Jakson Group is strengthening its renewable energy ambitions by setting up a 6 GW integrated solar manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh, backed by an investment of around ₹8,000 crore. Through this large-scale project, the diversified conglomerate aims to significantly expand its manufacturing footprint while positioning itself as a major exporter of solar modules.

Exports to Begin from Next Financial Year

As part of its global growth strategy, Jakson Group plans to begin exporting solar modules to the US, Europe, West Asia, and other international markets from the next financial year. According to Sundeep Gupta, Vice-Chairman of Jakson Group, the company has already initiated groundwork for exports. It expects volumes to rise sharply once the new facility becomes operational.

Existing Capacity and Phased Expansion

Currently, Jakson operates a 1.2 GW solar module manufacturing plant in Greater Noida. Jakson Group is developing the greenfield integrated facility in Madhya Pradesh—covering modules, cells, ingots, and wafers—in two phases to rapidly increase capacity.

Phase One to Boost Capacity This Year

In the first phase, the group is installing three GW each of modules, cells, ingots, and wafers, with an investment of approximately ₹4,000 crore. Importantly, the module manufacturing unit is scheduled to commence operations in May, followed by the cell production unit in December this year. The first phase will raise Jakson’s total module manufacturing capacity to 4.2 GW per annum.

Phase Two to Complete 6 GW Facility

Subsequently, the second phase will add another three GW each of modules, cells, ingots, and wafers. This phase will require an additional investment of around ₹4,000 crore. Jakson Group will fund the ₹8,000 crore project expansion through a balanced mix of debt and equity.

US Leads, Other Overseas Markets in Focus

While the US is expected to account for a significant share of exports, Jakson Group is also actively exploring markets in Europe, Africa, and West Asia. This diversified export approach will help the company reduce market concentration risks while expanding its global presence.

Strong Domestic Customer Base

Alongside its export ambitions, Jakson maintains a strong foothold in the domestic market. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, most major solar power project developers in India are Jakson Group’s customers. Several EPC companies and system integrators also rely on its products. Jakson can effectively balance domestic demand with growing international opportunities.

NTPC Limited is in advanced discussions to acquire a minority stake in Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE), a US-based company focused on next-generation nuclear fuel technologies. Through this move, NTPC aims to strengthen its footprint in the global nuclear energy ecosystem while gaining access to advanced fuel innovation.

Part of a Broader Nuclear Strategy

Importantly, the potential investment aligns with NTPC’s long-term strategy to expand its nuclear portfolio. By partnering with international technology players such as CCTE, the company is positioning itself to adopt cutting-edge solutions that can support safe, efficient, and sustainable nuclear power generation.

Expanding Global Partnerships to Meet Capacity Goals

Sources indicate that NTPC is also exploring additional international collaborations to further enhance its nuclear capabilities. As reported by devdiscourse.com, the efforts support the company’s ambition to set up around 30 GW of nuclear power capacity. In turn, this target will play a critical role in advancing India’s broader goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047.

In a significant technological advancement, the government launched an integrated e-bill system to comprehensively reform fertiliser subsidy processing. The new platform will handle fertiliser subsidies amounting to nearly rupees two lakh crore annually, underscoring its scale and strategic importance.

From Paper-Based to Fully Digital Operations

With this rollout, the government has replaced conventional paper-driven workflows with an end-to-end digital framework. As a result, the department of fertilisers can now process subsidy claims faster and with greater accuracy. According to an official statement, the shift is expected to modernise financial operations while significantly improving transparency and administrative efficiency.

Integrated Systems for Real-Time Financial Oversight

Notably, the e-bill system integrates multiple government financial platforms, including the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) and the Public Financial Management System (PFMS). Consequently, authorities gain real-time visibility into subsidy expenditure, enabling tighter financial controls and more informed decision-making.

Faster Payments and Stronger Accountability

Moreover, the digital platform accelerates payment cycles for fertiliser companies while creating a robust and traceable audit trail. By strengthening monitoring mechanisms, the system also minimises the risk of leakages and fraud. As reported by devdiscourse.com, overall, the initiative represents a decisive move towards technology-driven governance and more accountable subsidy management.

Toray Industries, Inc. announced the development of an immobilized-microorganism bioreactor technology that promises to transform chemical conversion processes. The company estimates that this technology can reduce energy consumption by 80–90% compared to conventional high-temperature, high-pressure methods, significantly cutting operational costs while lowering environmental impact.

How the Technology Works

The technology packs wood-based carriers coated with specific microorganisms into a reactor. As an aqueous solution containing the target chemical flows through the packed bed, microbial enzymes efficiently convert the substance into desired products.

