Staff Reporter

Areva is reviewing its investments after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March impacted decisions on nuclear investments worldwide.

Bangladesh  proposed a joint investment fund to promote green energy initiative within the member countries of the D-8.

Bangladesh will pursue full financial support from Russia, besides technical and technological assistance, to set up two nuclear power plants.

The government of Bangladesh has decided to go for construction of coal-based power plants from 2014 to phase out costly rental power projects.

Malaysia plans to call for bids by as early as the first quarter of next year for gas-fired power plants in Peninsular Malaysia.

Construction began for a major solar power plant in northwest Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region as part of China's efforts to accelerate the development of renewable energy.

The installations will range in size from one megawatt (MW) to 50MW, with a final total capacity of approximately 520MW.

Czech companies have expressed interest to participate in the fast-growing Indian power sector.

Sri Lanka-based Senok Group ordered 10 units of Suzlon’s S88 2.1 Mw wind turbine generators, aggregating 21 Mw of wind power capacity.

NTPC lamented that coal shortage is hurting the performance of several of its plants, including Dadri and Vindhyachal, resulting in lesser electricity generation.

CLP Power Hong Kong Limited announced the launch of a brand new user friendly online energy assessment tool, Eco optimizer, which will help 20 lakh residential consumers use energy more efficiently.

India may change bidding rules for new 4,000 Mw power projects to allow companies to adjust tariffs in case a change in regulations makes fuel imports costlier.

ONGC is exploring investment opportunities in the nuclear power generation sector in association with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.

GE Energy and Greenko Group formed a venture where US $115 million will be invested to set up wind power projects of 500 megawatt capacity in India.

Star Hydro Power has secured a $97m loan from the Asian Development Bank to finance the construction of a 144MW hydro power plant in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.

The country’s largest thermal power producer NTPC may soon appoint Deloitte as a consultant on revamping its operations and human resources development. “NTPC is likely to appoint Deloitte as a consultant for preparing its restructuring plans, which would include the company’s new mining plans, manpower management, etc,” a Power Ministry official said. Deloitte is believed to have made a presentation to the company on taking up the job, which would also involve an analysis of the proposed restructuring of NTPC joint ventures— including NTPC-SAIL Power Company Ltd, NTPC Tamil Nadu Energy Company Ltd, Ratnagiri Gas & Power Ltd, NTPC-Alstom Power Services Ltd, NTPC-SCCL Global Ventures Ltd, International Coal Ventures Ltd and NTPC BHEL Power Projects Pvt Ltd— the official added. NTPC plans to expand its existing power capacity of over 35,000 Mw to about 66,000 Mw by 2017. The company planned to raise its capacity to 75,000 MW by the end of the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17), but it had to curtail the target due to non-availability of gas and coal and land acquisition issues. NTPC currently employs approximately 26,000 people. It will seek the consultant’s advice on streamlining its present workforce and how to make the best use of manpower. The consultant would also advice the company on its coal mining venture. NTPC has been awarded coal blocks and is expected to start excavation from those blocks in the near-term. Meanwhile, NTPC has signed a preliminary agreement with Birla Institute of Management & Technology (BIMTECH) to jointly explore opportunities related to capacity building, institution development and training and development programmes with a view to strengthen ties between industry and educational institutes.