Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Comparing energy suppliers and carefully reviewing your bills are key steps in becoming an informed consumer.
Ongoing cost of living pressures continue to impact household budgets.
With all Canberrans trying to make their dollars stretch further, here are some tips that may help you become a savvy consumer and save some money along the way.
Set up a realistic budget
Shop around
Read and keep paperwork in relation to purchases
Look after your receipts
Know your consumer guarantee rights and when you’re entitled to a refund, repair or replacement
If something goes wrong with a purchase, talk to the business and describe the problem and explain how you would like them to fix it.
Considering unit pricing is one way to help you budget and save while grocery shopping.
Unit pricing at supermarkets shows not just the cost of a product, but the value of that product as a cost per standard unit of measurement. This is usually displayed on shelf labels.
Unit pricing allows you to compare the cost of grocery products quickly and accurately – for example between brands, specials and package sizes, between packaged and unpackaged, or between fresh and frozen.
Other tips to help you get the most out of your grocery shopping
Meal plan and check what you’ve got in your cupboards, fridge and freezer before going shopping, so you use up things before they go out of date
Write a shopping list
Choose in season fruit and vegetables
Shop around for the best prices
Try supermarket or home brands.
Review your memberships and subscription services
Whether it’s a gym membership, newspaper subscription, streaming service or food delivery service you’re signed up to, it pays to review your memberships regularly. These small monthly costs can soon add up.
Before signing up to a new subscription, make sure you read and understand the terms and conditions and are aware of any ongoing fees before clicking through online.
When reviewing membership and subscription services consider:
What services do I use?
Is there a better deal or a cheaper plan?
Is there a low-cost alternative?
Can I rotate through subscriptions?
Look for the best deal before filling up
Feeling the pinch at the petrol bowser? Doing a little research before you fill up might help save you money.
While a lot of factors can influence the price you pay for fuel, a quick look at a petrol price app or website before you fill up can help you compare and save.
Have a look at the list of fuel price reporting apps and websites available.
When it comes to paying utilities or renewing annual insurances beware of paying a ‘loyalty or lazy tax’.
A loyalty tax refers to the practice of businesses offering lower rates or premiums to new customers while charging higher rates or premiums to long-term customers, who have been loyal to a company or institution for many years.
Consider comparison websites
It pays to shop around and compare premiums with other providers to ensure you’re getting the best product, premium or policy based on your circumstances.
To compare energy suppliers and make sure you’re getting the best deal, you can use the Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website.
Using comparison websites can be helpful but they have limitations and may not cover all your options. ASIC’s Moneysmart website has tips on using comparison websites.
If you’re finding it hard to keep up with regular payments like gas, electricity and phone, visit Moneysmart for steps you can take to sort things out.
You can also call the free National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Visit ASIC’s Moneysmart website
ASIC’s Moneysmart website contains tips, tools and resources to help you manage your money, reduce your debt and plan for your future.
It also has information on budgeting, reducing living costs and getting help if you need it.
Find support
Do you know what concessions, rebates and other supports are available to Canberrans from the ACT Government? See what you might be eligible for.
If you require emergency support or financial assistance, you can find contact details for a range of support services on the Australian Government website.
Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:
What is your technology, what is innovative about it, and how will it change the world? These are the initial questions the innovation management team at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) asks researchers when they have new inventions with commercialization potential.
Researchers submit their innovative ideas as records of invention (ROI) or software records, thus initiating a collaborative review and discussion with members of NREL’s Technology Transfer Office and Office of General Counsel. Technologies that pass muster and show potential for measurable market impacts may move on to the multiyear process with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to secure the patent rights necessary to bring yesterday’s ideas into today’s practical use.
In Fiscal Year 2024, researchers at NREL submitted a record-breaking 294 innovations, representing potentially patentable inventions or copyrightable software. This remarkable level of innovation productivity resulted in 46 awarded U.S. patents and 12 NREL-enabled startup companies—an unprecedented amount of growth for this DOE laboratory focused on integrated energy solutions for an affordable and secure energy future.
To Eric Payne, licensing executive lead for the tech transfer office, NREL’s record year signals that researchers are more engaged than ever before in the commercialization process as a means for their research to have impact.
“NREL scientists are among the most inventive in the national lab system, and this record year reflects their continued dedication to having commercial impacts in the U.S. energy economy,” Payne said.
A subtle, yet crucial, distinction about patents, Payne explained, is that they are “a snapshot back in time” of the research NREL was conducting three to five years ago.
“Patent issuances are actually a lagging indicator of innovation, because if you think about the timeline, a researcher will first file an ROI. We typically file a patent application about six to 12 months after that, and then the patent application is pending within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for at least two to five years,” Payne said.
The process can sometimes take even longer, partly due to the volume of applications received at the U.S. Patent Office and partly due to the complexity of the technology itself. The more complicated the technology, the more time it takes for a patent application to be examined, with NREL’s team of patent attorneys expertly navigating the prosecution process. Because research at the laboratory is often early stage, researchers will typically use this waiting period to continue developing their technologies toward market readiness.
In the case of FY 2024, the “oldest” awarded patent originated from an ROI submitted in 2014, though most patents were initiated in 2019 or later.
So, what was cutting edge at NREL five years ago? In short: NREL’s origins as a solar research institute still shine, accompanied by advances in wind, hydropower, geothermal, and bioenergy fields. The patents overwhelmingly represent improvements in the efficiency of energy systems and manufacturing processes to make technology easier to scale and cheaper to use. New materials and advanced composites were introduced, and methods that reduce the amount of energy needed to power everyday lives were proposed.
Protecting Power Grids From Cyberattacks
With the rise of new technologies, power grids are becoming more vulnerable to advanced malware capable of infiltrating a utility company and toggling the on/off switch of electricity for millions of customers at once, remotely.
Joshua Rivera and Vivek Kumar Singh, two researchers at NREL’s Cybersecurity Research Center, aim to get ahead of these threats by exploring how modern cybersecurity concepts—like cloud-based programs, process automation, and even artificial intelligence—can be applied to the energy grid to make it more resilient.
This thought led to the Cybersecurity Research Center’s first patent, issued in February 2024, titled “Network visualization, intrusion detection, and network healing.” Rivera and Kumar Singh are coinventors along with NREL’s Adarsh Hasandka and Joshua Van Natta.
The patent proposes a system that detects, visualizes, and mitigates anomalies in power grids automatically. The system’s rapid response lies in the rule-based, model-based, and AI-driven methods it was developed with. By comparing incoming data to preestablished models, plotted by the team, the system can immediately trigger corrective actions when disruptions are found.
Vivek Kumar Singh (presenting) describes the NREL-patented tool for protecting power grids. Photo from Vivek Kumar Singh, NREL
The team’s ROI for the technology was initiated in 2019, “at the right place and the right time,” according to Rivera and Kumar Singh.
“In 2019, we were trying to capture the moment; we were forecasting that people were really going to care about AI,” Rivera added. “Terms like virtualization, software-defined networking, automation, and orchestration are common in IT and cloud security for ensuring resilience. So, we set out to adapt those philosophies with these new detection methodologies and apply them specifically to power systems. By combining them, we realized we could create something truly novel at the time.”
As electrical grids become more connected and vulnerable to online threats, cybersecurity is now a core component of energy systems rather than an afterthought. To refine and bring technologies like this patent to market, the team said that partnerships and collaborations will be essential.
“This patent required a diverse team of people with different domain expertise and different capabilities,” Rivera said. “The more collaboration and involvement we get from others, the more likely we can build something that will be successful.”
Matereal’s NIPU Foam Replaces Traditional Polyurethane
For retired NREL researcher Phil Pienkos, his renewable, nontoxic polyurethane product, trademarked as Polaris, came closer to commercialization in FY 2024 with a new patent for the technology.
Developed with Tao Dong and Lieve Laurens of NREL, Pienkos’ non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU) foam can be made from readily available oils, such as linseed or soybean oil, as well as oils derived from algae or food waste. It is synthesized without petroleum-based chemicals and isocyanates: hazardous chemicals that are known to cause irritation, asthma, and severe lung issues. And its end product offers both recyclable and biodegradable options for polyurethane used in everything from textiles, automotive interiors, mattress cushioning, and more.
Phil Pienkos (right) holds a prototype of his non-isocyanate polyurethane material, while Eric Payne (left) holds the patent license agreement that helped Pienkos form his company, Matereal. Photo from Eric Payne, NREL
This latest patent, “Non-isocyanate polyurethane products and methods of making the same,” specifically addresses the method of making NIPU foam. By increasing the reaction speed between amines and cyclic carbonates, the building blocks of the material, researchers have made NIPU foam synthesis more comparable to conventional polyurethane production, which is crucial for uptake by industry partners.
“It’s got regulation push. It’s got market pull,” Pienkos said of the opportunities for commercialization. “It’s got everything.”
As of summer 2024, Pienkos’ startup company, Matereal, had completed a round of seed funding, raising $4.5 million to continue Polaris’ development after early partnerships with brands like Patagonia, the outdoor company, and Tempur Sealy, the mattress company.
Ocean Wave Energy Converters Make a Splash
Two patents issued in the last fiscal year centered on marine energy and the conversion of the ocean’s waves into “something more useful,” said Blake Boren, a senior engineer on NREL’s water power research and development team—be it electricity or desalinating seawater into drinkable fresh water.
Boren was a lead researcher on the patent titled “Flexible wave energy converter,” also known as a flexWEC, a device that can bend, flex, and/or stretch to generate electricity from ocean waves. Where traditional wave energy converters are typically rigid and move within one degree of freedom, a flexWEC is innately able to move in several degrees of freedom and can therefore interact with a broader range of ocean wave periods and frequencies than what would otherwise be directly possible. With many small energy transducers embedded across the device, instead of concentrated at central point, the flexWEC can better adapt to changing wave environments and continue operating even if some transducers fail.
A prototype of the inflatable pump Jenne built in his garage. Photo by Scott Jenne, NREL
“If a couple of the smaller energy transducers fail, it’s not ideal, but the overall energy conversion structure should largely still operate as intended, and in that way, flexible wave energy converters could be more robust than a more conventional WEC,” Boren said.
The flexWEC is an ocean wave energy converter based on distributed embedded energy converter technologies (DEEC-Tec), a new type of marine energy innovation that was patented in September 2022 by Boren and Jochem Weber, chief engineer for NREL’s water power program, also named on the new patent.
Dale “Scott” Jenne’s FY 2024 patent, “Inflatable pressure absorption wave actuated pump,” also described a wave energy converter, though based on a different mechanism than the flexWEC. After six years of working on desalination technologies, Jenne—a multidisciplinary research engineer on the water power team—noticed a common theme.
“Almost every wave energy converter that I had worked with or analyzed was, in some way, pumping a fluid. And a lot of companies earlier on were using what we call hydraulic systems: a piston that is pushing up and down, then that motion runs a motor, which can then run a generator,” Jenne said.
But hydraulic systems are expensive, prone to leaks, and rely on rigid parts like gearboxes that could break over time, leading Jenne to question, “How do you simplify that process and make a system that pumps water with the simplest mechanism possible?”
The result, a prototype Jenne built in his garage with $150 of supplies, is a modified version of a diaphragm pump that relies on the kinetic energy of a moving wave to pressurize a bag. Squeezing the bag then forces air through a column to generate electricity. The inflatable pump has no moving parts and reduces the complexity of mechanical systems with hydraulic seals. And the prototype’s low-cost build implies the technology could be scaled inexpensively.
NREL researchers Blake Boren and Stephen Chamot (from left to right), with Isabel Hess, a Ph.D. student from the University of Florida, do final checks to the distributed embedded energy conversion technology (DEEC-Tec) equipment before testing it in the Wave Tank at the NREL Flatirons Campus. Photo by Gregory Cooper, NREL
In December 2024, Jenne’s team applied for a Technology Commercialization Fund grant from DOE to advance the inflatable pump for high-pressure scenarios, like those needed for desalination.
In both cases, the flexWEC and the inflatable pump hold promise for generating energy from the harsh environment of ocean waves, particularly in areas affected by hurricanes or in remote coastal areas that lack reliable infrastructure. Ocean wave energy has unique advantages in niche applications like those, filling in gaps where wind and solar renewables are less effective. Demonstrating that WECs can succeed in smaller-scale systems—such as powering oceanographic sensors for data collection, desalinating seawater, or supplying energy to microgrids in island communities—could build momentum for larger-scale applications of marine renewable energy technologies in the future.
Solar Panels, Minus the Lengthy Setup
Innovations in solar energy technologies represented a majority of the patents NREL acquired in FY 2024, mirroring the growing role solar plays in the global electricity market at-large. As the most abundant renewable resource, solar is predicted to account for 40% of the U.S. electricity supply by 2035 and 45% by 2050.
One standout solar technology comes from researchers Bryon Larson and Obadiah Reid of NREL’s chemistry and nanoscience program. Their patent, “Microwave photoconductance spectrometer and methods of using the same,” describes a technique to analyze materials used in photovoltaics (PV) quickly and efficiently, without needing to build a full solar panel device first.
