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<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s <keyword id="19900989" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="trade" source="keywords">trade</keyword> with <keyword id="20078631" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kuwait" source="keywords">Kuwait</keyword> has surged remarkably, with Indian <keyword id="19916774" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="exports" source="keywords">exports</keyword> to the <keyword id="20005175" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gulf-nation" source="keywords">Gulf nation</keyword> reaching an impressive USDS 2.10 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, as per the official data by Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The surge in trade marks a significant increase of 34.78 per cent in FY-2023-24 compared to the USD 1.56 billion reported in the previous fiscal year. This surge in exports also highlighted the robust trade relationship between the two countries, reflecting a substantial year-on-year <keyword id="19910261" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="growth" source="keywords">growth</keyword>. As per the data the key sectors driving this export growth include aircraft and spacecraft parts, cereals, and a diverse range of precious and semi-precious stones. Additionally, the export of imitation jewelry, coins, vehicles (excluding railway or tramway rolling stock), and pharmaceutical products have contributed to this impressive performance. Kuwait's economy, predominantly driven by its vast <keyword id="23075524" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="petroleum-resources" source="keywords">petroleum resources</keyword>, has maintained its position as a significant trading partner for India. The country boasts estimated <keyword id="19942492" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="crude-oil" source="keywords">crude oil</keyword> reserves of 101.5 billion barrels, accounting for approximately 6 per cent of the world's total reserves, and proven natural gas reserves of 1,784 billion cubic meters, or about 63 trillion cubic feet, according to the latest OPEC data. The country also stands as the fourth-largest economy among the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries, trailing only the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. This competitive and open market presents substantial opportunities for Indian exports, particularly in the consumer goods and project sectors. As per the official statement, historically, trade has been a cornerstone of India-Kuwait relations. India has consistently ranked among Kuwait's top trading partners. For the fiscal year 2023-24, the total bilateral trade between India and Kuwait reached USD 10.479 billion. Of this, Indian exports constituted USD 2.10 billion, reflecting a notable increase of 34.7 per cent year-over-year. Furthermore, Kuwait continues to play an important role in meeting India's <keyword id="21242736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-requirements" source="keywords">energy requirements</keyword>. During the fiscal year 2023-24, Kuwait was the sixth-largest crude oil supplier to India, fulfilling approximately 3 per cent of the country's total energy needs. (ANI)

India's exports to Kuwait surged by 34.78% Y-o-Y to USD 2.1 bn

<ul><li>Apollo Green Energy is expected to announce its initial public offering (IPO) in 2025.</li><li>The company, a part of the Apollo International Group aims to build a <keyword id="23806914" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="10000-crore-project-portfolio" source="keywords">₹10,000 crore project portfolio</keyword>.</li><li>The company currently has an order book of ₹3,500 crore.</li></ul>Apollo Green Energy Ltd (AGEL), part of Apollo International Group, on Tuesday said it is preparing for a public listing next year to support its expansion plans and secure new projects. Also, the company is set to build a ₹10,000-crore project portfolio by 2025. "With over 200 professionals and an order book of ₹3,500 crore, we are focused on delivering projects that meet the nation's energy needs and promote sustainability. Our upcoming IPO in 2025 will further strengthen our financial base, enabling us to scale our operations and invest in cutting-edge renewable technologies," said Sanjay Gupta, CEO, Apollo Green Energy. AGEL is a leading Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company specializing in renewable energy, providing a range of solutions that includes utility-scale solar, energy storage systems, green hydrogen initiatives, and hybrid power. Operating in eight states, the company manages a diverse portfolio of projects, including 400 MW of solar installations. The company has been involved in the execution of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) systems to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions, a major contributor to pollution, in power generation. This project, valued at approximately Rs 700 crore, is nearing completion. "Currently, we are executing a large utility-scale solar project which requires different technical expertise, like we are doing 40 MW solar fixed tilt in Odisha, 50 MW floating solar project (first of its kind)in Kerala and 200 MW solar with tracker technology in Gujarat. "We are also executing a 1,50,000 smart solar street lights project in Bihar. Going forward, AGEL will also expand its footprint in wind, hybrid, green Hydrogen and battery storage solutions." Gupta added. AGEL aims to play a crucial role in supporting India's clean energy goals. By focusing on solar, green hydrogen, and hydro energy projects, the company not only supports the nation's energy transition but also delivers long-term value for stakeholders, the company said. With revenue growth from Rs 324.83 crore in FY22 to Rs 1,174.77 crore in FY24, AGEL is poised to sustain this momentum through FY25, underscoring its commitment to operational efficiency. In addition, AGEL is also forming strategic partnerships with technology providers and exploring options to produce its own solar modules. These moves will help the company expand its capabilities in renewable energy and keep projects cost-effective, all while contributing to India's vision for a cleaner energy future. With inputs from PTI. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-gt-7-pro-with-snapdragon-8-elite-6500mah-battery-to-launch-in-india-on-november-26/articleshow/114945858.cms">Realme GT 7 Pro with Snapdragon 8 Elite, 6,500mAh battery to launch in India on November 26</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-ipo-indias-biggest-telco-to-go-public-in-2025-retail-ipo-further-away/articleshow/114944496.cms">Reliance Jio IPO – India’s biggest telco to go public in 2025, retail IPO further away</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/october-auto-sales-maruti-suzuki-and-tata-motors-report-a-decline-mahindra-continues-to-grow/articleshow/114931927.cms">October auto sales – Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors report a decline, Mahindra continues to grow</a>

