The EU is working to replace Russian gas with liquefied natural gas (LNG), with Greece aiming to become a regional hub. Romania and other Southeast European countries are also interested in participating in this process. Romania's state-owned transmission system operator SNTGN Transgaz has agreed to acquire a 15% stake in Mediterranean gas company Argo's project, which aims to process 4.6 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas per year. Transgaz recently took over the Moldovan national gas transmission system.
Mohit Bhargava, CEO of NTPC Renewable Energy, believes that green hydrogen mixing can boost green hydrogen production in India. He believes more opportunities will emerge if the PNGRB approves the technical aspects of blending in existing pipelines. The company has signed MoUs with Kolkata Port and Tuticorin for green hydrogen and ammonia hubs. NTPC-REL is also working on a green hydrogen flow pilot project and a green methanol pilot project in Ladakh to produce green hydrogen and carbon dioxide from smokestacks.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued directives requiring strict compliance with Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) guidelines for solar photovoltaic power projects under MNRE schemes/schemes. The directive comes amid concerns about possible abuse of the policy, misdeclaration and import of solar cells in DCR projects. Violations may result in criminal cases, blacklisting, confiscation of bank guarantees and disciplinary action against the officials involved. MNRE encourages domestic manufacturing and urges all stakeholders to adhere to the policy.
Inox Green Energy Services will divest 100% stake in Nani Virani Wind Energy Private Ltd, a 50 MW operating wind farm in Gujarat. The transaction will be completed subject to regulatory and banking approvals, including board and shareholder approvals. The move will strengthen Inox Wind's financial strength and improve profitability as the company aims to become net debt-free.
A new intelligence briefing from PreScouter highlights the challenges of global renewable energy adoption that could lead to increased carbon emissions. Renewable energy sources account for 10-20% of electricity in major economies, but there are signs of inconsistency, affecting power quality. The report suggests that existing infrastructure may not be able to support a rapid transition to renewable energy, so modern and efficient storage strategies are needed.
Renewable energy industry developers say land costs are critical to reducing the cost of solar projects in India. Optimizing land costs involves finding the right balance between location, quality and price. The "2023 National Power Plan" points out that land is the most important resource for solar power plants, and higher-capacity solar modules can reduce land requirements. However, challenges such as land supply, legal issues and land transfers remain. Developers must carefully evaluate land-related factors, work with local authorities, and consider strategies to minimize expenditure while ensuring project efficiency and regulatory compliance.