India

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.

India is exploring offshore wind power generation possibilities with land acquisition and environmental clearances proving to be increasingly difficult. With land acquisition and environmental clearances proving increasingly difficult for wind power projects, India is exploring the potential for offshore wind power generation.

Russia, India and China have agreed to promote cooperation in energy security and ensure contact between their innovation centres.

Isotope techniques using atomic energy will keep further deterioration of Sri Lankan dams subjected to seepage and leakage. This was pointed out by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Power and Energy Patali Champika Ranawaka. “Isotope technology is a tool to detect leakage paths of existing dams to perform cost effective repair and modifications. Today most dams are subjected to leakage and seepage, while four dams are at high risk level, 10 are at medium level and others need intensified maintenance and this is possible with isotope technology,” said Minister Ranawaka. He added that it was possible to detect the leakage of Samanalawewa with the help of nuclear technology which is an important tool in this regard.

Sri Lanka is considering OTEC, or ocean thermal energy conversion, in the eastern deep-water harbour of Trincomalee. According to Lanka Online, Minister of Power and Energy Champika Ranawaka explained that it is part of the country’s renewable energy drive.

Bangladesh aims to generate an additional 7,000MW of electricity by 2013 by setting up new power plants in the country, the country's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said.

Power Finance Corporation Ltd and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd signed an MoU to set up nuclear power projects in India. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr. Satnam Singh, Chairman and Mnaging Director, PFC and Dr. S.K. Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, NPCIL. 

The ADB Board of Directors approved a US$120 million loan for the Bangladesh City Region Development Project. It will target energy-efficient, environmentally friendly urban services, more coordinated regional development planning, and stronger management capacity for municipalities in the sprawling city regions of Dhaka and Khulna, which include surrounding secondary towns.