The device could help solar panel manufacturers implement real-time quality control monitoring on production lines and facilitate more efficient research on PV materials beyond silicon. Where traditional silicon solar panels have established metrics for quality, new materials, such as perovskites, are less well characterized and require more meticulous processing to achieve optimal performance.
Reid and Larson’s spectrometer works by aiming microwaves at a film of semiconducting material. When the waves bounce back, they are carrying information about the material’s quality at high speed, allowing manufacturers to adjust factors to improve the material’s conductivity in real-time. The spectrometer is built to incorporate into a future where solar panels are manufactured on a roll-to-roll press akin to a newspaper printing press.
“The technique is contactless, so you are essentially pointing a probe at a running web of material that is moving very rapidly,” Larson said. “The faster you run the printing press, the higher the yields in solar panel production—per hour, day, or year. That’s important because, in a manufacturing setting, the less downtime you have, the more likely you’ll be profitable.”
After the ROI was filed in 2018, DOE selected Reid and Larson’s spectrometer for its Small Business Innovation Research grants where industry competed to advance the technology. Oregon-based Tau Science Corporation adapted the team’s research tool into a commercial prototype, and along the way, Reid and Larson made the technology even better. Though their original spectrometer is 1,000 times more sensitive than traditional methods, today’s version is even more precise, enabling research into higher-quality perovskites, cadmium telluride, and other trending semiconducting materials.
Chemistry researchers Bryon Larson (left) and Obadiah Reid demonstrate a commercial prototype of their microwave spectrometer. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL
Reid predicts that as the solar industry adopts roll-to-rolling printing—projected to be a $50 billion annual market in the next two decades—the microwave spectrometer will naturally transition to industrial applications.
“I have pretty high hopes that it will be adopted by research laboratories because it is super useful as a way of characterizing the material you’re making before going all the way to a full device,” Reid said. “If that happens, if the people developing the materials are trained with this particular technique, they’re going to want that same feedback in their systems when they join industry.”
These and NREL’s remainingpatents from FY 2024 have been added to an ever-expanding portfolio of technologies that Payne’s office is managing, including 750 patented technologies and 700 commercial and open-source software records. Each invention isavailable for licensingthrough NREL’s Technology Transfer Office.
The latest trends in global supply chains will be the focus of a three day event hosted by the University of Aberdeen Business School this summer.
From exploring the use of AI and Blockchain, understanding supply vessel logistics and establishing new supply chains in emerging markets; through to raising awareness of the environmental, social and governance requirements in value chain planning, the event is part a new MBA Residential series.
Supported by the Development Trust Student Experience Fund, it will bring together MBA students from Aberdeen, Qatar and those studying online for a comprehensive programme of lectures and on-site industry visits.
In addition to visiting the National Decommissioning Centre, ANM Group and Peterhead Port Authority, delegates will hear from speakers including Rex Gu, Global Head of Finance, Contract Logistics and E-Commerce Logistics at A.P. Moller – Maersk; Alan Buhamba, Executive Assistant to the Minister of Energy in the Government of Uganda; Cyril Bruce-Cathline, New Business Management for Europe and Africa at Fugro; and Yingli Wu, Managing Director (China) at Wrist Ship Supply. They will also be joined by Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
This event provides a unique opportunity for students across the MBA cohort to network, engage and enhance their understanding of supply chain resilience directly from industry.” John Storm, Director of MBA Programmes at the Business School
“In today’s interconnected world, supply chain resilience is not just a strategic advantage but a necessity,” said John Storm, Director of MBA Programmes at the Business School and event moderator.
“The challenges of geopolitical instability, resource scarcity and technological integration demand agile and adaptable networks. Yet, these very challenges also present opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and enhanced collaboration, paving the way for more resilient and efficient global supply chains.
“This event provides a unique opportunity for students across the MBA cohort to network, engage and enhance their understanding of supply chain resilience directly from industry.”
Supply Chain Resilience in the Age of ESG takes place at the University of Aberdeen’s King’s College campus from 4-6 June 2025. Free to attend, register to express your interest here.
Initiative is set to be the largest Indigenous majority-owned infrastructure project in Canada
March 21, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario
The Government of Canada understands the importance of diversifying Canada’s export market opportunities, supporting Indigenous economic reconciliation objectives and ensuring development is aligned with our climate and environmental goals. Supporting large-scale innovative projects will position Canada for a cleaner and stronger economy—and when done thoughtfully and strategically, one that is competitive in a low-carbon world. The Cedar LNG Project will also connect Canada’s natural resources sector to more export markets while creating more economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples and Canadians.
Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced a contribution agreement under the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) of up to $200 million toward a $5.963 billion project with Cedar LNG Partners LP (Cedar LNG). This project will create approximately 300 full-time construction and trades jobs and 100 highly skilled jobs in Canada, with a strong focus on providing long term Indigenous employment opportunities. The project is expected to generate $275 million in gross domestic product (GDP) contributions over the construction phase and $85 million in annual GDP contributions during the operations phase.
Cedar LNG is a partnership between the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation. This four‑year project consists of the construction, commissioning and operation of a new Indigenous majority-owned floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) processing facility and marine export terminal in Kitimat, British Columbia. The facility will be powered by clean hydroelectricity from B.C.’s grid and will produce ultra low-carbon LNG that has the potential to displace the use of higher-emitting forms of energy in Asia. Once operational, the facility will have the capacity to process and liquefy 400 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day and produce 3.3 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year for international markets.
The Cedar LNG Project is a model for Indigenous ownership in natural resource projects. Partnering with Indigenous peoples, communities and businesses is critical to building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient natural resource sector in Canada. Cedar LNG will create jobs, drive economic growth, diversify our export markets, and support global energy security and the transition away from higher-emitting energy sources.
March 21, 2025 St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador Natural Resources Canada
Canada’s buildings sector is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gases across the country. Retrofits to existing buildings can improve energy efficiency and comfort for residents while reducing their pollution.
Today, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, on behalf of the federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced that Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program (GNPP) is investing $5.4 million toward deep energy retrofits for 101 municipally owned community housing units in St. John’s. The City of St. John’s is investing $4.4 million and has also received $1.66 million in funding through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) Affordable Housing Fund to support the improvements of these 101 units and additional repairs of 65 units.
These retrofits are expected to reduce energy use by more than 50 percent and greenhouse gas emissions from each unit by more than 80 percent. The project will retrofit the building exterior and improve the efficiency of lighting and heating systems.
Going forward, the project will allow the City of St. John’s to compare and validate the energy performance and cost of retrofitting various types of residential properties. This will help identify cost-effective retrofits for other projects in the future.
The funding announced today will help improve the community housing on offer in St. John’s, increase energy efficiency for residential units and advance Canada’s commitment in the global fight against climate change.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 21, 2025/APO Group/ —
With expertise spanning multiple industries, a delegation from pan-African legal and advisory firm CLG (formerly Centurion Law Group) will speak at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville this March. CLG, the official legal partner for CEIF 2025, is set to leverage this platform to address the unique challenges within Congo’s energy investment sector.
The delegation will include Zion Adeoye, CEO and Group Managing Partner; Yves Ollivier, Managing Director of CLG Congo; Grace Yella, Tax and Legal Director for Cameroon and Achare Takor, Senior Associate for Cameroon at CLG.
The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.
At CEIF 2025, CLG will host the Legal & Regulatory Frameworks for Congo’s Energy Market Development technical workshop. This session aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the current frameworks governing natural gas, including licensing requirements, fiscal policies and gas monetization strategies under the country’s Hydrocarbons Code. A panel of legal experts from CLG will discuss how legal factors influence investment decisions and contribute to the growth of Africa’s energy sector.
Congo is also set to unveil its Gas Master Plan and new Gas Code at CEIF 2025, which will advance the country’s gas monetization agenda and catalyze new infrastructure development. In parallel, Congo will launch an international oil and gas licensing round aimed at attracting investment in both marginal and deepwater blocks as part of its strategy to double oil production by 2027. With its recent office opening in Pointe-Noire, CLG is poised to offer direct support to energy professionals operating in or entering the Congolese market.
CLG’s Pointe-Noire office, managed by Ollivier, is focused on providing legal support for current and upcoming hydrocarbons projects in the region. Under Ollivier’s leadership, CLG’s local presence will help energy players navigate Central Africa’s complex legal landscape, minimizing risks and protecting assets. With expertise spanning energy, infrastructure, mining, agriculture and ESG standards, CLG offers comprehensive guidance to clients operating across Africa’s dynamic business environments. The firm combines technical excellence with an understanding of local markets and regulatory frameworks, helping clients achieve their business objectives and capitalize on growth opportunities.
“CLG’s expertise across energy, legal frameworks and regulatory issues is invaluable, particularly as we work to unlock the immense potential of Congo’s energy sector. The insights from CLG’s distinguished team will play a pivotal role in shaping discussions around the future of energy investment in Congo and Africa at large, providing crucial perspectives on the legal and regulatory complexities that will guide the region’s growth,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director at Energy Capital & Power.
INCREASING AMERICAN MINERAL PRODUCTION: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to boost American mineral production, streamline permitting, and enhance national security.
Agencies shall compile a list of all mineral production projects that have submitted a plan of operations, permit application, or any other approval request to that agency in order to expedite the review and advancement of those projects in coordination with the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC).
Additional mineral production projects will be considered for FAST-41 status to streamline permitting.
New recommendations will be provided to Congress regarding treatment of waste rock, tailings, and mine waste disposal under the Mining Act of 1872.
The Secretary of the Interior will prioritize mineral production activities over other types of activities on Federal lands that hold critical mineral deposits.
The Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Agriculture, and Secretary of the Interior shall identify additional sites that might be suitable for mineral production activities that can be permitted as soon as possible.
The Defense Production Act (DPA) will be used to expand domestic mineral production capacity.
Financing, loans, and investment support will be provided for new mineral production projects, including a dedicated critical minerals fund established through the United States International Development Finance Corporation in collaboration with the Department of Defense.
The Trump Administration will coordinate with private industry to ensure a stable and resilient domestic supply chain for critical materials, including critical minerals.
“Minerals” covered by the order include critical minerals, uranium, copper, potash, gold, and any other element, compound, or material as determined by the Chair of the NEDC, such as coal.
SECURING AMERICA’S MINERAL FUTURE: President Trump is boosting domestic mineral production to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign minerals, enhance national security, and create jobs.
Demand for critical minerals has been dubbed the “gold rush of the 21st century” due to their importance in emerging technologies.
The United States currently imports a significant portion of its minerals from foreign countries, creating economic and security risks, despite possessing a vast supply of critical minerals.
The United States is 100% import-reliant on at least 15 critical minerals, and imports of nonfuel mineral commodities make up more than half of U.S. consumption.
U.S. capacity utilization for the metal mining industry has declined for years.
China, Iran, and Russia control large deposits of several minerals critical to the U.S., posing a national security risk.
70% of U.S. imports of rare earths come from China.
A strong domestic mineral production industry would ensure U.S. companies can compete globally without overly relying on foreign supply chains.
Critical minerals are essential for U.S. military readiness, as they are key components in fighter jets, satellites, submarines, smart bombs, and missile guidance systems.
PRIORITIZING U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY: President Trump is committed to ending American dependence on hostile foreign powers for critical minerals.
Immediately upon returning to office, President Trump signed an Executive Order to make the U.S. “the leading producer and processor of non-fuel minerals, including rare earth minerals.”
President Trump also signed an Executive Order advancing the Ambler Access Project, a 211-mile industrial road through Northwest Alaska that enables commercial mining for copper, zinc and other materials.
This builds on actions President Trump took in his first term:
In 2017, President Trump implemented a Federal strategy to ensure secure and reliable supplies of critical minerals.
In 2019, President Trump signed five Presidential Determinations finding that domestic production of rare earth elements and materials is essential to the national defense.
In 2020, President Trump declared a National Emergency to expand the domestic mining industry, support mining jobs, alleviate unnecessary permitting delays, and reduce our Nation’s dependence on China for critical minerals.
In the mountainous region of Daixian County, north China’s Shanxi Province, a pumped-storage power station with a total installed capacity of 1.4 million kilowatts is set to begin construction in June.
Li Zhitao, deputy general manager of Shanxi Daixian Zhenghuaneng Energy Development Co., Ltd., was busy working with his colleagues to finalize preparations for the commencement of the project, which involves an investment of 10.99 billion yuan (about 1.53 billion U.S. dollars).
“This project primarily serves new energy generation in northern Shanxi. The construction will take 72 months. Once completed, it will have an annual full-capacity power generation of 2.98 billion kilowatt-hours,” said Li.
As of the end of last year, the total installed capacity of new and clean energy in the three cities in northern Shanxi had reached nearly 31 million kilowatts.
To cope with the instability of wind and solar power output, a pumped-storage power station is needed to regulate and ensure the safe operation of the power grid, as well as reducing the waste of unused renewable energy.
Cai Pin, a renowned Chinese expert in hydropower industry, said that pumped-storage projects enjoy numerous advantages, including a long service life, mature technology, large-scale capacity, and low costs, making them the most economical energy storage option available.