In in-house demonstration trials using acrylonitrile, the reactor achieved conversion rates exceeding 99.5%. The technology produces chemicals such as acrylic, propionic, and acetic acids, and activated-sludge treatment fully breaks them down into carbon dioxide.

The reactor’s tightly sealed design enhances safety and minimizes losses from volatile substances, making it especially suitable for chemicals prone to airborne dispersion.

Versatile Applications Across Chemicals

By adjusting the immobilized microorganisms on the carriers and optimizing the reactor design, Toray applies the technology to a wide range of chemical substances. Toray maintains a library of approximately 500 microbial species, allowing for tailored solutions for both environmental remediation and production of valuable chemicals.

Key Features and Advantages

*Customizable: Microorganisms and reactor structures can be selected based on target chemicals and site-specific conditions.

*High Efficiency: Optimized microorganism-carrier combinations achieve over 99.5% conversion for acrylonitrile and handle volatile substances safely.

*Energy-Saving and Safe: The process eliminates the need for heating or pressurization, reducing energy consumption while enhancing operational safety.

Next Steps Toward Commercialization

Toray plans to intensify technical verification and refine operational design at both internal and external production sites. As per the press release, the company aims to commercialize this energy-conserving bioreactor technology as part of its broader commitment to tackling environmental challenges and promoting a sustainable economy through advanced materials and process innovations.

The government of Gujarat has unveiled the Green Hydrogen Policy 2025, targeting a production capacity of three million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2035. The policy aims to position Gujarat as a hub for green hydrogen production, derivatives, and associated infrastructure.

Ambitious Capacity and Investment Targets

Under the policy, Gujarat plans to achieve 30 GW of electrolyser capacity and 75 GW of renewable energy capacity. The state aims to attract investments worth ₹5 trillion in the green hydrogen and renewable energy sectors. In addition to production growth, the policy seeks to reduce natural gas consumption by 2 MTPA and cut CO₂ emissions by 5 MTPA, contributing to the state’s climate action and energy transition goals.

Scope of the Policy

The policy encompasses:

*Green hydrogen production projects

*Derivative products such as green ammonia and methanol

*Supporting infrastructure for storage, transportation, and distribution

*It covers projects across Gujarat, aiming to create an integrated green hydrogen ecosystem.

Eligibility and Project Requirements

The policy is open to private companies, public sector undertakings, and joint ventures. Eligible projects must involve new plant and machinery and be registered within the policy period, which runs until 2035. Renewable energy for green hydrogen production can be sourced from captive generation, third-party supply, or power exchanges, providing flexibility for developers while ensuring sustainability.

Strategic Outlook

The government launched a targeted exploration initiative to boost coal bed methane (CBM) production in unexplored and abandoned coal-bearing areas. The move aims to enhance India’s unconventional gas output and strengthen energy security.

Expanding into Untapped and Abandoned Areas

The Ministry of Coal will assess CBM potential in both previously untapped coalfields and de-coaled or abandoned mines that are no longer viable for conventional coal extraction. Central public sector enterprise Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries are identifying suitable coal-bearing blocks under their leaseholds for CBM exploration and production. A notable development is the award of a CBM block in Jharkhand’s Jharia region, which will serve as a pilot for further expansion.

Untapped CBM Resources

India holds significant untapped CBM reserves, estimated at approximately 92 trillion cubic feet, spread across 12 states, including West Bengal, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. CBM offers a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting domestic energy production.

Production Targets and Outlook

Current CBM production stands at around 2.27 million metric standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD). Officials have set an ambitious target to nearly double this output to 5 MMSCMD by 2027–28, which will reduce dependence on imported natural gas and enhance domestic energy availability. As reported by knnindia.co.in, till date, about 40 CBM blocks have been awarded, with 15 blocks actively under exploration and development. The government plans to accelerate award and development of additional blocks under this drive to unlock India’s full CBM potential.

The Indian Sugar and BioEnergy Manufacturing Association (ISMA) has urged the government to revise ethanol procurement prices and allow higher supply allocations to support the financial viability of the sugar and ethanol industry. According to the association, these measures are essential to sustain ethanol production from sugarcane-based feedstocks and to maintain balance in the sugar–ethanol ecosystem.

Rising Cane Prices, Stagnant Ethanol Rates

ISMA highlighted a growing mismatch between input costs and ethanol procurement prices. While the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane increased by 16.5%—from ₹305 per quintal in the 2022–23 sugar season to ₹355 per quintal in 2025–26—ethanol procurement prices for sugarcane-based feedstocks such as sugarcane juice (SCJ) and B-heavy molasses (BHM) have remained unchanged since 2022–23. As a result, mills face increasing cost pressures without corresponding revenue support.

