The Exclusive Combined
B2B Event for Power, Energy
Electrical, Renewables & LED

GOA: 3 - 5 SEPTEMBER 2024, KALA ACADEMY, PANAJI - MAHA POWERELEC + LED 2024

MUMBAI: 27 29 NOVEMBER 2024, NESCO, GOREGAON - INTERNATIONAL EDITION OF POWERELEC + LED 2024

Central Government Initiatives

The government has transformed the power sector from power-deficient to power-sufficient by adding 1,94,394 MW of generation capacity in the past 9 years. Energy requirement has increased by 8.6% to 11,02,887 MU during the current year 2023-24 from 10,15,908 MU during same period previous year. Consider some of the major developments:

  • NHPC Ltd, NEEPCO Ltd and SJVN Ltd signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh for development of 12 stalled Hydro Electric Projects (capacity 11,523 MW) in the state.
  • During 2023, 14,390 ckm of transmission lines, 61,591 MVA of transformation capacity and 4,290 MW Inter-regional Transfer Capacity has been added. The transmission network of 4,79,185 ckm has evolved as the largest national synchronous grid in the world.
  • For integration of 64.1 GW Wind and Solar Capacity, Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) network is under construction and for 63.8 GW Wind and Solar Capacity, ISTS network is under bidding. Around 26.1 GW additional RE capacity is likely to be integrated to intra-state network under Green Energy Corridor (GEC- I&II) scheme.
  • The Government launched the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to help DISCOMs improve their operational efficiencies and financial sustainability by providing result-linked financial assistance to DISCOMs to strengthen supply infrastructure.
  • Loss Reduction works including replacement of bare conductor with AB cable, HVDS systems, feeder bifurcation, etc. while system strengthening works include creation of new substations, feeders upgradation of transformation capacity, cables, etc. have been undertaken.
  • Modernization works include SCADA, DMS, IT/OT, ERP, GIS enabled applications, ADMS etc. to make distributions systems smarter. So far, Loss Reduction works of Rs. 1.21 lakh Cr. have been sanctioned and also Rs. 5,806.48 Cr has been released as GBS towards loss reduction works under RDSS as per scheme guidelines.
  • The National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) is designated to lead the assessments for Smart Distribution cities with the technical assistance of USAID’s South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP). Ongoing two Smart Grid / Smart metering projects, sanctioned under National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) for Rs. 116.01 Crores with Rs.34.803 Cr. Govt. Budgetary Support (GBS), are nearing completion.

The Prime Minister launched the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LED for All (UJALA) programme. Under UJALA scheme, LED bulbs, LED Tube lights and Energy efficient fans are being sold to the domestic consumers for replacement of conventional and inefficient variants. Till date, over 36.86 crore LED bulbs, 72.18 lakh LED Tube lights and 23.59 lakh Energy efficient fans (including over 55,000 BLDC fans) have been distributed by EESL across India. This has resulted in estimated energy savings of 48.39 billion kWh per year with avoided peak demand of 9,788 MW, GHG emission reduction of 39.30 million ton CO2 per year and estimated annual monetary savings of Rs. 19,332 crore in consumer electricity bills.

The Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) to replace conventional street lights with smart and energy efficient LED street lights across India. Till date, EESL has installed over 1.30 crore LED Street Lights in ULBs and Gram Panchayats across India. This has resulted in estimated energy savings of 8.75 billion kWh per year with avoided peak demand of 1,459 MW, GHG emission reduction of 6.03 million ton CO2 per year and estimated annual monetary savings of Rs. 6,128 crore in electricity bills of municipalities.

With the amendment in the Electricity Rules, 2005 notified on 26.07.2023, the Government has put in place additional measures to improve financial health of Discoms with streamlining the process of accounting, reporting, billing and payment of subsidy by States to the Distribution Companies.

The Ministry of Power promulgated the Electricity (Right of Consumers) Rules 2020 with the conviction that the power systems exist to serve the consumers and the consumers have rights to get the reliable services and quality electricity. These Rules lay down the time limits and standards or the various services to be provided by the Distribution Companies across the country or otherwise they will have to pay compensation to their consumers. The amendments to the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020 on 14.06.2023, brought an important change to facilitate more and more consumption of power from renewable sources – Green Energy Open Access.

The Electricity (Late Payment Surcharge and Related Matters) Rules, 2022 give relief to the DISCOMs, as well as electricity consumers and at the same time, Generating companies are also getting the benefit from assured monthly payments, which will help the whole power sector to become financially viable. It has created a win-win situation to both Discoms and Gencos.