Cement, Energy and Environment

linkage from old and inefficient units to new super green energy project with concessional loans critical units. worth $1.1 billion through its KfW Development "During the13th plan period, generation capacity of about 86,400 mw is likely to be added primarily through super criti cal units. Land being scarce, utilities need to explore possible options to utilise the existing land and other facilities in most effective manner," a senior power department official said. "Thermal power units marked for closure are primarily ones that are faring very poorly in terms of capacity utilisation as well as other parameters. All such plants have been marked for closure by the government, "the official said. According to data furnished by CEA, replacing sub-critical, old and inefficient thermal units with super critical units would enable effective utilisation of already available scarce resources like land, water and coal. Courtesy: The Economic Times, Kolkata, 16.09.2015 GERMANY TO GIVE INDIA CLEAN ENERGY PUSH WITH 2 PROJECTS NEW DELHI: Germany will give India a clean energy push and projects worth $1.6 billion could to be announced during the visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel even as German industry has expressed concerns that more needs to be done on the ease of doing business to attract investments. Sources have told ET that two major projects on clean energy are likely to be signed when Merkel leads a delegation of six cabinet ministers to New Delhi next week for Inter-Governmental Consultations (IRC). One of the projects involves German investments into a new green energy corridor to cut down transmission losses that could be to the tune of $1.28 billion. Another clean energy initiative that will be discussed involves solar energy where Germany has a technology edge. Details are being worked out but German companies could invest as much as $400 million in solar energy projects. While Siemens would be one of the companies involved, the project would have several micro, small and medium scale industries as partners. Germany is already involved in India's Bank committed to the cause in 2013. Concerns on ease of doing business remain Merkel is leading a highpowered delegation that includes the finance, defence, education , agriculture, economic cooperation and foreign ministers. While announcements are expected in almost all these areas, the German industry that will be part of the delegation is also likely to raise its concerns on the ease of doing business in India. German Ambassador to India Martin Ney said while investments in India are on the rise, with the figure crossing $8 billion last year, the industry has concerns that will be shared with India during the visit. "One of the aspects that the leaders will address is that in Germany, when you look at the latest survey it says that there are very high expectations from investments in India but also point to a difficulty in actually doing business," Ney said. Courtesy: ET Bureau, New Delhi, 02.10.2015, from Internet LESSON FOR INDIA: WHY REPROCESSING OF SPENT FUEL FROM NUCLEAR REACTORS MAKES LITTLE SENSE Recent media well within the Centre (BARC) in reports suggest that all is not Bhabha Atomic Research Trombay, Mumbai. Scientists have reportedly written to prime minister Narendra Modi, seeking intervention in the management of the Centre. Their complaints mostly revolve around internal matters such as harassment and promotions. but an important revelation should be of public concern. One scientist has reportedly