-2021-10"><strong><em><u>source guide</u></em></strong></a><strong><em> for other tips on sharing information securely.</em></strong></p>

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