Here are some noteworthy cleantech announcements of the day from around the world:

Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy informed the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing Rooftop Solar Program Phase II, targeting 4 GW of residential rooftop solar capacity by 2022. Of this, 3,160 MW of capacity has been allocated to states’ implementing agencies based on their demand. As of December 31, 2021, 1,176 MW of residential rooftop solar capacity was installed. The Union Power Minister R.K Singh said the program’s implementation was significantly affected due to the Covid-19. The ministry gave an extension of five months on account of the first wave of Covid-19 and another four months due to the second wave. The ongoing third wave again affected the implementation of the program.

Greenko Group and Ayana Renewable Power have entered into an arrangement to create a 6 GWh storage capacity. Under the partnership, the companies would develop firm and dispatchable renewable energy solutions, including a round-the-clock power supply of up to 1 GW to industries and distribution companies in India. Greenko offered 6,000 MWh of storage capacity, including 1,500 MWh of storage capacity in the first tranche from its proprietary ‘off-stream closed-loop pumped storage project’ being developed at Pinnapuram, Andhra Pradesh.

SJVN entered into a contract agreement with Voith Hydro for electromechanical works for the 66 MW Dhaulasidh hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh. The estimated value of the contract is around ₹1.37 billion (~$18.12 million). The project would generate 304 million units of energy and reduce 204,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The project is expected to be completed in May 2025.

Matrix Renewables, the TPG Rise-backed renewable platform, announced a new strategic partnership with Energia Aljaval, a Spain-based renewable energy company, to co-develop at least 300 MW solar projects in Italy. With this partnership, Matrix has nearly 1 GW of renewable energy projects in different phases of development across Italy.

Apollo Power, an Israel-based renewable energy company, announced that it had received an order from e-commerce giant Amazon to install a 450-kW rooftop solar system on its logistic center and a 50 m² first-of-its-kind solar pavement. The company is expected to develop projects in Q4 of 2022 at Amazon’s facilities in France.

Norway-based renewable energy company DNV, with 18 industry partners, launched a new joint industry project to enhance standardization for reliable and cost-efficient hydrogen production systems. The systems use renewable energy-powered electrolysis to produce green hydrogen. Clean Power Hydrogen, bp, EDP, Shell, Siemens Gamesa, and Siemens Energy are some of the industry partners. The project is expected to start on February 16, 2022, and is open for more partners to join until mid-April 2022.

Czech Republic-based solar energy company Solek Group, through its subsidiary SOLEK Latam Holding, signed a framework agreement to develop, build, and sell solar projects in Chile to BlackRock’s Global Renewable Power Fund. According to the agreement, the company would develop 28 solar projects with a total capacity of 200 MW. Of this, solar projects with a capacity of 90.5 MW are already under the preparation phase of construction. It would also provide operation and maintenance services for these projects.

Lord’s Mark Industries has entered into a joint venture with Kerala Automobiles to manufacture electric vehicles. The first manufacturing facility of the joint venture will be set up in Kannur, Kerala, with an investment of ₹200 million (~$2.64 million)-₹300 million (~$3.97 million). The companies would commence commercial operations at Kannur in December 2022. Operations would be expanded across the country by partnering with original equipment manufacturers. Eastern Europe and Africa would be the key export markets for the companies.

Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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