Current Affairs of 26 July 2015

1. Deutsche Bank sees solar winning coal in India by 2019-20
Investments in India’s solar industry will exceed those in coal by the year 2019-20. Also, solar power generation will result in reducing coal consumption by 70 million tonnes, saving $ 17 billion (Rs 1.08 lakh crore), says a recent report of Deutsche Bank.
“Global majors have committed $ 35 billion (Rs 2.25 lakh crore) to the Indian solar sector. By 2020, annual solar power capacity additions and investments could surpass those in coal power projects,” Abhishek Puri, Research Analyst at the German bank, says in his report.
The bank expects solar power capacity in India to touch 34 GW by 2020.  This is on the back of strong commissioning (4.5GW), even stronger pipeline -- under construction (about 5.1 GW), and new projects (15 GW).

By 2020, renewables could account for a significant 20 per cent of power capacities in India, the report says. (Today, it is about 13 per cent.) “Private sector interest is decisively moving towards solar from coal power, and we foresee numerous opportunities of fund-raising, yieldco structuring and M&A activity,” says the report.
The report also estimates that solar project will yield a 19 per cent return on equity over the lifetime of the project. “We caution however that data/financials from operators/developers are limited. Nonetheless, data from the first round of solar installations are encouraging and provide around 20 per cent plant load factors.”
Given the momentum in solar power capacity addition and slowing new coal project additions, the bank expects solar capex to overtake that of coal by 2019-20, and capacity addition to overtake coal in 2020-21, if not earlier.

2. China successfully tests 5th generation Long March carrier rocket
China has successfully tested the power system of Long March-5, a fifth generation of carrier rocket belonging to China’s Long March family of rockets. This announcement was after Long March-5 rocket carrier, entered a runoff phase.

3. Former Bihar, Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai passes away
Former Governor of Kerala and Bihar, Ramkrishna Suryabhan Gavai passed away in Nagpur, Maharashtra after a prolonged illness. He was 86. Gavai was senior Congress leader and had served as Chairman of Maharashtra State Legislative Council (MSLC) form 1978 to 1984 and Deputy Chairman from 1968 to 1978. He was a member of the MSLC from 1964 to 1994. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Amravati constituency in 1998.

4. WTO members reach landmark $1.3 trillion IT trade deal to cut tariffs
World Trade Organisation (WTO) members reached a landmark Information Technology (IT) trade deal in order to add more than 200 products to the list dealing with zero-tariff and duty-free trade. In this agreement, products covered will include new-generation semi-conductors, medical products which include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, GPS navigation systems, machine tools for manufacturing printed circuits, touch screens and telecommunications satellites.

5. Tunisia’s Parliament adopts New Anti-terror Law
Tunisia’s Parliament has adopted a new anti-terror law, which seeks to counter the threat posed by militants especially jihadist threat. The law was adopted overwhelmingly by 174 members of parliament with ten abstentions and no votes against the bill. Under the new anti-terror law, Those convicted of terrorism in Tunisia will face the death penalty Those in support of terrorism will be dealt with strict punishment including jailable offence. Give government authorities powers to tap suspects’ phones for investigational purpose to avert threats and terrorist attacks. Allows government authorities to detain suspects for 15 days without access to a lawyer or appearance before a judge.

6. Union Government constitutes All India Council of Sports as an advisory body
Union Government has constituted All India Council of Sports (AICS), as an advisory body to deliberate on matters relating to the development and promotion of sports in the country. Government will duly consider the advice rendered by this Council, but it will not be binding and obligatory on the government. Facts about All India Council of Sports (AICS) Composition: It will be headed by a president in the rank of Minister of State (MoS). It will include 4 Members of Parliament (MPs), coaches, experts, sports personalities, administrators and Director General (DG) of Sports Authority of India (SAI). Appointments: President and members, other than ex-officio members will be appointed by the Union Government.