China is actively striving to achieve “carbon peak” and build a new power system centered around renewable energy. According to the latest data released by the National Energy Administration, by the end of 2024, the country’s installed solar power capacity is approximately 890 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 45.2 percent. Meanwhile, wind power capacity reached about 520 million kilowatts during the same period, marking an 18-percent increase.
Due to the demand for new energy installations, pumped-storage power stations have become a new investment hotspot in China’s power industry.
According to official data, by the end of 2024, China’s installed pumped-storage capacity had exceeded 58 million kilowatts, with the industry showing an overall positive development trend.
“Since 2021, the annual power generation growth rate of the State Grid’s pumped-storage power stations has remained above 18 percent, with an average of over 28 billion kilowatt-hours of new energy accommodated each year,” said Le Zhenchun with the State Grid.
China’s pumped-storage installed capacity remains the largest in the world, but industry experts said relying solely on the State Grid for construction will no longer be sufficient to meet the rapidly growing market demand. In response, the Chinese government has introduced policies to accelerate the development of pumped-storage power stations.
In addition to Shanxi’s plans to construct 10 such stations, other provinces across China have also introduced plans to accelerate the layout of pumped-storage power stations.
A national medium- and long-term plan for the industry has indicated that 340 key projects with a total planned installed capacity of approximately 420 million kilowatts will be constructed by 2035, while the total operational capacity is expected to reach around 120 million kilowatts by 2030.
As China’s new energy installations expand into deserts and seas, pumped-storage projects will also extend into these areas.
“With the support of innovations such as distributed pumped storage and seawater-based pumped storage, these projects will play a crucial role in helping China achieve its ‘dual carbon’ goals,” Cai said.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
PARIS, France, March 21, 2025/APO Group/ —
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, will take the stage at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris this May, offering insights into Nigeria’s strategy to leverage its natural gas resources for long-term development. As a key decision-maker shaping Nigeria’s gas policies, Minister Ekpo’s participation will provide valuable perspectives on the country’s current gas-focused investment opportunities, relevant regulatory reforms and role within Nigeria’s energy mix.
Nigeria remains one of Africa’s most attractive energy investment destinations and is targeting $10 billion in deepwater gas exploration investments through tax incentives and new policy measures. The country is prioritizing gas as a transition fuel, with major developments underway to expand both domestic and export infrastructure, alongside plans to auction undeveloped oil and gas blocks to accelerate exploration and production. TotalEnergies’ $500 million Ubeta onshore field development is set to begin production in 2027, supplying gas to the Nigeria LNG plant. The company is also planning to sanction the $750 million Ima dry gas project this year to further boost LNG supplies. Other recent milestones include Shell’s sale of its Nigerian onshore subsidiary, signaling a shift toward greater local participation in the sector.
IAE 2025(apo-opa.co/4htIbEq) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visitwww.Invest-Africa-Energy.com.To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contactsales@energycapitalpower.com.
Nigeria is also advancing several major pipeline projects to expand its gas sector and strengthen regional energy security and export capacity. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company is undertaking a $1.2 billion rehabilitation of the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline to enhance gas supply for power generation and industrial use. Last month, Nigeria, along with the governments of Algeria and Niger, signed agreements to accelerate the implementation of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project, which aims to transport Nigerian gas through Niger and Algeria to Europe. Agreements for the construction of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, which would connect West African markets to European demand by running along the Atlantic coast through several countries, are also expected to be signed in 2025.
As Nigeria places renewed focus on monetizing its more than 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, Minister Ekpo’s participation at IAE 2025 comes at a pivotal moment for the country’s gas industry. His participation will offer critical insights into Nigeria’s investment climate, ongoing infrastructure projects and how global stakeholders can engage with local ministries, regulators and the evolving gas market to advance the energy transition while securing energy supplies.
Green Party MP and co-leader Adrian Ramsay welcomed government plans to fund the installation of 400 solar power projects for schools and hospitals, (1) and called for Ministers to be more ambitious.
“This is an important first step in recognising the enormous energy resource offered by all the unused roof space on schools and hospitals that will also help them to cut energy costs. Now need the government to get out of the slow lane.
“We need the government to scale up this initiative. For instance, there are 24,000 schools in England alone, many of which could become energy generators with solar panels on their roofs. And the government should be extending the initiative to factories and warehouses.
“Better still, the government should be insisting that all new buildings include solar panels in their design.”
One Billion Tonne: Strengthening India’s Energy Future! Coal Production in the Country Crosses 1 BT Mark
Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 3:45PM by PIB Delhi
India has achieved a momentous milestone in coal production, surpassing one billion tonnes (BT) on March 20, 2025, in the fiscal year 2024-25. This remarkable achievement comes 11 days ahead of last fiscal year’s coal production of 997.83 million tonnes (MT), underscoring India’s significant progress in ensuring its energy demands and driving industrial, agricultural, and overall economic growth.
The coal sector’s success is attributed to the tireless efforts of Coal Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), private players, and the dedicated workforce of around 5 lakh mine workers across more than 350 coal mines. These coal miners, who have defied numerous challenges with unmatched dedication, have played a pivotal role in achieving this historic milestone.
India relies on coal for approximately 55% of its energy mix, and around 74% of the country’s electricity is generated by coal-based power plants. This underscores the critical importance of coal in powering India’s economy and sustaining energy security.
The record-breaking coal production reflects the Government’s strategic reforms and policies, such as amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and the opening of the coal sector to private players through the commercial auctioning of coal blocks. These initiatives have led to a marked increase in the availability of domestic coal, progressively substituting imports and significantly contributing to foreign exchange savings. From April to December 2024, India’s coal imports declined by 8.4%, resulting in forex savings of around $5.43 billion (₹42,315.7 crore) as compared to the same period of last year.
This milestone aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and highlights the Ministry of Coal’s ongoing efforts to foster self-reliance in the energy sector while ensuring sustainable development.
This achievement is not just about coal production; it is a crucial step towards ensuring long-term energy security and propelling India’s overall development. By embracing advanced mining techniques, optimizing logistics, and promoting sustainable practices, the coal sector is playing a central role in strengthening India’s energy infrastructure and bolstering economic resilience.
Aligned with the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision, this milestone positions India to become fully self-reliant in the energy sector. Through continued strategic reforms, technological advancements, and a focus on responsible resource management, India’s journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat remains on track. This achievement is a testament to the nation’s unwavering dedication to securing a self-reliant, energy-secure future for generations to come.
𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞! 🇮🇳
India has crossed a monumental 1 BILLION TONNES of coal production!
With cutting-edge technologies and efficient methods, we’ve not only increased production but also ensured sustainable and responsible mining. This achievement will fuel… pic.twitter.com/KRGOBQ1SA7
Since the launch of the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) from 2020-21, support is being provided for Research and Development, Start-ups, Skill Development, Export promotion in technical textiles. These initiatives are expected to benefit various technical textile clusters across India including clusters in the state of Tamil Nadu. The details of the research projects approved under NTTM, their funding allocations and current status for the State of Tamil Nadu are at below.
The scope of the Mission does not cover the establishment or upgradation of Technical Textiles units. However, the initiatives undertaken under NTTM towards development of new products, R&D activities, generation of domestic demand through market promotion, export promotion and skilling ecosystem have helped development of technical textiles industry across the country including Tamil Nadu. Further, to achieve these initiatives, three National/International conferences have been organized in association with the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Details of research projects approved under NTTM, their funding allocations and current status for the State of Tamil Nadu
S. No.
Research Project Title
Implementing Institute
Approved Grant (INR)
Status of Project
1
Design and development of facile high throughput needle less electrospinning set-up
SITRA, Coimbatore
1,89,65,000
Under Progress
2
Development of natural herbal extract coated seed protection bag using natural fiber with long lasting mechanical and insecticidal properties
SITRA, Coimbatore
50,00,000
Under Progress
3
Municipal Solid Waste (Soil Like Material) and Geotextile Interaction Study for Pavement Subgrade and Embankment Applications in Soft Ground
NIT-Trichy, Tiruchirappalli
30,31,520
Under Progress
4
3D Printed protein-based textile fibers
IIT-Madras, Chennai
1,00,00,000
Completion report is under evaluation
5
Studies on the Ballistic Energy Absorption of Polyethylene Coated Aramid Fabrics
IIT-Madras, Chennai
26,90,000
Under Progress
6
Additive Manufacturing of Technical Textiles for Sustainable Mobility- Agro Waste Based Materials and Product Design
IIT-Madras, Chennai
99,94,600
Under Progress
7
Boron-doped diamond coated corrosion-resistant carbon materials for electro-organic synthesis, energy, and clean water applications
IIT-Madras, Chennai
6,99,90,000
Under Progress
8
Fabrication of flexible conductive fibres/fabric for wearable electronic textiles
CSIR-CECRI,Sekkalakottai
1,00,00,000
Under Progress
9
Design and development of fabric antibody embedded matrix for tuberculosis screening
IIT-Madras, Chennai
50,00,000
Under Progress
10
Conductive yarns embroidered e-textile wearable systems for health and sports application.
CSIR-CECRI,Sekkalakottai
55,54,800
Under Progress
11
Development of Seaweed-derived Cellulose and Phytochemicals as Cost-efficient Additive Composite for Medical-grade Textiles
CSIR-CECRI,Sekkalakottai
51,48,264
Under Progress
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Question for oral answer O-000010/2025 to the Commission Rule 142 Giorgio Gori, Wouter Beke, Jana Nagyová, Mariateresa Vivaldini, Brigitte van den Berg, Benedetta Scuderi on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Energy-intensive industries (EIIs) are the backbone of the European economy and play a key role in job creation, especially in areas and regions where they are concentrated. They are crucial for reinforcing the EU’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness and for advancing the decarbonisation of our economy, as outlined by the Clean Industrial Deal. EIIs are currently faced with significant challenges: high and volatile energy prices, the complex transition towards clean and efficient production processes, unnecessary administrative burdens, the lack of adequate public and private investment, the EU’s dependencies and its limited access to primary and secondary raw materials, together with the lack of a functioning circular economy, unfair competition from non-EU countries and the impact of the transition on regions and workers across the EU.
1.What further action is the Commission considering to implement the electricity market design, especially to promote power purchase agreements and two-way contracts for difference, and to implement urgent measures to address existing barriers? Will the Commission bring forward the analysis of the short-term markets to 2025 to assess additional ways to decouple fossil fuel prices from electricity prices, including with the aim of boosting long-term contracts in line with the electricity market design and the affordable energy action plan, and to transfer the affordable cost of renewable energy sources to energy consumers, in particular EIIs? How will the Commission enhance the transparency of energy and CO2 markets?
2.How does the Commission plan to increase public and private investment in the decarbonisation of EIIs in the short term? Will the Commission consider increasing funding in the upcoming multiannual financial framework and will it develop specific measures directed at EIIs, including SMEs?
3.How will the industrial decarbonisation accelerator act simplify and favour the decarbonisation of EIIs, including speeding up the permitting process?
4.What concrete steps will the Commission take to make recycling critical raw material waste within the EU more attractive than exporting it, considering its economic and environmental importance? This would reduce EU dependence on external suppliers and increase resource efficiency and the availability of secondary raw materials, such as steel and metal scrap, in quantity and quality, which are essential to decarbonise our industry.
5.What concrete steps will the Commission take to monitor, in a timely manner, the effectiveness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, taking into account the impact of the parallel phaseout of the emission trading system free allowances, and to implement solutions for EU exporters and avoid any form of circumvention practices to ensure a level playing field, in particular for EIIs?
6.What kind of permanent solution is the Commission considering to urgently address structural subsidised overcapacities, which put our industries at a competitive disadvantage?
7.Will the Commission issue recommendations to tie public funding supporting the anticipation and management of change and the industrial transition to the commitment to safeguard employment and working conditions in the EU and prevent offshoring?
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Heathrow Airport is closed today due to a power outage caused by a fire at a nearby electrical substation. The fire is having a significant impact on the local area with the airport closed, other businesses affected and homes left without power.
“I know this will be hugely frustrating for the many thousands expecting to travel to and from Heathrow today, the families who have had their power cut and the commuters who have had their journeys disrupted.
“I’d like to thank the emergency services who have been working hard overnight to tackle the fire, and I remain in close contact with them, as I have been overnight. Thankfully, there are no reports of any injuries.
“Electricity suppliers are working hard to restore power, but Heathrow Airport have said they will be closed all day and has warned of significant disruption over the coming days.
“Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport under any circumstances and I urge Londoners to follow the advice of emergency services and their travel providers.”
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Great British Energy announces £10 million for local government
Communities to benefit from Great British Energy clean energy partnership with local government.
Great British Energy to build clean power in every part of the country, with a new £10 million partnership with metro mayors
local people will see the benefits of homegrown clean power, greater energy security investment, and good jobs as part of government’s Plan for Change
profits can be reinvested in the community or knock money off people’s energy bills
The metro mayors will lead the creation of innovative new clean power projects across the country, including rooftop solar, onshore wind and hydropower, with Great British Energy injecting £10 million into new partnerships.
Great British Energy will work with mayoral strategic authorities across England to build new clean energy projects in communities, with profits knocking money off locals’ energy bills or being reinvested into the community. The funding will help stimulate investment and create good jobs across the country as part of the government’s Plan for Change to deliver clean power by 2030.
