Weekly News Updates: Nov. 20 – Nov. 26

Indian Organisations Lead in Leveraging Technology for Sustainability, Kyndryl Study Reveals
Kyndryl
研究顯示,印度單位在利用永續科技方面領先全球

A new study by Kyndryl, commissioned by Microsoft, reveals that 54% of Indian organisations are using technology to achieve their sustainability goals, significantly outpacing the global average of 21%. The study, which highlights trends in sustainability efforts across industries, shows that 31% of Indian businesses have ramped up their sustainability goals in the past year. Despite this progress, the study identifies key areas for improvement, including the underutilization of data for strategic decision-making and the need for stronger integration of AI to drive sustainability initiatives. Notably, 87% of Indian businesses do not fully leverage data from their sustainability efforts to guide transformation, and 51% fail to consider the environmental impact when implementing AI solutions.

Kyndryl’s Chief Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer, Faith Taylor, emphasized that integrating sustainability into business strategy is crucial for long-term success. The study suggests that Indian businesses need to move from intent to action, embedding technology deeply into sustainability strategies to turn abstract goals into concrete plans. The findings also point to the growing importance of AI in energy monitoring and emissions reduction, though challenges remain in harnessing its full potential. As consumer demand for sustainable products rises, Indian organisations are urged to adopt a holistic approach that combines data, AI, and collective responsibility to meet both regulatory and customer expectations.

小編點評:Kyndryl與微軟合作的研究顯示,54%的印度單位正在利用技術實現可持續發展目標,遠高於全球平均的21%。然而,研究也指出數據和AI技術的使用不足,呼籲印度企業將這些技術更有效地融入其可持續性策略,以實現更具體的成果。

Amara Raja Infra Completes India’s First Green Hydrogen Fuelling Station in Leh
Amara Raja Infra在列城完成印度首座綠色氫燃料站

Amara Raja Infra has successfully set up India’s first green hydrogen fuelling station in Leh, Ladakh, in partnership with NTPC, marking a significant step towards emission-free transport in the region. The fuelling station, with a production capacity of 80kg of green hydrogen per day, will enable the operation of five hydrogen fuel cell buses by NTPC, making India one of the few countries to lead in green mobility. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the facility, which was completed in two years despite the challenging high-altitude environment, with temperatures ranging from minus 25°C to 30°C.

The project, which involved designing, engineering, and commissioning the station, also includes three years of operation and maintenance. It is seen as a precursor to larger green hydrogen mobility and storage projects under India’s National Hydrogen Energy Mission. Amara Raja Infra’s successful execution of the project highlights its expertise in the green hydrogen infrastructure space, paving the way for further hydrogen fuelling stations across India. Dwarakanadha Reddy, Business Head of Power EPC at Amara Raja, expressed pride in the accomplishment, underscoring the company’s pioneering role in this field.

https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/auto-technology/amara-raja-infra-sets-up-indias-first-green-hydrogen-fuelling-station-in-leh/115677482?action=profile_completion&utm_source=Mailer&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=etauto_news_2024-11-26&dt=2024-11-26&em=cHJlbWppdGhrQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==

小編點評:Amara Raja InfraNTPC合作,成功在列城設立印度首座綠色氫燃料站,每天可生產80公斤綠色氫氣,用於五輛氫燃料電池巴士營運。此案支持國家氫能使命,標誌著印度向無排放交通邁出的重要一步,並突顯Amara Raja Infra在綠色氫基礎設施領域的領導地位。

Indian Agritech Sector Shows Strong Growth, with 19 Soonicorns and 40 Minicorns: RBI Report
印度農業科技領域增長強勁,擁有19家即將成為獨角獸的公司和40家小型獨角獸公司

A new Reserve Bank of India (RBI) paper highlights the growing potential of India’s agritech sector, noting the emergence of 19 soonicorns and 40 minicorns leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and innovative business models. While India has one unicorn in the agritech space, these startups are driving significant advancements in the agricultural landscape. The report, titled “Agri-Tech Startups and Innovations in Indian Agriculture,” underscores the increasing role of government support, R&D, and digital infrastructure in the growth of these startups. Investor interest in the sector surged between 2019 and 2021, with investments rising from $370 million to $1.25 billion, although it has moderated globally since then.

Despite these advancements, the paper cautions that agritech startups face significant challenges in scaling up, including fragmented landholdings and delayed revenue generation. The sustainability of these ventures depends heavily on the adoption of modern technologies by farmers. The Indian government is actively promoting agripreneurship through initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and various startup funds and incubators, which have been instrumental in the sector’s growth. The report emphasizes that while India’s agritech ecosystem has gained a notable share of global funding, further efforts are needed to overcome scaling challenges and ensure long-term success.

https://ddnews.gov.in/en/19-agritech-soonicorns-40-minicorns-embracing-emerging-tech-for-business-growth-rbi-paper

小編點評:印度儲備銀行(RBI)的報告指出,印度農業科技產業成長迅速,擁有19家即將成為獨角獸的公司和40家小型獨角獸公司,得益於政府支持和投資者興趣的增長。然而,該領域在規模化方面仍面臨挑戰,特別是在土地分散和收入延遲的情況下。

India Set to Attract $3.8 Billion Investment in Data Centres by 2026, Driven by AI and Digital Growth
AI和數位化長推動,印度數據中心預計到2026年吸引38億美元投資

India’s digital transformation is accelerating, with artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and big data analytics driving a surge in data centre investments, projected to reach $3.8 billion by 2026, according to a new report by JLL. The explosive growth in AI technologies, from machine learning to natural language processing, is fueling an insatiable demand for data centres that can store and process vast amounts of data. As India’s internet user base exceeds 800 million, the country’s data consumption is soaring, putting immense pressure on its digital infrastructure. Government initiatives like Digital India are further accelerating the country’s shift towards a data-driven economy, emphasizing the urgent need for scalable, reliable data centre solutions.