7. China launches two new Navigational Satellites into space
China launched two new navigational satellites into space as part of its domestic navigation system BeiDou (meaning Compass). The 18th and 19th satellites (of total constellation of 35 satellites) were successfully launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan province.
1. Deutsche Bank sees solar winning coal in India by 2019-20
Investments in India’s solar industry will exceed those in coal by the year 2019-20. Also, solar power generation will result in reducing coal consumption by 70 million tonnes, saving $ 17 billion (Rs 1.08 lakh crore), says a recent report of Deutsche Bank.
“Global majors have committed $ 35 billion (Rs 2.25 lakh crore) to the Indian solar sector. By 2020, annual solar power capacity additions and investments could surpass those in coal power projects,” Abhishek Puri, Research Analyst at the German bank, says in his report.
The bank expects solar power capacity in India to touch 34 GW by 2020.  This is on the back of strong commissioning (4.5GW), even stronger pipeline -- under construction (about 5.1 GW), and new projects (15 GW).

By 2020, renewables could account for a significant 20 per cent of power capacities in India, the report says. (Today, it is about 13 per cent.) “Private sector interest is decisively moving towards solar from coal power, and we foresee numerous opportunities of fund-raising, yieldco structuring and M&A activity,” says the report.
The report also estimates that solar project will yield a 19 per cent return on equity over the lifetime of the project. “We caution however that data/financials from operators/developers are limited. Nonetheless, data from the first round of solar installations are encouraging and provide around 20 per cent plant load factors.”
Given the momentum in solar power capacity addition and slowing new coal project additions, the bank expects solar capex to overtake that of coal by 2019-20, and capacity addition to overtake coal in 2020-21, if not earlier.

2. China successfully tests 5th generation Long March carrier rocket
China has successfully tested the power system of Long March-5, a fifth generation of carrier rocket belonging to China’s Long March family of rockets. This announcement was after Long March-5 rocket carrier, entered a runoff phase.

3. Former Bihar, Kerala Governor R.S. Gavai passes away
Former Governor of Kerala and Bihar, Ramkrishna Suryabhan Gavai passed away in Nagpur, Maharashtra after a prolonged illness. He was 86. Gavai was senior Congress leader and had served as Chairman of Maharashtra State Legislative Council (MSLC) form 1978 to 1984 and Deputy Chairman from 1968 to 1978. He was a member of the MSLC from 1964 to 1994. He was elected to Lok Sabha from Amravati constituency in 1998.

4. WTO members reach landmark $1.3 trillion IT trade deal to cut tariffs
World Trade Organisation (WTO) members reached a landmark Information Technology (IT) trade deal in order to add more than 200 products to the list dealing with zero-tariff and duty-free trade. In this agreement, products covered will include new-generation semi-conductors, medical products which include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, GPS navigation systems, machine tools for manufacturing printed circuits, touch screens and telecommunications satellites.

5. Tunisia’s Parliament adopts New Anti-terror Law
Tunisia’s Parliament has adopted a new anti-terror law, which seeks to counter the threat posed by militants especially jihadist threat. The law was adopted overwhelmingly by 174 members of parliament with ten abstentions and no votes against the bill. Under the new anti-terror law, Those convicted of terrorism in Tunisia will face the death penalty Those in support of terrorism will be dealt with strict punishment including jailable offence. Give government authorities powers to tap suspects’ phones for investigational purpose to avert threats and terrorist attacks. Allows government authorities to detain suspects for 15 days without access to a lawyer or appearance before a judge.

6. Union Government constitutes All India Council of Sports as an advisory body
Union Government has constituted All India Council of Sports (AICS), as an advisory body to deliberate on matters relating to the development and promotion of sports in the country. Government will duly consider the advice rendered by this Council, but it will not be binding and obligatory on the government. Facts about All India Council of Sports (AICS) Composition: It will be headed by a president in the rank of Minister of State (MoS). It will include 4 Members of Parliament (MPs), coaches, experts, sports personalities, administrators and Director General (DG) of Sports Authority of India (SAI). Appointments: President and members, other than ex-officio members will be appointed by the Union Government.

7. China launches two new Navigational Satellites into space
China launched two new navigational satellites into space as part of its domestic navigation system BeiDou (meaning Compass). The 18th and 19th satellites (of total constellation of 35 satellites) were successfully launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan province.

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