Latest news with #GW
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
China breaks ground on $170 billion dam near Arunachal—why India is concerned, and what it plans to do
China's official announcement of the start of construction on a massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo – just before the river bends into Arunachal Pradesh as the Brahmaputra – marks a pivotal moment for both India's strategic interests and China's economic goals. With a planned investment of nearly $170 billion, it is set to be China's largest infrastructure project since the Three Gorges Dam, and a major stimulus for the domestic economy. But across the border in Arunachal Pradesh, the project has raised alarm over potential downstream impacts, with fears of the Siang region being vulnerable to a 'water bomb'. India, in response, has proposed a large storage project to counter the Chinese dam – but progress has been slow. The Chinese Premier Li Qiang on July 19 announced the launch of construction and the formation of a new entity – China Yajiang Group Co Ltd – to build and operate the hydropower project, according to state-run Xinhua. The project will comprise five cascade hydropower stations spread across a 50-kilometre stretch of the river that drops 2,000 metres, offering vast hydropower potential. With a planned capacity of 60 GW, it will be roughly three times the size of the Three Gorges Dam. While cascade projects typically include storage to regulate flow between stations, the extent of planned storage has not been revealed. Chinese markets responded positively to the announcement on Monday, with shares of major construction and equipment firms surging. Experts see the project as a major stimulus for the domestic economy. While the storage capacity of the Chinese project is not known – a key factor in assessing China's ability to regulate water flow into India – concerns are mounting in Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier this month, Chief Minister Pema Khandu warned that the dam is the biggest issue facing India, second only to the 'military threat', and could be used as a 'water bomb'. 'Suppose the dam is built and they suddenly release water, our entire Siang belt would be destroyed. In particular, the Adi tribe and similar groups… would see all their property, land, and especially human life, suffer devastating effects,' Khandu told PTI on July 9. While around 30 per cent of the Brahmaputra's waters originate in China, the majority comes from rainfall within India's catchment areas. As a result, the Chinese dam's immediate impact is expected to be felt most in Arunachal Pradesh – particularly in the Siang region. In addition to flooding concerns, the Chinese dam could also disrupt water flow to proposed downstream hydro projects. The Northeast holds nearly half of India's 133 GW hydropower potential, over 80 per cent of which remains untapped. Of the 60 GW estimated potential, about 50 GW lies in Arunachal Pradesh alone. To counter China's upstream development, India has proposed the 11.2 GW Upper Siang Multipurpose Project – a massive storage-based dam in the Siang district. The project is expected to act as a strategic buffer to regulate water flow and protect downstream populations and infrastructure. However, progress has been slow, The Indian Express had earlier reported. Three years after the Ministry of Jal Shakti tasked NHPC Ltd with preparing a pre-feasibility report, vital investigations remain stalled due to local opposition. In response to a question on delays at an Idea Exchange earlier this month, Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil said, 'China can do whatever it wants, we are fully prepared. PM Modi is quite serious about it. Work will start.' An NHPC official told The Indian Express in June that the project can act as 'a regulating scheme to mitigate adverse impact of both acts of water diversion and artificial floods by the upstream Chinese development'. Once complete, the Upper Siang project would be India's largest hydropower station.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India will address concerns of private sector on investments in civil nuclear segment: Minister
India will be able to address the apprehensions of the private sector globally about investments in the civil nuclear sector, which was opened up to achieve the ambitious target of producing 100 GW atomic power by 2047, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has asserted. Singh, who oversees the Department of Atomic Energy , said changes in relevant rules and legislations will have to be made to facilitate the entry of the private sector in the field of nuclear energy, which currently is under tight control of the government. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Public Policy Data Science Data Science Management Others CXO Finance Data Analytics others Operations Management Digital Marketing Product Management MCA Design Thinking Degree Cybersecurity healthcare Technology Artificial Intelligence Healthcare Leadership Project Management MBA PGDM Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Calcutta Executive Programme in Public Policy and Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Economics for Public Policy Making Quantitative Techniques Public & Project Finance Law, Health & Urban Development Policy Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate Programme in Public Policy Management Starts on Mar 3, 2024 Get Details "The announcement has already been made in the Union Budget, but we will have to frame rules, also possible legislation to actually move on, which will take a lot of consideration, a lot of introspection," Singh told PTI in an exclusive video interview. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech in February, announced the government's intention to amend key legislation, including the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, to facilitate private sector involvement. Currently, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) and NPCIL-NTPC joint venture company Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI) can build nuclear power plants in the country. Live Events Scientists at the DAE are also developing the Bharat Small Modular Reactors ranging from 50 MW to 300 MW each for installation in thermal plants which have completed their operational life. Singh said the legislative changes to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act are aimed at addressing the concerns of the private sector that has been reluctant to invest in the nuclear power segment. "It is just that the suppliers, most of them private and most of them from the other countries, had their own apprehensions from a business point of view. I am sure in the course of time, we will be able to address that also, able to satisfy them and reassure them to venture in," Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said. Singh said the decision to open up the nuclear sector for private participation was more difficult than unleashing space sector reforms. "It has been possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal indulgence. Even the nuclear sector stakeholders are conditioned to work behind a veil of secrecy. They feel now this is the norm," he said. The minister said opening up the nuclear sector was crucial to realise the aim of India becoming a developed nation by 2047 and emerging as the top ranking economy globally. "If we have to realise this goal, our strategy has to be global. Because we are going to meet the global benchmarks. So global strategies require us to move in an integrated fashion, devoid of silos. And, therefore, we are now following the same course as it has been followed by the other developed countries," Singh said. The minister said the government had tried to address the apprehensions voiced by the foreign suppliers who had been allocated sites to develop nuclear power parks at Jaitapur in Maharashtra, Mithi Virdi in Gujarat and Kovvada in Andhra Pradesh about the liability laws. "India's position was very clear, but somehow there is some scepticism on the part of the suppliers. Soon after this government came, we made it abundantly clear, not once but more than once, that this is a misplaced apprehension," he said. The minister said in case of an incident, the first onus will be on the operator of the plant and then on the supplier and after a certain limit the insurance pool will come to the rescue. He said India is also signatory to the Convention of Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage of those parties which are part of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Currently, India produces 8780 MWe of nuclear power and plans to scale it up to 22,480 MW by 2031-32.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Wind industry players call for phased approach in government's localisation timeline
The domestic wind energy sector has voiced operational concerns regarding a recent draft amendment by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy's (MNRE) towards boosting domestic manufacturing. The draft mandates rapid localisation of key wind turbine components for inclusion in the Revised List of Models and Manufacturers (RLMM). Industry players said a phased and industry-aligned approach could avoid potential supply chain bottlenecks and significant cost increases. The two-year timeline for indigenisation could create unintended hurdles in supply chains, delay project rollouts, and potentially escalate project costs by over 35%, they said. Many critical sub-components such as gearboxes, bearings, converters, and control systems are currently imported. An immediate localisation mandate, without adequate phase-outs, may discourage foreign OEMs and slow project rollout timelines, they stated. 'India is at a pivotal juncture in its wind energy journey. For component manufacturers like us, the momentum toward 500 GW of renewable capacity presents significant opportunities—from global supply chain shifts post-COVID to the growing push for localisation,' said V Sriniwas Reddy, Executive Director, Synergy Green Industries Ltd. 'However, policy execution must balance ambition with realism. The recent MNRE directive on indigenisation, while well-intentioned, needs a phased, industry-aligned approach,' he said. Stating that precision parts like gearboxes and converters require not just capex, but tech partnerships and skilled talent, he said the ministry instead of blanket targets, should focus on enabling quality manufacturing, selective localisation, and global competitiveness. 'A National Wind Industrial Cluster Policy—with plug-and-play infrastructure and shared R&D—is the kind of reform that will truly empower the ecosystem. The way forward is through collaboration: OEMs, component makers, and policymakers aligning for long-term, scalable, and export-ready growth,' he said. 'India has the potential to become the world's third-largest wind market—but only if we prioritize quality, investor confidence, and global integration over short-term mandates,' he added. Francis Jayasury, Director -India, Global Wind Energy Council India – GWEC India said, 'India's renewable energy ambitions present a remarkable opportunity for domestic turbine component manufacturers like us—but success will depend on how smartly we align industrial growth with policy execution.' 