Apollo Green Energy to go public next year – aims to build ₹10,000 crore project portfolio

Hours after listing on both the <keyword id="20004725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NSE" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NSE" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="NSE">NSE</keyword> and <keyword id="19895774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BSE" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BSE" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BSE">BSE</keyword> at a handsome premium of around 70%, stocks of <keyword id="20668069" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Waaree-Energies" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Waaree Energies" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Waaree Energies">Waaree Energies</keyword> tumbled by over 5%. As of 2:45 pm today, <keyword id="19895974" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="waaree" source="keywords">Waaree</keyword>'s stock was trading at Rs 2,356.20, down by 5.75% on NSE, while on BSE, the stock was trading at Rs 2,358.20, down by as much as 7.76%. Notably, the stock was listed at Rs 2,550 on the BSE today and Rs 2,500 on the NSE. After hitting an intra-day high of Rs 2,624 during the day, Waaree's stocks also slumped to a low of Rs 2,300 on the NSE, where its total <keyword id="19932516" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="market-cap" source="keywords">market cap</keyword> stood at Rs 68,660.68 crore. Waaree's offer worth Rs 4,321.44 crore saw a thumping reception from investors across all categories and, overall, was subscribed to around 79.44 times. Retail investors oversubscribed 11.27x times to the issue, bidding for 11,16,95,301 shares, as opposed to 99,11,869 shares reserved for them. The price band for the <keyword id="19898327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPO" source="keywords">IPO</keyword> was set between Rs 1,427 and Rs 1,503, with investors required to subscribe to a minimum of 9 shares. However, <keyword id="21713453" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="QIBs" source="keywords">QIBs</keyword> (qualified institutional buyers) were the most enthusiastic takers of this offer, oversubscribing 215.03x to the issue. As against 55,38,663 shares earmarked for them, QIBs bid for a staggering 1,21,79,37,402 shares. Data suggests that on BSE, as of 2:30 pm, about 70,893 shares of Waaree had been bought, while a massive 7,26,330 shares had been sold during the day. On NSE, a total of 6,84,826 shares had been bought by investors, while 15,42,515 shares had been sold. Clearly, the stock saw heavy profit booking today, with investors looking to make an exit with substantial listing gains. On the financial front, Waaree has also been posting steady numbers over the past few years. Its PAT (<keyword id="20298212" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="profit-after-tax" source="keywords">profit after tax</keyword>) jumped from Rs 79.65 crore in FY22 to Rs 500.28 crore in FY23 and Rs 1,274.38 crore in FY24. The company also boasts a healthy PAT margin of 11.47%. The company exports to almost 68 countries, and as of June 30, 2024, had a capacity of 12 GW for manufacturing solar PV modules. Notably, Waaree is India's largest producer of solar PV (photovoltaic) modules. Shivani Nyati, Head of Wealth, Swastika Investmart Ltd., notes that the company made a strong debut on the bourses, reflecting investor confidence in the company's growth potential and financial stability. "Investors may consider booking part profits here, and those who want to hold it for the long term may keep a stoploss of 2,000", she noted. In a media interaction today, Amit Paithankar, CEO of Waaree Energies, noted that currently, demand is extremely robust, with the policy framework helping the same. "We have been growing our margins, which now stand at 15%. Of course, in the next two years, we see them evolve at a higher level. All of that taken together, we are looking at robust margins going forward of about 200 basis points," he added.

Waaree's stock tumbles over 5%, hours after listing at a premium of 66.33% on the bourses

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aws">Amazon</a> is anchoring a $500 million financing round for X-energy to develop modular nuclear reactors.</li><li>The first sites in Washington and Virginia would provide carbon-free energy to meet growing demand.</li></ul>Big Tech continues to go nuclear as the artificial intelligence boom drives energy demand to new heights.Amazon announced on Wednesday that it is anchoring a $500 million investment for X-energy to develop small advanced modular nuclear reactors, which will provide carbon-free power for some of its data centers.Amazon's AWS, which provides cloud services to clients, including generative AI products, relies on large data centers that require huge amounts of energy to operate.Citadel founder and CEO Ken Griffin, as well as affiliates of Ares Management Corporation, NGP, and the University of Michigan, are among the investors in the Series C-1 financing round."We need smart solutions that can help us meet growing energy demands while also addressing climate change," Amazon's vice president of global data centers, Kevin Miller, said in a statement. "X-energy's technology will be integral in helping achieve this, and is an important step in Amazon's work to achieve our Climate Pledge commitment to be net-zero by 2040."The companies said their partnership aims to develop more than 5 gigawatts of new power projects across the US by 2039.The first sites in Washington and Virginia would provide carbon-free energy to meet growing demand through partnerships with Energy Northwest and Dominion Energy, respectively.Using clusters of 80-megawatt reactors, the first installation in Washington will begin with four units generating 320 megawatts of power, with the option to scale up to 12 units that deliver 960 megawatts. The highest carbon-emitting coal-powered plants generate roughly 2,000 to 4,000 megawatts, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.eenews.net/articles/the-top-10-emitting-power-plants-in-america/">according</a> to Politico's E&amp;E News.Amazon's investment follows similar interest in nuclear from Microsoft and Google as the tech giants seek out clean energy to fuel foundation AI development for large language models, which require massive amounts of energy.Microsoft last month helped advance a plan to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/three-mile-island-nuclear-plant-reopens-power-microsoft-ai-push-2024-9">reopen the Three Mile Island</a> plant, the site of one of the worst nuclear disasters in US history, and Google on Monday <a target="_blank" href="https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/google-kairos-power-nuclear-energy-agreement/">announced</a> a partnership in SMR tech with Kairos Power.<div type="image" title="three mile island" height="1328" width="2000" msid="114291452" hostid="261" sizebytes="147418"></div>Earlier this year, Amazon also <a target="_blank" href="https://ir.talenenergy.com/static-files/f02c44a9-d2dc-45c1-9331-eee1495f7d2d">bought</a> a $650 million data center in Pennsylvania that came with a direct line to the nearby nuclear-powered Susquehanna Steam Electric Station.Other proposals in New Jersey, Ohio, and Texas would build data centers adjacent to nuclear plants in order to bypass the power grid, IEEE Spectrum <a target="_blank" href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/amazon-data-center-nuclear-power">reported</a>.In contrast to a full-scale nulear facility, X-energy says its modular system is "road-shippable" and able to be installed where it is needed."Nuclear is an important source of clean and reliable power that our nation needs to meet the growing demand for energy," Ken Griffin said in a statement. "X-energy provides an impactful solution to a critical challenge – and the support Amazon, Dow, and other major corporations have provided underscores its potential and merit."

Amazon invests in nuclear energy, hot on the heels of Google and Microsoft

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tony Fadell said Apple's staggered rollout of its AI features is smart.</li><li>Apple Intelligence features became available Monday with iOS 18.1.</li></ul>While Apple's first AI features may not be as flashy as the futuristic demos shown off by OpenAI or Google, former Apple executive Tony Fadell thinks the slow-and-steady strategy was the right move.Fadell, the founder of Nest, who is also known as the "father of the iPod," defended Apple's staggered rollout strategy for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-intelligence-48-hours-trial-liked-these-ai-features-best-2024-10">Apple Intelligence</a> at the 2024 TechCrunch Disrupt conference.Apple's AI features launched on iPhones with the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-intelligence-finally-here-with-launch-of-ios-18-software-2024-10">release of iOS 18.1</a> on Monday. Those with an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16 can now access the first wave of AI features with the new software update."People were like, 'I downloaded it,' and they were like, 'Apple's AI is meh,'" Fadell said."But it works!" Fadell said. "And that's the thing you want — is you start building things that work, and you build on top of those and make better and better features."Apple arrived noticeably later in the AI race compared to other tech giants like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-ai-gemini-bard">Google</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-build-keynote-announcements-copilot-ai-bing-news-2024-5">Microsoft</a>, which had already launched generative AI products throughout the last year. Its long-anticipated Apple Intelligence reveal also featured a more restrained approach, with an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-intelligence-doesnt-use-personal-data-company-says-2024-6">emphasis on privacy</a> and practical integrations into various apps and notifications.Fadell, who worked at Apple from 2001 to 2010 and also worked on the iPhone, said that Apple's staggered system is preferable to a larger AI model that "does everything but does nothing well.""I know how these models are built," he said. "I know the algorithms behind them — they are not going to get there."Apple's new <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-intelligence-features-tested-on-iphone-16-pro-max-2024-10">AI updates</a> include writing tools, message summaries, and the beginnings of the revamped Siri, and Fadell said that the company's decision to implement a smaller model works."It's at the edge, and it doesn't require nuclear power," he said, referencing the growing investments into nuclear energy by some tech giants.Training, developing, and powering AI products requires enormous amounts of energy, leading some Big Tech companies to turn to nuclear power. Microsoft struck a deal with Constellation Energy that will see the Three Mile Island plant reopened by 2028 and provide the company with nuclear power. On October 14, Google <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-nuclear-power-ai-data-centers-2024-10">announced its partnership</a> with startup Kairos Powers to develop small modular reactors (SMRs), which are advanced nuclear reactors. Day later, Amazon <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-invests-in-nuclear-for-aws-following-google-and-microsoft-2024-10">announced</a> that its Amazon Web Services division would anchor a $500 million investment into SMRs to provide carbon-free power.Apple is betting that its AI features, which the company heavily marketed the iPhone 16 lineup on, will convince people to upgrade their devices. The company is expecting sales growth in the low to mid-single digits in the upcoming holiday quarter.During <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-stock-earnings-report-call-live-updates-2024-10#and-thats-wrap">Apple's earnings call</a> on Thursday, CEO Tim Cook talked more about Apple's AI strategy, which plans to release additional Apple Intelligence features in December. The new software will be available not only in US English but also in the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Cook also said that more languages will be added starting in April."And so, we're moving just as fast as possible while ensuring quality," he said. "That's what we're doing."

'Father of the iPod' says Apple's staggered AI rollout is smart — and 'doesn't require nuclear power'

Every time you have a discussion with <keyword id="15681942" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="chatgpt" source="Orion">ChatGPT</keyword> about why your tummy hurts or when the next season of your favourite show will arrive, the application guzzles down an entire half-litre bottle of freshwater. This helps the <keyword id="107950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="Orion">artificial intelligence</keyword> keep itself cool and composed while it answers your “hard-hitting” questions. Despite this scary bit of information being common knowledge for a while now, the <keyword id="19899640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="keywords">AI</keyword> boom has only gathered more *ahem* steam in recent years. As AI technology advances, the <keyword id="20028292" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-consumption" source="keywords">energy consumption</keyword> of the IT industry is also projected to spike significantly, potentially reaching 3.5% of global electricity by 2030. This is undoubtedly a lot of energy and a mountain of toxic carbon dioxide — levels of emissions we certainly cannot afford at the moment. However, our brains, despite still being far more complex and efficient than current computers, clearly don’t require nearly the same amount of energy to function. To emulate the supreme model organ, scientists have pulled a move straight out of science fiction: they grew brains of their own to hook up to a computer! In a massive development, a Swiss start-up named <keyword id="22019428" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FinalSpark" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="FinalSpark" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="FinalSpark">FinalSpark</keyword> has launched a '<keyword id="20353366" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="biocomputer" source="keywords">biocomputer</keyword>' that connects to living, pulsing brain cells. Their online platform “taps” into spherical clusters of lab-grown human brain cells about half a millimetre in diameter, which are kept alive via an electrode and a microfluidics system that supplies the necessary water and nutrients. And yes, this system consumes far less energy than traditional, bit-based computers. This innovative approach, referred to as <keyword id="22019427" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wetware-computing" source="keywords">wetware computing</keyword>, utilises researchers' ability to culture organoids in the lab. Organoids, essentially mini replicas of individual organs, have gained popularity as a research technique alongside the rise of energy-intensive artificial <keyword id="21395212" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="neural-networks" source="keywords">neural networks</keyword> such as ChatGPT. The electrodes can supply electric pulses to the brain organoids and measure how the cells respond. These organoids are exceptional at determining patterns, which is the kind of processing very helpful for computer engineers trying to solve their many problems. During the training process, the <keyword id="22019430" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mini-brains" source="keywords">mini-brains</keyword> can also be “rewarded” with dopamine rushes and “punished” using electrical stimulation. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Far less energy than traditional digital processors" comment="subhead" text="Far less energy than traditional digital processors">Far less energy than traditional digital processors</cmsannotation> FinalSpark claims that their bioprocessors "consume a million times less power than traditional digital processors." To put this into perspective, training a single large language model like GPT-3, a precursor to the latest GPT-4, required 10 gigawatt hours of energy — roughly 10,000 times the per capita energy consumption of an average Indian citizen in 2023. In contrast, the human brain operates its 86 billion neurons with just 0.3 kilowatt hours per day, less than 30 times as much energy as a light bulb! Currently, FinalSpark's system is being used to run lengthy experiments on brain organoids. Researchers can connect to this system remotely, and the mini-brains can be sustained for up to 100 days with their electrical activity continuously monitored. The system is freely available for research purposes, and numerous research groups have already begun using it. However, it may be noteworthy that FinalSpark is not the first to attempt connecting probes to biological systems or programming neural networks to perform specific tasks. In 2023, US researchers built a bioprocessor that connected computer hardware to brain organoids, enabling the system to learn to recognize speech patterns. Another Australian organisation created the DishBrain device that learned to play Pong within five minutes. Looking ahead, FinalSpark plans to expand the capabilities of their platform to manage a broader range of experimental protocols relevant to wetware computing. This includes injecting molecules and drugs into organoids for testing. Whether aiding computing or organoid research, the potential achievements in this field are vast and exciting. The findings of this study have been published in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and can be accessed <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2024.1376042">here</a>.

A living computer? This AI made from interconnected "mini-brains" requires a million times less power than ChatGPT!

