New Delhi: As the heatwave intensifies in the country, so has the squabbling between the Centre and the states over power outages, with the latter claiming they have inadequate coal supply for electricity generation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh are facing some of the longest power cuts in the country.&nbsp;States claim that the Centre did not anticipate a sudden surge in power demand, which generally peaks towards the end of April but came earlier this year because of the heatwave sweeping the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;Another factor that has contributed to long power cuts is that several states are shying away from buying expensive power, owing to demand-supply mismatch.The global coal prices, as monitored by Markets Insider, were hovering around $326 per tonne on 22 April against $120 per tonne in January.&nbsp;For comparison, coal cost $50 a tonne in 2020, meaning that its price has gone up over six times in just over two years.&nbsp;Last week, several states urged the Centre to increase the coal supplied to them.&nbsp;Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar claimed inadequate coal supply forced him to consider alternatives to bridge the supply shortfall of around 3,500-4,000 MW. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honour their Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) and supply the promised 72,000 metric tonnes of coal a day to the Paradip and Visakhapatnam ports.A third important reason why power outages have become a burning issue is the inadequate supply to industries. For context, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are among the most industralised states in the country.—ANI

As the heatwave intensifies in the country, so has the squabbling between the Centre and the states over power outages, with the latter claiming they have inadequate coal supply for electricity generation.   Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh are facing some of the longest power cuts in the country.  States claim that the Centre did not anticipate a sudden surge in power demand, which generally peaks towards the end of April but came earlier this year because of the heatwave sweeping the country.  

Severe Power Crisis Looms, Outages Across States

As the heatwave intensifies in the country, so has the squabbling between the Centre and the states over power outages, with the latter claiming they have inadequate coal supply for electricity generation.  
Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh are facing some of the longest power cuts in the country. 
States claim that the Centre did not anticipate a sudden surge in power demand, which generally peaks towards the end of April but came earlier this year because of the heatwave sweeping the country.  


 

New Delhi: A potent combination of sweltering summer and acute coal shortages have triggered blackouts across many parts of the country as states struggle to manage the record demand for electricity and low feedstock at power plants.From Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh, consumers are facing power cuts ranging from two hours to eight hours.Factories are the worst hit as the industrial sector is the first port of call for regulating electricity supplies.After the hottest March on record, a large part of the country continue to experience extreme heat in April, sending power demand to an all-time high.The total electricity shortage in the country has hit 623 million units, surpassing the total shortage in March. At the heart of the crisis are low inventories of coal -- the fossil fuel that produces 70 per cent of India's electricity. While the government insists that there is enough coal available to meet the demand, the reduced availability of railway rakes to transport coal has led to coal inventories being at the lowest pre-summer levels in at least nine years. Also, with international energy prices shooting up following the war in Ukraine, coal imports have dipped.Besides measures to increase coal supplies to power plants, the Union government has asked states to step up coal imports for the next three years to build up inventories.Thermal plants across the country are grappling with coal shortages, indicating a looming power crisis in the country, All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) said.Peak power demand met or the highest supply in a day was 200.65 GW on April 27 while peak power shortage was 10.29 GW. (Contd On Page 2)

A potent combination of sweltering summer and acute coal shortages have triggered blackouts across many parts of the country as states struggle to manage the record demand for electricity and low feedstock at power plants.  From Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh, consumers are facing power cuts ranging from two hours to eight hours.

Acute Coal Shortage Triggers Blackouts In Many States

A potent combination of sweltering summer and acute coal shortages have triggered blackouts across many parts of the country as states struggle to manage the record demand for electricity and low feedstock at power plants.
From Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh, consumers are facing power cuts ranging from two hours to eight hours.




Jerusalem: Israel has announced a project for testing an artificial intelligence (AI) floating system to generate electricity by tracking the sun, the state's Finance Ministry and the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) said in a joint statement. The project was announced on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported.The solar pilot project will be carried out jointly by the Israeli company Xfloat, which developed the system, and Mekorot national water company, according to the statement. This photovoltaic system is designed to move and track the sun while floating on reservoir water. It is based on machine learning capabilities and continuous refining of rich data acquisition to optimise performance, according to Xfloat.The system has a high power generation capacity, and can cope with environmental changes and extreme weather, the Ministry and the IIA noted. "As part of the cooperation, Xfloat's floating panels will be installed on Mekorot's water reservoirs," Shir Azaraf, a spokeswoman for the Finance Ministry, told Xinhua."The electricity generated this way could be used by everybody, including industrial plants and home consumers, because the process is cheap and clean," she added.The project is included in a national program in which four Israeli startup companies were selected by the IIA to test innovative technologies at government sites with a state support of up to 50 per cent. The other technologies chosen are an automated platform for managing bus terminals, an online sign language translation on trains, and an AI drone navigation without GPS.—IANS

Israel has announced a project for testing an artificial intelligence (AI) floating system to generate electricity by tracking the sun, the state's Finance Ministry and the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) said in a joint statement.

