Page 9 - Power Ministry

Govt's PPA exit guidelines stuck amid tussle between generators and discoms

Once relinquished, generators and discoms can sell and buy power under other arrangements

Power Min launches energy efficiency labels for air compressors, UHD TVs

Power Minister RK Singh on Monday launched Bureau of Energy Efficiency's star labelling programme for air compressors and ultra high definition televisions (UHD TV)

Power ministry proposes pushing back new emission norms deadline

Power ministry says 'an unworkable time schedule' will increase tariffs

Power demand touches all-time high of 182.89 GW, says secy S N Sahai

All-India power demand on Wednesday morning touched a record high of 182.89 gigawatts (GW), said Power Secretary S N Sahai. "Today, the all-India demand for power touched 1,82,888 MW (megawatts), which is an all-time high (observed at 0948 hrs on December 30, 2020) crossing previous high of 1,82,610 at 1458 hours on May 30, 2019. The entire demand was met," Sahai said in a tweet. According to data from the power ministry, the peak power demand met (the highest supply in a day) during December last year stood at 170.49 gigawatts (GW). This is quite unprecedented, especially when the coronavirus pandemic has impacted all sectors in the country. The government imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 25 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Power demand started declining from April due to fewer economic activities in the country. The pandemic affected power demand for five months in a row from April to August this year. Peak power demand met recorded negative growth from April to August

India plans to allow relinquished coal-fired plants to sell power

India's power ministry proposes letting coal-fired power plants keep selling power after completing their agreements with buyers, despite national promises to close old plants to curb pollution

Coronavirus, demand shortfall hit India's renewable energy dreams

The industry would have lauded his insistence on having a green future, but the facts on the ground tell a different story.

All discoms to come under Energy Conservation Act: Power ministry

The power ministry on Monday said it has mandated all electricity distribution utilities or discoms to comply with the Energy Conservation (EC) Act, 2001, which would reduce energy losses

India's power consumption up 13.38% in Oct as industrial activity revives

India's power consumption grew 13.38 per cent to 110.94 billion units (BU) in October this year, mainly driven by buoyancy in industrial and commercial activities, as per government data. Electricity consumption in the country was recorded at 97.84 BU in October 2019, showed the power ministry data. Experts earlier last month had exuded confidence that the power consumption would grow by double digits in October on the basis of the extrapolation of half-month data. The power consumption had grown 11.45 per cent to 55.37 BU during October 1 to 15, against 49.67 BU, in the corresponding period a year ago. A double-digit growth in power consumption in October, experts said, gives sufficient indication that commercial and industrial demand has perked up with with easing of lockdown restrictions and will improve further in coming months. The government had imposed nationwide lockdown on March 25 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Power consumption started declining from March onwards

Centre, states relations worsen over farm bills, GST compensation

Invocation of tripartite agreement with Jharkhand strains ties further

Power consumption up 11.45% in October driven by industrial activity

The extrapolation of half-month data gives sufficient indication that power consumption may witness year-on-year double digit growth this month

Power regulator wants govt not to infringe regulatory jurisdiction

Power regulator CERC has advised Union Ministry of Power against jurisdictional overreach in framing regulations for the power sector that infringes the substantive functions of the Central Commission

Power ministry to send central team to study Mumbai outage, find solutions

A central team comprising officials from CEA would be sent to Mumbai to study the power breakdown in the city on Monday and assist the state government in finding solutions

Power ministry issues Standard Bidding Document for discoms' privatisation

The SBD will be the guiding document for the state governments which might want to offer their discoms to private companies

Power minister inaugurates basic infra projects worth Rs 6.99 cr in Bihar

Power Minister R K Singh on Thursday inaugurated basic infrastructure projects of Rs 6.99 crore in Bhojpur district of Bihar, an official release said on Friday

Just 2 papers for power connection: Govt drafts easier, user-friendly rules

Among a slew of consumer-centric rules, the ministry has proposed to give those who have set up rooftop units or solarised their irrigation pumps the right to produce electricity for self-use

Discoms' outstanding dues to power gencos rise 36% to Rs 1.29 trn in July

Power producers' total outstanding dues owed by distribution firms rose over 36 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.29 trillion in July 2020, reflecting stress in the sector.

DERC's power tariff for 2020-21 will add to financial challenges: TPDDL

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) announced the new tariff on Friday, saying no hike was considered due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Power Ministry proposes RPO for round the clock renewable energy

Power Minister R K Singh has proposed renewable purchase obligation (RPO) mechanism for round the clock (RTC) renewable energy, which will promote storage of electricity in the country

Power Ministry advises gencos to cap late payment surcharge at 12%

Power ministry has advised power generation and transmission firms to levy the late payment surcharge on discoms at not more than 12% in view of the stress in the sector amid Covid-19 pandemic

Power sector hopes for reforms at state level as Centre curbs imports

Given the federal structure in the power sector, most states float tenders different from the Centre and adopt separate selection criteria, mostly tilting towards low cost.