Each mayoral strategic authority in England will be invited to apply for a share of the funding, as part of Great British Energy’s plans to back local energy projects across the UK so communities can reap the benefits.
Existing local energy projects are already benefiting communities, and this funding will help projects go further and faster to unlock clean, homegrown power. For example, the Solar Together Consortium that aims to deliver 240 MW of solar capacity across the West Midlands or the solar and battery storage initiative being run by West Yorkshire mayoral combined authority – aiming to deliver 1,500 solar PV and battery storage installations on social housing properties across the region, reducing bills for the residents and helping to tackle fuel poverty.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:
Taking back control of our energy means not only building more solar panels and wind turbines – it also means giving our communities a stake in their own energy supply.
We’re backing our metro mayors to bid for a share of £10 million and work with our new publicly owned company Great British Energy to roll out more clean, homegrown power.
This could see profits invested back into vital community services and projects, or even money knocked off community buildings bills, giving local services more pounds in their pockets.
Great British Energy Chair Juergen Maier said:
This is the first step in Great British Energy’s work with local communities to help them generate their own energy.
Partnering with mayoral authorities will make an immediate impact as we work to roll out clean, homegrown energy projects, crowd in investment and create job opportunities across the country.
We will work closely with communities to deliver projects that provide a lasting positive impact for the county – both in delivering opportunities and a cleaner future for the UK.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:
Greater Manchester is already powering ahead with plans to capture the benefits and the opportunities of green growth.
Our Go Neutral programme is delivering millions of pounds of investment in local renewable energy, generating enough to power 5,500 homes, and we’re supporting schools in our city-region to install solar cells and help cut bills.
We’re ready to work with Great British Energy to take these plans to the next level, so we can boost local projects that will help bring down costs and power more of our network with homegrown energy.
It comes as hundreds of schools, hospitals and communities across the UK get new rooftop solar power and renewable projects to save money on their energy bills, thanks to a further £200 million investment from the UK government and Great British Energy. This includes nearly £12 million for local authorities and community energy groups.
The funding will support the government’s clean power mission as well as helping to rebuild the nation’s public services. It forms Great British Energy’s first local investment, kickstarting the Local Power Plan and ensuring the benefits of this national mission are felt at a local level, with energy security, good jobs and economic growth.
Backed by £8.3 billion over this Parliament, Great British Energy will own and invest in clean energy projects across the UK. This will range from supporting community energy – like the local authority and solar schemes announced today – to unlocking significant investment in major clean energy projects that will revitalise the UK’s industrial heartlands with new jobs, alongside securing Britain’s energy supply.
Notes to editors
Funding will be awarded to projects that can be delivered in the next year, to make an impact as quickly as possible.
A city-wide partnership in Oxford, is expanding to cover Oxfordshire – highlighting the growing ambition collaboration across the county to tackle carbon emissions.
The Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership (ZCOP), which was first established by Oxford City Council in 2021, will be expanding to become the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership.
Since its formation in 2021, ZCOP has been a successful in bringing together collaboration between Oxford’s large businesses and organisations across the city, working towards the ambition to achieving net zero as a city by 2040.
The partnership has generated over £1.2million in grant funding to deliver projects promoting sustainable travel, retrofitting, and industrial decarbonisation across Oxford.
Now, following the success of the partnership, the group will be expanding to tackle carbon emissions across Oxfordshire as a whole – and is seeking new partners interested in joining this effort.
Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership
The new Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership will consist of over 20 organisations from across Oxfordshire, bringing together a growing network of partners working towards the county becoming net zero as a whole by 2050.
The partnership – which will be interim chaired by Professor Nick Eyre – will allow large employers and organisations across Oxfordshire to collaborate to accelerate climate action across the county, harnessing skills and expertise across a range of industries, and working together to generate funding to accelerate local net zero projects.
Participating organisations include Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council Cherwell District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, as well as Enterprise Oxfordshire (previously Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership), Abingdon and Witney College, and Oxfordshire Greentech.
Together these organisations will work together towards the goal to achieve net zero across Oxfordshire by 2050, in addition to their own organisation or local decarbonisation targets.
This will be achieved through:
Sprint (task and finish) and Working Groups: which will co-design and deliver projects to tackle climate challenges, and will facilitate low carbon development at local-scale
Accessing grant funding: leveraging collective expertise, skills and roles locally to secure funding opportunities
Free training and peer-to-peer learning: helping partners to increase impact by working and learning together and showcasing best practice
Quarterly meetings and networking events: connecting a broad range of academic, technical experts and leaders
Progress reporting: monitoring the progress against the targets and objectives
Local & national advocacy: Collectively advocating for Oxfordshire on net zero topics and discussions
The first meeting of the new Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership Steering Group, which will provide strategic direction to the Partnership’s activities, was held at Abingdon & Witney college on 12 March – formally launching the partnership.
If you are a large or influential organisation in Oxfordshire, and want to explore potential involvement please email the ZCOP team.
Comment
“Expanding the Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership to cover all of Oxfordshire is a crucial step in scaling up climate action across the county. The partnership has always focused on bringing together businesses and organisations to tackle the challenges of decarbonisation, and by broadening its reach, it can harness even more expertise, innovation, and collaboration. Achieving net zero will require collective action across industries, organisations, and sectors. This expansion enables us to build on the great work already happening across the county, create new opportunities, and drive the ambitious change needed to meet Oxfordshire’s climate goals.”
Nick Eyre, Interim Chair of the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership, Emeritus Professor of Energy and Climate Policy, and Supernumerary Fellow of Oriel College
“I am delighted that we will be expanding the success of the Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership to the whole County. We need action at every level to tackle the climate emergency, and this partnership will allow us to share knowledge, ambition, and create more opportunities for our city and county. Can’t wait to see the partnership go from strength to strength.”
Councillor Anna Railton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council
“The Zero Carbon Oxford Partnership has paved the way for collaboration across sectors, industries and communities and provided a forum to tackle a range of issues and their intersection with the climate crisis. As the vital need for global action increases, expanding ZCOP to a countywide partnership is an urgent and necessary step up in Oxfordshire’s climate response.”
Councillor Dr Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations
“West Oxfordshire District Council is proud to join forces with partners across the county to accelerate climate action. Tackling the climate emergency requires strong collaboration, and by expanding the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership, we are strengthening our shared commitment to achieving net zero. This partnership will enable us to harness expertise, unlock funding, and take impactful steps towards a greener, more sustainable future for all our Oxfordshire communities.”
Councillor Andrew Prosser, West Oxfordshire District Council’s Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature recovery
“SSEN is committed to propelling our business forward to achieve our sustainability ambitions whilst also supporting our customers and suppliers during the net zero transition. We’re delighted to be part of ZCOP, driving the energy transition to ensure a sustainable future with organisations across Oxfordshire.”
Andrew Wainwright, Whole System Manager at SSEN
“Net zero is an opportunity to save energy, waste, and money for businesses and residents, but the challenge is complex, and so demands collaboration. Cherwell has made great progress on securing grants to make its leisure centres more efficient, has reduced emissions from its fleet, and through its local plan, is set to establish very high standards for developments, that will help achieve net zero. By collaborating with our neighbours and drawing on the skills and desire for action that exist across various sectors, we expect to be able to further reduce the district’s carbon emissions and help protect our area for the benefit of future generations.”
Councillor Tom Beckett, Cherwell District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Greener Communities
Norwich residents living in energy-inefficient homes are set to benefit from nearly £17 million in new government funding awarded to the city council.
As part of its commitment to making Norwich a net-zero city by 2045, the council submitted two bids for funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) – both of which were successful.
The first, the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, builds on previous allocations from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and supports local authorities and social housing providers in improving energy efficiency. The council has been awarded £12,042,657 and with the addition of council co-funding, this £22.6 million programme will see 1,400 solar PV systems, 140 air source heat pumps, and a ground source heat pump system installed across the council’s social housing stock.
Work is set to begin in April 2025 and will run for three years, with grant-funded improvements to be completed by 31 March 2028. Council tenants will be contacted directly about any planned works to their property.
The second fund, the Warm Homes: Local Grant, has secured £4,745,409 to support low-income households living in energy-inefficient privately owned or rented homes (EPC rating D-G). People living in inefficient homes with an annual household gross income of less than £36,000, or on specified means tested benefits (housing benefit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit and Universal Credit) or living in deprived post codes in the city could quality for this funding.
Over three years, this funding will provide upgrades to 330 private sector homes, with up to £15,000 available per property for energy efficiency measures and up to £15,000 for low-carbon heating solutions such as heat pumps.
These improvements will help residents by making homes warmer, healthier, and more affordable to heat, while also reducing carbon emissions across the city.
People interested in finding out more or who think they may be eligible for the Warm Homes scheme can email climateaction@norwich.gov.uk
Councillor Emma Hampton, cabinet member for climate change and fuel poverty, said: “This funding is fantastic news for Norwich. It will make a real difference to people’s lives by improving home comfort, reducing energy bills, and tackling fuel poverty.
“Securing this investment also strengthens our efforts to reach net zero by 2045. We remain committed to driving forward ambitious environmental change and will continue to seize every opportunity to secure funding that benefits our residents and our city.”
Councillor Beth Jones, cabinet member for housing, said: “Keeping homes warm and energy-efficient is a key priority for us. This funding allows us to make significant improvements to homes that are currently hard to heat, making them more comfortable and reducing running costs for residents.
“We will continue to seek out further investment to improve our housing stock and ensure tenants and residents benefit from the best possible living conditions.”
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
In 2024, employees of Rosneft and its subsidiaries planted over 10.7 million tree seedlings of various species, which is almost 30% more than the year before. The total area of forest plantations is comparable to the territory of more than 4.5 thousand football fields.
Over the past four years, the Company’s enterprises have planted a total of approximately 37 million tree seedlings and saplings, making a significant contribution to the conservation of nature and biological diversity in the Russian Federation.
March 21 marks the International Day of Forests, which was established by the UN General Assembly to draw attention to the issues of rational use of these natural resources and their importance for our planet.
Preservation of the environment for future generations is an integral part of the corporate culture and social policy of the Company. Rosneft implements a number of large-scale environmental programs and is a leader in minimizing the impact on the environment and improving the environmental friendliness of production. The Company’s approaches to afforestation and reforestation are presented in the public position “Preserve the Planet for the Benefit of Current and Future Generations: Sustainable Forest Management”.
In 2024, more than 30 subsidiaries planted seedlings in various regions of the country, including: in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra, Yamalo-Nenets and Nenets Autonomous Okrugs, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Krasnoyarsk and Stavropol Krais, Tyumen, Saratov, Samara, Sakhalin Oblasts, as well as in Bashkiria and the city of Moscow. The work was carried out both as part of reforestation work and voluntary campaigns – “Green Spring”, “Forest Planting Day”, “Save the Forest” and the International Campaign “Garden of Memory”, dedicated to the memory of those killed in the Great Patriotic War.
The largest contribution to forest restoration in 2024 was made by RN-Yuganskneftegaz, RN-Purneftegaz, East Siberian Oil and Gas Company, Bashneft, RN-Vankor and Samotlorneftegaz.
Employees of RN-Yuganskneftegaz, Rosneft’s largest oil-producing asset, planted more than 4.8 million coniferous seedlings during the 2024 growing season. This is 41% more than last year. The green area was about 1,300 hectares.
Over the past three years, the RN-Purneftegaz company has planted more than 1.2 million pine seedlings on an area of 340 hectares in Yamal.
The East Siberian Oil and Gas Company has completed reforestation work in the Achinsk and Karatuz forestries of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The oil workers planted 940 thousand forest seedlings on an area of 300 hectares. The forestry territories grew by 820 thousand Siberian spruce seedlings, 70 thousand Siberian cedar pine seedlings and almost 50 thousand Scots pine seedlings.
In 2024, Bashneft planted 748 thousand trees on an area of over 200 hectares. This is 45% more than the same indicator last year. The plantings took place in the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug – Yugra and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Employees of the Company’s enterprises and their family members participate in various environmental campaigns: Green Spring, Forest Planting Day, Save the Forest, hold clean-up days and clean up the coastal zones of rivers, reservoirs and springs, support the Green Office project, and help botanical gardens and zoos.
RN-Vankor planted about 400 thousand pine seedlings on an area of 182 hectares in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. During the growing season, the seedlings were transported to forestries in special containers that protect future trees from damage and root drying. Pine was chosen for reforestation as one of the forest-forming species – these trees are among the most resistant to winds and adverse conditions, and their root system strengthens the soil. Pines grow quickly and are capable of creating significant forest areas in a short time, which become a habitat for many species of animals and birds, which is of great importance for restoring the natural balance of the taiga.
In 2024, Samotlorneftegaz employees planted more than 390 thousand pine seedlings on more than 107 hectares. Large-scale work to restore coniferous forests began in 2008. Over 17 years, the district’s forest fund has increased by 2 million trees, which is more than 700 hectares.
