According to the second edition of annual Supply Side Analysis 2019 report by The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), 22,893 wind turbines were installed globally in 2019 produced from 33 suppliers and accounting for over 63 GW of capacity, a new supply side record in terms of capacity for the industry.
Commerce and Industry Minister Mr Piyush Goyal asked the industry to start working for the post-COVID period with good ideas and firm implementation plans as worst for the economy is over and revival is in the air.
The environment Ministry has decided that it will no longer regulate the ash-content of coal used by thermal power plants. The Ministry issued a notification that overturned its January 2014 regulation that made it mandatory for all coal-based power plants located 500 kilometres or more from the pit-head or coal mine to use raw or blended or beneficiated coal with no more than 34% ash content.
Under the new norms, thermal power stations will be able to use coal irrespective of ash content and will liable for proper disposal of coal ash and meeting emission standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Fitch Ratings forecast a 5% contraction of Indian economy in the current fiscal, on account of slump in economic activities and very stringent lockdown policy. This is substantially lower than 0.8% growth for 2020-21 fiscal projected in April.
Coal India’s consultancy arm CMPDIL has been roped in by NTPC to make separate mining plans for Banai and Bhalumuda coal mines in Chhattisgarh with an aim to maximise the extractable reserves by merging operations of the two mines. The Coal Ministry had recently asked NTPC to prepare separate mining plans for both the blocks, an official said.
The Centre has decided to bring to zero import of coal for blending purpose by domestic coal-based power plants in the current fiscal, and has asked state-owned CIL to enter into a pact with power generation companies for domestic supply of coal.