Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels are set to drop by up to 7% in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but even this dramatic decline would barely dent long term global warming, researchers reported. In early April, coronavirus lockdowns led to a 17% reduction worldwide in carbon pollution compared to the same period last year.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) issued draft guidelines for implementation of off-grid solar power plants under the renewable energy service company (RESCO) model. In April 2020, the ministry had extended the off-grid and decentralised solar photovoltaic (PV) applications programme phase-III scheme till 31 March, 2021.
Former Coal India Chairman Mr Partha S Bhattacharyya has asked the Centre to withdraw a proposal to do away with mandatory coal washing as it would be a “retrograde” step. He flagged that the inability of the PSU to implement its promise of supplying washed coal has led to the erosion of around Rs 1.25 lakh crore in market valuation in 10 years to 2019-20.
The Centre is planning to do away with the mandatory requirement of washing of coal before it is transported to thermal power stations.
Production of Northern Coalfields Ltd rose by 2.5% to 4.32 million tonnes in the first fortnight of May up to May 15 and the company is on course to meet annual production target for 2020-21, Coal India said.
Last month NCL produced 8.73 MT of coal, achieving 96% of the month’s targeted production. Importantly, there was no decline in growth compared to the same month last year. NCL is targeting a production of 113.25 million tonnes during the current fiscal, entailing a growth rate of 4.8%, CIL said.
India added about 715 mega watt (MW) of utility scale solar capacity in January-March 2020, down 67% from 2163 MW during the same period last year, a report said. According to clean energy consultancy Bridge To India, the country added 328 MW of utility scale wind capacity in the quarter ended March, which was down 65% as compared to 944 MW in January-March 2019.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) while announcing star-ratings of cities for handling municipal solid waste, also launched the revised protocol for star rating. The new protocol will consider ward-wise geo-mapping, monitoring of SWM value chain through interventions like Swachh Nagar App and zone-wise rating in cities with population of over 50 lakh, said Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA.