Page 2 - Electricity Sector

IEX trade volume increases by nearly 36% to 12,040 mn units in Aug

Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) total trade volume rose 35.8 per cent year-on-year to 12,040 million units (MU) in August this year. The electricity volume increased 17.1 per cent year-on-year to 9,914 MU in August, an IEX statement said. According to the statement, IEX achieved total (trade) volume (including certificates) of 12,040 MU in August 2024, marking a 35.8 per cent year-over-year increase. The renewable energy certificates (REC) at 2,116 MU, increased 737.4 per cent year-on-year. At Rs 115 per certificate, the REC market recorded an all-time low price in the trading session held on August 28, 2024. These prices provide an opportunity to obligated entities (DISCOMS and Captive Power Producers) to meet their renewable purchase obligations, and voluntary customers to meet their sustainability aspirations. As the monsoon gained momentum in August, there was a substantial increase in hydro and wind power generation, enhancing the overall availability of renewable energy in the

Small industries struggle as power prices continue to climb across India

Despite lower fuel costs, electricity prices for small industries have surged across major Indian states, threatening their viability and hampering their capacity to generate employment

DERC likely to delay tariff announcement as new members yet to take charge

For the fourth year running, the national capital power regulator DERC is likely to miss announcement of a new power tariff for the city due to delay in two new members of the panel taking charge, sources said on Monday. The Delhi government and LG Office have been blaming each another for the delay, sources claimed. The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) announces a new tariff after an elaborate consultation process involving hearings with stakeholders, including the consumers and power companies that takes months. The Supreme Court in November last year formed a committee to select two members of the three-membered Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC). In March this year, the committee recommended the names of Ram Naresh Singh and Surender Babbar, as protem members of the DERC. The sources said the power department sent the files for the approval of the Lt governor and the chief minister. The chief minister's office (CMO) said in April that since Chief Min

Jharkhand Cabinet waives power dues of Rs 3,584 cr of 3.9 mn consumers

The Jharkhand government on Thursday said it has decided to waive Rs 3,584 crore in power dues for around 39.44 lakh consumers benefiting from the 200-unit free electricity scheme. The decision, approved during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, aims to relieve financial burdens on domestic consumers enrolled under the Mukhyamantri Urja Khushali Yojana. Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel confirmed that the waiver applies to arrears accumulated by these consumers. "Following this cabinet approval, these consumers will no longer need to pay the arrear bills," Dadel said. The cabinet also approved additional measures, including an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh and a government job for the families of Agniveer soldiers from Jharkhand who die during duty or military operations. Other decisions include extending the remuneration period for anganwadi poshan sakhis and cooks from 10 to 12 months, with Rs 31.71 crore allocated for this purpose. The cabinet also approve

China to continue with low-carbon electricity reforms: Energy regulator

The world's second-biggest economy has emerged as a global leader in the transition to renewable energy

Centre allows power exporters to sell their electricity back in India

Move in wake of Bangladesh unrest; Adani Power's Godda plant primary beneficiary

Chinese megacity, Hangzhou limits outdoor lighting as heat strains grid

Chinese meteorologists say the record heat in 2024 has been worsened by global warming despite the cooling effects of the La Nina weather phenomenon

Best of BS Opinion: Electricity: A strategic view, Caste calculus & more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Our govt has inked MoUs to make Rajasthan self-reliant in power: Minister

Rajasthan Minister of State for Energy Heeralal Nagar has said the government has signed agreements with central undertakings to make the state "self-reliant in the field of electricity". The minister made the remarks on Friday night while responding to a discussion in the Rajasthan assembly on the power situation in the state. "Our government has signed agreements (MoUs) with central undertakings to make the state self-reliant in the field of electricity," he said. "With this step taken and with a farsighted vision, there will be no shortage of electricity in Rajasthan in the coming times," Nagar asserted. Targeting the Congress, he alleged that due to the mismanagement of the previous government, the state had to face power crisis. During the previous government, power generation, transmission and distribution were neglected, Nagar claimed. The minister said power cuts in the state have reduced this year. By 2027, the state government will provide electricity to farmers in two

Orient Electric Q1 results: Profit down 27% to Rs 14.34 cr on high expenses

Orient Electric, which also sells mixer-grinders and switchgears, said profit decreased to Rs 14.34 crore ($1.7 million) in the quarter, from Rs 19.69 crore a year earlier

Despite new coal plants, India will face more power cuts by 2027: Research

India's power crisis: To avert a looming power shortage, India must accelerate efforts to boost renewable energy capacity, warns new research

RAPS-3 reconnected to grid after major renovation exercise: NPCIL

A 220 MW nuclear power plant at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan has been reconnected to the grid after its life was extended by about 30 years by undertaking a major renovation and modernisation exercise, the plant operator said. Unit 3 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-3) was commissioned on June 1, 2000, and continued commercial operations for over 22 years before being taken up for renovation and modernisation (R&M) on October 27, 2022. It said RAPS-3 was connected to the grid on July 24 this year. "The unit underwent Enmasse Coolant Channel Replacement (EMCCR), Enmasse Feeder Replacement (EMFR) and other upgrades during the R&M," the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) said in a statement. R&M activities were carried out in the core of the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor remotely using precision technologies developed indigenously. "The NPCIL has over the years attained maturity in carrying out in-core jobs using sophisticated remotely operated tools. The .