Israel to test floating sun-tracking system to generate clean electricity

Canberra: The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) on Thursday announced a final price increase from July, citing that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has put "significant" pressure on global coal and gas prices. The starkest price increases will come for residents in the state of New South Wales (NSW), where electricity prices will surge by 8.2 per cent adjusted for inflation and by 5.5 per cent for those in Queensland, reports Xinhua news agency.This means that the average resident in NSW capital Sydney would be paying around A$100 ($70) more on electricity each year, adding even more pressure on residents being squeezed by a headline inflation of projected 5.5 per cent. The AER report cited a compounding of factors leading to the surge, including included both domestic production outages and extreme weather in NSW and Queensland, coupled with international conditions. "Factors contributing to increases in the draft forecasts included a reduction in thermal generation resulting from unplanned outages and higher coal and gas costs, slowing of investment in new capacity, and increasingly 'peaky' demand," said the report. "These conditions have persisted and been compounded by the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has led to significant pressure on coal and gas prices globally."The AER sets Australia's Default Market Offer (DMO), the maximum price that private energy retailers can charge consumers. Following the announcement, the peak body for energy retailers and generators the Australian Energy Council (AEC) urged consumers to shop around to soften price shocks. "An increase to the DMO is news that most of us could have done without. No one likes to see prices rise, and with the current cost of living pressures, it's important that consumers shop around for the best deal," said AEC Chief Executive Sarah McNamara. "Default offers are not the cheapest deal out there, they exist for customers who aren't shopping around for a better energy deal," she added.—IANS

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) on Thursday announced a final price increase from July, citing that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has put "significant" pressure on global coal and gas prices.

Australian power bills to soar amid global pressures

Kathmandu: Nepal has started exporting 39 MW of electricity to India from midnight of Thursday due to the continuous rainfall in recent months, state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said on Thursday. Buoyed by continuous rainfall this year, Nepal is exporting surplus electricity to India through its power exchange market for the second consecutive year, the state-owned power utility body said on Friday. Nepal has started exporting 39 MW of electricity to India from midnight of Thursday due to the continuous rainfall in recent months, state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said on Thursday. “We started selling 39 MW of electricity to Indian buyers from midnight of Thursday. The electricity is generated from Trishuli and Devghat Power Station through Dhalkebar-Mujaffarpur transmission line,” NEA Deputy Managing Director Pradeep Thike told PTI.The electricity is being exported to India under the Nepal-India power exchange agreement, Mr Thike said. The power utility body is also in the process of acquiring permission to sell 144 MW of electricity from the Kaligandaki Hydroproject, by which it would be able to export additional power from Saturday, Mr Thike explained. On April 6, India allowed the NEA to sell additional 325 MW of electricity generated from four hydel projects—Kali Gandaki (144MW), Middle Marsyangdi (70MW), and Marsyangdi (69MW) — all developed by the NEA, and Likhu 4 Hydropower Project with 52.4MW capacity, developed by the private sector. This is the second year in a row that the Himalayan nation is selling electricity to India through its exchange market.NEA had traded 39 MW power generated from the same hydropower projects, 24 MW from Trishuli hydropower and 15 MW from Devighat powerhouse, in the IEX in November.However, it halted the export of electricity to India due to the shortage of power in the Himalayan nation during the dry season. With the onset of monsoons, hydropower plants in Nepal have been producing excess electricity from the elevated water levels in the Himalayan rivers. Last month, it had invited bids from Indian companies to sell its 200MW surplus energy in the upcoming monsoon season under a long-term power purchase agreement. During the recent visit of Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to India, Nepal had received approval from the Indian side to export up to 364 MW of electricity to the Indian energy market.The IEX under India's Power Ministry had granted NEA permission to supply additional 326 MW to be traded in the Indian power-exchange market. Nepal will be able to export electricity to India till mid-November, and based on the existing arrangements, it can earn up to NPR 14 billion from the Indian market over the next five-and-half month period, NEA officials said. Nepal became energy surplus ever since the 456MW Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project came into full operation in August last year, the Himalayan Times report said in November last year.—PTI

Nepal has started exporting 39 MW of electricity to India from midnight of Thursday due to the continuous rainfall in recent months, state-owned Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) said on Thursday.