State-owned <keyword id="20039950" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Petroleum-Corporation" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Bharat Petroleum Corporation" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Bharat Petroleum Corporation">Bharat Petroleum Corporation</keyword> plans to invest Rs 1.7 lakh crore over the next five years to grow its core oil refining and fuel marketing business as well as in 'future big bets' of <keyword id="20115883" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="petrochemicals" source="keywords">petrochemicals</keyword> and <keyword id="19895435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-energy" source="keywords">green energy</keyword>, its chairman G Krishnakumar has said. At present, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (<keyword id="19908646" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="BPCL" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BPCL" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="BPCL">BPCL</keyword>) owns about 14 per cent of India's oil <keyword id="20064251" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="refining-capacity" source="keywords">refining capacity</keyword> and about a quarter of the fuel retailing network. It plans to grow these businesses while foraying into newer areas. The firm is now implementing the first phase of a multi-decade aspirational journey in the form of '<keyword id="22826627" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="project-Aspire" source="keywords">Project Aspire</keyword>' - its five-year strategic framework that is based on two fundamental pillars - 'Nurturing the Core' and 'Investing in Future Big Bets', he said in the company's latest annual report. "Our mid-term strategy is on a continuum. While we remain committed to growing our core businesses, which include refining and marketing <keyword id="20037698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="petroleum-products" source="keywords">petroleum products</keyword> and upstream, we are equally focused on our big bets comprising petrochemicals, gas, green energy, non-fuel retail, and digital. "Project Aspire, with a planned capex outlay of around Rs 1.70 lakh crore over five years, will enable us to create long-term value for our stakeholders while preserving our planet for future generations," he said. "A cornerstone of our long-term strategy, Project Aspire, with a Rs 1.70 trillion investment, marks the initial phase of our multi-decade odyssey to shape the energy of tomorrow. This, coupled with our robust balance sheet, fuels our ambition to lead the <keyword id="19951336" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-transition" source="keywords">energy transition</keyword>." The company is targeting net zero carbon emissions from its operations by 2040. "BPCL has drawn a net-zero roadmap, which encompasses renewable power, green hydrogen, compressed biogas, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), efficiency improvement and the offsets procurements. This would require a phased capital outlay of approximately Rs 1 lakh crore till 2040, and the company is geared for the same," he said. The firm's bet on continuing investing in core businesses is based on the premise that India's booming economy will drive a 4-5 per cent annual increase in energy demand and petroleum product consumption. Also, the demand for major petrochemical products is expected to rise by 7-8 per cent annually. "This presents a strategic opportunity to expand refining capacity alongside the development of integrated petrochemical complexes," he said. BPCL is implementing new petrochemical projects at two of its three oil refineries. A Rs 49,000 crore ethylene cracker project is being implemented at the Bina refinery in Madhya Pradesh, alongside raising oil refining capacity from the current 7.8 million tonnes to 11 million tonnes annually by 2029. A polypropylene project is being set up at Kochi refinery in Kerala by 2027. "To meet the anticipated demand beyond our planned expansions in Bina and Kochi, we are actively evaluating options for setting up additional integrated refining and petrochemical capacities within the next 5-7 years," Krishnakumar said without disclosing either the investments or the location of such a project. Andhra Pradesh is being speculated as the likely site after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP and regional party TDP stormed to power in the state in recently concluded assembly elections. TDP has been demanding the implementation of a refinery-cum-petrochemical complex that was promised as part of the package when the state was split more than a decade back. "Our investment in the petrochemical project is consistent with our aspiration of becoming a dominant player in India's petrochemical growth story," Krishnakumar said. On energy transition, he said BPCL is targeting to build 2 gigawatts (GW) of <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> capacity by 2025 and 10 GW by 2035. "We are investing nearly Rs 1,000 crore to establish two 50 MW captive wind power plants in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, which will support our refineries in Mumbai and Bina." The firm is also investing around Rs 300 crore in 72 MWp of solar project in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. "Concomitantly, we are executing green hydrogen projects aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission. These projects include a 5 MW electrolyser plant at Bina refinery and a green hydrogen refuelling station with an indigenously developed electrolyser at Kochi," he noted. BPCL, he said, is committed to supporting the transition to electric mobility through a robust and accessible charging infrastructure. The company has installed over 3,000 charging stations, including fast chargers for cars and two-wheelers. 900 fast chargers are installed across 120 highway corridors, which helps address the range, discovery and time anxiety of electric vehicle (EV) owners. "Over the next five years, we aim to install 4-wheeler fast chargers at approximately 6,000 retail outlets across 400 highway corridors, prioritising high-traffic corridors like the Golden Quadrilateral and N-S/E-W highways," he said. On biofuels, he said BPCL sells petrol with 20 per cent ethanol blend at 4,279 out of its over 22,000 petrol pumps. It is also building compressed biogas plants using municipal solid waste to make gas that can be used as CNG in automobiles. The firm is also exploring partnerships in the arena. "These combined efforts, along with the upcoming commissioning of a bio-ethanol refinery, positions BPCL as a key player in India's transition to a greener fuel mix, creating a robust ecosystem for the adoption of cleaner fuels across the country," he added. BPCL is establishing a corporate venture capital fund to invest directly in promising startups. "In order to thrive in this complex and challenging business landscape, we will leverage our agility and focus on operational excellence to ensure continued success. Safety and reliability will remain our top priorities, guiding all our actions. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance," he added. He said the energy sector of India stands at an inflection point. "The nation has an ambitious vision of becoming a USD 30 trillion developed economy by 2047. 'Viksit Bharat @2047' will necessitate an almost fourfold increase in primary energy demand." India's exponential growth trajectory will propel it to a pivotal role in the global energy market, accounting for roughly 12 per cent of world energy consumption by 2047. "The key strategic objectives for India in the energy sector will entail significant expansion in refining capacities, raising the share of gas in the energy basket from about 6 per cent to 15 per cent, establishing leadership in petrochemical exports, and sharply reducing energy imports from current levels of 47 per cent to below 25 per cent by 2030 and to zero by 2047," he said. India is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity, sourcing half of its energy needs from renewables, reducing carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes and lowering carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030 with the ultimate goal of net-zero emissions by 2070. "Building on its strong Indian energy presence, BPCL aspires to meet 7-10 per cent of the nation's primary energy demand by 2047," he said.

BPCL planning Rs 1.7 lakh crore spend to expand core business, new energy foray over next five years