Ethanol Cost–Price Disparity Widens

The stagnation has led to a significant cost–price gap in ethanol production. ISMA stated that the current cost of producing ethanol from B-heavy molasses is around ₹66.09 per litre, while the procurement price stands at ₹60.73 per litre—creating a shortfall of nearly ₹5 per litre.

Similarly, ethanol produced from sugarcane juice also faces a cost–price gap of approximately ₹5 per litre. When calculated using the government-determined pricing formula, the gap widens further to about ₹10 per litre for BHM and ₹11 per litre for SCJ.

Deepak Ballani, Director General of ISMA, warned that the widening cost–price gap makes ethanol production from sugarcane-based feedstocks financially unviable. He added that this situation strains mill liquidity and delays payments to farmers.

Risk of Reduced Sugar Diversion to Ethanol

Ballani cautioned that without a revision in ethanol procurement prices, sugar mills will be discouraged from diverting excess sugar towards ethanol production. “This will worsen the domestic sugar surplus and increase inventory levels, further tightening cash flows for mills,” he said. ISMA emphasised that timely price revisions are critical to sustaining the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, stabilising domestic sugar prices, and preserving a balanced sugar–ethanol equation.

Ethanol Allocation: Need for Feedstock Balance

Beyond pricing concerns, ISMA flagged lower ethanol supply allocation as another major challenge facing sugar mills. NITI Aayog’s Biofuel Roadmap (2021) had projected that the sugar sector would contribute about 55%—or 550 crore litres—of the total 1,016 crore litres of ethanol required to achieve 20% blending (E20) by 2025–26. Encouraged by this vision and supported by government interest subvention schemes, the sugar industry has invested more than ₹40,000 crore to build ethanol production capacity exceeding 900 crore litres.

Sharp Cut in Sugar-Based Ethanol Allocation

At 90% capacity utilisation and after meeting industrial demand of around 160 crore litres, the sugar sector is capable of supplying nearly 650 crore litres of ethanol for fuel blending—equivalent to diverting about 60 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of sugar.

However, under the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025–26, the sugar sector’s allocation has been reduced to 289 crore litres, representing only a 28% share. This translates to sugar diversion of just around 34 LMT, while grain-based ethanol has been allocated nearly 72% of the total supply. ISMA warned that this imbalance could push distillery utilisation below 50%, leaving significant capacity idle and threatening economic viability, loan repayments, and operational stability.

Impact on Mills, Farmers, and Sustainability

“With lower ethanol offtake, surplus sugar stocks will rise, prices will come under pressure, and mills will face financial stress,” Ballani said. He added that declining ethanol revenues would lead to liquidity crunches, affecting mills’ ability to repay loans and make timely payments to farmers, potentially resulting in farmer distress.

Moreover, ISMA cautioned that excessive dependence on food grains—especially maize—could impact feed availability, alter cropping patterns, and increase carbon intensity. In contrast, sugarcane-based ethanol offers better emission reductions and stronger rural sustainability benefits.

ISMA’s Recommendations to the Government

To restore balance, ISMA has recommended that the government rebalance ethanol allocations by reserving at least 50% of total ethanol supply for sugarcane-based feedstocks, in line with NITI Aayog’s EBP roadmap.

As reported by chinimandi.com, additionally, the association has urged fair allocation in the Cycle 2 tender by assigning at least 150 crore litres of ethanol from sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses. According to ISMA, these measures are essential to maintain supply balance, protect industry investments, and ensure long-term sectoral stability.

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) purchased its first cargo of Colombian crude oil under an optional supply agreement with Colombia’s state-owned oil company, Ecopetrol. The move reflects IOCL’s efforts to diversify its crude sourcing as refiners reduce dependence on Russian oil.

Sanctions Reshape Crude Sourcing Strategies

Indian refiners have increasingly searched for alternative crude supplies as tighter U.S. sanctions on Russian oil producers and shipping vessels, along with European Union restrictions, disrupt traditional trade flows. As a result, India is expected to sharply reduce its imports of Russian crude. Ship-tracking firm Kpler projects that imports will fall to a three-year low of about 1.2 million barrels per day in December, from 1.84 million barrels per day in November.

Details of the Colombian Crude Purchase

IOCL has purchased around two million barrels of Colombian Castilla crude, with delivery scheduled by the end of February. This cargo marks IOC’s first lifting under the agreement with Ecopetrol. Under the terms of the optional supply contract, IOCL has the right to purchase up to 12 million barrels of crude oil—equivalent to six very large crude carriers (VLCCs), each with a capacity of about two million barrels. Importantly, the agreement gives IOC flexibility to lift cargoes based on market conditions and pricing competitiveness.

Limited Exposure to South American Crude

As reported by energynews.oedigital.com, traditionally, IOCL sources the bulk of its crude oil from Russia and the Middle East. Although the company has purchase agreements with producers in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, it rarely lifts South American grades. This is largely due to pricing considerations.