Nepal exports surplus electricity to India for 2nd consecutive year

New Delhi: A state-wise analysis of accidents due to electricity has indicated that 85 per cent of them occur in 11 states, a discussion paper by a think-tank released on Thursday said while pointing out that “electricity safety is tragically slipping through governance gaps”. Stating that there is a need to strengthen efforts to reduce accidents in the following states – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh – the discussion paper said, “Within the states, there is variation in the number of accidents based on consumer mix, state of maintenance of the distribution network, climatic conditions and safety awareness.” This was highlighted in the discussion paper Electricity safety: Tragically falling through the governance gaps’ by think-tank Prayas, which tracks and analyses energy and water sector developments.Prayas is registered as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO) with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Ministry of Science and Technology.It also offered a range of solutions. Two major sources which provide information on electrical accidents are the annual Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) report prepared by the National Crime Records Bureau and the annual General Review of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). As per the 2020 ADSI report, 15,258 people died between January and December 2020 due to electrical shock and fire, while CEA reports 7,717 fatal human accidents between April 2019 and March 2020. “The numbers are vastly different perhaps due to data collection and reporting issues, which is an area of major concern,” the paper pointed out, adding, “Even when the major immediate cause of accidents is contact with live conductors, the root causes include low priority to safety, bad design, poor maintenance, un-authorised repair, bad quality earthling, and inadequate protection systems.” “The CEA prepares safety regulations, which all utilities are expected to follow. The electrical inspector at the national and state levels has a mandate to implement these regulations. The State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) have a broad mandate over the functioning of the sector, but do not explicitly have a role in safety,” it pointed out. “Since most accidents occur in the distribution system, the distribution companies (DISCOMs) have the highest role to play in reducing accidents. But for them, improving financial health, reducing energy losses and providing reliable power to consumers are a higher priority. Safety is not high in their performance metric. National policies or initiatives do not currently have any safety components,” the author, Prayas’ Sreekumar Nhalur, pointed out, adding, “Therefore, electricity safety is tragically slipping through governance gaps.”Accident reduction requires technical and management measures over a period of many years, the paper said as it suggested crucial solutions such as specific safety initiatives by the Central government; increased priority to safety by the distribution companies; proactive efforts by electricity regulators to ensure implementation of safety measures; and building safety awareness in the general public – if the accidents are to be reduced. “CEA, some utilities, SERCs, professional organisations and consumer organisations have initiated small steps to reduce accidents, but these need to be significantly strengthened. Only concerted efforts by all the sector actors over a period of a few years can reverse the trend and bring down the number of accidents,” it added.—IANS

A state-wise analysis of accidents due to electricity has indicated that 85 per cent of them occur in 11 states, a discussion paper by a think-tank released on Thursday said while pointing out that “electricity safety is tragically slipping through governance gaps”.

As many as 85% accidents due to electricity occur in 11 states

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav represented India at the virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), hosted by U.S. President Joseph Biden, the meeting was held yesterday. The MEF meeting was aimed at galvanising actions that are to strengthen energy security and tackle the climate crisis thereby building momentum for COP27. The meeting was attended by twenty three major economies across the world and the Secretary General of United Nations.The MEF leaders shared the initiatives being taken by them to deliver on their respective climate change commitments.Shri Bhupender Yadav spoke about India’s continued commitment to contributing toward global collective action to combat climate change. He emphasised that India’s initiatives go beyond its borders, including the International Solar Alliance, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure.He mentioned that India has already installed 159 GW of non-fossil fuel based electricity generation capacity. And during the last 7.5 years, India’s installed solar energy capacity has increased over 18 times.Shri Yadav highlighted that India’s annual per capita emissions are only a third of the global average and its cumulative GHG emissions are less than 4 percent, but India’s climate targets are ambitious and reflect its commitment to the global good.&nbsp;&nbsp;He further underscored that without cumulative emissions in check, success with other environmental challenges, even if they are achieved, will not carry lasting value.Global warming warns us that equity and international cooperation, leaving no one behind, hold the key to success, where those most fortunate must lead the way. In the same context, he further highlighted that no nation can undertake this journey alone. Right understanding, right thought and co-operative action need to set our path for the next decisive half a century. All nations must adhere to their fair share of the global carbon budget.He mentioned how the Panchamrit goals are being fructified through one of the largest clean energy development plans in the world. India is on track to meet its commitments, through adoption of low carbon policies across key sectors of our economy ranging from green hydrogen mission to e-mobility.The Union Minister called upon the members of MEF to launch a global movement on LIFE i.e. Lifestyle for Environment as espoused by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the COP26 in Glasgow.

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav represented India at the virtual meeting of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), hosted by U.S. President Joseph Biden, the meeting was held yesterday. The MEF meeting was aimed at galvanising actions that are to strengthen energy security and tackle the climate crisis thereby building momentum for COP27. 

