Latest news with #PSDF
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Energy storage to hit record high
India's energy storage push hit a record in July, with states tendering 8.1 GWh of capacity, the highest-ever for a month. Auctions discovered a record low tariff of ₹3.13 per unit in solar-plus-storage projects with four hours of storage supply. The last discovered record tariff in the same category-with four hours of storage supply- was ₹3.32 per unit. Energy storage projects are gaining pace as states opt for round-the-clock energy, fulfil renewable purchase obligations, and manage evening peak demand with support from the new viability gap funding (VGF) scheme for battery energy storage system (BESS) . The power ministry recently launched the VGF scheme for BESS of up to 30 GWh capacity with support from the Power System Development Fund (PSDF) . This is in addition to the 13.2 GWh already in place. With the new VGF scheme window open for a year, states are trying to make the most of it, according to industry experts. "Battery storage capacities have been increasing not just in the number of projects being set up, but also in the size of projects," said Debmalya Sen, president, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). Recent bids from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have shown 2 GWh and 4GWh capacities being shared under the new VGF scheme, Sen added. Almost a third of the 30 GWh capacity in the scheme has been tendered out. The tariff discoveries have been supporting the aim to set up higher capacity-projects with 4-hour one-cycle gaining traction and rates falling to ₹3.59 lakh/MW/month from 4.41 lakh/MW/month in six months.
Economic Times
01-08-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Energy storage to hit record high
Synopsis India's energy storage sector witnessed a record surge in July, with states tendering 8.1 GWh of capacity. Auctions revealed a record low tariff of ₹3.13 per unit for solar-plus-storage projects. This growth is driven by states seeking round-the-clock energy and utilizing the new viability gap funding scheme for battery energy storage systems. India's energy storage push hit a record in July, with states tendering 8.1 GWh of capacity, the highest-ever for a discovered a record low tariff of ₹3.13 per unit in solar-plus-storage projects with four hours of storage last discovered record tariff in the same category-with four hours of storage supply- was ₹3.32 per storage projects are gaining pace as states opt for round-the-clock energy, fulfil renewable purchase obligations, and manage evening peak demand with support from the new viability gap funding (VGF) scheme for battery energy storage system (BESS).The power ministry recently launched the VGF scheme for BESS of up to 30 GWh capacity with support from the Power System Development Fund (PSDF). This is in addition to the 13.2 GWh already in place. With the new VGF scheme window open for a year, states are trying to make the most of it, according to industry experts."Battery storage capacities have been increasing not just in the number of projects being set up, but also in the size of projects," said Debmalya Sen, president, India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA).Recent bids from Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have shown 2 GWh and 4GWh capacities being shared under the new VGF scheme, Sen a third of the 30 GWh capacity in the scheme has been tendered tariff discoveries have been supporting the aim to set up higher capacity-projects with 4-hour one-cycle gaining traction and rates falling to ₹3.59 lakh/MW/month from 4.41 lakh/MW/month in six months.
Business Recorder
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab brings ‘youth skill' under focus by allocating Rs26bn in FY26
LAHORE: World Youth Skills Day is celebrated Monday globally to spotlight the transformative power of technical and vocational education in building inclusive economies and resilient societies while the Punjab government has also focused on it by allocating Rs 26 billion in fiscal year 2025-26. Following the vision of the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Government of Punjab has placed skills at the heart of its economic agenda. Under the CM Skilled Punjab initiative, landmark programmes are in placed as Rs 26 billion are allocated for skills development and entrepreneurship for the fiscal year 2025-26. For the first time Punjab has consolidated all TVET policy under a single Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SDED); bringing Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC), Punjab Skills Development Authority (PSDA) and Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE) under one strategic umbrella to ensure every effort is aligned with labour-market demand. The Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), Pakistan's largest skills fund and the implementing arm of CM Skilled Punjab Initiative has spent 15 years building employer-led training pathways. In that time, it has enabled 600,000 graduates (44 percent women) across 250 trades. Current flagships programs include PSDF: Tabeer – International Placement of Rs 2.7 billion for 2,500+ global job placement, PSDF - Mein Digital- Empowering rural women through IT of Rs 1billion for 3,000 educated rural women and PSDF -Pehchan- Skill Development Program for Transgender for Rs 870 million for 2,250 marginalized transgender, each designed to unlock new segments of talent and link them to high-value local or overseas work. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
PSDF distributes 200 desktop computers to educate rural women
LAHORE: In a landmark move to bridge the digital divide for educated rural women, the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) handed over 200 desktop computers - complete with internet subscriptions to beneficiaries of its new 'Mein Digital – Empowering Rural Women Through Technology' programme in Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha and Bahawalpur. Launched under the Chief Minister's Skilled Punjab Initiative and aligned with Maryam Nawaz Sharif's vision for women's empowerment, the distribution marks the transition from planning to tangible actions. The recipients, all holding at least sixteen years of formal education, were selected through a rigorous, merit-based testing process. PSDF CEO Ahmed Khan emphasised that placing hardware directly into the hands of participants removes longstanding cultural and mobility barriers, allowing them to begin their fully online, six-month training immediately. 'By equipping these women with desktops from day one, we ensure that technology access is not an obstacle but an enabler of economic opportunity,' he said. The comprehensive curriculum endorsed by FAST, NUST and leading industry partners covers general computer literacy, English for online business, digital marketing, content creation and e-commerce platforms such as Canva. This collaboration with premier academic institutions and the private sector lends significant credibility to the programme assuring future clients and employers of the graduates' high-quality, market-ready skills. Mirza Akbar Hussain, Head of Marketing & Communications, lauded the initiative's potential impact: 'These desktops will catalyse a transformation in household incomes and community dynamics by empowering educated rural women to market indigenous products online. As they generate sustainable earnings, entire villages will benefit from enhanced economic resilience.' PSDF plans to replicate this desktop distribution model across all districts of Punjab, ultimately training 3,000 women and nurturing a generation of women-led digital entrepreneurs. With the first wave of hardware now in place, 'Mein Digital' stands as a blueprint for inclusive development — demonstrating how upfront investment in technology and credentials can unlock the entrepreneurial potential of Pakistan's rural women. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
28-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tabeer programme: PSDF sets new standard in world workforce mobilization
LAHORE: Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) is setting a new standard in international workforce mobilization by acting as a true one-window solution for confirmed overseas placements under PSDF - Tabeer – International Placement a flagship programme under Chief Minister's Skilled Punjab Initiative. Through PSDF - Tabeer – International Placement program, PSDF has already placed over 100 highly trained Pakistani graduates in Saudi Arabia's construction and hospitality sectors, managing every step- from demand-driven skills development and internationally recognized certification to job confirmation and visa processing under one roof. PSDF's model begins with close collaboration with Saudi industry partners to develop training that match precise employer requirements. Candidates undergo rigorous screening, complete technical and soft-skills modules and sit for assessment panels jointly administered by PSDF and their future employers. Only those who meet the exacting standards receive confirmed job offers before departure, ensuring zero uncertainty for both trainees and recruiters. 'By guaranteeing confirmed placements and handling the entire process end to end, PSDF removes traditional barriers and risk for our graduates,' said Ahmed Khan, CEO of PSDF. 'Our integrated approach means candidates arrive in Saudi Arabia fully prepared, with visas in hand and contracts signed—ready to contribute from day one.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