Pvt sector owns over 52% of installed power generation capacity of 446GW

Private sector owns over 52 per cent of the total installed power generation capacity of 446GW in the country, playing an important role in the sector, Parliament was informed on Thursday. In a written reply in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said, "Private sector is playing an important role in India's power generation. Generation is a de-licensed activity as per the Electricity Act, 2003 and 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the power sector in India is permitted for generation from all sources (except atomic energy)." As on June 30, 2024, total installed capacity in the country is 4,46,190 MW and out of which the contribution of the private sector is approximately 2,34,065 MW i.e. 52.5 per cent, he informed the House. Also, he stated that most of the renewable energy projects in the country are being set up by private sector developers selected through a transparent bidding process. In another reply to the House, the minister said that with the

Govt issues norms for Rs 4,950 cr incentive to Discoms under PM-Surya Ghar

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said the New & Renewable Energy Ministry has issued guidelines to provide Rs 4,950 crore incentive to discoms under the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Criteria for incentivising Discoms include achievement of installation of additional grid-connected rooftop solar capacity beyond the baseline level, the New & Renewable Energy Minister said in a post on X. "Rs 4,950 crore incentives to Discoms under @PMSuryaGhar. The guidelines have been issued for effective disbursal of incentives," he said. The scheme guidelines for implementation of incentives to Discoms were notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) last week on July 18, an official statement said. The scheme has an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore and will be implemented till FY 2026-27, MNRE said. Under the scheme, Discoms are designated as state implementation agencies (SIAs) responsible for facilitating various measures, including net meter availability, timely ...

India's solar output grows at slowest pace in 6 yrs in first half of 2024

The share of the fossil fuel in power output rose to 77.1% in the first half of 2024

Maharashtra power utility's 6600 MW procurement tender faces scrutiny

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd's (MSEDCL) 6,600 MW tender for long-term power procurement has come under the security of Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). In response to an application filed by the state power utility MSEDCL to seek approval for deviation in the standard bidding documents, the MERC has questioned the state power utility why the approval was not sought before initiating the bidding process, according to the regulator's June 25 order. The state power regulator has directed the MSEDCL to demonstrate in quantifiable terms how the proposed deviations in the bidding documents are in the consumers' interest. MSEDCL in March issued a tender to procure 1,600 MW thermal power and 5,000 MW of solar power in Maharashtra. This was just before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections kicked in. The power procurement was for meeting the demand for 2033-34, i.e. 10 years from now. The MERC in its order asked MSEDCL to .

Jharkhand cabinet hikes free electricity entitlement to monthly 200 units

The Jharkhand cabinet on Friday approved a proposal to increase entitlement of free electricity from 125 units per month to 200 units per month for domestic consumers, an official said. Briefing the press, Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel said the government will bear an additional burden of around Rs 21.7 crore per month for this. Around 41.4 lakh consumers would benefit because of this increase in entitlement, she said. At the cabinet meeting, 40 proposals were approved. Among the significant ones is a special compensation scheme for state police and central forces personnel. Under the scheme, the family of a security personnel killed in an encounter will get Rs 60 lakh as compensation. In case of injury, the state government will bear the cost of treatment. The cabinet also approved the setting up of the Jharkhand State Faculty Development Academy for implementation of the National Education Policy. The cabinet also gave the go-ahead to the CM Fellowship Scheme for Academic ...

Delhi's peak power demand grew 3.8x on hot & humid days in a year: Report

Delhi recorded a sizable jump in temperature-related electricity demand in the last 12 months, with peak demand rising by an average of 711 megawatts (MW) on the hottest and most humid days, according to a new analysis published on Friday. The report by the independent think tank Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said Delhi's peak power demand rose by an average of 506 MW on cold and dry days but only by 188 MW on days when the temperature and humidity were moderate. The analysis used wet-bulb temperature (WBT) as a yardstick. The wet-bulb temperature (WBT) is the lowest temperature to which a person or object can be cooled solely by the evaporation of water. "On moderate days (17.5 degrees Celsius WBT), Delhi's peak demand grew by a modest 188 megawatts (MW), but on the hottest and most humid days (using 32.5 degrees Celsius WBT as a criterion), the annual increase was 3.8 times higher at 711 MW," the report said. At the other end of the temperature sca

Industrial sector in Rajasthan fears output slump after power cut order

The power department on Wednesday announced intermittent power cuts in industrial areas daily between 8pm and 3am

Power outages persist in North India amid rising demand and heatwaves

Trouble could be mounting in the intra-state systems affecting power supply as states are still unwilling to bid out the lines at prices that would attract investors to upgrade capacities