Major Economies Forum On Climate And Energy Meets	

Lucknow: A gang that tampers with electricity meters for money got a 'shock' of their lives when they unknowingly called up an executive engineer of the Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) and offered their services.Executive engineer, (Restructured - Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme), Arvind Singh, received a call wherein the caller made an offer that if he gives Rs 5,000 cash, his meter would be fine-tuned to show lower reading and his monthly bill would come down.Arvind lured the caller to visit his residence, where a team of Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA), trans-Gomti, led by executive engineer Indiranagar, Ghanshyam, was waiting.As soon as the caller, Prashant Gupta, reached there with his aide Deepak Kumar Maurya, the team caught the duo and recovered an ID card of a company, meter sealing billing book, polycarbonate meter seal and two smartphones which had videos of meter tampering.Prashant is a former contractual staff of a firm which was hired in 2020 to install 28,000 smart meters in Lucknow.According to the FIR, the firm's project manager Jai Bhagwan Pal identified Prashant as a former employee who had not submitted his ID card.Pal said, "The equipment recovered from Prashant and Deepak does not belong to the company. Prashant used to work as an electrician in our firm and had left the company a year ago."Chief executive engineer, LESA (trans-Gomti), Anil Kumar Tiwari said, "Tampering of meter is a serious offence and it causes losses to discom. We are yet to ascertain if there are more men in the gang, and if they have really managed to tamper with the meters." The gang has been handed over to the police. —IANS

A gang that tampers with electricity meters for money got a 'shock' of their lives when they unknowingly called up an executive engineer of the Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) and offered their services.

A 'Shock' For This Gang In UP That Tampered With Power Meters

New Delhi : Slamming&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/work-hard-with-complete-honesty-arvind-kejriwal-to-newly-inducted-punjab-ministers-23234485" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">Arvind Kejriwal</a>&nbsp;over recent hike in power charges,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/bjp-mp-gautam-gambhir-receives-another-death-threat-from-isis-k-third-in-6-days-23202762" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">Bharatiya Janata Party MP Gautam Gambhir</a>&nbsp;on Saturday said that in the past eight years, people of Delhi have just been at the receiving end of propaganda and hogwash. Lok Sabha Member from East Delhi, Gambhir noted that before becoming the Chief Minister, Kejriwal and his associates had claimed that upon assuming office, they will clean up the system which will result in huge savings for the public exchequer."They had claimed that with clean governance and administration, electricity prices will reduce drastically. However, in the past 8 years, people of Delhi have just been at the receiving end of propaganda and hogwash. In reality not a single person in Delhi gets electricity for free," Gambhir said.Cricketer-turned-politician mentioned that out of the 58 lakh households consuming electricity, only half (around 30 lakh) utilise less than 200 units which are not charged by power distribution companies directly. "Another 16 lakh avail subsidy upto Rs 800. Therefore, 11 lakh households in Delhi have to pay for electricity at Rs. 10 per unit which is one of the highest in the entire country," he said.Gambhir claimed that private electricity companies collect around Rs 20,000 crore every year and out of this, Rs 16,000 crore are paid directly by the people of Delhi against their bills. "Remaining Rs 4,000 crore is paid by Delhi Government as subsidy. Money for this subsidy also comes from the taxes paid by the people. So where are the savings of the public exchequer because of so called 'honest' governance. You know what else people of Delhi pay for? Advertising budget of Mr. Kejriwal to the tune of hundreds of crore every month to promote this myth that electricity is free in Delhi," Gambhir said.He stated that this amount of Rs 4,000 crore along with the advertising budget should be used to build infrastructure for the poor, redevelopment of slums, build roads, flyover, hospitals. "None of that is being done. All of us are being fooled by a 'conman' who has never honoured a single promise made by him including his promise of never entering politics, the BJP MP added. --- (IANS)

Slamming Arvind Kejriwal over recent hike in power charges, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Gautam Gambhir on Saturday said that in the past eight years, people of Delhi have just been at the receiving end of propaganda and hogwash. Lok Sabha Member from East Delhi, Gambhir noted that before becoming the Chief Minister, Kejriwal and his associates had claimed that upon assuming office, they will clean up the system which will result in huge savings for the public exchequer. 