The group’s companies not only plant trees, but also help equip forestry with modern equipment. Thus, in 2024, Samotlorneftegaz transferred domestically produced snow and swamp-going vehicles to forestry in the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Yugra. The self-propelled equipment is adapted to work in harsh climatic conditions and will be used for fire patrols, reforestation work, and year-round sanitary control of the forest fund. With the financial support of the enterprise, the material and technical equipment of the aviation and ground forest protection base, which is engaged in the protection and reproduction of the district’s forests, has been improved.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
20 MARCH 2025 – “2024 was marked by continued unpredictability in energy markets, with growing energy demand, political uncertainty and uneven progress in the energy transition. Our focus is on producing the energy the world needs today, and at the same time developing the energy systems needed for the future,” says Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA.
Safety
“A systematic approach to safety over time is paying off with the best safety results to date in 2024. However, the year was marked by the fatal search and rescue (SAR) helicopter accident where we lost a dear colleague. We believe close collaboration with suppliers and shared learning in the industry is important for our continued safety improvement effort”, says Opedal.
The twelve-month average Serious Incident Frequency (SIF) for 2024 was 0.3, down from 0.4 in 2023.
Strong operational and financial performance
Equinor delivered adjusted operating income* of USD 29.8 billion, and adjusted net income* of USD 9.18. Net operating income was reported at USD 30.9 billion and net income at USD 8.83 billion.
“Our operational performance was strong, built on the dedicated efforts from employees across the company. Our role as a major supplier of energy to Europe is important and I am proud of the work we have done to provide energy security”, says Opedal.
Strong operational performance across the portfolio contributed to an equity production of liquids and gas of 2,067 mboe per day in 2024, on par with the year before. Equity production of renewable power increased by 51% to 2,935 GWh.
Strong financial result contributed to a return on average capital employed (RoACE)* at 21% for 2024. Capital discipline remained firm with organic capital expenditures* ending at USD 12.1 billion for the year. Equinor maintained a strong balance sheet with net debt to capital employed adjusted* of 11.9% at the end of 2024.
The strong financial results of 2024 also led to strong contributions to society through taxes. In 2024, Equinor paid USD 20.6 billion in corporate income taxes of which USD 19.7 billion was paid in Norway, where Equinor has the largest share of its operations and earnings.
Firm strategy and progressing industrial development
“We have a consistent growth strategy, and our strategic direction remains firm. By adapting to market situation and opportunities, we are positioned for stronger free cash flow and growth, and set to create shareholder value for decades to come”, Opedal continues.
Through progressing projects and portfolio shaping transactions Equinor spent 2024 high-grading the portfolio and positioning for stronger growth and cash flow.
On the Norwegian continental shelf, the development of the portfolio continued with 39 new licences and approvals of the PDOs of Eirin, Irpa, Verdande and Andvare projects. The Johan Castberg FPSO arrived at the field and started preparations for startup.
The international upstream portfolio was focused with the exits from our long-standing positions in Nigeria and Azerbaijan and deepened in core areas with the acquisitions of US Onshore gas assets close to premium markets. In the UK an agreement was signed to establish an incorporated joint venture with Shell UK Ltd., which will become the largest independent oil and gas company on the UK continental shelf.
Through 2024 Equinor high-graded the renewables portfolio to ensure profitable growth, in a market challenged by cost inflation and regulatory delays. In the UK the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, continued to progress towards commercial start-up. Production was commenced at the Mendubim solar plants in Brazil.
The long-term view on the importance of offshore wind remains firm. Through an acquisition of a 10% stake in Ørsted, Equinor got exposure to a premium portfolio of offshore wind projects and assets in operation.
Value chains for carbon transport and storage progressed notably. In Norway, Northern Lights, the first commercial CO2 transport and storage infrastructure was completed and is expected to receive and store CO2 in 2025. In the UK, execution started for two of UK’s first carbon capture and storage infrastructure projects where Equinor is a partner.
Progress on the Energy transition plan
In 2024, Equinor achieved a year-on-year reduction of 5% in operated scope 1+2 greenhouse gas emissions, bringing the total down to 11.0 million tonnes CO2 equivalents. This is a 34% reduction from 2015, which is the reference year for Equinor’s ambition to reduce group-wide operated emissions by 50% on a net basis by 2030. Throughout 2024, actions were taken for further emission reductions with the partial electrification of the Sleipner field center, the Gudrun platform, as well as the Troll B and C fields.
The average upstream CO2 intensity of Equinor’s operated portfolio was 6.2 kg of CO2 per boe in 2024 (100% basis), an improvement from 6.7kg of CO2/boe in 2023 and well below the industry average. The scope 3 GHG emissions from use of our products were 251 million tonnes in 2024, on par with the level in 2023.
Equinor improved in the net carbon intensity of energy produced (including scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions) in 2024, which is now 2% below the 2019 baseline. The reduction was mainly driven by increased renewable energy production and lower scope 1+2 emissions.
Equinor ambition is to to be a leading company in the energy transition. The updated Energy Transition Plan, published on March 20 2025, outlines the approach to deliver on Equinor’s strategy of creating value in the transition, while adjusting to changing external context and market realities.
***
The previously announced decision of the French Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), includes a requirement for Equinor to publish the following summary language:
“Les sociétés Danske Commodities A/S et Equinor ASA ont été condamnées, par une décision n° 08-40-23 de la Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE) du 20 janvier 2025, au titre de la méconnaissance de l’article 5 du règlement REMIT qui prohibe les manipulations de marché, au paiement de sanctions pécuniaires, dont les montants s’élèvent à huit millions d’euros (8.000.000 €) pour la société Danske Commodities A/S et quatre millions d’euros (4.000.000 €) pour la société Equinor ASA, pour des manipulations commises sur le marché de gros en 2019 et en 2020, en ce qui concerne les capacités de transport de gaz naturel entre la France et l’Espagne.
Danske Commodities A/S and Equinor ASA were ordered by decision no. 08-40-23 of Commission de régulation de l’énergie (CRE) of 20 January 2025 to pay – for infringement of Article 5 of REMIT Regulation prohibiting market manipulations – financial penalties in the amount of eight million euros (€8,000,000) as regards Danske Commodities A/S and four million euros (€4,000,000) as regards Equinor ASA, for manipulations committed on the wholesale market in 2019 and 2020, with regard to natural gas transmission capacity between France and Spain.”
The full decision is included in the attached appendix “Full decision text”. Equinor does not agree with the decision from CRE and will appeal the case to the Higher Administrative Court in France.
Our annual report and the subsidiary reports published separately can be downloaded from equinor.com/reports.
In accordance with Section 203.01 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, Equinor ASA announces that on 20 March 2025 it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission its 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F that includes audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The Equinor 2024 Annual Report on Form 20-F may be downloaded from Equinor’s website at www.equinor.com. References to this document or other documents on Equinor’s website are included as an aid to their location and are not incorporated by reference into this document. All SEC filings made available electronically by Equinor may be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Shareholders may also request a hard copy of the annual report free of charge at www.equinor.com.
(*) These are non-GAAP figures. See Use and reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures in the annual report for more details.
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Davon Hunter, age 27, of Richmond, Virginia, Christian Quivers, age 20, of Richmond, and Crystal Kurschner, age 44, of Brooklyn, New York, have pled guilty for their respective roles in a bank fraud conspiracy. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.
As part of their pleas, Hunter, Quivers, and Kurschner each admitted that they were members of a conspiracy to defraud financial institutions all over the country by obtaining the personal identifying information (“PII”) of victims and using lower-level “workers” to impersonate the identity-theft victims to conduct fraudulent banking transactions in their names. As part of a plea agreement entered today, Quivers admitted that he was a supervisor in the conspiracy and relayed instructions he obtained from supervisors, including Oluwaseun Adekoya, Kani Bassie, and Hunter, to lower-level members of the conspiracy who impersonated identity-theft victims and conducted fraudulent transactions in their names. As part of a plea agreement entered earlier this week, Kurschner admitted that she was a “worker” who impersonated identity-theft victims and provided most of the fraud proceeds to her supervisors. Earlier this month, Hunter admitted that he was a manager of the conspiracy who received directions and PII from supervisors including Adekoya and Bassie and orchestrated fraudulent transactions on their behalf.
Hunter and Quivers each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Kurschner pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
These remaining defendants are charged as follows in the second superseding indictment:
Adekoya, age 39, a Nigerian citizen living in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and nine counts of aggravated identity theft;
Bassie, age 36, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and two counts of aggravated identity theft; and
Jermon Brooks, age 20, of Richmond, Virginia, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.
As to these defendants, the charges in the second superseding indictment are merely accusations. These remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI-Albany, which began after the May 2022 arrest of Daniyan, Gaysha Kennedy, age 46, of Brooklyn, and Victor Barriera, age 64, of the Bronx, by the Cohoes Police Department after the trio traveled to the Capital Region to commit bank fraud. According to documents previously filed in the case, the investigation has uncovered over $1.7 million in fraudulent transactions to date. Eleven defendants have pled guilty and forfeited hundreds of thousands of dollars in proceeds, luxury apparel, and jewelry.
At sentencing later this year, Hunter, Quivers, and Kurschner each face a maximum term of 30 years’ incarceration for the bank fraud conspiracy, and Hunter and Quivers each face a mandatory consecutive term of 2 years’ incarceration for their convictions of aggravated identity theft. The defendants will be ordered to pay restitution and will also face a term of post-incarceration supervised release of up to 5 years.
FBI Albany is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in New York, Newark, Richmond and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Brooklyn/Queens, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General; New York law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police; Cohoes PD; Colonie PD; Elmira PD; Corning PD; Plattsburgh PD; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; the Pennsylvania State Police; Alabama law enforcement agencies including the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Gasden PD, and Rainbow City PD; Georgia law enforcement agencies including the Georgia State Patrol, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow PD; Kansas law enforcement agencies including Lawrence PD and Overland Park PD; New Hampshire law enforcement agencies including Rochester PD, Manchester PD, and Amherst PD; the Delaware State Police; Maryland law enforcement agencies including the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; Wisconsin law enforcement agencies including Onalaska PD and Eau Claire PD; and Indiana law enforcement agencies including the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting this case.
Vancouver, British Columbia, March 20, 2025 — Members of the media are invited to a transit announcement with the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on behalf of the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, and a representative from TransLink.
Date: March 21, 2025
Time: 11:30 a.m. PT
Location: Waterfront Station, Cordova Street Entrance, Expo Line Fare gates 601 W Cordova Street Vancouver, BC V6B 1G1
Transforming India’s Agricultural and Dairy Sectors Recent Policy Decisions and Budgetary Provisions
Posted On: 20 MAR 2025 6:49PM by PIB Delhi
Summary
The Union Cabinet approved the Revised National Program for Dairy Development (NPDD) with an additional budget of ₹1,000 crore.
The Union Cabinet has also approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to boost the livestock sector, with an additional outlay of ₹1,000 crore.
The Union Budget 2025-26 has emphasized agriculture as the foremost engine of India’s development.
On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26.
On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the extension of One-time Special Package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) for the period from 01.01.2025 till further orders.
The Union Cabinet, on November 25, 2024, approved the launching of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) with a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore.
On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the rationalization of all Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) operating under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s into two-umbrella Schemes viz. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).
On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds with a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore.
Introduction
On March 19, 2025, the Union Cabinet took two key decisions to further the development of agriculture, dairying and animal husbandry in India. Agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairying are the cornerstone of India’s economy. These sectors play a crucial role in ensuring rural employment and economic stability.
The Union Cabinet approved the Revised National Program for Dairy Development (NPDD), a Central Sector Scheme, with an additional budget of ₹1,000 crore, bringing the total to ₹2,790 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period(2021-22 to 2025-26).
Key Objectives of the Revised NPDD:
Improved milk procurement, processing capacity, and quality control.
Enhanced market access for farmers and better pricing through value addition.
Strengthening of the dairy supply chain to increase rural income and development.
Components of the Revised NPDD:
Component A: Focuses on improving dairy infrastructure.
Component B: Dairying through Cooperatives (DTC) in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Expected Outcomes of Revised NPDD:
Establishment of 10,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies.
The Union Cabinet has also approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to boost the livestock sector, with an additional outlay of ₹1,000 crore, bringing the total budget to ₹3,400 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26).
Key Additions to the Revised RGM:
Heifer Rearing Centres: One-time assistance of 35% of capital cost for setting up 30 housing facilities for 15,000 heifers.
Support for High Genetic Merit (HGM) Heifers: 3% interest subvention on loans taken by farmers to purchase HGM IVF heifers from milk unions/financial institutions.
Ongoing Activities under RGM:
Strengthening of semen stations and Artificial Insemination (AI) network.
Bull production and breed improvement using sex-sorted semen.
Skill development and farmer awareness programs.
Establishment of Centres of Excellence and strengthening of Central Cattle Breeding Farms.
Expected Outcomes of Revised RGM:
Increased incomes for 8.5 crore farmers engaged in dairying.
Scientific conservation of indigenous bovine breeds.
