Power ministry sets up advisory panel for integrated development of sector

Power ministry sets up Suresh Prabhu-headed advisory panel

Battling a slowdown in fresh investment in new projects, the power ministry on Wednesday was understood to have set up an advisory group headed by former power minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime, Suresh Prabhu.

The seven-member panel will be called “Advisory Group for Integrated Development of Power, Coal and Renewable Energy.”

The group’s mandate includes looking into subjects including optimal energy mix; state action plan for 24X7 power for all; requisite transmission and distribution infrastructure; development of renewable energy from sources like oceanic, bio-mass, coal bed methane and coal gasification; optimising fuel supplies; energy efficiency; research and development; and innovation.

A power ministry spokesperson said he was not aware of the creation of the group.

According to sources, members of the group will include former chief vigilance commissioner Pratyush Sinha; former home secretary Anil Baijal; former Coal India chairman Partha S Bhattacharyya; and former power secretary R V Shahi.

Suresh Prabhu, a Shiv Sena member of Parliament from Maharashtra, was widely expected to take over as power minister immediately after the NDA swept to power in a landslide electoral victory last month. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose former banker Piyush Goyal for the portfolio.

The advisory group will be assisted by the officers of the power, coal and renewable energy ministries and would meet as often as required.