Page 14 - Power Ministry

Power min to govt offices: Switch over to prepaid smart meters on priority

The power ministry has advised all central ministries and departments to switch to pre-paid smart electricity meters. "The Ministry of Power has issued an advisory to all central ministries of the government to direct organisations under their administrative control to ensure switch over to prepaid smart meters on priority," a power ministry statement said. As part of the same process, the ministries have also been asked to issue all enabling orders in this regard. This follows a clarification issued by the Ministry of Finance enabling all central ministries and central departments to make advance payments for pre-paid metered electricity without insisting on any bank guarantees, while at the same time ensuring proper accounting arrangements, it stated. Prepaid smart metering in all government departments would not only go a long way in ensuring the commitment of the government in bringing DISCOMs back on the path of financial sustainability, promotion of energy efficiency but woul

India's power consumption back to pre-Covid level in July; up nearly 12%

India's power consumption grew nearly 12 per cent in July to 125.51 billion units and returned to pre-pandemic level mainly due to easing of lockdown curbs and delayed monsoon

Quality 24X7 power supply key for accelerated economic growth: R K Singh

Power Minister R K Singh on Friday said that providing quality and reliable power supply round-the-clock is a key factor for accelerated growth of the economy.

KUSUM wilts under poor planning: Multiple repackaging impacts its success

Multiple repackaging has impacted the success of this four-year-old flagship scheme to de-dieselise agriculture through solar-powered pump sets

Cabinet okays Rs 3 trn outlay for new power reform scheme for five years

Assistance would be based on discoms meeting pre-qualifying criteria and achieving benchmarks.

Power ministry extends timeline for transmission charges waiver for RE

The power ministry on Friday announced the extension of timeline by two years for waiver on inter-state transmission charge for electricity generated from solar and wind sources.

Power consumption across India grows 9.3% in first half of June

This indicates a recovery in commercial and industrial electricity demand

Power ministry asks states to vaccinate power sector employees on priority

The Association of Power Producers has asked the power ministry to treat all operational staff across the electricity supply value chain as a priority category for vaccination

Power Ministry proposes reforms for short-term sale purchase of power

In future, the ministry is also looking at merging the DAMs of all power exchanges into one entity, which will oversee the trading of day-ahead bids for both renewable energy and conventional power

Covid impact: India enters FY22 with power demand at mid-2019 level

Monthly demand has, nonetheless, shown considerable improvement over peak lockdown months, mostly on the back of thermal power

India's power consumption grows 24.35% in March, says Power Ministry

Power consumption in the country grew 24.35 per cent in March at 123.05 billion units (BU) over the corresponding month a year ago, showing a revival in the economic activities

Power tariff in Odisha to increase by 30 paise per unit from April 4

The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) on Saturday approved the Annual Revenue Requirement and Tariff Order for the financial year 2021-22

Chinese cyber-attack threat raises head again, PowerMin accepts past cases

Maharashtra seeks probe into China angle on Mumbai outage of October 2020; Somerville-based Recorded Future says China-linked Group RedEcho targeted Indian power sector amid heightened border tensions

Power Minister R K Singh calls for study on impact of hydro projects

Power Minister R K Singh on Wednesday brushed aside apprehensions that water storage or dam projects, which also generate hydro electricity, harm environment, and urged experts to commission an authoritative and scientific study to find out the truth. Speaking at a symposium on sustainable development of dams and river basins, Singh said, "I have not seen science of environment being harmed. I see science of progress in this (water storage). Punjab and Haryana developed and they are where they are today because of Bhakra Nangal dam." He further said, "If you ask any person in Bihar, then his dearest wish is to construct large dams on the river Kosi in Nepal. Wherever we constructed large dams, we have improved the lives of people...generations. This is the message we need to convey." He brought attention toward pushback to water storage or dam projects in the country by NGOs (non-government organisations) or civil societies which claim that these would harm environment. The ministe

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.