Page 9 - Power Ministry

Discoms' outstanding dues towards gencos to be eliminated by 2026: RK Singh

Outstanding dues of electricity distribution companies (discoms) towards gecos, which remains over Rs 1 lakh crore at any point of time, will be eliminated in the next four years, Union power minister R K Singh said. The government has converted the total outstanding dues of discoms toward gencos (power generator companies) into Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs). These EMIs have maximum tenure of four years and thus the total outstanding dues of discoms would be nil by 2026. "The total outstanding dues of the discoms towards gencos is around Rs 1,13,000 crore. These dues would be totally cleared by 2026," Singh told PTI. Singh explained that the government has put a very robust payment security mechanism for the power sector knowing about the perennial issue of bulging dues of discoms toward gencos. He informed that the power ministry has put in place late payment fee Electricity, (Late Payment Surcharge and Related Matters) Rules, 2022 (LPS Rules 2022) which would trigger snapp

India's power demand growth rate seen nearly doubling in next 5 years

CEA, an advisory body to the power ministry, said in a draft plan India's power demand would reach 1,874 bn units during the year ending March 2027, compared with over 1,320 bn units in 2021/22

India's power consumption grows by 2% to 130.35 bn units in August

India's power consumption grew marginally by nearly 2 per cent year-on-year to 130.35 billion units (BU) in August 2022, according to the power ministry data. Power consumption in August last year was recorded at 127.88 BU, higher than 109.21 BU in the same month of 2020. However, the peak power demand met, which is the highest supply in a day, in August 2022 dipped to 194.94 gigawatt (GW). The peak power supply stood at 196.27 GW in August 2021 and 167.52 GW in August 2020. Power consumption and demand were affected in August 2020 due to the impact of lockdown restrictions that were imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus. The peak power demand met was 177.52GW in August 2019 (pre-pandemic period). Similarly, power consumption in August 2019 was 111.52 BU. According to experts, power consumption and demand remained subdued in August due to rains across the country under an active monsoon. Power consumption as well as demand would grow steadily in coming months in view of norm

Sector majors line up for power ministry's 10 mn smart meter tender

The first phase of the tender is for procurement of 25 lakh meters which would be installed in states in the Central and Western region of the country

Centre's plan on sale of RE power to states offers only a flickering hope

The power ministry's plan to become an intermediary in the sale of green power generation to states is only a limited solution to the larger problem facing state discoms

12 states, J&K debarred from power trading over non-payment of dues

Firms cumulatively owe Rs 5,000 crore to gencos; Telangana has the highest amount of Rs 1,380 crore

India may delay coal plant closures amid crisis in blow to climate action

India's government is studying a slower retirement of aging coal-fired power plants as it also adds newer sites, a move that would keep fossil fuel capacity higher for years

Centre proposes uniform tariff for renewable energy procurement by states

Monthly revision of rates for states to purchase RE

Govt planning contentious laws to cut power utility debt worth Rs 6 trn

Key proposals include allowing more utilities to operate within the same circles, mandating regulators to set tariffs based on market costs, and defining payment procedures and deadlines

Centre revokes mandatory coal import target after many flip-flops

NTPC and Coal India had awarded import contracts to Adani

India's power shortage at 1% in April-June this fiscal: R K Singh

"Further, during 2022-23 (April-June), against the requirement of 404.76 Billion Units, the energy supplied was 400.65 BU. There was a shortage of 1% of energy requirement," Union Power Minister said

States asked to formulate plans for biomass co-firing in power plants

Ministry of Power has asked states to formulate time-bound plans to ensure the utilisation of biomass for co-firing in thermal power plants ahead of the Kharif harvest season

Gencos imported 9.2 mn tonne of coal in April-June period: Power Ministry

Power generating firms (gencos) have imported 92.07 lakh tonne of coal in April-June this financial year for blending purposes ahead of Monsoon season, Parliament was informed on Thursday. "Ministry of Power (in April) advised Central Gencos, State Gencos and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to import coal for blending purpose during 2022-23," Union Power Minister RK Singh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. He also informed the House that to ensure minimum coal stocks in power plants before the onset of monsoon, the power ministry advised all Gencos to complete placement of awards for import of coal before May 31, 2022. In May, the ministry had stated that domestic coal would be allocated proportionately to all Gencos based on the likely availability of domestic coal from Coal India Ltd (CIL) /Singhareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) from June 1, 2022, and the shortfall is to be met from blending of the imported coal. The reply showed that 92,07,000 tonnes of coal were ...

'Coal stock at over 52 MT; enough for 24 days' requirement of power plants'

In addition, about 4.5 MT coal stock is available at various goods shed sidings, private washeries and ports and is awaiting to be transported to the power plants

Govt may restart NTPC plants on imported gas amid coal shortage: Report

The imported gas-produced electricity could cost Rs 22-23 per unit, pegged at about four-five times current tariffs

Gencos have started coal import related process, says power minister

Replying to a question on the issue, the minister said "most of the states have started (the process), in fact every state has started."

Centre permits green open access for smaller electricity consumers

Threshold brought down to 100 kW from 1 Mw; open access allows consumer to buy power from a source of its choice

A power crisis on an old track and a plan that was never implemented

The Railways' decision to stick with steel wagons may have contributed to the shortage of rakes to haul coal to generating plants

Power ministry earmarks 81 thermal units to move coal to renewable by 2026

The list includes generation units of state-owned NTPC, and privately owned units of Tata Power, Adani Power, CESC, Hindustan Power

PM Modi to release 11th installment of PM-KISAN benefits on Tuesday

According to the Ministry, PM Modi will interact with beneficiaries of about 16 schemes spanning nine departments of the Government of India.