Landmark Initiatives Towards Achieving 24x7 Power for All

YEAR ENDER 2014 - POWER With an objective to provide 24x7 power across the country by 2019, the government has taken several landmark decisions for generation of power, strengthening of transmission and distribution, separation of feeder and metering of power to consumers. Special focus was given to north east by giving approval to the north eastern power system improvement project and comprehensive scheme for strengthening of transmission and distribution in the north eastern states. In the reform and restructuring front, various amendments are being brought in the Electricity Act and Tariff policy. For the power sector, the methodology for e-auction of coal blocks will be completely transparent , encourages greater competition and efficiency and optimizes power tariffs.       Comprehensive state-specific action plans for 24x7 power to all homes is being prepared in partnership with respective states, encompassing generation, transmission and distribution. The power ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh government under its `Power for all` initiative that aims to cover the entire state by October 2016. Plans for Delhi & Rajasthan are already complete and ready for implementation. For other states are being readied.    The commissioning of one 765kV Raichur-Solapur transmission line by POWERGRID in December,2013 and synchronous interconnection of Southern Regional (SR) grid with the rest  of the grid was achieved, accomplishing the long cherished dream of ‘One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency’. The second circuit of 765kV Raichur – Solapur transmission line implemented through Private Sector Participation has been completed on 30th  June 2014 with active  guidance from POWERGRID. With both the 765 kV transmission lines now in operation, the interconnection has helped achieving a pan-India synchronous grid of 249GW and one of the largest synchronous operating grids in the world. A National Smart Grid Mission is going to be launched to address key issues of Smart Grid Initiatives on a large scale in the country and to make the Indian Power infrastructure cost effective, responsive and reliable. A 20 year Prespective Plan for integrated inter-regional , inter-state and intra-state transmission network for the country as whole has been formulated. This will be a crucial backbone for the vision of 24x7 power for all homes in India.   The details of the major initiatives of Ministry of Power to achieve “24 x7 Power for all”  in the country are as follows: 1.   Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana: Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), announced in the budget 2014-15 envisages feeder separation, strengthening of sub-transmission & distribution network including metering at all levels for the rural areas. The major components of the scheme are : feeder separation ,strengthening of sub-transmission and  distribution network, metering at all levels, including input points, feeders and distribution transformers, micro grid and off grid distribution network and rural electrification to complete already sanctioned projects. This scheme will help in round the clock power to rural households and adequate power to agricultural consumers. The estimated cost of the scheme is Rs.43, 033 crore which includes the requirement of budgetary support of Rs 33,453 crore from GOI over the entire implementation period. 2.   Integrated Power Development Scheme : The integrated power development scheme envisages strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network including metering at all levels in the urban areas. The major components of the project include strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network, metering, IT application-ERP and customer care services, provisioning of solar panels and completion of the ongoing works of the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms programme (R-APDRP). The estimated cost of the project is Rs 32,612 crore . 3. North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project: The North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSlP) is for the six States of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland for strengthening of the Intra State Transmission and Distribution System at an estimated cost of Rs.5111.33 crore including capacity building expenditure of Rs.89 crore. The scheme is to be implemented with the assistance of World Bank loan and the budget of MoP. Implementation of this project will create a reliable State power grid and improve its connectivity to the upcoming load centres, and thus extend the benefits of the grid connected power to all the consumers. This project is a major step towards meeting the national objective of "Power to All" through enhancement in access of consumers to grid connected power supply through improving its availability and reliability, thereby facilitating inclusive growth. This shall also increase the per capita power consumption of these States, which is lagging behind the average national consumption and shall contribute to the economic development of the North-Eastern Region.           Another major decision taken by the government was the “Comprehensive Scheme for Strengthening of Transmission & Distribution System in Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim”. Presently, only 5 out of 20 districts of Arunachal Pradesh are connected to transmission network at 132/220 KV. The project is to be implemented within 48 months from the first fund release to PGCIL.  4.Regulatory Reforms: The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014 was introduced in the Lok Sabha  by the Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal and New& Renewable Energy Shri. Piyush Goyal on the 19th December ,2014.  The proposed amendments in the Electricity Act ,2003 will usher in much needed further reforms in the power sector. The amendments will also promote competition, efficiency in operations and improvement in quality of supply of electricity in the country resulting in capacity addition and ultimate benefit to the consumers.  5.         Advisory Group for Integrated Development of Power, Coal & New Renewable Energy: The Advisory Group has presented its final report, which covers contemporary issues and challenges in respect of the Ministries of Power, Coal & New & Renewable Energy. 6.      