'Our Chennai facility is already geared for scale and meets global quality benchmarks, but we face challenges from subsidized imports, fragmented tariffs, and the absence of mandatory standards for key components like anchor cages,' he said. 'We welcome the MNRE's push for indigenisation—it plays to our strengths—but urge that it be implemented through a phased, industry-aligned framework. Not every component needs to be made locally; smart localisation, not forced isolation, should guide our strategy,' he emphasised. 'The focus must be on full utilisation of existing domestic capacity, while partnering globally for highly specialized technologies. If India wants to become a true global wind manufacturing hub, what we need is certainty: clear HS code classifications, BIS standards for structural components, and export-linked incentives,' he said. A unified framework would not only boost production and exports but also build long-term investor confidence in the sector, he pointed out.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New RE policy to attract Rs 1.5 lakh cr investment, generate jobs: Bihar Energy Secy
Bihar's new renewable energy policy has the potential not only to attract investments worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore but also generate huge employment opportunities across the state, Bihar's Energy Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said. Launched earlier this week, the policy for 'Promotion of Bihar New and Renewable Energy Sources 2025' aims to harness 23.96 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy and 6.1 GW of storage by FY 2029-30 through non-conventional sources and energy storage potential of the state. Other key objectives of the policy are promoting new and efficient techniques for development of RE and storage projects, increasing awareness for RE integration, and maximizing stakeholder participation for RE development among others. Sharing his views with PTI, the secretary said, "This is one of the most progressive policies in the country. Bihar will not only lead in the clean energy sphere but also make significant contributions to India's commitment towards Net Zero. Besides becoming one of the most attractive investment destinations, it will generate huge employment opportunities as the next renewable hub of the country." Singh said Bihar is offering one of the most attractive policy regimes in the country and assures investors of policy support which will help them with good returns for their investments in the state. Live Events When asked about the expected investments and job opportunities, the official said the policy has potential to attract investments of "Rs 1,50,000 crore and generate 1,25,000 jobs." Replying to another question on the benefits for investors, the secretary said the policy introduces a highly competitive suite of incentives designed to attract investors and developers from across the country. These include a streamlined single-window clearance system to fast-track project approvals and comprehensive financial benefits such as 100 per cent reimbursement of SGST, land conversion fees, and stamp duty on lease or transfer of land. The policy also grants a 100 per cent waiver on electricity duty for 15 years and provides long-term open access for 25 years along with full exemption from transmission and wheeling charges. State utilities will bear the cost of transmission and distribution infrastructure up to 10 kilometers, with shared responsibility beyond that point. "I urge national and international investors to invest in the state and avail the benefits of the policy. The entire policy is in the public domain. The government will fully support the investors to address their concerns," he added. PTI Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
EUROPE POWER-More wind, nuclear supply, wobbly demand curb spot prices
European wholesale power prices dropped on Thursday as lower demand in the region coincided with higher wind generation in main producer country Germany and slightly higher French nuclear availability. The bearish factors overrode the impact of tighter solar power output and weighed on the market ahead of expected rising temperatures into next week, which will push up power needs for air conditioning use. French baseload power for Friday was down 7.3% at 51 euros ($59.83) per megawatt hour at 0745 GMT. The equivalent German contract fell 8.4% at 86.8 euros/MWh. Wind power output in Germany is expected to increase to 11 gigawatts (GW) from 5.9 GW day-on-day, LSEG data showed. French nuclear availability was up one percentage point at 82% of installed capacity. On the demand side, usage was predicted to go down to 52 GW from 53.1 GW in Germany, with France ticking up 200 MW to 44.7 GW, but the two countries plus Austria and Switzerland were due to lose 1 GW of consumption, taken together. Along the curve, German year-ahead baseload edged up 0.2% to 87 euros/MWh. The equivalent French contract was untraded after a close at 63.9 GW. In the European carbon market, the benchmark contract gained 1.1% at 71.16 euros per metric ton. The EEX bourse in first-half of 2025 turned over 16% more power contracts to trade nearly 7,000 terawatt hours (TWh) worldwide, it said. Within the total, the volume of European flagship power derivatives totalled 4,856 TWh, a 23% year-on-year increase. Research from think tank Ember showed that European utilities had to crank up output from natural gas and coal-fired power plants by 13% during the first half of 2025, boosting carbon dioxide emissions. This was because output from weather-driven renewable sources dropped, so conventional energy had to make up the gaps.>
