India

The Sri Lankan government is eyeing a High Capacity Power Transmission Link in a joint venture with India.

Chhattisgarh will get 50 per cent power from the NTPC's upcoming 4,000 MW coal-fired power plant in the Raigarh district.

AES Corporation will develop a 150MW wind project worth US$375 million in Pakistan’s Gharo Corridor.

A joint venture involving ADB will develop and operate 500 megawatts of renewable energy projects in India in the next three years. The joint venture agreement was signed by the Asian Development Bank with India’s National Thermal Power Corporation and Japan’s Kyushu Electric Power Company. "The new joint venture company will help India achieve its goal of reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuels, will cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve its energy security," said Michael Barrow, Director in ADB's Private Sector Operations Department,  who signed the agreement in New Delhi. "We hope this company will also provide an example to other foreign investors looking at India's renewable energy sector." Under its National Action Plan on Climate Change, the Indian government has set a target of generating 15 per cent of its total power from renewable sources by 2020. Currently, renewable energy accounts for 10 per cent of total power capacity in India while 65 per cent comes from thermal power plants—mostly coal-fired—which generate the majority of the country's carbon emissions. The remainder of India's power comes from hydropower and nuclear power. "India now has the capacity to generate just over 11,000 megawatts of wind power, but, with the right investment, that could increase to almost 48,000 megawatts. At the same time, small hydropower has the potential to generate about 15,000 megawatts of power and, what's more, is often the best way of providing electricity to low-income households in remote areas," said Don Purka, Senior Investment Specialist with ADB's PSOD. NTPC, the largest power generating company in India with a 33 per cent market share, is majority owned by the Government of India but operates on a commercial basis as an independent company. It currently has a generating capacity of 32,694 megawatts but is working to increase that to 75,000 megawatts by 2017. Under the joint venture agreement, ADB will invest up to US$40 million for a 25 per cent stake in the company. The move is part of ADB's goal of investing $2 billion a year in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in Asia and the Pacific to help put the region on a sustainable deve opment path. NTPC will have a 50 per cent holding in the company with Kyushu Electric Power owning the remaining 25 per cent.

Electro Zavod has set up a new integrated manufacturing facility in West Bengal.

NVVN will award contracts under Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission Phase-I to those who would provide maximum discount on CERC tariff. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam or NVVN plans to sign power purchase agreement with selected parties by the end of January.

NTPC will hold on to its projects in Uttarakhand despite a series of setback.

NTPC has geared itself to become a 75000 MW company by 2017 and the company has core competency to achieve this feat. By their so-called “XI Plan period” the company aims to put about 13000 MW capacity on stream contributing to the Govt. of India’s plans of adding 68000 MW by that time. This was stated by Shri Arup Roy Choudhury, Chairman and Managing Director, NTPC.

IBM has signed a research collaboration agreement with IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur to develop open system designs for smarter power grids.

The fourth unit at the Kaiga Nuclear Power Station is all set to start power production from November 27. The operation of the plant had been delayed owing to the non-supply of uranium.

Indian Oil Corporation would pick up a 26-per cent stake in NPCIL’s  1,400-MWe power project at Kota in Rajasthan. IOC will invest Rs9,000 crore in the project. ''We would join NPCIL by picking up 26 per cent equity for Rs.900 crore in its 1,400-MWe Kota atomic plant,'' IOC Chairman and managing director BM Bansal told reporters in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Bio Fuel Conference held there.

Pakistan and United States will complete a wind power generation project in two years at a cost of $375 million. It will be located in three sites at the Gharo Corridor, Thatta, and Sindh near Karachi to utilize the winds of the area for producing 150 megawatts of power.

The water disputes between India and Pakistan are making the costs of hydroelectric projects escalate, say India’s power department officials.

Vestas will provide 34 units of V82 1.65 MW wind turbine for the Tuppadahalli Wind Farm project in Karnataka. The contract comprises supply and commissioning of the turbines, a VestasOnline® Business SCADA system as well as a 7-year service and maintenance agreement. Delivery is scheduled to start during the fourth quarter of 2010, and the project will be completed during the second quarter of 2011.

Sri Lanka hopes to minimize financial loss incurred by buying electricity from private companies with newly-fired Norochcholai power plant.

 Adani Power is looking for acquisition of coal mines and power plants abroad.