Power

THERMAL

India ranked 3rd largest primary energy consumer in the world

As per India Energy Outlook 2021, published by International Energy Agency (IEA), India has been ranked third largest primary energy consumer in the world, said Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in Lok Sabha. India’s Hydrocarbon requirements are met through domestic production as well as through imports. The country imports oil and gas from various geographical regions including countries from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and South-East Asia. As per World Energy Outlook 2021 of IEA, the current share of India in global primary energy consumption is 6.1% and is likely to increase to about 9.8% understated policies scenario by 2050. The government has taken up the development of the National Gas Grid, City Gas Distribution Networks to cover major demand centres across the country to provide clean and green fuel to the Public. As per the Ministry of Power, a significant addition to Thermal (28,460 MW), Large Hydro (12,663 MW), and Nuclear Energy (8,700 MW) capacity is underway.

Thermal plants coal stock at 39% of normative requirement

The Government of India issued new coal stocking norms December 12, 2021, with provisions for penalty for non-maintenance of prescribed coal stock, Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for parliamentary affairs, coal and mines told the Lok Sabha March 23, 2022. This was done to maintain adequate coal stocks by coal-based thermal power plants. The daily coal requirement for both pithead and non-pithead plants is estimated at 85 per cent plant load factor (PLF), the new norms mandate. The stock needs to be maintained for 12-17 days for pithead plants and 20-26 days for non-pithead plants, according to the rules. Month-wise variation based on the coal dispatch / coal consumption pattern during the year will be allowed, Joshi said. Around 26.4 million tonnes (mt) of coal stock was available with the thermal power plants (TPP) as on March 14, 2022, the minister shared. This is about 39 per cent of the normative coal stock required to be maintained by the TPPs, Joshi added. .

Peak power demand can cross 200 GW in March, says R K Singh

Power Minister R K Singh said electricity demand can beat all previous records and cross the 200 GW mark in March itself in view of soaring temperatures. Asked whether the all-time high of peak power demand met of 200 GW can be breached this month itself amid the early onset of summer, Singh said, "Yes it can." Singh was speaking to reporters at the ELECRAMA event organised by IEEMA in the capital. The peak power demand met or the highest supply in a day was recorded at 200.57 GW on July 7, 2021. According to power ministry data, peak power demand met stood at 197.01 GW on March 15. This is the highest peak power demand met during March 1 to 15. Peak power demand met was 170.16 GW in March 2020 and 185.89 GW in March 2021. Addressing the event, Singh said, "Government is committed towards achieving its energy transmission goals and it would require support from all section of the industry."

No power crisis in India, generation capacity more than peak demand: Govt

India is not facing any power crisis as the installed electricity generation capacity stood at 395.6 gigawatts (GW) against the peak demand of 203 GW recorded in 2021-22, Parliament was informed. "There is no power crisis in the country. As on February 28, 2022, the installed generation capacity is around 395.6 GW, which is sufficient to meet the demand of electricity in the country. The peak demand experienced during the current year was only 203 GW," said Power Minister R K Singh in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. In another reply to the House, the minister told the House that as per the information compiled by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the import of coal reduced to 22.7 MT (million tonnes) during 2021-22 (April-January) as against 39 MT during the same period last year, mainly due to high imported coal price in the international market. The shortfall in imported coal has been compensated through the enhanced supply of domestic coal i.e. from 442.6 MT during 2020-21 (April-January) to 547.2 MT during 2021-22 (April-January).

Power ministry eases burdensome compliances in 1st phase of Ease of Doing Business action plan

The power ministry informed that it has eased 79 burdensome compliances related to issues affecting industry and consumers during 2021

and 22 burdensome compliances in the first phase of Action Plan 2022 of the ease of doing business (EoDB). As per the government statement, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has simplified the implementation of the Standards and Labelling (S&L) programme. It had also introduced Digitalisation and Online tracking of status of application for manufacturers. Central Transmission Utility (CTU) has eased Connectivity Bank Guarantee under revised RE procedure unlocking about `400 crore for RE Developers. Ease of Doing Business-Reducing Compliance Burden (EoDB-RCB) is a programme of government to reduce the regulatory compliance burden on citizens and businesses.

