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

The second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME India) program has provided approximately ₹33.11 billion (~$399.54 million) to support the adoption of over 766,478 electric vehicles as of December 19, 2022. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has also approved using 6,315 e-buses in 65 cities and states for intracity and intercity travel in 26 states and union territories. The ministry has approved the installation of 2,877 charging stations in 68 cities across 25 states and union territories. For the FAME II implementation, a budget of ₹29.03 billion (~$350.31 million) has been allocated for 2022-2023.

NTPC and GE Power India have signed a memorandum of understanding to research and develop technologies that will enable NTPC to reduce the amount of coal used in its power plants and gradually replace it with alternative fuels such as biomass, methanol, and ammonia. The collaboration aims to support NTPC in co-firing up to 100% of biomass pellets and to enable the co-firing of methanol. It will also explore the possibility of introducing ammonia as a co-firing fuel and develop technologies that allow total co-firing with lower carbon fuels in coal-fired power plants.

Independent power producer OX2 secured contracts for two renewable energy projects in Poland — a solar farm with a maximum capacity of 100 MW and an energy storage project with a 50 MW/100 MWh capacity. The solar farm, one of the largest in Central and Eastern Europe, is expected to begin construction next year. The energy storage project will be located in southern Poland. Both projects will be added to OX2’s portfolio and will move forward in the development process.

Kulara Water, a leading producer of pure natural mineral water in Cambodia, has entered into a long-term partnership with TotalEnergies ENEOS to provide solar energy and energy storage solutions for Kulara Water’s new bottling facility in Preah Vihear Province. This is the second project for Kulara Water. The hybrid solar and battery storage system will consist of an 800 kW ground-mounted solar system connected to a 1,344 kWh battery system. The system will allow Kulara Water to use solar energy during the day and store excess power at night, improving energy efficiency, reducing power costs, and ensuring better access to power supply. TotalEnergies ENEOS will work with Kulara Water for the next 15 years to ensure the system’s safe production and storage of energy.