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

A 320 MW solar project in Rajasthan awarded by NHPC to Avaada Energy is fully operational, with the commissioning of its last part of 54.40 MW. The project is a part of a total of 2 GW ISTS-connected solar power projects awarded by NHPC to different developers. The power generated from the project is being evacuated through Bhadla-II ISTS Substation for sale in Punjab and Jammu, and Kashmir. NHPC will trade the generated power from this 320 MW project through a long-term power purchase agreement for 25 years signed between NHPC and Avaada Energy. A power sale agreement has also been signed between NHPC and DISCOMs, and other buying entities.

Automotive components supplier Mahindra CIE has invested ₹24.26 million ($292,586) in Strongsun Solar. The company has subscribed to 303,250 equity shares of ₹10/ (~$0.12) each. After the allotment of shares subscribed, Mahindra CIE Automotive will hold 27.35% of the post-issue paid-up capital. Strongsun is setting up two captive generating plants of 7 MW and 3 MW  capacity to supply captive solar power from these plants to the Mahindra CIE foundry division at Urse, in Maharashtra (7 MW) and the magnetics products division at Bhosari (3 MW).

NTPC has declared commercial operation of 150 MW and 90 MW Devikot solar PV projects at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. With this, the standalone installed and commercial capacity of NTPC has become 58041.27 MW, while the group installed and commercial capacity of NTPC stands at 70656.27 MW.

National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board (TNIDB) to help attract commercial capital into infrastructure opportunities in Tamil Nadu. NIIFL will support TNIDB in identifying potential private sector investment opportunities, including for asset recycling and developing greenfield and brownfield infrastructure. Seven projects have been identified across departments which have the potential to attract private investments of approximately ₹50 billion ($603.7million) to ₹60 billion ($724.58 million)

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the national electricity company of Vietnam, Vietnam Electricity (EVN), to decarbonize the electricity sector. The cooperation enables the direct financing of power investment projects in Vietnam, strengthens partnerships in electricity generation, storage, transmission, distribution, and sales, and covers the energy transition toward decarbonization. EIB has worked closely with Vietnam since 1996, supporting the development of metropolitan commercial areas, smaller hydroelectricity projects, and urban mobility.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hosted a roundtable to launch its Battery Workforce Initiative. The initiative is designed to lay the foundation for developing a modern American labor force necessary to sustain the growth of a domestic battery supply chain. U.S. Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted DOE’s Loan Programs Office announcement of a $2.5 billion loan closing to Ultium Cells to help finance the construction of new lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing facilities in Ohio, Tennessee, and Michigan.