In past 8 years, people of Delhi at receiving end of propaganda: Gautam Gambhir

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday promised that his party will provide free electricity up to 300 units per month if voted to power in Gujarat where polls are due this year.Addressing people at a town hall meeting in Surat, the Delhi chief minister also guaranteed uninterrupted power supply without any cuts."I am giving you a guarantee. If you find any fault later, you are free not to vote for AAP in the next election. We will fulfil all the guarantees once we come to power in the state," he said.Kejriwal also said that all pending electricity bills issued before December 31, 2021 will be waived.The AAP leader arrived in Surat late Wednesday night on his second visit to the state this month.He had said that in the next few weeks, the AAP would share with the people of Gujarat its agenda on what it plans to do for them if voted to power in the state.He had claimed that the people of Gujarat were fed up with 27 years of the BJP rule and want a change.Kejriwal last visited Gujarat on July 3, when he held a town hall on the issue of free electricity in Ahmedabad.Presenting the 'Delhi model', he had said free electricity is possible in Gujarat if corruption is eliminated.The AAP has made free electricity a major poll plank in Gujarat, where polls are due in December.—PTI

Aam Aadmi Party's national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday promised that his party will provide free electricity up to 300 units per month if voted to power in Gujarat where polls are due this year.

Free electricity figures in Kejriwal's Gujarat poll promises

New Delhi (The Hawk): A&nbsp;study was carried out by Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power with an objective to project the Optimal Generation Capacity mix for 2029-30, the results of which were published in January, 2020.&nbsp;According to the study, the estimated electricity generation from renewable energy sources was assessed to be 39% of the total electricity generation by the year 2029-30.Government have taken several steps to promote renewable energy in the country to achieve the goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s announcement at CoP-26. These include:<ol><li>Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route,</li></ol>&nbsp;<ol><li>Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th&nbsp;June 2025,</li></ol>&nbsp;<ol><li>Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2030,</li></ol>&nbsp;<ol><li>Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land&nbsp;and transmission to RE developers on a plug and play basis,</li></ol>&nbsp;<ol><li>Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc,</li></ol>&nbsp;<ol><li>Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power,</li></ol>&nbsp;<ol><li>Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments,</li></ol>&nbsp;<ol><li>Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects.</li></ol>&nbsp;<ol><li>Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.</li></ol>&nbsp;This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister of Power and New &amp; Renewable Energy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

 A study was carried out by Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power with an objective to project the Optimal Generation Capacity mix for 2029-30, the results of which were published in January, 2020. According to the study, the estimated electricity generation from renewable energy sources was assessed to be 39% of the total electricity generation by the year 2029-30.

Major interventions by Govt of India to generate electricity from Renewable Energy sources

New Delhi (The Hawk): A study was carried out by Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power with an objective to project the Optimal Generation Capacity mix for 2029-30, the results of which were published in January, 2020.&nbsp;According to the study, the estimated electricity generation from renewable energy sources was assessed to be 39% of the total electricity generation by the year 2029-30.Government have taken several steps to promote renewable energy in the country to achieve the goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s announcement at CoP-26. These include:Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route,Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025,Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2030,Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land&nbsp;and transmission to RE developers on a plug and play basis,Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc,Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power,Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments,Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects.Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister of Power and New &amp; Renewable Energy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

A study was carried out by Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power with an objective to project the Optimal Generation Capacity mix for 2029-30, the results of which were published in January, 2020. According to the study, the estimated electricity generation from renewable energy sources was assessed to be 39% of the total electricity generation by the year 2029-30.

Major Interventions By Government Of India To Generate Electricity From Renewable Energy Sources 

New Delhi:&nbsp;A bill to amend the Electricity Act to allow non-discriminatory open access to distribution networks of power suppliers was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday amid protests by the opposition, which claimed that it seeks to take away certain rights of state governments.Power Minister R K Singh introduced the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 and urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer it to a parliamentary standing committee for wider consultations to address concerns raised by the opposition.Opposing the introduction of the Bill, RSP member N K Premachandran, Congress members Manish Tewari and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, CPI(M)'s M A Arif, Trinamool member Saugata Roy and DMK leader T R Baalu said the draft legislation was against the federal structure of the Constitution.Premachandran said electricity was on the concurrent list and it was the "bounden duty" of the Centre to have effective consultations with state governments before introducing the Bill.Tewari said the Bill sought to allow multiple private companies to provide electricity in the same area, a provision that could lead to "privatisation of profits and nationalisation of losses".He contended that the legislation also sought to reduce the role of the Centre in distribution of electricity.Roy and Arif said the bill was contrary to the assurances given by the Modi government to the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which had laid a year-long siege to the national capital demanding roll back of agricultural reforms and shelving of proposed amendments to the Electricity Act.Baalu said the Tamil Nadu government was giving free electricity to farmers for the past several years and the proposed amendments could affect poor farmers who receive free power.The Power Minister claimed the opposition members were indulging in "false propaganda" against the Bill."The farmers will continue to get free power.There will be no roll back of subsidy," Minister Singh said amid calls for wider consultations on the measure."We have consulted the states and other stakeholders. This bill is pro-people and pro-farmers," Singh said as he introduced the Bill.Opposition members demanded a division on the motion moved by the minister to introduce the Bill, which was rejected by the Speaker."You can seek division only from your respective seats and not from the Well," the Speaker said.The opposition resorted to sloganeering for a while and then staged a walkout from Lok Sabha.The Bill is aimed at allowing privatisation of electricity on the lines of communication. If the bill is passed in both the houses, customers will have the option to choose the supplier of electricity just like one can choose for telephone, mobile and internet services.The bill seeks to amend section 42 of the Electricity Act to facilitate non-discriminatory open access to the distribution network of a distribution licensee.It also seeks to amend section 14 of the Act to facilitate usage of distribution networks by all licensees under provisions of non-discriminatory open access with the objective of enabling competition, enhancing efficiency of distribution licensees for improving services and ensuring sustainability of the power sector.It also seeks to amend section 62 of the Act to make provisions vis- -vis graded revision in tariff over a year besides mandatory fixing of maximum ceiling and minimum tariff by the appropriate commission. It provides for amending section 166 to strengthen functions that will be discharged by the regulators.The bill also seeks to amend section 146 to convert the rate of punishment from imprisonment or fine to fine. The bill, as tabled, will also amend section 152 to facilitate decriminalisation of offence as it would be mandatory to accept compounding.—PTI

