Japanese govt evinces interest to invest Rs.2.95 trn in India
Japan has expressed keen interest to invest Yen five trillion, or around Rs.2.95 trillion, in India across various sectors, which includes steel, exploring new technologies and decarbonization pathways. India and Japan have also signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) in semiconductors during a meeting of Indian government officials with a Japanese delegation led by the Minister of economy, trade and industry of Japan, Nishimura Yasutoshi. Envisioning a partnership which can leverage complementary strengths of each country, the areas of manufacturing, talent development, research and development (R&D) would get a major boost. To this end, both countries will soon create an implementation organisation to facilitate industry and government-level collaboration. While addressing best practices, green steel production and greater energy efficiency in operations, both sides will take these up in future discussions through the Steel Dialogue and other cooperation programs, to help achieve their respective net zero goals, India’s steel sector aims to grow to 300 million tonne capacity by 2030.
Sterlite Power commissions its sixth power transmission project in Brazil
Sterlite Power, a power transmission developer and solutions provider, has achieved a significant milestone in Brazil with the successful commissioning of its sixth power transmission project – Marituba. Built with an investment of Rs.1,600 crore, Project Marituba involved developing a 344 km long 500kV transmission corridor connecting Brazil’s largest hydropower plant at Tucuruí to the metropolitan region of Belém to deliver up to 1,000 MW of green energy. Since its foray in Brazil in 2017, Sterlite Power has built a significant footprint in the country, acquiring 13 Projects through greenfield global auction process.
Currently, the company has a strong portfolio of eight power transmission projects, of which it has developed six projects, spanning approximately 2000 kms of transmission lines and 22 substations. The Marituba project is fully integrated with the National Interconnected System (SIN)—the Brazilian National Grid. Located in the Amazon region, it is the largest power transmission project executed by Sterlite Power Brazil. It has traversed 15 cities and 27 Quilombola Afro-Brazilian communities and has created more than 2000 jobs in the region, positively impacting the Brazilian economy and its people.
The company faced several challenges during the project construction, such as crossing the Tocantins, Acará, and Guamá rivers, and the assembly of towers over 150 meters high to execute the 3 river crossings, each spanning over 1.5 Km. Innovative techniques, such as the use of vessels to transport structures and materials to cross the cables through the water, were adopted to divert river traffic.
Some of the noteworthy achievements of Sterlite Power in Brazil include the delivery of its first project—Arcoverde, 28 months ahead of schedule. In the auctions held last year, the company won two important lots—5 and 9, with a total estimated capex of Rs.1800 crore. Apart from this, Sterlite Power also commissioned three more projects earlier this year, which connected renewable energy to the Brazilian national grid.
Bangladesh PM, Sheikh Hasina, Lays Foundation Stone for 200 MLD Pagla STP
The Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone for the 200 MLD Pagla Energy Neutral Sewage Treatment Plant. The event took place at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), Agargaon, Dhaka and was attended by distinguished guests including Md. Tazul Islam, MP, Hon’ble Minister – Ministry of Local Govt., Rural Development and Co-operatives, Muhammad Ibrahim, Secretary – Local Govt. Division, Taqsem A Khan, Managing Director & CEO – Dhaka WASA, Yao Wen, Ambassador – Embassy of China to Bangladesh, Rajiv Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director – VA TECH WABAG LIMITED and other dignitaries from World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. WABAG received the breakthrough Design, Build and Operate (DBO) order of worth ~ USD 100 Million from Dhaka Water Supply & Sewerage Authority (Dhaka WASA) during March 2023. The scope includes Design, Engineering, Supply, Construction, Installation and Commissioning of the 200 MLD STP followed by Operation & Maintenance (O&M) for a period of 60 months. The project is funded by Multi-Lateral Funding Agencies – World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) under Dhaka Sanitation Improvement Project (DSIP).
This project is being designed on Activated Sludge Treatment Process where it would use Green Fuel (Biogas) generated during the wastewater treatment process producing Green Energy required for running the plant. This process also meets the best in class Environmental norms and the production of Renewable Energy contributes to the cause of combating global climate change. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh emphasized that the development of such Power-neutral Sewage Treatment Plants will position Bangladesh as a leader in South and South East Asia, promoting sustainability and addressing global climate change. Commenting on this occasion, Rajiv Mittal, CMD – VA TECH WABAG LIMITED said, “Being a water technology company it has been our endeavour to promote innovative and sustainable technologies for water and wastewater management that ensures improved water and sanitation for people across the globe and aligns to SDG 06 Goals of the UN. The Pagla STP reinforces our commitment by playing a crucial role assuring efficient treatment and discharge of treated wastewater and thus will improve water quality of the Buriganga-Dhaleswari system. Also, powered with resource recovery model, the STP will produce renewable energy from the biogas to run the plants leading to lower OPEX.
WABAG is a leading player in the rejuvenation of River Ganga under the Clean Ganga Mission in India. We are glad to be part of this river rejuvenation at Bangladesh too. The project will have a positive impact on the water quality of Dhaka’s rivers. It will significantly reduce the volume of untreated wastewater and fecal sludge discharged into the rivers, contributing to the larger effort to improve sanitation services in the city.”
Arvind Dullu, Regional Business Head – South Asia said, “We are proud to be associated with Government of Bangladesh’s vision to provide clean and safe sanitation services to the citizens of Dhaka. We are thankful to our client Dhaka WASA for the confidence they have reposed in us for building the sustainable wastewater infrastructure for Dhaka.”