India is the world’s largest producer of milk and the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables. With a rising global demand for organic produce, value-added dairy products, and sustainable farming practices, the government has placed renewed emphasis on enhancing productivity, infrastructure, and market access for farmers. In the past six months, the Union Government has introduced key policy decisions aimed at modernizing these sectors. Through targeted investments, regulatory support, and infrastructure development, the government seeks to improve farmer incomes, ensure disease control in livestock, and bolster cooperative movements to benefit small and marginal farmers. A crucial component of this vision is the Union Budget 2024-25, which has made substantial allocations to agriculture, animal health, and rural development.
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying Provisions in Union Budget 2024-25
The Union Budget 2025-26 has emphasized agriculture as the foremost engine of India’s development, focusing on improving productivity, farmer incomes, rural infrastructure, and self-sufficiency in key commodities. The provisions also extend to animal husbandry, dairying, and fisheries, ensuring holistic growth in the primary sector.
1. Agriculture Sector Provisions
1.1 Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana
A new scheme targeting 100 low-productivity districts.
Focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, crop diversification, sustainable practices, irrigation, and post-harvest storage.
Likely to benefit 1.7 crore farmers.
1.2 Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme
A multi-sectoral initiative to address underemployment in agriculture.
Focus on skilling, investment, and technology-driven transformation.
Phase-1 to cover 100 agricultural districts.
1.3 Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
A six-year mission with a focus on Tur, Urad, and Masoor.
Development of climate-resilient seeds and protein enhancement.
Assurance of remunerative prices through procurement by NAFED and NCCF for four years.
1.4 Comprehensive Programme for Vegetables and Fruits
Promotion of vegetable and fruit production with efficient supply chains.
Focus on value addition, processing, and ensuring better market prices.
Implementation in partnership with states and farmer producer organizations.
1.5 National Mission on High Yielding Seeds
Strengthening research for high-yield, pest-resistant, and climate-resilient seeds.
Commercial availability of over 100 seed varieties released since July 2024.
1.6 Cotton Productivity Mission
A five-year mission to improve cotton yield and sustainability.
Promotion of extra-long staple cotton to benefit cotton-growing farmers.
Alignment with the 5F vision for textile sector growth.
The loan limit under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme raised from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.
Expected to benefit 7.7 crore farmers, fishermen, and dairy farmers.
1.8 Urea Plant in Assam
A new urea plant with an annual capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tons at Namrup, Assam.
Expected to enhance self-sufficiency in urea production.
2. Animal Husbandry and Dairying
2.1 Makhana Board in Bihar
Establishment of a dedicated board to support makhana production, processing, and marketing.
Organization of makhana farmers into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
2.2 Fisheries Development Framework
Special focus on Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
Sustainable harnessing of fisheries from the Exclusive Economic Zone and High Seas.
Expected to boost marine sector potential and increase exports.
3. Credit and Financial Inclusion
3.1 Grameen Credit Score
Public Sector Banks to develop a framework for SHG members and rural credit needs.
3.2 Expansion of Credit for Micro Enterprises
Introduction of customized credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit for micro-enterprises registered on the Udyam portal.
10 lakh cards to be issued in the first year.
4. Research and Infrastructure Development
4.1 Gene Bank for Crops Germplasm
A second gene bank with 10 lakh germplasm lines for future food security.
4.2 Research and Development in Agriculture
Enhanced support for private-sector-driven R&D.
The Union Budget 2025-26 provisions for agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairying reflect the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity, ensuring financial stability for farmers, and strengthening allied sectors.
Overview of Cabinet Decisions Since October 2024
Continuation of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS)
On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme till 2025-26 with an overall outlay of Rs.69,515.71 crore from 2021-22 to 2025-26. The decision will help in risk coverage of cropsfrom non-preventable natural calamities for farmers across the country.
In addition to the same, for large scale technology infusion in implementation of the scheme leading to increasing transparency and claim calculation and settlement, the Union Cabinet has also approved creation of Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT) with a corpus of Rs.824.77 crore.
Extension of One-time Special Package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP)
On January 1, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for extension of One-time Special Package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) beyond the NBS subsidy @ Rs 3,500 per MT for the period from 01.01.2025 till further ordersto ensure sustainable availability of DAP at affordable prices to the farmers. The tentative budgetary requirement for above would be approximately up to Rs. 3,850 crore.
Increase inMinimum Support Price (MSP) for Copra for 2025 season
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, on December 20, 2024, has given its approval for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for copra for 2025 season. The government has increased MSP for milling copra and ball copra from Rs. 5250 per quintal and Rs. 5500 per quintal for the marketing season 2014 to Rs. 11582 per quintal and Rs. 12100 per quintal for the marketing season 2025, registering a growth of 121% and 120%, respectively. A higher MSP will not only ensure better remunerative returns to the coconut growers but also incentivize farmers to expand copra production to meet the growing demand for coconut products both domestically and internationally.
Launch of National Mission on Natural Farming
The Union Cabinet, on November 25, 2024, approved the launching of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore (Government of India share – Rs.1584 crore; State share – Rs.897 crore) till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).
National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)promotes NF to ensure safe, nutritious food and reduce farmers’ dependency on external inputs. It aims to enhance soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.
Natural Farming (NF)is a chemical-free farming method based on traditional knowledge, local agro-ecological principles, and diversified cropping systems.
NF reduces input costs, soil degradation, and health risks from fertilizers and pesticides, ensuring nutritious food and climate resilience.
On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) for rationalization of all Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) operating under Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s into two-umbrella Schemes viz. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY), and Krishonnati Yojana (KY).
PM-RKVY will promote sustainable agriculture, while KY will address food security & agricultural self-sufficiency. The PM-RKVY and KY are being implemented with total proposed expenditure of Rs.1,01,321.61 crore. These Schemes are implemented through the State Governments. Out of the total proposed expenditure of Rs.1,01,321.61 crore the projected expenditure towards central share of DA&FW is Rs.69,088.98 crore and states share is Rs.32,232.63 crore. This includes Rs.57,074.72 crore for RKVY and Rs.44,246.89 crore for KY.
Approval ofNational Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds
On October 3, 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds), a landmark initiative aimed at boosting domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance in edible oils. The Mission will be implemented over a seven-year period, from 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a financial outlay of Rs 10,103 crore.
The mission aims to increase primary oilseed production from 39 million tonnes (2022-23) to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31. Together with NMEO-OP (Oil Palm), the Mission targets to increase domestic edible oil production to 25.45 million tonnes by 2030-31 meeting around 72% of our projected domestic requirement.
Welfare Schemes for Agriculture, Dairying and Animal Husbandry by the Indian Government
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): Launch of PM-KISAN in 2019 an income support scheme providing Rs. 6000 per year in 3 equal instalments. So far, more than Rs. 3.46 lakh crore has been disbursed to over 11 crore farmers through 18 instalments. On February 24, 2025, the government released the 19th instalment of the PM-KISAN scheme. Over 9.8 crore farmersincluding 2.41 crore female farmers across the country will be benefitted through the 19th instalment release, receiving direct financial assistance exceeding ₹22,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) without involvement of any middlemen.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana:PMKMY is a central sector scheme, is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the entry age group of 18 to 40 years with a provision of Rs. 3000/- monthly pension on attaining the age of 60 years, subject to exclusion criteria. Since the inception of the scheme, over 24.67 lacs small and marginal farmers have joined the PMKMY scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana: PMFBY was launched in 2016 addressing problems of high premium rates for farmers and reduction in sum insured due to capping. In past 8 Years of implementation. In past 8 Years of PMFBY implementation, 63.11 crore farmer applications have been enrolled and over 18.52 crore (Provisional) farmer applicants have received claims of over Rs. 1,65,149 crore. During this period nearly Rs. 32,482 crore were paid by farmers as their share of premium against which claims over Rs. 1,65,149 crore (Provisional) have been paid to them. Thus, for every Rs. 100 of premium paid by farmers, they have received about Rs. 508 as claims.
National Livestock Mission (NLM): The focus of the scheme is towards employment generation, entrepreneurship development; increase in per animal productivity and thus targeting increased production of meat, goat milk, egg and wool. An outlay of Rs. 324 crores have been allocated during the year 2024-25 for this mission.
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): The scheme envisaged for incentivizing investments by individual entrepreneurs, private companies, MSME, Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs), and Section 8 companies to establish dairy processing and value addition infrastructure, meat processing and value addition infrastructure, animal feed plant, breed improvement technology and breed multiplications farms, veterinary drugs and vaccine infrastructure and waste to wealth management. Further, the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) has been subsumed in the AHIDF and revised outlay is now Rs. 29610 crore.
National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): Launched in 2019, the program is the largest of its kind globally, targeting the eradication of FMD and Brucellosis by 2030. Over 99.71 crore vaccinations against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle and buffaloes, benefitting 7.18 crore farmers have been made so far.
Conclusion
The government’s recent decisions and budgetary provisions reflect a strong push towards modernization, infrastructure development, and sustainability in agriculture, animal husbandry, and dairying. The focus on disease control, cooperative strengthening, and technological innovation will contribute to improving productivity and farmers’ incomes, ensuring the long-term growth of these vital sectors.
Amrit Gyaan Kosh is a knowledge repository of governance good practices in the form of case studies. It focuses on India-centric ideas and scalable governance models, offering content accessible to government officials in Centre, State, ULBs, and Panchayats.
Amrit Gyaan Kosh Portal contributes towards improving Public Service Delivery across various government departments in the following manner:
Serving as valuable examples of real-life, solution-oriented approaches to governance challenges enabling officials to address similar issues more effectively.
Providing actionable insights to tackle governance challenges, foster continuous innovation, and promote practical knowledge-sharing.
Inspiring public servants, offering them successful governance models to emulate and adopt innovative strategies to improve public service delivery.
Incentivizing high performance among government officials by recognizing their contributions on platforms like the iGOT Portal, motivating public servants to strive for excellence in their roles.
The Amrit Gyaan Kosh Portal is integrated with the iGOT (Integrated Government Online Training) platform, which is a key digital learning tool under the Mission Karmayogi initiative offering online training and capacity-building content for government officials.
All government training institutions are being encouraged to integrate Amrit Gyaan Kosh case studies into their training programs, strengthening the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of government officials.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
RBI Bulletin (March 2025): Navigating the Trade Deficit, Exports, and Economic Shifts
In an era marked by escalating global trade tensions and persistent geopolitical uncertainties, the Indian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience and robust growth. The above findings are from Reserve Bank of India’s March 2025 bulletin which highlights the state of the economy in the country. The latest data-driven analysis underscores the strength of domestic fundamentals amidst a volatile global backdrop. While global economic uncertainties persist, India’s economy shows strong growth, supported by robust consumption and government spending. Inflation has moderated, and policy measures have helped stabilize market liquidity. However, foreign portfolio outflows and currency depreciation remain key risks.
Domestic Economic Developments
Resilient GDP Growth Amidst Global Challenges
India’s GDP is projected to grow by 6.5% in FY 2024-25, according to NSO’s Second Advance Estimates.
Quarter 3 GDP growth was 6.2%, rebounding from 5.6% in Q2 due to higher private consumption and government spending.
Sectors driving growth: construction, trade, and financial services.
Foreign Portfolio Outflows & Currency Risks
Sustained foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows put pressure on stock markets and the rupee.
However, domestic investors increased their holdings, stabilizing market ownership structures.
Rupee depreciation risks remain due to external uncertainties.
Inflation Trends: Headline Inflation Eases
CPI inflation fell to a 7-month low of 3.6% in February 2025, mainly due to a decline in vegetable prices.
However, core inflation (excluding food & fuel) rose to 4.1%, indicating persistent price pressures.
Employment Trends
Manufacturing employment grew at the second-fastest rate since the PMI survey began.
Services sector employment also expanded significantly, reflecting strong demand.
Urban unemployment remains at a historic low of 6.4%.
Trade & External Sector
Import and Export Trends
Exports grew marginally by 0.1% to $395.6 billion from April 2024-Feb 2025 but merchandise exports declined by 10.9% YoY in February, largely due to base effects and weak global demand.
Top-performing export sectors: electronics, rice, and ores.
Imports increased by 5.7% to $656.7 billion, driven by gold, electronics, and petroleum during April 2024-Feb 2025, however it fell by 16.3% in Feb 2025, leading to a narrowing trade deficit.
Oil and gold imports dropped significantly, contributing to the decline in overall imports.
Imports of electronic goods and machinery remained strong, reflecting domestic investment demand.
Financial & Monetary Policies
RBI’s Liquidity Management
RBI used open market operations (OMO), daily repo auctions, and dollar/rupee swaps to manage liquidity.
These measures helped stabilize domestic liquidity despite capital outflows.
Sector-Specific Developments
Agriculture Sector
India’s foodgrain production for 2024-25 is estimated at 330.9 million tonnes, marking a 4.8% increase from 2023-24, driven by kharif production up 6.8% and rabi up 2.8%, according to second advance estimates.
Automobile Sector
Car and motorcycle sales declined in February due to weaker demand.
Toll collections and E-way bills recorded double-digit growth, signalling robust infrastructure activity.
Government spending on infrastructure projects supported economic momentum.
Global Setting
Trade War & Tariffs Impacting Growth
The global economy entered 2025 with strong momentum but is now slowing due to increased protectionism and trade restrictions.
