Power generating companies (gencos) that use imported coal to produce electricity, may find it difficult to switch on their idle units immediately in the wake of high fuel costs, several players have told Business Standard. Recently, the Union power ministry had invoked Section 11 of the Electricity Act mandating all imported coal-based plants to generate power at full capacity. However, some generating companies that use imported coal, argue that it is simply unviable for them to produce power when the price of coal in the international market is high, while the per-unit price of power has been capped at Rs 12 per unit on the domestic power exchange.
Reacting to the hike in power rates, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on discoms would ascertain the lack of funds as stated by power distribution companies.
For the first time after the split from Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday led around 300 activists in a protest against hike in power tariffs, alleging that the Delhi government and private discoms were out to loot people.
Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje breaks her silence.
'We feel that till the time statehood is not restored power sector should not be touched in J-K.'
Discoms will not only be penalised for undue outages, they will not be able to bill you for losses.
A smart grid is an electrical grid, which includes a variety of operational and energy measures, including smart meters, smart appliances, renewable energy resources and energy-efficiency resources.
From Jammu and Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh, consumers are facing power cuts ranging from 2 hours to 8 hours.
If nothing is done, the country is set to become 83 per cent energy-import-dependent by 2040.
In an interview with Sanjay Jog, REC chairman and managing director P V Ramesh talks of the growth strategy and the company's plan to ride the transformation wave in the power sector.
'I clearly recall how you immediately directed your administration to identify and allocate land, water, and other clearances in the shortest time possible.' 'That was the fastest decision-making process I have ever witnessed.'
'Anyone can string together a few alliterative words, but are they a substitute for serious thought?' 'And do they make for a strategy or plan for coherent action?' asks T N Ninan.
This election will decide in what shape and form the Akali Dal will survive.
Given the sheer size of the state, achieving a similar turnaround in Punjab as promised could be a different ball game altogether, reports Sai Manish.
Bringing down government stakes would augment their capital.
Digital India and Make in India (initiatives) are designed to give special boost to manufacturing and India has huge potential in these areas.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused BSES discoms of trying to "blackmail" the government by threatening power cuts upto 10 hours a day, and warned them of strict action including possible cancellation of licenses.
Reliance Group-owned power distribution companies in Delhi on Thursday approached the Supreme Court against NTPC's notice threatening to cut off power supply for not clearing outstanding dues.
Northern and western states had the highest power demand, with Uttar Pradesh sourcing 19,082 Mw, Delhi 6,029 Mw, Rajasthan 10,395 Mw, Gujarat 16,825 Mw, and Maharashtra 23,609 Mw.
In a year when the country produced record coal, rains hit movement of the fuel from mines to power generation units, impacting power generation in many states, including Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and Tamil Nadu.
While the industry has been given the highest benefits, farmers will have to contend with 1 per cent reduction in electricity costs.
The Supreme Court ordered state-run power producer NTPC on Friday not to disconnect power supplies to distribution companies in the capital New Delhi until March 26, averting a potential blackout next week.
As his indefinite fast against "inflated" power bills entered the 11th day, Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday got the support from activists Aruna Roy and Medha Patkar, who had differences with him on various issues.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared changes in the Act. Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal earlier this week said the Bill would be tabled in Parliament soon.
'We are doing away with human interface in metering, billing, and collection.' 'That in itself will bring down losses by 50 to 60 per cent.'
Power plant load factors are at historic lows of around 60 per cent.
Affected firms note practical problems in getting discoms, consumers to pay for costlier supply; viability shadow on investments
Taking strong exception to complaints and grievances of people concerning the customs and excise sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said strict action would be taken against erring officials.
Centre meets target of 18,000 villages but household metering remains a challenge
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced Rs 3 lakh crore collateral free automatic loan for businesses, including MSMEs, to benefit 45 lakh small businesses. Detailing parts of the Rs 20 lakh crore economic stimulus package, she said this loan will have a 4-year tenure and will have 12-month moratorium, she said.
Foreign investment firms, especially private equity, are jittery about the Indian market as uncertainty continues to shroud the energy sector.
Areas in East and Central Delhi face a blackout risk from Saturday as the State-run National Thermal Power Corporation on Friday rejected the Delhi government's plea not to stop electricity supply to the BSES Yamuna Power Ltd for defaulting on payments.
The report suggested that the tariffs can be made simple and transparent.
He rued that people who work hard and honestly are put through enormous difficulties and Indians excel in making an ordinary task into an extraordinary one.
Financing of solar projects under the Centre's ambitious national solar mission has hit a major roadblock as banks have argued that the current structure of the power-purchase agreement was not bankable due to the credibility of many states.
Scores of people in violence-hit areas of northeast Delhi have been spending their nights in the dark as power lines damaged during the riots remain unrepaired and dangle precariously outside their houses.
NTPC on Tuesday asked the two BSES utilities to make their payments and said in the event of failure to do so it would be forced to regulate supplies to the state discoms.
Former RBI governor R Gandhi said that the RBI needs to re-introduce a one-time restructuring package and mere moratoriums will not suffice in unprecedented times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
A decision in this regard was taken at a Cabinet meeting held in New Delhi chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. "There will be no tariff hike this year. We first want the discoms to improve the services to the satisfaction of the people," Power Minister A K Walia told reporters.
To snatch a state government out of Congress hands is therefore a high-stakes game with national political implications, for it denies the party the essential fuel to run effective election campaigns, notes T N Ninan.