The anticipated $3.8 billion investment will bolster India’s data centre infrastructure, particularly in major cities such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Key drivers include rising AI and cloud computing demand, edge computing expansion, and increasing interest in renewable energy-powered data centres. Real estate developers are capitalizing on this growth, with major players like Embassy Group and Brookfield entering the market to create large-scale data centre parks. This investment is set to not only strengthen India’s position as a data centre hub in Asia-Pacific but also provide long-term growth opportunities for the commercial real estate sector.

https://www.commercialdesignindia.com/insights/ai-surge-to-drive-3-8-billion-investment-in-indias-data-centre-real-estate#:~:text=India’s%20data%20centre%20market%20is,data%20storage%20and%20processing%20infrastructure

小編點評:印度的數據中心投資預計在2026年將達到38億美元,受到人工智慧(AI)、雲計算和大數據分析的快速發展推動。數據使用量的快速成長和政府數位印度計劃進一步強調了建設可擴展數位基礎設施的緊迫性,此投資將促進主要城市的數據中心基礎設施成長,並為技術和房地產行業帶來長期機遇。

Gautam Adani Faces US Charges in Alleged $265 Million Bribery Scheme
高塔姆·阿達尼因涉嫌2.65億美元賄賂案在美國面臨指控

Gautam Adani, the billionaire chairperson of Adani Group, and seven others have been charged in the United States with conspiring to pay $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure contracts for India’s largest solar power plant project. The charges, which include securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, were filed by the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Adani is accused of using bribery to obtain solar contracts worth an estimated $2 billion over 20 years. US prosecutors allege that Adani deceived American investors by covering up these payments, with evidence including cell phone and messaging app records.

If convicted, Adani could face decades in prison along with significant monetary penalties. However, any potential extradition process would be complicated, as India’s court system would need to consider factors such as whether the alleged crimes are punishable under Indian law and whether the charges are politically motivated. Adani has denied all allegations, calling them “baseless,” and is yet to be arrested. The US legal system could involve a lengthy trial process, with Adani’s defense likely challenging the charges both procedurally and substantively, while also potentially seeking a plea deal with prosecutors.

https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/adani-bribery-case-can-adani-be-arrested-from-india-allegations-charges-and-possible-penalties-explained-11732720890861.html

小編點評:印度億萬富翁阿達尼集團主席高塔姆·阿達尼及其他七人因涉嫌向印度政府官員支付2.65億美元賄款以獲得太陽能專案合約而在美國面臨指控。若罪名成立,阿達尼可能面臨數十年的監禁和巨額罰款,然而,從印度可能因法律和政治等複雜考量而無法引渡。

VinFast to Enter Indian Market in 2025; Explores Joint Venture with Adani and MEIL
VinFast計劃2025年進入印度市場,探索與阿達尼及MEIL的合資機會

Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer VinFast has announced its entry into the Indian market, with plans to showcase its EVs at the 2025 Bharat Mobility Show in January. The company is in advanced discussions with the Adani Group and Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) to form a joint venture aimed at raising capital and establishing a cost-effective component supplier base. VinFast is also exploring opportunities to leverage the partnership for navigating India’s regulatory landscape and labor relations. While talks are ongoing, neither Adani nor MEIL has confirmed the developments. VinFast plans to invest an initial $500 million in a production facility in Tamil Nadu to cater to both domestic and international markets.

VinFast is expected to launch its first Indian model, the VF e34 electric SUV, in 2025. The e-SUV will be locally assembled to achieve competitive pricing and is claimed to offer a range of around 300 km on a single charge, powered by a 110kW motor. The SUV supports fast charging, achieving 10% to 70% in just 27 minutes, and boasts a 0-100 km/h acceleration in under nine seconds. The VF6 and VF7 models are also likely to follow. The VF e34, which has already been spotted testing on Indian roads, is set to compete in the growing EV market, aligning with India’s push toward sustainable mobility.

https://www.carlelo.com/news/vinfast-ev-at-bharat-mobility-show-2025-talks-with-adani-for-jv

小編點評:越南電動車製造商VinFast宣布將於2025年進入印度市場,並計劃在Bharat Mobility展上展示其電動車型。公司正與阿達尼集團和Megha工程公司洽談成立合資企業,以籌集資金並建立本地供應基礎。同時,VinFast計劃投資5億美元在泰米爾納德邦設立生產基地,以支持國內和國際市場。