US-China tariff escalations could reduce US GDP growth by 0.6 percentage points in 2025 and shrink the economy by 0.3-0.4% in the long run.
OECD lowered global GDP forecasts to 3.1% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026 due to slowing demand.
Market Volatility & Currency Fluctuations
US dollar lost gains made since November 2024 due to trade policy uncertainty.
European bond yields surged as Germany and others increased military spending.
Equity markets worldwide have been volatile, reflecting fears of slowing growth.
Commodity Markets & Inflationary Pressures
Global oil prices fell 15% since mid-January 2025 due to reduced demand expectations.
Gold prices hit a record high of $3000 per ounce due to investor flight to safety.
Food production outlook improved, with cereal production exceeding 2024 levels.
Conclusion
Despite global economic headwinds, India’s growth remains stable at 6.5%, supported by strong domestic demand. Inflation is under control, though core inflation remains sticky, necessitating careful monetary management. Trade challenges persist due to weak global demand, but a narrowing trade deficit offers some relief. While foreign investor outflows pose risks, robust domestic investment provides resilience. The RBI’s proactive policies have played a crucial role in stabilizing liquidity and inflation expectations. Overall, India’s economy is well-positioned for growth, but uncertainties in global markets, financial volatility, and trade disruptions remain key risks. Sustained policy support and domestic resilience will be essential in maintaining economic momentum.
The Department of Science and Technology is implementing Vigyan Jyoti programme to encourage meritorious girls to pursue higher education and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields since 2019-20. The program aims to promote gender parity in STEM by sustaining the talent pool in science and technology through various year-round activities like hands-on experiential learning sessions, interactions with scientific role models, visits to R&D and industrial labs, career guidance workshops and student-parent counselling sessions that provide exposure to increase the interest and inclination of girls towards science. Since its inception, Vigyan Jyoti programme has benefitted over 80,000 high-achieving girls from 300 districts across 35 States/UTs. To strengthen its impact, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has engaged with over 250 premier national institutions, including universities, science and technology institutes, CSIR labs, and other reputed organizations, which serve as knowledge partners, contributing significantly to the program’s mission of fostering more girl’s participation in STEM.
The details of girl students encouraged during the last three years, State/UT-wise is given below:
State/UTs
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
Total
Andaman and Nicobar
100
100
115
315
Andhra Pradesh
692
880
889
2461
Arunachal Pradesh
277
233
347
857
Assam
925
970
1276
3171
Bihar
694
912
1243
2849
Chandigarh
100
100
103
303
Chhattisgarh
739
1066
1397
3202
Dadar, Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu
200
200
188
588
Delhi
197
195
200
592
Goa
93
98
100
291
Gujarat
785
1703
1567
4055
Haryana
583
891
1580
3054
Himachal Pradesh
711
856
972
2539
Jammu and Kashmir
366
589
939
1894
Jharkhand
713
1017
1265
2995
Karnataka
846
1030
1278
3154
Kerala
686
810
975
2471
Ladakh
88
99
200
387
Madhya Pradesh
961
1273
1385
3619
Maharashtra
1001
1496
1709
4206
Manipur
291
289
463
1043
Meghalaya
222
300
394
916
Mizoram
47
90
87
224
Nagaland
82
104
97
283
Odisha
776
1082
1280
3138
Puducherry
341
399
396
1136
Punjab
653
1091
1480
3224
Rajasthan
920
1263
1712
3895
Sikkim
199
167
187
553
Telangana
491
745
771
2007
Tripura
213
233
299
745
Uttarakhand
664
861
900
2425
Uttar Pradesh
1285
1502
2566
5353
West Bengal
925
998
1083
3006
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing a comprehensive initiative, Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN) to address the problems of Women Scientists due to “break-in-career” and strengthen women’s participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. This initiative includes multiple programs that provide opportunities for women in STEM at different career stages. Department implemented the Women Scientist Scheme (WOS), which included three programs: WOS-A for research in basic and applied sciences, WOS-B for lab-to-land translational research for societal benefit and WOS-C for training in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Following a third-party review, these programs have been restructured into four new initiatives under WISE-KIRAN. The WISE Fellowship for Ph.D. (WISE-PhD) program supports women pursuing doctoral research in basic and applied sciences. The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF) and WISE-Societal Challenges with Opportunities (WISE-SCOPE) programs provide opportunities for women to conduct lab based basic/applied or translational lab-to-land research respectively in STEM. WISE-PDF focuses on laboratory-based research in basic and applied sciences, while WISE-SCOPE supports translational research with lab-to-land aspect that addresses societal challenges. The WISE Internship in Intellectual Property Rights(WISE-IPR) program provides training in the field of Intellectual Property Rights, with the goal of enabling self-employment opportunities in this sector. DST is also implementing the WIDUSHI program, which supports senior women scientists in two categories: retired women scientists and women scientists who are not in regular employment. This program allows them to continue contributing to the scientific advancements.
The eligibility criteria and financial assistance provided under programs of WISE-KIRAN Scheme is given below:
Sl. No.
Name of Program
Eligibility Criteria
Financial Assistance
Duration
1
WOS-A
Post-Graduation in Basic or Applied Sciences/ PhD degree in STEM area.
Age: 27-57 years.
Up to 38 Lakh fund for project (including fellowship @ Rs. 67000 per month and HRA as per norms)
3 Years
2
WOS-B
Post-Graduation in Basic or Applied Sciences or PhD degree in STEM area.
Age: 27-57 years.
Up to 38 Lakh fund for project (including fellowship @Rs. 67000 per month and HRA as per norms)
3 Years
3
WISE-PhD
Post-Graduate Degree in Basic/ Applied Science or equivalent degree like M. Phil., M. Tech., M. Pharm., etc. or B.Tech.
Age: 27-45 years
Up to Rs. 35.69 Lakh fund for project (including (@ Rs. 37000 per month fellowship and HRA as per norms)
5 Years
4
WISE-PDF
(Lab based research)
PhD or Equivalent Degree in STEM area. Age: 27-60 years.
Up to Rs. 42.6 Lakh for project. (including Fellowship @67000 per month and HRA)
3 Years
5
WISE-SCOPE
(Lab-to-Land Research work)
PhD or Equivalent Degree in STEM area. Age: 27-60 year
Up to Rs. 44 Lakh for project. (including Fellowship @67000 per month and HRA)
3 Years
6
WIDUSHI
Two categories
Category A: For retired Women Scientists,
Age: 57-62 years
Category B: For Women Scientists not in regular employment.
Age: 45-62 years.
All applicants must have Ph.D. in Basic/ Applied Science or equivalent degree like MD, MS, MDS.
Category A: Up to Rs. 90 Lakh (including Rs. 75000/- fellowship per month)
Category B: Up to Rs. 95 Lakh (including @Rs.85,000/- fellowship per month)
5 Years
The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India had initiated a special scheme “Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe)” in the year 2011 with the aim to enhance participation of women scientists in India towards research in Biotechnology and allied areas. It provides a unique opportunity to the unemployed women researchers/ scientists or those not working on regular positions up to age of 55 years and having a qualification of Ph.D.in any discipline of Life Sciences or allied areas/interdisciplinary sciences/ MD/ MDS/ M.V.Sc. (Category-I) or M.Tech. in Biotechnology or in allied areas/M. Pharma degree holders (Category-II). Women researchers/ scientists supported under BioCARe Scheme are being supported with a Research Grant up to Rs. 40.00- Rs.60.00 lakh for a period of 3 years to carry out their research endeavour’s in Indian universities, research institutions and laboratories which also includes consolidated monthly fellowship of Rs. 75,000/- (for Category-I) and Rs. 85,000/- (for Category-II).
The details of beneficiaries from the DST-WISE-KIRAN and DBT- BioCARe schemes for the past five year’s state/UT-wise is given below:
DST-WISE-KIRAN Scheme:
Name of State/UT
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
Andhra Pradesh
4
4
2
4
5
Andaman & Nicobar
1
0
0
0
0
Assam
5
1
5
3
17
Bihar
1
1
1
0
0
Chandigarh
2
0
9
1
9
Chhattisgarh
3
1
0
0
3
Delhi
19
16
26
24
52
Goa
0
2
0
0
3
Gujarat
5
0
4
7
9
Haryana
4
4
2
3
11
Himachal Pradesh
3
1
1
0
4
Jammu and Kashmir
5
0
11
6
17
Jharkhand
0
1
3
1
2
Karnataka
15
7
16
11
24
Kerala
10
16
19
6
36
Madhya Pradesh
7
4
3
1
16
Maharashtra
31
14
20
11
41
Manipur
3
0
2
1
2
Mizoram
0
0
0
3
4
Nagaland
0
0
1
2
0
Orissa
1
3
4
1
10
Puducherry
2
0
1
0
2
Punjab
8
1
12
8
16
Rajasthan
3
3
5
4
9
Sikkim
0
0
1
0
1
Tamil Nadu
17
14
20
18
39
Telangana
13
3
19
12
34
Tripura
0
0
0
0
3
Uttar Pradesh
20
9
17
16
44
Uttarakhand
9
3
2
3
13
West Bengal
12
7
16
14
34
DBT- BioCARe Scheme
Name of State/UT
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
2024-25
Andhra Pradesh
1
1
0
0
0
Assam
1
1
0
0
0
Bihar
2
0
0
0
0
Chandigarh
1
0
0
0
0
Goa
00
1
0
0
0
Gujarat
0
0
0
0
0
Haryana
3
1
0
1
1
Jammu and Kashmir
0
0
0
0
0
Jharkhand
2
0
0
0
0
Karnataka
3
2
1
5
5
Kerala
1
2
0
3
3
Madhya Pradesh
1
0
0
2
2
Maharashtra
3
4
1
6
8
Manipur
0
1
0
2
1
Mizoram
0
0
0
1
1
New Delhi
12
13
2
12
10
Orissa
1
1
0
0
0
Punjab
1
3
0
6
5
Rajasthan
1
0
0
0
0
Tamilnadu
3
2
0
7
6
Telangana
2
1
0
4
4
Uttar Pradesh
3
1
0
6
6
Uttarakhand
2
0
0
0
0
West Bengal
1
2
0
4
3
DST-WISE-KIRAN and DBT- BioCARe schemes are Central Sector Schemes and the total funds allocated/utilized for the past five years is given below:
Scheme
2020-21
(Rs. In cr.)
2021-22
(Rs. In cr.)
2022-23
(Rs. In cr.)
2023-24
(Rs. In cr.)
2024-25
(Rs. In cr.)
DST-WISE-KIRAN
95.00
96.80
79.71
79.72
77.59
DBT- BioCARe
5.82
4.29
0.7329
12.57
5.00
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
I-STEM (Indian Science Technology and Engineering facility Map) is a National Portal for sharing of publicly funded scientific equipment available at various R&D and Academic institutions. It facilitates sharing of expensive R&D resources/equipment/software available at R&D and Academic institutions with other academic institutions and colleges, in order to optimize the usage of these resources across the country by researchers and start-ups. It is not true that the lab equipment in scientific and educational institutions remains underutilized. The facilities are widely utilized by scientific community, researchers, MSMEs, start-ups and industries and around 34,000 users have already been registered in I-STEM portal and more than 26,000 instruments are uploaded by 3300 institutes PAN-India. In addition to the usage data captured through I-STEM Portal, by numerous ways researchers from scientific and academic institutions book slots to utilise scientific facilities such as online booking through intranet system, spot booking and other booking methods.
State-wise, Union Territory-wise and District-wise equipment distribution and region-wise number of Institutions registered their facilities in I-STEM portal, is indicated at Annexure.
Annexure
I-STEM Statistics as of 13-03-2025
1)State-wise Equipment Distribution
State
Active Equipment
Andhra Pradesh
474
Arunachal Pradesh
132
Assam
780
Bihar
553
Chhattisgarh
1150
Goa
180
Gujarat
561
Haryana
802
Himachal Pradesh
451
Jharkhand
887
Karnataka
2397
Kerala
1560
Madhya Pradesh
982
Maharashtra
2050
Manipur
261
Meghalaya
286
Mizoram
90
Nagaland
71
Odisha
1264
Punjab
1239
Rajasthan
789
Sikkim
15
Tamil Nadu
3235
Telangana
1494
Tripura
316
Uttar Pradesh
1365
Uttarakhand
966
West Bengal
957
Union Territory-wise equipment counts
Union Territory
Active Equipment
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
1
Chandigarh
6
Delhi
1178
Jammu and Kashmir
220
Ladakh
11
Pondicherry
51
District-wise Distribution
Institutes from 192 districts have registered on the I-STEM Portal.
Sr.
No.
District
Equipment
( In Nos.)
Sr.
No.
District
Equipment
( In Nos.)
