ISA launches solar data portal and $39 million fund for Africa

06 Nov 2024 CW Team

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) began its seventh Assembly session in New Delhi, with delegates from 29 countries in attendance. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, as Assembly President, highlighted ISA's progress in promoting solar projects, especially in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). “We are at a pivotal moment in reshaping the global energy landscape,” said Joshi, noting that 21 of ISA’s 27 demonstration projects showcasing scalable solar solutions have been completed.

ISA launched a new Solar Data Portal providing real-time information on solar resources, project performance, and investment opportunities in member countries. Additionally, the Global Solar Facility was introduced, aiming to channel commercial capital to underserved areas, particularly in Africa. A pilot project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, supported by a $39 million fund from India, ISA, Bloomberg, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, is set to begin by COP29.

France’s Minister of State for Development, Thani Mohamed Soilihi, joined virtually, reaffirming France’s €1.5 billion commitment to ISA initiatives, with a focus on financing access and capacity-building under ISA’s STAR-C program. ISA Director General Dr Ajay Mathur underscored the Assembly’s goal to drive innovative solutions and strengthen global partnerships in solar energy.

During the session, guidelines for ISA’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme were reviewed, offering grants up to 35% for eligible solar projects in LDCs and SIDS. The Assembly will also hold elections for President and Co-President for the 2024-2026 term and announce a new Director General, assuming office in March 2025. The event concludes on November 6 with a high-level conference on clean technologies and a visit to a Delhi farm featuring agrivoltaic systems. (ET)

Infrastructure Urban

05 Nov 2025

TBO Tek Q2 Profit Climbs 12%, Revenue Surges 26% YoY

TBO Tek Limited one of the world’s largest travel distribution platforms, reported a solid performance for Q2 FY26 with a 26 per cent year-on-year increase in revenue to Rs 5.68 billion, reflecting broad-based growth and improving profitability.The company recorded a Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of Rs 8,901 crore, up 12 per cent YoY, driven by strong performance across Europe, MEA, and APAC regions. Adjusted EBITDA before acquisition-related costs stood at Rs 1.04 billion, up 16 per cent YoY, translating into an 18.32 per cent margin compared to 16.56 per cent in Q1 FY26. Profit after tax r..

Northern Graphite, Rain Carbon Secure R&D Grant for Greener Battery Materials

Northern Graphite Corporation and Rain Carbon Canada Inc, a subsidiary of Rain Carbon Inc, have jointly received up to C$860,000 (€530,000) in funding under the Canada–Germany Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme to develop sustainable battery anode materials.The two-year, C$2.2 million project aims to transform natural graphite processing by-products into high-performance, battery-grade anode material (BAM). Supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Programme (NRC IRAP) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs a..

Antony Waste Q2 Revenue Jumps 16%; Subsidiary Wins Rs 3,200 Cr WtE Projects

Antony Waste Handling Cell Limited (AWHCL), a leading player in India’s municipal solid waste management sector, announced a 16 per cent year-on-year increase in total operating revenue to Rs 2.33 billion for Q2 FY26. The growth was driven by higher waste volumes, escalated contracts, and strong operational execution.EBITDA rose 18 per cent to Rs 570 million, with margins steady at 21.6 per cent, while profit after tax stood at Rs 173 million, up 13 per cent YoY. Revenue from Municipal Solid Waste Collection and Transportation (MSW C&T) reached Rs 1.605 billion, and MSW Processing re..