Power Ministry asks States to adhere to Make in India norms on public procurement

The Power Ministry has directed the state governments to comply with provisions of the ‘Make In India’ initiative under public private participation (PPP) for boosting indigenous manufacturing and procurement of local goods and services. The response from the Centre comes after some industry associations approached the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) complaining that state power utilities are not following the requisite norms on local procurement of goods and services. CEA is the nodal agency under the Power Ministry for issues concerning the Make in India initiative. To promote local industries and services in the power sector, the ministry said “Fund allocation is subject to the condition that all the provisions of Make in India (MII) orders must be complied with, in all the activities involved in the project(s) from start to completion.” Simultaneously to reduce import dependence with regard to manufacturing of power and renewable energy equipment and to promote the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, a scheme for setting up manufacturing zones for power and renewable energy equipment has also been proposed.

Discoms owe Rs 1 lakh crore to power generating firms till February: Power Ministry

Power distribution utilities outstanding dues stood at Rs one lakh crore at the end of February this year, Parliament was informed. "As per data provided by the power sector Generating companies, on the PRAAPTI Portal, at the end of February 2022, a total amount of Rs 1,00,931 crores is due from the DISCOMs," Power Minister RK Singh said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. According to the reply, this overdue amount does not include the disputed amount. The outstanding amount of the discoms (power distribution companies) becomes overdue after 45 days of raising the bill for supply of power by gencos. The minister explained that the government has made several interventions to improve financial and operational efficiencies of discoms linked to reform measures, including Liquidity Infusion Scheme (LIS); Additional Borrowing of 0.5 per cent of GSDP to states linked to power sector reforms; introducing additional prudential norms for lending by Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and REC based on the performance of utilities; and Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

RENEWABLES

India releases Arctic policy focusing on energy security, climate change, mineral wealth

The Centre released India's Arctic policy, which aims to strengthen national capabilities and

competencies in science and exploration, climate and environmental protection, use of mineral wealth and maritime and economic cooperation with the Arctic region. The country is, currently, undertaking several scientific studies and research in the region. The focus of the policy is also to increase India’s participation in the Arctic Council and improve understanding of the complex governance structures in the region, which is quite relevant to geopolitics. The country's engagement with the Arctic dates back to a century when ‘Svalbard Treaty’ was signed in February 1920 in Paris, and it has since then been actively involved in studies related to the Arctic oceanography, atmosphere, pollution and microbiology. India is among the 13 nations that are observers in the Arctic Council, which include France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, China, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. India has, so far, successfully conducted 13 expeditions to the Arctic. The council is a high-level intergovernmental forum that addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the region.

Govt to cut contribution of coal based power to 32% by 2030

India is planning to substantially slash its share of coal based thermal power generation from the current 52 percent to 32 percent by the turn of the decade, the ministry of power told the country's Parliament. India has been increasing its renewable power production in the last few years to aid its efforts in the global war on climate change and reducing its dependence on coal based power plants would help its electric mobility thrust as well. The government has set a soft target of EVs accounting for 30 percent new vehicle sales by 2030 but critics have repeatedly pointed that a dirty grid would make the transition pointless. "With the increased large-scale integration of renewable power in the electricity sector, the costs of renewable power have reduced considerably and the lowest discovered tariff for solar power has been Rs 1.99 per unit which is less than the energy charge of many coal-based power plants," the Ministry of Power said in a press release. Retail consumer tariffs are determined by the respective State Regulators keeping in view several costs including that of power. The government has also issued a scheme of bundling renewable power with thermal and hydro projects which it says would reduce the overall cost of power for consumers. It is also extending grant assistance for construction of Green Energy Corridors, and for Solarization of agriculture feeders/pump sets under KUSUM Scheme.

Deploy Electric Vehicles Into Official Fleet: Power Ministry Urges All Ministries

The Ministry of Power has requested all the Ministries in the Government of India and the State Governments to join the initiative on transformative electric mobility and advise their respective Departments to shift their fleet of official vehicles from present Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based Vehicles to Electric Vehicles. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) through its wholly owned subsidiary CESL (Convergence Energy Services Limited), undertook consultations with State Transport Utilities (STUs), State Governments, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), NITI Aayog etc. to aggregate demand of 5,450 buses for deployment on Operating expenses (OPEX) basis across 9 major cities in India (having population over 4 million). CESL floated a unified tender on 20th January 2022 towards aggregation of e-buses. In respect of Electric 3 Wheelers (E3W), CESL has floated a tender to aggregate demand for one lakh E3W as per the modified Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) Phase-II scheme. The aggregation of E3W has resulted into price reduction up to 22% in comparison to the retail segment.

EV makers would need govt support for longer term: Par panel

The electric vehicle manufacturers would need government support for a longer term until the EV market becomes self-sustainable, more affordable and within the reach of the common man, a Parliamentary panel said in a report. The department-related parliamentary standing committee on industry has also expressed concerns over a "lacklustre progress" in both physical and financial targets set under the FAME II scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles). The report said that the heavy industries ministry needs to promote electric mobility colossally by working towards technological solutions through R&D efforts with industry, research and development agencies. The ministry, it said, must plan a road map to reap this opportunity for proliferation of production, sales and incentivisation of EVs.