1
Bengaluru
1741
101
Srinagar
43
2
Chennai
1395
102
Raigad
41
3
New Delhi
1154
103
Belagavi
40
4
Hyderabad
1131
104
Madurai
40
5
Khurda
916
105
Gurugram
38
6
Raipur
813
106
Puducherry
38
7
Haridwar
759
107
Rajouri
35
8
Pune
742
108
Salem
34
9
Kozhikode
697
109
Alappuzha
30
10
Kurukshetra
656
110
Bhavnagar
30
11
Dhanbad
621
111
Delhi
30
12
Prayagraj
550
112
Korba
30
13
Indore
543
113
Theni
30
14
Coimbatore
481
114
Kapurthala
28
15
Tiruchirappalli
461
115
Sonipat
27
16
Jaipur
445
116
Guntur
26
17
Chandigarh
440
117
West Godavari
26
18
Patna
366
118
Kangra
25
19
Kolkata
361
119
Nadia
23
20
Warangal
358
120
Ajmer
22
21
West Tripura
316
121
Aligarh
21
22
Sundergarh
315
122
Mandya
21
23
Mandi
305
123
Patiala
21
24
Kamrup Metropolitan
304
124
Sri Sathya Sai
21
25
Bilaspur
292
125
Anantpur
21
26
Thiruvananthapuram
290
126
Kalaburagi
20
27
East Khasi Hills
286
127
Dindigul
19
28
Bhopal
275
128
Jhansi
19
29
Sangrur
256
129
Palghar
19
30
Manipur
248
130
Erode
18
31
Ghaziabad
232
131
Ganjam
18
32
Sonitpur
214
132
Mahbubnagar
18
33
Ernakulam
204
133
Malappuram
18
34
Surat
204
134
Durg
15
35
Malda
198
135
Mahendergarh
15
36
Dakshina Kannada
196
136
South Sikkim
15
37
Ranchi
195
137
Udupi
15
38
Jodhpur
194
138
Anantnag
14
39
Kancheepuram
193
139
Kanyakumari
14
40
Mumbai
181
140
Khordha
14
41
Bagalkot
174
141
Ludhiana
14
42
Jalandhar
172
142
Vadodara
14
43
Visakhapatnam
169
143
Imphal
13
44
Paschim Medinipur
165
144
Jalgaon
13
45
Jabalpur
164
145
Karaikal
13
46
Tirupati
162
146
Muzaffarnagar
12
47
Lucknow
155
147
Tirunelveli
12
48
Dehradun
154
148
Leh
11
49
Anand
153
149
Mathura
11
50
Mohali
149
150
Chikkaballapur
10
51
Paschim Bardhaman
141
151
Hassan
10
52
Samastipur
136
152
Itanagar
10
53
Thanjavur
130
153
Amravati
9
54
Amritsar
123
154
Karnal
9
55
Nagpur
122
155
Nainital
9
56
Papum Pare
122
156
Shimoga
8
57
Mysuru
119
157
Bareilly
7
58
Jhunjhunu
117
158
Chitradurga
7
59
Hamirpur
116
159
Navsari
7
60
Namakkal
114
160
Bhagalpur
6
61
Kolhapur
112
161
Dibrugarh
6
62
Kanpur
111
162
Udham
6
63
Virudhunagar
111
163
Uttara Kannada
6
64
North Goa
109
164
Vizianagaram
6
65
Gandhinagar
107
165
Agra
5
66
Cachar
106
166
Ahmednagar
5
67
Palakkad
103
167
Hisar
5
68
GautamBuddh Nagar
100
168
Raichur
5
69
Varanasi
97
169
Thiruvarur
5
70
Chandrapur
95
170
Thoothukudi
5
71
Dharwad
95
171
Gwalior
4
72
Aurangabad
91
172
Sangli
4
73
Kottayam
91
173
Shimla
4
74
Aizawl
90
174
Thiruvallur
4
75
Jorhat
88
175
Vanasthali
4
76
Kasaragod
88
176
Bikaner
3
77
Nashik
83
177
Davanagere
3
78
Faridabad
79
178
Eluru
2
79
South Goa
78
179
Mau
2
80
Jammu
77
180
Nandyal
2
81
Ahmedabad
75
181
Sikar
2
82
Tumkur
74
182
Tonk
2
83
East Singhbhum
72
183
Cuttack
1
84
Kokrajhar
72
184
Gorakhpur
1
85
Dimapur
71
185
Kota
1
86
Thane
71
186
Pudukkottai
1
87
Thrissur
71
187
Rajkot
1
88
Kollam
67
188
Solan
1
89
Meerut
61
189
South Andaman
1
90
Villupuram
56
190
Tiruvallur
1
91
Howrah
55
191
Murshidabad
1
92
Rupnagar
55
192
Karimnagar
1
93
Sagar
55
94
Krishna
53
95
Pulwama
53
96
Sivagangai
53
97
Vellore
52
98
Bathinda
46
99
Cuddalore
46
100
Gaya
45
3. Total Institutions (Registered):
Sr. No.
Regions
Institutions (Nos.)
1
Northern
1639
2
Western
294
3
Central
86
4
Eastern
202
5
North Eastern
149
6
Southern
939
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Ministry has already established several Research Institutions, Innovation Hubs and Technology Parks in Odisha to strengthen scientific research and technological advancements. The details are given in Annexure – I
ANNEXURE – I
1. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneshwar, an autonomous research institution established by DBT carries out high-quality multidisciplinary research in the field of life sciences. ILS has core strength in four areas (a) Infectious Diseases, (b) Cancer Biology, (c) Genetic & Autoimmune Disorders, and (d) Plant and Microbial Biotechnology. ILS uses modern biology techniques to acquire insights at cellular and molecular levels in pathogen biology, immune-regulation and inflammation, cancer biology, and plant biotechnology for the overall development and betterment of human health, longevity, agriculture, and the environment. ILS undertakes cutting-edge research using state-of-the-art technologies in the fields of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and filaria, viral infections, cancer biology, allergy and auto-immune disorders, genetic disorders, and agricultural productivity. The Institute also focuses on generating Human Resources by creating trained scientific personnel in the area of modern biosciences and biotechnology research.
The Department is also implementing ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio- RIDE)’ scheme in the country, including the State of Odisha to foster innovation, promote bio-entrepreneurship, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in biomanufacturing and biotechnology. The scheme aims at harnessing the potential of bio-innovation to tackle national and global challenges such as healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and clean energy through its 3 components i.e. (i) Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D); (ii) Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED) and (iii) Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry.
2. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar established by CSIR conducts basic scientific research and technology development in a wide range of subjects to address the R&D problems of mining, mineral and metals industries and ensure their sustainable development. For the last one decade, the main thrust of R&D at CSIR-IMMT has been to empower Indian industries to meet the challenges of globalization by providing advanced and zero waste process know-how and consultancy services for commercial exploitation of natural resources through the public-private-partnership (PPP) approach. CSIR-IMMT also carved out a niche in processing of advanced materials for greater value addition and working on resource use efficiency of critical raw materials.
Common Research and Technology Development Hub(CRTDH) at CSIR-IMMT has been established in 2019 to nurture and promote innovations in MSMEs and provide them R&D or knowledge-based support in the area of new materials and chemical processes. CRTDH has provided more than 4 number of technological solutions to agro and metallurgical/minerals industries and 10 know-hows related to fighting against COVID like sanitisers, liquid soap, disinfection kits etc. to around 14 MSMEs since its inception. CRTDH has trained more than 200 manpower, including agro entrepreneurs, self-help group leaders, artisans etc. Number of know-how/process/technology developed have been transferred to more than 20 MSMEs/MSEs. The CRTDH trained 30 Women Self Help Group Leaders on Agarbatti manufacturing using Charcoal technology from locally available Rice husk. These 30 leaders represent 1000 Groups and eventually, 15000 women are currently working in Agarbatti manufacturing using rice husk Charcoal.
Innovative Technology Enabling Centre(InTEC) has been established at CSIR-IMMT for translation of Innovative Technologies into successful business ventures through intervention of science & technology. InTEC has been recognized by StartupOdisha and supporting the startups in terms of mentoring, technical and intellectual support, analytical and instrumentation support and IPR.
3. Department of Science and Technology (DST)
DST, over the years had established Several Innovation Hubs, Technology Parks, Incubation Centres in Odisha to promote scientific research, technology development and innovation through various Schemes and Programmes. The details are given below:
Four Science Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs were established in Koraput, Bolangir, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha under the Tribal Sub Plan Scheme. These hubs focus on improving the livelihood systems of SC/ST communities by identifying weak and strong links, developing and delivering innovative technologies, and promoting social enterprises. Two more STI Hubs are proposed to be established during 2025-26 in Mayurbhanj district.
Rural Women Technology Parks have been established in Sundergarh, Jagat singh pur, Kandhmahal and Ganjan districts of Odisha State for providing technological interventions for alternative livelihood creation for ST Women under the Scheme Science and Technology for Women supported to Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar.
Under the National Quantum Mission, four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs), in key technology verticals of Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices have been established. These Thematic Hubs consist of 14 Technical Groups, covering 17 states and 2 Union Territories, including Odisha. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhubaneswar is one of the member institutes under the Thematic Hub for Quantum Materials and Devices and National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar is one of the member institutes under the Thematic Hub for Quantum Computing.
Under National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI), a NIDHI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has been established at Kalinga Institute of Industry Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar. 2 NIDHI TBIs at National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT-Rourkela) and CV Raman College of Engineering, Bhubaneshwar and 2 NIDHI iTBIs at Sophitorium Institute of Technology & Lifeskills, Bhubaneshwar and Sri Sri University, Cuttack have been established for promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
A Technology Enabling Centre (TEC) has been established at KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha to create an Ecosystem for Technology and to provide a platform to network researchers with other Institutes, National laboratories and Industry. The focus of Centre will be on providing an enabling eco system, process and support system for technology development, deployment and diffusion.
More than 20 academic institutions/universities (including PG Colleges) located in the State of Odisha were supported under Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) scheme for augmenting basic infrastructural facilities for conducting quality research in basic and applied sciences.
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT-Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar was supported during 2023-24 under the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) Scheme to enhance R&D infrastructure and undertake mission-oriented research in various fields of S&T that align with national priorities.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The nuclear energy mission announced in the budget-2025 envisages deployment of 100 GWe of nuclear energy by 2047, which is essential for NetZero by 2070. The mission aims to provide reliable energy alternative to fossil fuel energy sources with an objective to replace retiring thermal power-plants, set up captive plants for energy intensive industry & providing energy for remote as well as off-grid location with objective to decarbonize the energy sector.
DAE is designing and developing SMRs mentioned below:
Bharat Small Modular Reactor(BSMR)-200MWe,
Small Modular Reactor(SMR) -55Mwe,and
Gas-cooled high-temperature reactor meant for hydrogen production.
Fund of INR 20,000 Crore allocated in the budget-2025for deployment of five SMRs by 2033. Fund is also allocated for supporting to development of Small Modular Reactors mentioned above.
In Financial Year 2024-25, as part of Budget Announcement, policy directive has been set to partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactor (BSR), and in pursuance of the same, NPCIL has floated Request-for-Proposal to private industries to finance and build small-sized 220 MW-PHWR based NPPs as captive plants for electricity production.
A Task Force has been constituted in Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to look into the amendments required in the Atomic Energy Act. This Task Force has members from DAE, AERB, NPCIL, NITI Aayog, MoLJ and MEA. The Task Force is looking into various aspects like build, own, operation of NPPs by Private Sector, nuclear safety, security, safeguards, fuel procurement/ fabrication, waste, management, spent fuel reprocessing, etc. In addition, a separate Task Force is also looking into Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLND Act) to address the concerns raised by private suppliers.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The irradiation technology has been transferred to private entrepreneurs for commercialization for food preservation. Presently 37 Gamma Radiation Processing Plants are operational in the country in private, cooperative, semi government and government sector, out of which 21plants are capable of carrying out radiation processing of agricultural/ food products. List of 21 plants is enclosed in Annexure.
ANNEXURE
DETAILS OF RADIATION PROCESSING PLANTS CAPBALE OF FOOD PRESERVATION
Sr.
No.
Name and Location
1
M/s Organic Green Foods Ltd, Dankuni, Kolkata, West Bengal
2
Mis Gamma Agro Medical Processing, Hyderabad, Telangana
3
M/s Jhunsons Chemicals Pvt Ltd, Bhiwadi, Rajasthan
4
M/s Innova Agri BioPark Ltd., Malur, Dist.Kolar, Karnataka
5
M/s Hindustan Agro Co-Operative Ltd., Rahuri, Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
6
M/s Impartial AgroTech (P) Ltd., Unnao, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
7
M/s Gujarat Agro Industries Corpn. Ltd, Bavla, Ahmadabad, Gujarat
8
M/s Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB),Vashi,Navi
Mumbai, Maharashtra
9
M/s Aligned Industries, Dharuhera, Haryana
10
M/s Avantee Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
11
M/s Electro Magnetic Industries, Vadodara
12
M/s Pinnacle Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd, Vadodara
13
M/s Jamnadas Industries, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
14
M/s Solas Industries, Mathura,Uttar Pradesh
15
M/s Microtrol Sterilisation Services Pvt. Ltd., Baval, Haryana
16
M/s AV Gamma Tech LLP, Ambernath, Maharashtra
17
Deptt. Of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business (DAMAB), Krishnagiri,
Tamil Nadu
18
Infrastructure Development authority, Patna, Bihar
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.