Public and private sector coal consumers can now swap domestic or overseas fuel sources between themselves to reduce distances over which coal is transported. Coal India (CIL) has been appointed the nodal agency for the scheme.

Rockfeller Foundation arm Smart Power India (SPI) has made a case for decentralised power generation, franchise models and smart grids in the new electricity law. This will bring in innovation to remote rural areas and help in providing affordable and reliable electricity to all customers through off-grid and grid integration models.

The Andhra Pradesh government will launch an ambitious housing scheme by August 2020. Construction of 15 lakh houses across all 13 districts of the state would be taken up in the first phase, with the distribution of 27 lakh house sites to the poor in July.

The Ministry of Power and the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy & Utilities have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on transition to green energy in India.

Wind-solar hybrid (WSH) power, which harnesses both solar and wind energy, is fast emerging as a viable new renewable energy option in India, according to a Crisil Research study. About 15 GW of WSH power will come up by 2024, riding on strong support from Solar Energy Corporation of India and several state governments.

The Goa government’s recent decision to implement the Rural Village Electrification Scheme for households through renewable energy will help 90 houses in Sangum, Quepem, Sattari and Canacona get electricity. Under the scheme, 100% financial assistance will be provided to households for a 500 Wp solar system.

The government will soon start auctioning of six more airports under public private partnership (PPP) model. These are at Amritsar, Varanasi, Bhubaneswar, Indore, Raipur and Trichy. Additional investments by private players in 12 airports in the first and second rounds are expected to be worth around Rs. 13,000 crore.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted exemptions to 13 consortia to operate drones on an experimental basis, without the need for unique identification numbers and operator permits, till 30 September 2020.

To provide private sector defence and aerospace companies affordable facilities to test and validate weaponry, the Ministry of Defence has approved a Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) with an outlay of Rs. 400 crore.