Independent Company for Power Reforms (POSOCO)       The government has decided to set up of Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) as an Independent Government Company. In the process, the institutional framework for an independent, secure and reliable power system operation entity at the national level has been put in place as mandated under the Electricity Act 2003. POSOCO operates the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) and Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs) which are also responsible for operating the vibrant electricity market working in the country. POSOCO is also designated as the nodal agency for major reforms in the power sector such as the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism, transmission pricing, short term open access in transmission, Deviation Settlement Mechanism, Power System Development Fund (PSDF), etc. 7.            Rs 200 crore  for strengthening power transmission system in Delhi: The Government has approved a Scheme and sanctioned an amount of Rs. 200 crore  for the power transmission system strengthening in Delhi during 2014-15. The implementation of the scheme will enhance the reliability of power supply to Consumers in Delhi areas. 8.   Important projects - dedicated to Nation or foundation stone laid  by Prime Minister Shri.Narendra Modi : ·                   240 MW URI-II Power Station of NHPC located in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is  a run of the river scheme on the Jhelum River built at a cost of around Rs. 2300 crore ·                      44 MW Chutak hydroelectric Project located in Kargil District of Jammu & Kashmir. The project is a run-off-river scheme on the river Suru, to generate 216 MU. ·                        45 MW Nimoo-Bazgo Hydro electric Project. This project is a Run of the River scheme to harness the potential of river Indus in Leh district of Ladakh region. The project is designed to generate 239 MUs of energy. ·                     Laid foundation stone for the first power transmission line from Leh to Kargil and Kargil to Srinagar. This 375 KM transmission line with four 220/33kV Sub-stations at Drass, Kargil, Leh and Khalsti will connect Leh/ Kargil area in Ladakh with Northern Region Grid at 220kV level.  ·                  Raichur-Sholapur 765 kilovolt (kV) transmission line in Maharashtra. This transmission line hasestablished the infrastructure for transfer of power from the regional grids of Northern, Eastern, Western and North-eastern regions to Southern region . ·                     Mouda Super Thermal Power Project Stage-I (1000 MW) situated in Nagpur Distt. of Maharashtra.The project will have ultimate capacity of 2320 MW on completion of 1320 MW ( 2X660MW) Stage-II. ·                     765 kV Ranchi-Dharamjaygarh-Sipat transmission line in Jharkhand and initiated the commencement of work on 3x660 MW North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project.  This line is the first 765kV inter-regional link between Eastern Region and Western Region. ·                     The 110 MW unit II of Muzzafarpur Thermal Power station (Stage I ) of Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited and the first 660 MW unit of NTPC`s Barh Super Thermal Power Station commenced commercial generation with the declaration of Commercial Operation by Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State ( IC) for Power, Coal, New& Renewable Energy, in Bihar.  The project has 2 X 195 MW capacity under construction at present. Bihar will get 484MW from the project (220 MW from stage-I and 264 MW from stage II) which is 80% of the project capacity.  9.    Transmission : ·                     Ministry of Environment and Forests modified the guidelines for laying of transmission lines enabling all private transmission developers to be treated at par with the public sector developers in respect of compensatory afforestation.  ·                     Nine Transmission schemes worth Rs.12,272 crore have been approved to be implemented under Tariff Based competitive bidding. ·                     Operationalization of Power System Development Fund (PSDF) of around Rs.7,500 crore for installation of protection systems in the power grid.  10.  Electricity Distribution: A National Smart Grid Mission is going to be launched to address key issues of Smart Grid Initiatives on a large scale in the country and to make the Indian Power infrastructure cost effective, responsive and reliable. 11 .  Energy Efficiency: ·            Government has approved the National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE) in August 2014 with an outlay of Rs.775 crore. NMEEE covers - Perform, Achieve and Trade framework for energy efficiency in industrial units; Venture Capital Fund and Partial Risk Guarantee Fund for funding energy efficiency projects; and Super Efficient Electrical Appliances (SEEP). ·            Guidelines for Energy Efficient Residential Apartments issued in August 2014. ·              Energy Efficiency Rating Programme for Diesel Generator sets and hospital buildings notified in August 2014. 12.  LED Replacement: All the Ministries/Departments of Government of India, including attached/subordinated office have been requested to replace CFL/Incandescent bulls with LED bulbs. Ministry of Finance has been requested to issue directives to all departments of the Government to procure LED bulbs instead of CFLs/ICLs for their procurements. Similarly, DGS&D has also been requested to include LED bulbs on their stock so as to ensure availability for Government procurement. After the recent devastating Hudhud cyclone in Vizakhapattanam,  Energy Efficiency Services Limited  has replaced 91,000 street lights with LED lights. 13. Approval for signing of "SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation : The agreement was signed among the SAARC Member States during the 18th SAARC Summit held at Kathmandu, Nepal on 26-27 November, 2014.  The Agreement is expected to improve the power availability in the entire SAARC region. It would facilitate integrated operation of the regional power grid. 14. Signing of pact with Nepal:           An Agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Government of the Republic of India on “Electric Power Trade Cross – Border Transmission Interconnection and Grid connectivity” was signed by the Secretary, Ministry of Energy, Government of Nepal and Secretary (Power) Government of India on 21.10.2014 at Kathmandu in Nepal.