Domestic solar equipment makers running plants at 30% capacity; reforms, tariff safeguards needed

Industry body All India Solar Industries Association (AISIA) has urged Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh that structural safeguards and tariff-based barriers are needed for domestic manufacturing to gain a foothold and establish itself. The body highlighted that the (solar equipment) "domestic manufacturers run their plants at 30 per cent capacities and incur huge unbearable losses." In the letter shot off to Singh earlier this week, the body stated that "having been hopeful of a revival in the last decade and after surviving strong headwinds, we are passing through even more difficult times where our survival is at stake and without a robust local 'Make in India' Solar manufacturing, the security of India's energy sector is in peril." It urged that for domestic manufacturing to gain a foothold & establish itself, it is imperative that there are structural safeguards (ALMMApproved List of Models and Manufacturers) and tariff-based barriers (BCD/ SGD etc. basic custom duty, safeguard duty) besides production-linked incentives for 4 to 5 years before these are tapered-off gradually.

Rooftop solar cost down by 50 per cent in last 7-8 years: MNRE

Overall cost of the rooftop solar system has come down by 50 per cent during the last seven-eight years, making it more competitive, Parliament was informed. "The cost of the rooftop solar systems in the country has become competitive with the reduction of cost of Solar PV panels and the overall cost of these systems has reduced by around 50 per cent during the last 7-8 years," New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. Singh also told the House that to promote and make the rooftop solar (RTS) systems affordable in the country, the government has taken various initiatives that include launch of 'Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme' in December 2015 targeting 2100 MW RTS capacity addition by 2019-20 through Central Financial Assistance (CFA). Various efforts have resulted in achievement around six gigawatt of cumulative rooftop solar capacity in the country as of February 28, 2022. The Ministry has not made any projection of generation capacity of rooftop solar by 2030, he stated.

NTPC commissions additional 42.5MW capacity at Ramagundam floating solar project

State-run power giant NTPC has made commercially operational an additional 42.5 MW of power generation capacity at Ramagundam floating solar project in Telangana. Earlier the

company had commissioned 17.5 MW (Part-I) and 20 MW (Part-II) of the Ramagundam floating solar project. With the addition of 42.5MW, the total commercially operational power generation capacity of Ramagundam project has reached 80 MW. The project is of 100 MW capacity. "Consequent upon successful commissioning, third part capacity of 42.5 MW of 100 MW Ramagundam Floating Solar PV Project at Ramagundam, Telangana, is declared on commercial operation with effect from 00:00 hrs. of March 24, 2022," NTPC said in a BSE filing. With this, it stated that the standalone installed and commercial capacity of NTPC has become 54494.68 MW.

Indian scientists develop green tech, pave way for low-cost, durable fuel cells

Taking a giant leap in the development of green energy technology, Indian scientists have indigenously developed platinum-based electrocatalyst for use in fuel cells. The electrocatalyst developed showed comparable properties to the commercially-available electrocatalyst in terms of its performance in fuel cells, superior corrosion resistance and could enhance the lifetime of fuel cell stack performance. Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that produce DC electricity from hydrogen with water as a byproduct and can be used in a wide range of applications, including transportation, material handling and emergency backup power. Although the electrocatalyst technology has a lot of merits in green energy production, the key drawback currently is the huge cost incurred in importing components. The platinum-based electrocatalyst plays an important role in increasing durability and decreasing fuel cell costs. The work done by scientists of International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) in Telangana, an autonomous R&D Centre of the department of science and technology, has been published in the ‘International Journal of Hydrogen Energy’, and a patent has been filed, an Science and Technology department statement said.

MNRE grants additional 3-month extension in scheduled commissioning date of wind projects

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has granted an additional three-month time-extension in the scheduled commissioning date (SCD) of wind power projects due to supply chain disruptions caused post-COVID and monsoon. “On account of supply chain disruption due to second COVID-19 surge, it has been decided that for wind power projects for which the power purchase agreement was signed and orders were placed before 15 June, 2021, the implementing agencies can allow an additional time extension up to three months in the SCD,” the ministry said in an office memorandum recently. It added that the extension might be considered on a case-to-case basis after due diligence and careful consideration of the specific circumstances of the case. According to the official statement, MNRE received various representations from wind industry requesting additional time extension for projects as a special case, considering supply chain disruption due to second COVID-19 surge followed by monsoon related disruptions.