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US electric demand is rising, fueled by everything from data centers to electrified transportation, says BofA.</li><li>By 2035, as much as 300 gigawatts of effective capacity could be required to power the nation.</li></ul>With resources flooding into infrastructure and tech, US electric demand is charging up. As the economy becomes more power-hungry, Bank of America considers momentum energized for five key utility stocks."There is now evidence that demand growth has returned, driven by the re-shoring of industry, the development of data and crypto mining centers and the electrification of buildings, transportation, and infrastructure," analysts wrote on Monday.Though power consumption has ebbed over the past two decades, the bank anticipates that the US will require 100 gigawatts of effective capacity by 2035. That indicates a 1.5% nationwide annual growth rate, compared to 0.5% between 2015 and 2024.Under BofA's high-case scenario, however, power demand could require as much as 300 gigawatts instead.Among factors driving this trend is artificial intelligence. The bank previously cited that this alone could require as much as 28 gigawatts of effective capacity by 2026.While this will vary dramatically per region, analysts listed five utility firms that stand to benefit from the acceleration: <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/sre-stock">Sempra</a>, Northwestern Energy, <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/pnw-stock">Pinnacle West</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/etr-stock">Entergy</a>, and <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/txnm-stock">TXNM</a>.1. Entergy stands to gain 3.6% from current levels, based on BofA's price objective of $138 per share. That's based on a 2026 sum-of-the-parts analysis and expectations that the utility firm's 15.4-times price-to-earnings ratio will rise over 5%.In 2024, the electric distributor has soared over 30% year-to-date. It has already <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-centers-electricity-consumers-discounts-utilities-2024-4">played a role</a> in the emerging buildout of AI data centers and has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/companies-expand-access-ev-charging-rural-america-2022-3">helped expand</a> the power-charging grid for electric vehicles.2. Sempra will rise 13% based on the bank's $94 share target. Goldman Sachs has similarly touted this infrastructure firm, noting the company's significant spending to <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/ai-stocks-to-buy-electricity-demand-benefit-utilities-data-centers-2024-5?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">support data center growth in Texas.</a>3. Northwestern Energy could similarly jump over 13% to reach a $65 price target, Bofa says."We value NWE at an in-line multiple given improving regulatory treatment in Montana and sector-average EPS growth with no equity dilution, with upside likely occurring in 2026 onwards," analysts wrote. "Between a more constructive regulatory construct and a strong balance sheet, we see NWE as differentiated relative to other small cap utilities."4. Pinnacle West will climb 4.6% under BofA's price objective of $93 per share. The bank has previously touted PNW among high-quality, value stocks <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/stocks-to-buy-market-outlook-investing-strategy-volatility-vix-bofa-2024-8#25-lockheed-martin-25">worth owning to hedge against volatility</a>.5. TXNM Energy is set to increase 10% from current levels, reaching a price target of $48 per share.