A bill to amend the Electricity Act to allow non-discriminatory open access to distribution networks of power suppliers was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday amid protests by the opposition, which claimed that it seeks to take away certain rights of state governments

Bill in LS to amend Electricity Act

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday orally observed that issues raised during the hearing of the petition against freebies promised by political parties during polls are getting "increasingly complicated", and whether access to free education, drinking water, electricity can be termed freebies?
A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana orally observed that the court cannot prevent political parties from making promises. However, it added that the question is what constitutes right promises?
The bench, also comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Hima Kohli, further queried, "can we describe the promise of free education as a freebie? Can free drinking water, units of power, etc., be described as freebies?"
The bench said whether free electronics can be described as welfare. The concern right now is what is the right way of spending public money. "Some say money is wasted; some say it is welfare. The issue is getting increasingly complicated," said the bench, asking the parties involved in the matter to give their opinions. After debate and discussion on the subject, the court may take a decision. The bench also cited the example of schemes such as MNREGA.&nbsp;
Senior advocate P. Wilson, representing the DMK party, said the party has filed an application to implead itself in the case. The DMK said that the scope of a ‘freebie’ is very wide and there are a lot of aspects that are to be considered and a welfare scheme introduced by a state government cannot be judged to be classified as a freebie. The party said the PIL, against freebies, will frustrate the objectives of the Directive Principles of State Policy and objected to the court’s proposal to constitute an expert committee to examine the issue of freebies.&nbsp;
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, submitted, "If our understanding of social welfare is to distribute everything for free, then I am sorry to say...it is an immature understanding.”
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner, complained that DMK’s impleadment application was not served on the petitioner, instead, it was given to the media. The bench said should not use this for publicity and should ensure that parties are supplied with copies of applications. The top court asked all the parties to give their suggestions by Saturday evening and scheduled the matter for further hearing next week.
In the previous hearing, the top court had suggested constituting an expert panel comprising representatives from the central and state governments, opposition political parties, Election Commission of India, Finance Commission, Reserve Bank of India, NITI Aayog, etc.&nbsp;
The Aam Aadmi Party has told the Supreme Court that regulating electoral speech will amount to nothing more than a wild-goose chase, as it opposed a proposal to set up an expert body to examine the issues associated with "freebies" promised by the political parties to induce voters.
The top court is hearing a plea by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay seeking directions to the Centre and the Election Commission to take steps to regulate poll manifestos of political parties and also against irrational freebies promised by political parties to induce voters during polls.&nbsp;
—IANS

The Supreme Court on Wednesday orally observed that issues raised during the hearing of the petition against freebies promised by political parties during polls are getting "increasingly complicated", and whether access to free education, drinking water, electricity can be termed freebies?

 SC: Can access to free education, drinking water, electricity be termed freebies?

The Supreme Court on Wednesday orally observed that issues raised during the hearing of the petition against freebies promised by political parties during polls are getting "increasingly complicated", and whether access to free education, drinking water, electricity can be termed freebies?


Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday clarified that the Centre’s orders barring distribution companies across 13 states from buying or selling electricity in power exchanges do not apply to the state as it has already paid the dues.&nbsp;
A top official said Andhra Pradesh was included in the list of 13 states due to ‘communication gap’ and claimed that Andhra Pradesh was taken off the list after the state government sent a communication to the Centre.&nbsp;
Special Chief Secretary (energy) K. Vijayanand said the state has cleared all its dues towards electricity purchased from power exchange. He said the distribution companies (discoms) of the state have paid the dues of Rs 350 crore.
“The restriction will not apply to Andhra Pradesh. The state was included in the list due to some communication gap,” he said, adding that the state had now been removed from the list by the Centre.
The Centre had on Thursday barred 27 discoms across 13 states from buying or selling electricity in power exchanges citing their non-payment of dues to generation companies (gencos).
The restriction came into effect from Thursday evening and officials said the delivery of power will be stopped from Friday.
The state-owned Power System Operation Corporation (POSOCO) Limited, which runs the national grid, issued the directive to India’s three power exchanges, Indian Energy Exchange (IEX), Power Exchange of India (PXIL) and Hindustan Power Exchange (HPX), asking them to restrict trade of electricity by discoms from 13 states.
According to the list, Andhra Pradesh owes Rs 412.69 crore.
A power exchange is an electronic platform on which power is bought and sold by distribution companies so as to determine the right market price and the best consumer/seller. This ensures market transparency and also helps utilities procure power to meet spikes in demand.&nbsp;
—IANS

The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday clarified that the Centre’s orders barring distribution companies across 13 states from buying or selling electricity in power exchanges do not apply to the state as it has already paid the dues. 

 Andhra taken off list of states barred from power exchange

Puducherry: The Puducherry government has requested the Centre to provide the services of Power Grid officials to tackle the crisis in the power sector of the union territory. Notably, the employees of the electricity department of the Union Territory are on an indefinite strike since September 28. They are protesting against the government's move of inviting tender to privatise power distribution. The Union Territory is facing a crisis with several parts plunging into darkness after some electricity staff allegedly took away fuse wires in some places. Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has warned agitating employees of evoking stringent action of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against them. On Saturday night, some parts of the state witnessed power cuts for five to seven hours and in some places, it continued till Sunday. People blocked the roads in Villiyanur and Ariyapalayam. State Home minister A. Namassivayam, who also holds the electricity portfolio, called an urgent meeting of the police officials and requested an additional company of CRPF. In rural areas of Sedrapet and Madagadipet, protestors blocked the road for hours on Sunday leading to the local legislators taking up the matter with the home minister. Namassivayam held an emergency meeting with top police brass and the state Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma on Sunday late night. The DG of Police, UT of Puducherry, Manoj Kumar Lal was also present. "We will not allow anyone to take law in their hands and taking away fuse carriers in sub-stations leaving general public including patients at the hospital at their mercy can never be allowed. We have requested the central government to deploy the services of Power Grid of India officials to control the situation as well as two companies of paramilitary force to stand guard to the power stations in the territory,".
—IANS

The Puducherry government has requested the Centre to provide the services of Power Grid officials to tackle the crisis in the power sector of the union territory.

 Puducherry govt requests for Power Grid officials to tackle stir by electricity employees

Dineshpur (The Hawk): To resolve all the problems being faced by the electricity consumers, on the initiative of the State Government, on behalf of the Consumer Redressal Forum, a one-day camp was organized at Dineshpur Sub-Institute and resolved the related problems. For resolving the electricity related problems of the residents, the problems related to the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum Rudrapur team were resolved by organizing a one-day camp at Dineshpur Electricity Sub-Institute. Dozens of complaints related to error in electricity bills and showing excessive bills in meters as per standard were received in the camp. Which was resolved on the spot and some other complaints were forwarded to the concerned office for disposal. On this occasion, Judicial Member of Grievance Redressal Forum Ramesh Chand Kukreti, Technical Member Naveen Chand Tiwari, Rudrapur Executive Engineer Vinod Kumar Pandey, Sub Divisional Officer Gadarpur Alok Kumar Sachan, Dineshpur Junior Engineer Mehtab Ali, Deepak, Amresh, Babli Sharma, Ahmed Babu, Subhash Dozens of employees including Bairagi, Karan Singh, Mahendra Singh, Pradeep Gaine, Jeevan were present.

To resolve all the problems being faced by the electricity consumers, on the initiative of the State Government, on behalf of the Consumer Redressal Forum, a one-day camp was organized at Dineshpur Sub-Institute and resolved the related problems. 

