Year End Review of Power Ministry
INDIACSR News Network
The Indian power sector is one of the most diversified in the world. India is the fifth largest producer of electricity in the world and according to the Planning Commission, while the State Governments account for 51.5% of the total generation capacity, the central sector and the private sector account for 33.1% and 15.4% of the generation capacity respectively.
Sources for power generation range from commercial sources like coal, lignite, natural gas, oil, hydro and nuclear power to other viable non-conventional sources like wind, solar and agriculture and domestic waste. The capacity addition achieved in the 11th plan has already surpassed the achievement of the earlier plans. A capacity of 54,964 MW has been added which has a significant contribution from the private sector and the government is making serous efforts to achieve a much higher capacity addition of about 88,000 MW in 12th plan. The contribution of private sector in capacity addition has increased from 10% in the 10th plan to approx 42% in the 11th plan and during 12th plan; it is expected to be more than 50%. A capacity addition target of 17956 MW has been fixed for 2012-13.
The demand for electricity in the country has been growing at a rapid rate and is expected to grow further in the years to come. In order to meet the increasing requirement of electricity, massive addition to the installed generating capacity in the country is required. It is proposed to add total of 17426 ckm transmission lines in central, state and private sector during the year 2012-13. As against the first quarter target of 4551ckm transmission lines, 3267 ckm transmission lines have been added. A generation target of 930 BU was fixed for the year 2012-13.Performance in the first quarter has exceeded the target. As against the target of 222.500 BU for the first quarter, 231 BU of electricity has been generated. For capacity building, the government has initiated various measures to encourage participation of private sector in the power sector.
To ensure that the benefits of the increased availability of power reaches the poorest of the poor living in the rural areas, the Government has implemented the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana with vigour and determination to electrify over one lakh un-electrified villages and to provide free electricity connection to 2.34 crore rural BPL households. Since inception of RGGVY, electrification work in 1,04,496 un-electrified villages have been completed and electricity connections have been released to 1.94 crore BPL households till the end of the 11th plan i.e 31st march 2012. Bharat Nirman targets for electrification of villages and provision of electricity connections to BPL households have been met. It is targeted to complete electrification works in 6,000 un-electrified villages and provide electricity connection to 36.80 lakh BPL households under RGGVY during 2012-13. During 2012-13, electrification work in 818 unelectrified villages have been completed and electricity connections to 4.31 lakh BPL households have been provided as on 30.06.2012.
Smart planning with smart innovations will now be the fundamental objective of India. With the support of Government, the adoption of technology in the power sector has revolutionized India’s Grid and enhanced dynamic solutions that cater to India’s power problems.
Wind power has played a crucial role in meeting this rapidly growing demand. Since 2003, the wind sector has delivered an impressive compound annual growth rate of 29%. Last year, India was ranked in the top three countries in the world for new installed wind capacity.
Annual National Energy Conservation Day was celebrated on 14th December,2012 where President handed over the prizes to several industrial units and other establishments. The total annual energy savings worth Rs. 2,886 Crores was achieved by all participating units of National Energy Conservation Award Scheme- 2012. The President also presented the prizes to 13 winners of the National Level Painting Competition under the National Campaign on Energy Conservation undertaken by the Ministry of Power and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Nearly31 lakh children participated in the competition.
Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform Program (R-APDRP):
The actual focus of the R-APDRP program is on demonstration of performance in terms of reduction in Aggregate technical & commercial losses. Projects under this scheme are to be taken up in two parts:
Part A: This includes projects for establishment of baseline data and IT applications for energy accounting /auditing & IT based consumer service centers. Part A (IT enabled system) projects worth 5196.50 crores for 1402 towns : 63 Part –A (SCADA) projects worth Rs.14443.48 crore;
Part B: This consists of regular distribution strengthening projects.1086 Part B projects worth 24776.17 crores have been sanctioned till 32st march 2012 under the programme.
For the year 2012-13, it is targetted to sanction Rs.1080 crore and disburse Rs.2997 crore as loan under R-APDRP. So far, disbursement during the current year 2012-13 has been Rs.289.63 crore.
(PIB)