5 energy stocks that will get a boost from ballooning electric demand

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Happy Friday! Looking for a new way to jumpstart your mornings? (Besides reading this newsletter, of course.) Retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/former-navy-seal-military-morning-routine-helps-him-in-business-2024-10">shared his daily routine</a> that keeps the now-business owner focused.Speaking of new, we've got a cool tool for you to play around with: AI-powered search. We're using generative AI to help easily find all of our great stories. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/">Check it out on our homepage</a>.In today's big story, inside Amazon's internal pitch for turning to nuclear power <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-nuclear-power-strategy-ai-2024-10">to meet its growing energy needs</a>.What's on deck:<ul><li>Markets: <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/tesla-stock-price-q3-earnings-elon-musk-profit-margins-guidance-2024-10">Tesla's stock had a monster day</a> following its stellar earnings report.</li><li>Tech: In an exclusive interview, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-benioff-salesforce-ceo-interview-microsoft-ai-threatens-crm-lead-2024-10">Marc Benioff bashes Microsoft's Copilot</a>.</li><li>Business: The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-going-on-with-economy-jobs-inflation-election-voting-2024-10">good and bad about the economy</a> less than two weeks from the election.</li></ul>But first, let's power up.If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today">sign up here.</a><h3 id="7fa5f018-5b05-4a37-a8dc-d3f89138bcb3">The big story</h3><h2 id="5fd547b9-ec52-41fc-8e08-4f4b27dd8097">Nuclear needs</h2><div type="image" title="Amazon logo with smoke coming out." height="1250" width="2500" msid="114590276" hostid="261" sizebytes="87984"></div>What's bigger than tech's ambitious plans for generative AI? The amount of energy needed to power it.That's led Big Tech to consider nuclear power to address its skyrocketing energy requirements.Business Insider's Eugene Kim has a report on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-nuclear-power-strategy-ai-2024-10">how Amazon navigates its nuclear ambitions</a>. In a signal of how serious Amazon is about going nuclear, the company pitched the energy source to CEO Andy Jassy this June, according to a company document he obtained.Since then, Amazon has led a $500 million financing round for a company developing modular nuclear reactors. It also agreed to purchase power from Talen Energy's nuclear-powered data center in March.And it's not alone.Microsoft and Google have invested in the sector, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman backed a nuclear reactor startup.The stakes are high for tech players to get energy. Eugene previously reported on how Amazon's dreams of building a data center empire <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-data-centers-delays-costs-power-labor-shortages-aws-ai-2024-10">face the realities of electricity, water, and labor constraints</a>.Should those data center efforts continue to struggle, companies' big bets on generative AI could also falter.<div type="image" title="Protesters at Three Mile Island." height="470" width="700" msid="114590280" hostid="261" sizebytes="35920"></div>A tech-nuclear relationship is mutually beneficial.Tech companies need cost-efficient, reliable energy sources <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-nuclear-power-ai-data-centers-2024-10">that won't increase their carbon footprint</a>, writes BI's Hasan Chowdhury. Nuclear power ticks that box better than other clean energy options like solar or wind.Nuclear power, meanwhile, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-centers-amazon-ai-nuclear-power-grid-2024-5">is an industry in desperate need of some love</a>, BI's Daniel Geiger and Ellen Thomas previously reported. With at least one commercial nuclear plant closing every year since 2013, the sector has welcomed the interest."We're seeing customers approach us at a rate that we haven't seen in my history with this industry," Jim Burke, CEO of nuclear owner Vistra, said back in March.Naturally, there are skeptics. A byproduct of nuclear power is radioactive waste. The transportation and storage of that remains a hot-button issue. High-profile incidents involving power plants like Chernobyl and Fukushima also drew criticism and stoked fears around the globe.Big Tech hasn't shied away from it. In September, Microsoft cut a deal with Constellation Energy to get power from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/three-mile-island-nuclear-plant-reopens-power-microsoft-ai-push-2024-9">part of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant</a>, home to the worst commercial nuclear accident in US history.<h3 id="77f31a4c-8462-4e3d-a71f-838cb79493fb">News brief</h3><h2 id="1fcd294b-3f53-425f-9f20-4093e8623b59">Top headlines</h2><ul><li>Exclusive: Maven Clinic is swapping out its finance chiefs <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mavens-cfo-out-as-womens-health-startup-gets-fresh-funding-2024-10">as the women's health unicorn looks ahead to an IPO</a>.</li><li>The 'whale' placing huge bets on a Trump win is a French national with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/polymarket-donald-trump-betting-odds-whale-french-trader-harris-polls-2024-10">extensive trading experience</a>.</li><li>The New York Liberty celebrated its first-ever championship and record-breaking WNBA season <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-liberty-wnba-championship-parade-photos-2024-10">with a jubilant party</a>.</li><li>Former Avenue employee accused of 'blackmailing' billionaire Marc Lasry countersues, claiming sexual harassment <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/billionaire-marc-lasry-accused-of-sexual-harassment-in-countersuit-2024-10">including forced kissing, groping, and comments about her body</a>.</li><li>Putin once asked Elon Musk to not activate Starlink over Taiwan as a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-elon-musk-starlink-taiwan-china-favor-xi-jinping-report-2024-10">favor to Xi Jinping</a>: report.</li></ul><h2 id="8120060b-ae66-48dc-b149-f0489a30ffa2">3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="Name plates on blue background" height="900" width="1200" msid="114590272" hostid="261" sizebytes="60254"></div><ol><li>Welcome to the world of hedge funds, where job titles are made up and don't matter. Unlike its Wall Street peers, the $4.3 trillion hedge-fund industry <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/an-inside-look-at-hedge-fund-job-titles-2024-10">has little uniformity regarding titles</a>. The naming free-for-all means employees and hiring managers can take advantage of using trumped-up titles.</li><li>Tesla's stock just went from 0 to 60. Shares of the EV giant <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/elon-musk-net-worth-gains-tesla-stock-price-earnings-tsla-2024-10">finished the day up almost 22%</a> after Wednesday's strong earnings report. Elon Musk added $30 billion to his net worth from the spike.</li><li>The election's biggest risk to the market isn't who wins but how long it takes to decide. BlackRock Investment Institute head Jean Boivin said <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/us-presidential-election-trump-harris-outlook-volatility-stock-sell-off-2024-10">a contested election would be bad news for investors</a>. He's not alone in his concerns, as others have pointed to short-term volatility when results were delayed in 2020 and 2000.</li></ol><h2 id="f4b54806-7f81-450c-ba32-92560d4fae9b">3 things in tech</h2><div type="image" title="Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff." height="1333" width="2000" msid="114590275" hostid="261" sizebytes="41956"></div><ol><li>Marc Benioff isn't buying Microsoft's AI hype. In an exclusive interview with BI, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/marc-benioff-salesforce-ceo-interview-microsoft-ai-threatens-crm-lead-2024-10">the Salesforce CEO bashed Microsoft's AI Copilot</a>, calling it inaccurate and dubbing the tool "Clippy 2.0." Benioff's diss came after Microsoft recently announced new Dynamics 365 AI agents, directly competing with a new Salesforce product available today.</li><li>Keep your eyes on these 13 creator-economy startups. New startups are finding ways to break into an industry dominated by Big Tech. BI asked venture capitalists which new creator companies they felt showed promise. From advertising platforms to AI tech companies, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/promising-creator-economy-influencer-marketing-startups-per-top-vcs-2024-10">here's the startups to watch</a>.</li><li>A longtime safety researcher left OpenAI. Miles Brundage, who advised OpenAI leadership on safety and policy, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/another-safety-researcher-is-leaving-openai-2024-10">announced his departure</a> on X. The AGI Readiness team he oversaw will also be disbanded. Brundage's exit is the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the startup.</li></ol><h2 id="9260fa45-d397-4b3c-b4f8-4bb193976216">3 things in business</h2><div type="image" title="Ben Franklin flag on red background" height="900" width="1200" msid="114590270" hostid="261" sizebytes="100740"></div><ol><li>Here's what's going on with the economy ahead of the election. For many Americans, the state of the economy is top of mind heading into the polls. The good news? <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-going-on-with-economy-jobs-inflation-election-voting-2024-10">It's doing broadly well</a>. The unemployment rate remains relatively low, and inflation has slowed. Still, other not-so-great data points have voters feeling pessimistic.</li><li>The housing crisis, as explained by two swing states. Renters and homeowners in swing states have been disproportionately affected by rising housing costs. Two states, Pennsylvania and Arizona, exemplify the problem. While Arizona's population is surging, Pennsylvania's is shrinking — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/arizona-pennsylvania-swing-state-home-prices-surge-housing-shortage-2024-10">and neither can build enough homes</a>.</li><li>Behind the scenes of Emma Tucker's Wall Street Journal makeover. Tucker joined the legacy outlet in 2023 with a focus on diversifying and growing the paper's subscriber base. So far, it seems to be working, with subscriptions increasing by 11% over the past year. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-journal-editor-emma-tucker-interview-peter-kafka-2024-10">She spoke with BI about how she's remaking the paper</a> — including reorganizing and cutting staff.</li></ol><h2 id="1ad7b482-3f4b-44b4-81b6-a864aa386478">In other news</h2><ul><li>Jensen Huang says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jensen-huang-tsmc-helped-fix-design-flaw-with-nvidias-blackwell-2024-10">a design flaw with Nvidia's Blackwell chips has been fixed</a> — with TSMC's help.</li><li>Why some CEOs are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jamie-dimon-bill-gates-ceo-avoid-criticizing-trump-2024-10">afraid of publicly criticizing Trump</a>.</li><li>Norway wants to ban under-15s from social media, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/norway-ban-social-media-kids-under-15-backfire-2024-10">expects an 'uphill battle.'</a></li></ul><h2 id="9f5d80ac-3466-429f-a50a-2ffbb70c65ff">What's happening today</h2><ul><li>Former Abercrombie &amp; Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries will be arraigned on sex trafficking charges in federal court.</li><li>SpaceX's Crew-8 mission crew returns to Earth today.</li></ul>The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Milan Sehmbi, fellow, in London.

