Bengal plans power ombudsman for each district

West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC) has decided to appoint an ombudsman for each district to allow power consumers to get their grievances redressed at the local level.
WBERC chairman R N Sen said that the commission, with the help of CESC and West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company, would educate consumers on their rights in respect of power consumption.
"We will provide information on time limits for various services the distribution companies are to adhere to. They will also be made aware of their rights in respect of power consumption," Sen said at the inaugural session of the CII Energy Conclave 2015 here today.

Meanwhile, West Bengal aims to generate about 100 MW from rooftop solar units over the next two to three years.
"Our target is to generate at least 100 MW of power from rooftop solar panels in the next 2-3 years," state power and non-conventional energy minister Manish Gupta said.
However, West Bengal had never been an attractive destination for solar parks as investors had preferred other states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for better heat recovery and conducive policy.

City-based CESC Ltd has 25 MW capacity solar plant at Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. The company has charted out a plan for 500 MW of solar and wind projects.

Speaking about power sector, Gupta stressed on the need for larger investments in R&D to devise technologies for efficient grid parities.
"That will go a long way in addressing power needs," he said.
India Smart Grid Forum president & CEO R K Pillai said the blueprint of the National Smart Grid Mission had been prepared and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi would launch the mission very soon.
The mission seeks to create a roadmap for adopting top-notch technologies by striking a balance between what is going to happen in the world and what is going to happen in India," he said.