Reliance Industries Limited appointed Shashwat M. as Vice President, marking a notable leadership development at India’s largest private sector conglomerate. In this role, he is working closely with senior leadership to drive high-impact strategic initiatives across the group.

Leading Strategy for Renewable Energy Expansion

As part of his expanded responsibilities, Shashwat M. is leading the go-to-market (GTM) strategy for Reliance’s ambitious push into the renewable energy ecosystem. Specifically, he is shaping strategy across electric mobility, hydrogen-powered vehicles, battery materials, and advanced cell manufacturing. Through these efforts, he is supporting the company’s long-term vision for energy storage and next-generation mobility solutions.

Track Record at Reliance Industries

Before his elevation, Shashwat served as Senior General Manager and earlier as General Manager – Strategy and Planning at Reliance Industries. During this period, he played a pivotal role in corporate strategy, business planning, and large-scale transformation initiatives across multiple emerging business verticals.

Consulting and Cross-Sector Experience

Prior to joining Reliance, Shashwat built a strong consulting foundation at Analysys Mason. There, he was fast-tracked to Engagement Manager and led several strategy and transaction support engagements across South Asia, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. As reported by hrtoday.in, notably, his work earned the Best Project Award across Analysys Mason’s global offices. Earlier in his career, he gained diverse professional experience through roles at EXL, Standard Chartered Bank, and ITC Limited, further strengthening his cross-sector perspective.

RCT GH GmbH (RCT Hydrogen), a manufacturer of hydrogen production machines and systems, will begin manufacturing electrolyzer stacks in the heart of Thuringia in the first quarter of 2025. Initially, the company will focus on supplying systems for early megawatt-scale hydrogen projects serving German industrial customers under a “hydrogen-as-a-service” business model. At the same time, RCT Hydrogen is planning additional systems with individual electrolyzer capacities exceeding 30 MW.

Cooperation Agreements Pave the Way for Production Facility

To move forward, RCT Hydrogen signed cooperation agreements on December 22, 2025, with an experienced production partner in eastern Germany. This milestone officially initiated preparations for a dedicated hydrogen equipment manufacturing facility. As a result, the company is laying the groundwork for scalable production of electrolyzer plants in Germany.

Phased Production Ramp-Up

In the next phase, RCT Hydrogen will start producing electrolyzer plants with an annual manufacturing capacity of 250 MW. The ramp-up will begin with the installation of a 2.5 MW electrolyzer in the first quarter of 2026. Subsequently, delivery and commissioning of this system are scheduled for the third quarter of 2026 at a German industrial customer site.

Proven Alkaline Pressure Electrolyzer Technology

According to Prof. Dr. Peter Fath, Managing Director of RCT Hydrogen, the company has now reached a decisive milestone. “We have taken a crucial step toward producing robust and durable electrolyzer technology required for cost-effective green hydrogen production in Germany,” he said.

RCT Hydrogen relies on proven alkaline pressure electrolyzer technology, which is widely recognised for its durability and operational efficiency. Moreover, the systems meet premium German manufacturing standards and are TÜV-certified. Consequently, the technology has already attracted initial industrial customers seeking to integrate hydrogen production into their manufacturing processes. Notably, RCT Hydrogen signed a preliminary agreement in December for the delivery of two 2.5 MW electrolyzers.

Hydrogen-as-a-Service Gains Momentum

Building on this momentum, RCT Hydrogen expects growing adoption of hydrogen-as-a-service solutions. “This development has the potential to trigger a real hydrogen boom,” said Dr. Eric Rüland, Vice President Sales and Products. He explained that the model allows industrial users to access hydrogen at predictable prices while RCT Hydrogen and its partners handle on-site production.

Importantly, the model enables hydrogen production using grid electricity with a renewable share of 75–100%, making industrial decarbonisation economically viable for the first time in many applications.

Cost Dynamics and CO₂ Pricing Advantage

While hydrogen prices per kilowatt-hour remain around 20–50% higher than natural gas, Rüland noted that rising CO₂ prices significantly improve the economic case. Currently, the CO₂ price stands at approximately €83 per tonne, helping offset the cost difference and strengthening the competitiveness of green hydrogen.

Optimised Supply Chain and Strategic Partnerships

In parallel, RCT Hydrogen is reducing costs through the use of highly optimised production equipment. In this context, the company benefits from its Chinese partner Guofuhee, a supplier of key components with extensive experience in hydrogen equipment manufacturing.

As reported by fuelcellsworks.com, at the same time, RCT Hydrogen has established partnerships across the entire value chain, ensuring that the core production steps take place in Germany and Europe. Additionally, the company has secured several European partners for future hydrogen-as-a-service projects, with further developments expected in the coming months.