Big Tech goes nuclear: Amazon's pitch to use power plants shows the crucial role the energy source plays for AI

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. Here's a breakdown of the key initiatives announced: <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. <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. <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> <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>. 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. <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. <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 'Perform, Achieve and Trade' mode. <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. 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. <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> <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. <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> <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. <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. 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.

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

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday announced a cut in customs duty on minerals such as lithium, copper and cobalt, which are critical for nuclear energy, renewable and other sectors, to give a fillip to the energy transition. In her budget speech in Lok Sabha, Sitharaman recalled that in the interim budget she had announced a strategy to sustain high and more resource-efficient economic growth, along with energy security in terms of availability, accessibility and affordability. "We will bring out a policy document on appropriate energy transition pathways that balances the imperatives of employment, growth and environmental sustainability," she said. Noting that minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements are critical for sectors like nuclear energy, <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword>, space, defence, telecommunications, and high-tech electronics, she proposed to fully exempt customs duties on 25 critical minerals and reduce BCD (basic customs duty) on two of them. This will provide a major fillip to the processing and refining of such minerals and help secure their availability for these strategic and important sectors, she said. She stated that energy transition is critical in the fight against climate change. To support energy transition, she proposed to expand the list of exempted capital goods for use in the manufacture of solar cells and panels in the country. Further, she stated that in view of sufficient domestic manufacturing capacity of solar glass and tinned copper interconnect, I propose not to extend the exemption of customs duties provided to them. Noting that steel and copper are important raw materials and to reduce their cost of production, she proposed to remove the BCD on ferro nickel and blister copper. "I am also continuing with nil BCD on ferrous scrap and nickel cathode and concessional BCD of 2.5 per cent on copper scrap," she said. About the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which was rolled out earlier this year, he informed the House that in line with the announcement in the interim budget, PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has been launched to install rooftop solar plants to enable 1 crore households obtain free electricity up to 300 units every month. The scheme has generated remarkable response with more than 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications, and we will further encourage it, he stated. She further stated that a policy for promoting pumped storage projects will be brought out for electricity storage and facilitating smooth integration of the growing share of renewable energy with its variable &amp; intermittent nature in the overall energy mix. She stated that nuclear energy is expected to form a very significant part of the energy mix for Viksit Bharat. Towards that pursuit, our government will partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactors; research &amp; development of Bharat Small Modular Reactor and research &amp; development of newer technologies for nuclear energy, she informed the House. The R&amp;D funding announced in the interim budget will be made available for this sector, she added. The development of indigenous technology for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) <keyword id="20421620" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thermal-power" source="keywords">thermal power</keyword> plants with much higher efficiency has been completed, she informed the House. A joint venture between NTPC and BHEL will set up a full-scale 800 MW commercial plant using AUSC technology and the government will provide the required fiscal support, she added. Moving forward, the development of indigenous capacity for the production of high-grade steel and other advanced metallurgy materials for these plants will result in strong spin-off benefits for the economy, she pointed out. A roadmap for moving the 'hard to abate' industries from 'energy efficiency' targets to 'emission targets' will be formulated, she stated adding that appropriate regulations for the transition of these industries from the current 'Perform, Achieve and Trade' mode to 'Indian Carbon Market' mode will be put in place. She further stated that an investment-grade energy audit of traditional micro and small industries in 60 clusters, including brass and ceramic, will be facilitated. Financial support will be provided for shifting them to cleaner forms of energy and implementation of energy efficiency measures. The scheme will be replicated in another 100 clusters in the next phase, she stated. Gaurav Kedia, Chairman, Indian Biogas Association said that the <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword> 2024 has unveiled a roadmap towards a sustainable and resilient India, with agriculture and energy security at its core. It is anticipated that these initiatives will catalyze the growth of the biogas industry, leading to increased rural employment, reduced carbon emissions, and improved soil health, he stated. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-25-changes-to-tax-slabs-increased-standard-deduction-and-other-changes-to-direct-taxation/articleshow/111951205.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-25-changes-to-tax-slabs-increased-standard-deduction-and-other-changes-to-direct-taxation/articleshow/111951205.cms" target="_blank">Budget 2024-25 – Changes to tax slabs, increased standard deduction and other changes to direct taxation</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: How will this budget impact you?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/budget-2024-record-allocation-of-rs-1-48-lakh-crore-for-education-employment-and-skilling/articleshow/111951228.cms">Budget 2024: Record allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skilling!</a>

You Searched For "energy requirements" and got 11 results

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