The Asia Super Grid will connect China, Japan, Russia and South Korea to boost renewables

In March this year, SB Energy Corp. (Japan), State Grid Corporation of China, Korea Electric Power Corp., and Rosseti, a Russian electric power and grid operator, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to conduct technical and economic feasibility studies toward creating the international electricity transmission network in Northeast Asia. 

Three U.S. cents per kWh - new world record set by solar power plant in Dubai

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received bids for the 800 MW Sheikh Maktoum Solar Park Phase III as low as 3.00 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. The lowest bid was submitted by a consortium of Abu Dhabi’s Masdar and Spanish developer FRV.

Kazakhstan will use energy auctions to boost renewables

The auctions are intended to make the selection process for projects and investors transparent and clear, increasing the effectiveness of technologies and minimising influence on tariffs. The decision to introduce the auctions was made contingent upon the analysis of best world practices, cooperation with EU, international organisations and institutions.

Saudi Arabia creates $2 trillion investment fund for post-oil era

Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled ambitious plan "Vision 2030" aimed at ending the kingdom's "addiction" to oil and transforming it into a global investment power. The kingdom would raise the capital of its public investment fund (PIF) to 7 trillion riyals ($2 trillion).

Kazakhstan subsidizes development of green energy

The largest oil producer among former Soviet republics after Russia, is seeking to meet 3 percent of its energy needs from renewables by 2020 and 10 percent by 2030. Kazakhstan subsidizes renewable energy production to encourage investment in clean energy.

World Bank approved financing for the first phase of the Climate Resilience Program in Central Asia

WB's Board of Executive Directors recently approved an allocation of US$38 million from the International Development Association to finance the first phase of the Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program for Aral Sea Basin (CAMP4ASB). The program includes US$9 million for Tajikistan, US$14 million for Uzbekistan, and US$15 million for regional  activities.

India on the way to become a solar super power

Last year India's Prime Minister has outlined his vision for increasing country’s renewable energy capacity more than five-fold from 30 GW to 175 GW, including a boost in solar power generation from 20 GW to 100 GW, by 2022. Taking advantage of 300 to 330 sunny days a year, India could easily install around 1,000 GW of solar generation — equivalent to four times the current peak power demand (about 250 GW) — using just 0.5 percent of its land.

India's commitment before Paris climate summit to reduce the growth rate of its greenhouse gas emissions

India, the world’s third-largest carbon polluter, was the last major country to issue its plan before a climate summit  in Paris in December. Under the plan, India does not commit to an absolute reduction in carbon emissions levels, unlike other major polluting economies, but will take measures to slower down the pace of emissions growth comparing to "business as usual" scenario.

China will launch the world’s largest national carbon trading program in 2017

The targeted industries in China include power generators, steel and cement producers, and other industrial sectors. Program will incentivize major polluters to reduce emissions by handing out a limited number of permits based on a national emissions cap.

Storage solutions for renewable energy in UAE

Renewable energy is a big business in the UAE, its solar-power sector is growing really fast. It was forecasted that the industry would add 1,000 jobs over the coming two years. Still, a major difficulty remains in how to store the electricity the sector generates for the times when it is needed most.

Scientist from Columbia University about climate change in Central Asia

Climate change may promote cooperation in Central Asia because it will pressure countries to find solutions.  Central Asian republics differ from each other not only in adaptation techniques but also in mitigation issues.

Сlimate change and dams are among biggest threats facing Himalayan rivers in India

Himalayan rivers account for nearly two-thirds of India's national river flows, and 43 per cent of India's population depends on just the Ganga for their water needs. India has 4,857 large dams (more than 15 m in height or 10-15 m if it fulfills some other conditions) in operation and 314 under construction. While nine out of 10 dams in India have irrigation as their main purpose, in the Himalayan region, which accounts for 70 per cent of hydro power potential. 

Solar cookers in Tajikistan help to survive blackouts and reduce CO2 emissions

Tajikistan suffers blackouts during winter due to the declining capacity of its domestic energy infrastructure, yet hosts strong potential for renewable energy with over 200 sunny days during the average year and significant hydro resources. In  December 2014, the village of Roshorv, located at an altitude of more than 3000m in the Bartang Valley of Tajikistan was presented with a solar cooker by Tajik environmental organization Little Earth.

Renewable power can help more than half of rural Pakistanis, who still do not have access to electricity

According to  International Energy Agency, 38 % of all Pakistani population and 54% of the rural population (97 million)    currently have no access to electricity, forcing them to live a sub-standard life of poverty and social inequity. Renewable energy is a potential resource that can be tapped immediately to overcome the current energy crises and warrants energy security.

China begins power sector reform and focuses on energy efficiency and renewables

In April  Chinese government issued four documents on power sector reform, which  outlined long-awaited upgrades to the functioning of the world's largest power utility. The reforms cover a number of important topics, including:

High death toll from India’s heat wave...

At least 1,400 people died in India in less than one week from unprecedentedly high temperatures, which reached  50C  (122F)  In some regions. 

China CO2 reduction this year could equal UK total emissions over same period

Coal consumption in the world’s largest economy fell by almost 8% and CO2 emissions by around 5% in the first four months of the year, compared with the same period in 2014.  China’s coal use fell for the first time this century and government recently ordered more than 1,000 coal mines to close. This is very encouraging news on the eve  of crucial climate talks in Paris this year. Read more at http://energydesk.greenpeace.org/
Read also about China as world’s largest energy consumer and greenhouse gas emitter

Top Chinese Meteorologist Warns Climate Change Will Have 'Huge Impact' On Country

"As the world warms, risks of climate change and climate disasters to China could become more grave," said  Zheng Guoguang, China Meteorological Administration (CMA) chief.
The CMA chief said climate change would seriously threaten big projects in the country, such as the Three Gorges Dam and a massive scheme geared toward diverting water from southern portions of China to areas north of the country to address water problems. Zheng called on China to take a development path that accommodates the aim of lowering carbon emissions, but he also pointed out that the use of solar and wind energy in the country has limited potential.
Along with the United States, China accounts for about 45 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions in the world.  Read more at http://www.techtimes.com/

China Spawns Its Latest Renewable Energy Billionaire

Cao Renxian, chairman of China’s Sungrow Power Supply, has joined the ranks of the world’s renewable energy billionaires. Sungrow makes power supply equipment for the solar and wind power industries, mainly inverters and converters. Its revenue rose by 44% last year to 3 billion yuan, or $479 million. That helped to boost net profit to 291.7 million yuan, or $46.6 million, an increase of 61% from 2013. China’s richest man, Hanergy chairman Li Hejun, also hails from solar power industry. His flagship business, Hong Kong-listed Hanergy Thin-Film Power Group, boasts a market cap  six times that of top U.S. thin-film panel supplier First Solar. Read more at http://www.forbes.com

India to partner with Africa to fight climate change

Ahead of the UN climate conference in Paris later this year, India Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar  on Wednesday said that adaptation and mitigation must be accorded "equal" importance and assured that it will partner with African nations to fight climate change while taking cooperation to a "new level". Read more at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com