One Day Camp Organized In Electricity Sub-Institute

Chennai (The Hawk): The Generation and Distribution Company of Tamil Nadu (NS:TNNP) (Tangedco) is prepared for the arrival of the northeast monsoon in the state during the last week of October.
In spite of the fact that the Public Works Department has yet to finish the stormwater drain works in several regions of the state, the Tangedco has prepared for the monsoon.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Electricity State Minister Senthil Balaji said that in preparation for the northeast monsoon season, Tangedco has already deployed maintenance and repair teams to all districts.
The minister has announced that the department's central consumer cell, known as "Minnagam," will be open around the clock. During the northeast monsoon, he said, consumers can phone this number to report any problems they're having with Tangedco's service, and that the company's personnel have been instructed to keep the lights on at all times.
The minister claims that the power company is well-prepared for the northeast monsoon with a stockpile of 14,442 transformers, 1,509,322 electric poles, and 12,759 kilometres of lines. In addition, the division has replaced 39,616 broken electric poles and 31,197 dead poles.
The minister claims that during the monsoon season, the number of calls that can be received at the Minnagam contact centre will grow to 75 from the current 60.
Regarding the underground cable work, Tangedco has already begun cooperating with the Public Works department. In five different areas of Chennai, the electricity company is working alongside the public works department to install underground cables.
(Inputs from Agencies)

The Generation and Distribution Company of Tamil Nadu (NS:TNNP) (Tangedco) is prepared for the arrival of the northeast monsoon in the state during the last week of October.

TN electricity utility prepares for the next monsoon

Chandigarh: Facing criticism, the local administration of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar in Punjab on Saturday refuted the electricity disconnection of the ancestral house of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh situated at Khatkar Kalan and clarified that there is no bill pending.
'In fact, Powercom has an advance bill payment worth Rs 6,760 with them,' Deputy Commissioner Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa told the media.
He also made an appeal to a section of the media not to use the name of ancestral house as emotions of lakhs of people are attached with this historic place.
Earlier, Power Minister Harbhajan Singh also clarified that the power connection of the ancestral house or the museum of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Khatkar Kalan was never disconnected.
Meanwhile, the ancestral house of Shaheed Bhagat Singh has a separate power connection in the name of Department of Cultural Affairs.
Born on September 28, 1907, Bhagat Singh, a source of inspiration for the nation's youth, was hanged in the Lahore Central Jail, now in Pakistan, on March 23, 1931, along with his associates Rajguru and Sukhdev.
His death had inspired thousands of people to join the freedom movement.
Today, a museum in his memory at the entrance of his village, 80 km from Chandigarh on the highway to Jalandhar in Nawanshahr district, speaks about his valour.
During his visit on the freedom fighter's martyrdom day in 2003, former President late A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said he was indeed delighted to visit the home of one of the most inspiring and revolutionary freedom fighters of Mother India.&nbsp;
—IANS

Facing criticism, the local administration of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar in Punjab on Saturday refuted the electricity disconnection of the ancestral house of legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh situated at Khatkar Kalan and clarified that there is no bill pending.

 No electricity disconnection of Bhagat Singh's house: Punjab govt

Washington: Researchers have found that insects can produce as much electrical charge in the atmosphere as a thunderstorm cloud by observing the electrical fields around swarming honeybees. This kind of energy aids in influencing weather patterns, helps insects discover food and propels spiders into the air to travel long distances.
The findings of the research published in the journal iScience, demonstrates that living things can have an impact on atmospheric electricity.
"We always looked at how physics influenced biology, but at some point, we realized that biology might also be influencing physics," says first author Ellard Hunting, a biologist at the University of Bristol. "We're interested in how different organisms use the static electric fields that are virtually everywhere in the environment."
As with most living creatures, bees carry an innate electric charge. Having found that honeybee hive swarms change the atmospheric electricity by 100 to 1,000 volts per meter, increasing the electric field force normally experienced at ground level, the team developed a model that can predict the influence of other species of insects.
"How insect swarms influence atmospheric electricity depends on their density and size," says co-author Liam O'Reilly, a biologist at the University of Bristol. "We also calculated the influence of locusts on atmospheric electricity, as locusts swarm on biblical scales, sizing 460 square miles with 80 million locusts in less than a square mile; their influence is likely much greater than honeybees."
"We only recently discovered that biology and static electric fields are intimately linked and that there are many unsuspected links that can exist over different spatial scales, ranging from microbes in the soil and plant-pollinator interactions to insect swarms and perhaps the global electric circuit," says Ellard.
"Interdisciplinarity is valuable here--electric charge can seem like it lives solely in physics, but it is important to know how aware the whole natural world is of electricity in the atmosphere," says co-author Giles Harrison, an atmospheric physicist from the University of Reading. —ANI

Researchers have found that insects can produce as much electrical charge in the atmosphere as a thunderstorm cloud by observing the electrical fields around swarming honeybees. 

The Hawk

Tag : Electricity

Severe Power Crisis Looms, Outages Across States

Sunil Aswal

Tag : Electricity

Severe Power Crisis Looms, Outages Across States

Sunil Aswal

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