MNRE revises norms for biomass programme
In a bid to strengthen India’s clean energy transition and promote the efficient use of biomass and biowaste resources, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued revised guidelines under Phase-I of the National Bioenergy Programme, applicable for FY 2021–22 to 2025–26. The updated framework is designed to simplify procedures, promote ease of doing business, and encourage faster adoption of biomass and waste-to-energy technologies across the country. The revised guidelines cover both the Biomass Programme and the Waste-to-Energy Programme, introducing major reforms aimed at reducing administrative burden, enhancing operational flexibility, and aligning financial assistance with plant performance. Key Revisions in Biomass Programme One of the most significant reforms under the revised Biomass Programme is the simplification of documentation and approval procedures, particularly benefiting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Key changes include: Reduced documentation for briquette and pellet manufacturers by eliminating requirements for multiple clearances. Flexible sale arrangements: The previous mandate for a two-year briquette/pellet sale contract has been replaced with a general sale agreement, giving project developers more flexibility to respond to market dynamics. IoT-based digital monitoringintroduced as a cost-effective alternative to expensive SCADA systems, enabling easier compliance, particularly for smaller units. Improved stubble management: The guidelines support India’s goal to reduce air pollution from stubble burning, especially in northern states.
Russia’s Rosneft Oil Company in early talks with Reliance to sell stake in India unit
Russian oil giant PJSC Rosneft Oil Company is in early talks with Reliance Industries for sale of its 49.13 per cent stake in Nayara Energy, which operates a 20-million tonnes-a-year oil refinery and 6,750 petrol pumps in India, sources said. Reliance has held preliminary talks for acquisition of Nayara, which will help it overtake state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to become India’s No.1 oil refiner as well as give a meaningful presence in the fuel marketing space. But the talks are at preliminary stage and there is no guarantee that they may lead to a definite deal as valuation remains a sticky ground, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Top Rosneft officials have visited India at least thrice in the last one year, including visits to Ahmedabad and Mumbai, for talks with potential investors
Russia Tries Again to Expand LNG Exports Upended by Sanctions
Russia is taking another crack at expanding exports of liquefied natural gas after US sanctions stalled efforts last year. An LNG vessel has docked at the Arctic LNG 2 export facility for the first time since October, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg and satellite images. The facility was supposed to be a cornerstone of Moscow’s goal to increase LNG exports threefold by 2030, but has been idle for months after struggling to find buyers willing to break western restrictions. Russia has the pieces in place to meaningfully boost LNG exports as it expands its shadow fleet. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russian gas pipeline exports to Europe have dwindled, and shipping more fuel via seaborne LNG tankers provides an attractive revenue stream to fill Moscow’s coffers. Shadow Fleet At least 13 ships, including those that can navigate icy waters, have been marshaled to potentially service Arctic LNG 2, with some changing management companies several times to help obfuscate the actual owners. According to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg they include: “Russia does have more vessels at its disposal compared to the summer/fall of 2024,” Malte Humpert, founder of the Arctic Institute, a Washington-based think-tank, said in an email. “If it can find buyers, this small fleet should be sufficient to lift cargoes.” Eight shipments were exported from Arctic LNG 2 between August and October 2024, but never docked on foreign shores. Instead, the gas was offloaded into two Russian storage units in the Barents Sea and its Far East region. Large-scale production halted in October after ice built up around the facility and made transport by traditional vessels challenging. Russia’s first domestically built ice-class LNG tanker may come online in the second half of this year if it passes remaining sea trials, Interfax reported Wednesday, citing Sovcomflot Chief Executive Officer Igor Tonkovidov.