Centre, states to brainstorm on power issues

The Centre will discuss power issues, including the proposed Electricity Bill, with state ministers during a two-day long conference starting Friday.
"A two-day conference of power, renewable energy and mines ministers of states and Union Territories will be held on 6th & 7th of this month at Bolgatty in Kochi, Kerala," a Power Ministry release said.
The conference, which will be inaugurated by Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal, is meant to deliberate on a host of issues pertaining to the sector.
According to the statement, the meeting is significant as it comes ahead of the winter session of Parliament, where the proposed amendments to the Electricity Act will be taken up.

Apart from sector reforms, issues related to power generation, distribution and transmission, coal production and supply, promotion of renewable energy and energy conservation will be on the agenda.
Participants are expected to discuss 24x7 power for all, electrification of un-electrified villages, expeditious implementation of Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Jyothi Yojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), Smart Grid and financial health of discoms, among others.

In the thermal sector, discussions will be held on support of states for thermal projects in land acquisition, law and order situation, coal swapping methodology and benefits, linkage policy and third-party sampling of coal.
The meet will also see some brainstorming on early completion of 36 ongoing hydro projects and addressing issues of stalled projects and formulation of a transparent and progressive hydropower and resettlement and rehabilitation policy.

Promoting the use of energy-efficient agricultural pump sets, appliances and energy efficiency in industrial units through demand side management will also be part of the agenda.