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

NTPC Limited has commissioned the first part capacity of 17.5 MW of the 100 MW floating solar projects at Ramagundam, Telangana, on October 28, 2021. With this, the company’s installed and commercial capacity stands at 53.49 GW and 66.91 GW, respectively. Further, Unit-2 (250 MW) of Barauni Thermal Power Station Stage-II (2x250MW) will be operational from November 1, 2021.

Tata Motors and BluSmart, an electric ride-hailing platform, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand BluSmart’s all-electric fleet multi-fold across Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). Tata has bagged a contract to supply 3,500 XPRES T electric sedans.

Waaree Renewables Technology has received an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) order from Masaya Solar Energy (UPC Renewables) for executing a 210 MW solar project. The project must be completed within eight to ten months. UPC Renewables had won a 300 MW project in Solar Energy Corporation of India’s auction for 960 MW of inter-state transmission system (ISTS-VI) connected solar projects in 2019. The project is jointly developed by UPC Solar Asia Pacific and Ayala Corporation’s energy platform, AC Energy. Located in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh, Masaya Solar had an estimated project cost of US $220 million.

DACHSER, a Germany-based freight company, said it would purchase power generated from only renewable sources. The company would increase its proportion of green energy from 60% to 100% by using green power across its operations in 42 countries.  It would significantly increase in-house renewable energy generation and expand solar systems of roofs of its European logistics facilities and office buildings. By 2025, its current capacity will more than quadruple to over 20,000 kW of installed capacity.

HPSolartech, Sunspark Nordic, and the Switzerland-based infrastructure fund Re:cap have signed an agreement to develop 40 land-based solar energy parks in southern Sweden. The first park is expected to be developed in Olofstrom and Toreboda municipalities, with construction starting in early 2022. The entire portfolio of solar parks will be fully operational in 2023/2024.

Mainstream Renewable Power announced that its 12 projects had won preferred bidder status in Round 5 of South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPP). The 1.27 GW of wind and solar projects accounted for half of the total allocation in the round. With this win, Mainstream’s capacity in the REIPPP is now 2.1 GW. This includes 850 MW of wind and solar generation assets that Mainstream has already delivered into commercial operation across Rounds 1, 3, and 4 of the REIPPPP. The projects will produce approximately 4,500 GWh of green electricity each year, helping to avoid nearly 5 million tons of CO2 per annum once fully operational.

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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