Volume 1 Issue 4  15 August 2020 August - September 2020

Optimizing the Cost of

24x7 Quality Power

Table of Contents
About Energy Konnect 3
Editorial 4
COVER ARTICLE
Power Quality Regulation –
India takes a turn! 6
Optimizing the cost of 24x7
quality power to consumers 11
Executive Summary - Cost of
Supply of Electricity 16
CONSUMER DESK 18
Copy of the letters written by
President, ABECA 19
TUTORIAL
Standard of Performance of
Distribution Licensee 25
Retail tariff-Understanding
the determination process &
bringing in competition 28
Power & Energy 38

A step forward in power sector reform


Editorial Board
Mr R N Sen, Editor-in-Chief
Mr Satyaki Sen
Mr Ujjal Bhattacharya
Dr Mahul Brahma
Mr Arindam Bandyopadhyay
Advisory Board
Mr A S Bakshi, Retd. Chairman
CEA & Member Technical
CERC
Mr B P Singh, Retd. Member
DERC
Mr Regi Pillai, President ISGF
Ms Mohua Mukherjee, Energy
& Climate Finance Expert;
former World Bank career
officer
Design
Mr Debal Ray
Mr Sobhan Jas
All the members of Editorial board and
Advisory Board are providing Honorary
service.
A joint initiative by
Energy Konnect and
India Coal Market Watch,
a publication of mjunction
services limited.
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
ABOUT ENERGY KONNECT
W
e have much more than hundreds of magazines, journals and newsletters
related to power sector. Some of them are doing very well and others are
in the process of evolving. Instead of adding one more such magazine we
have created Energy Konnect, platform for communicating among all stake holders
including the most important one that is consumers It is not one more magazine in
power sector, it will play vital role by bringing all stake holders for addressing the
issues together and finding way out at this critical juncture of COVIT 19 onslaught.
If we look very closely it can be seen that presently Indian power sector treat
consumer as a faceless entity, not as partner in progress. This has resulted in to
repeated failure of distribution sector despite numbers of supports given both by GOI
& State governments in the form of SAUBHAGYA, RGGVY, UDAY, DDGVY, IPDS,
NEF, Additional Rs 90,000 Crs on 13th May etc thus injecting substantial funds for
providing power to all and reviving the ailing distribution licensee. With the present
onslaught of COVID 19 things have worsened further and may find it difficult to come
out from the crisis. The performance of the state-owned distribution licensees needs
substantial improvement through out of box thinking which can be achieved through
inclusive growth by making the consumers as partner in progress.
Now, every industry and service sectors are converting those nameless, faceless
people as partners. It becomes the first step towards inclusive growth of all stake
holders in the sector where everybody will be maximizing his gain through consumers
satisfaction. It is no more a concept or an esoteric idea but an achievable target which
can be broken down into a set of actions.
There is also need for structured dialogue with them so that their need and concerns
are properly addressed and get their support, for this we have created this platform
Energy Konnect, where all the stake holders can communicate with each other for
achieving the common goal i.e. 24X7 quality power to consumers, at a reasonable
and comfortable price, not necessarily cheap, so that everybody gets the amount of
power that he or she needs for taking our country in the express growth trajectory.
We will be creating required platforms for all types of industrial and commercial
customers in addition to domestic and agriculture consumers.
Now MOP has invited comments on THE ELECTRICITY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2020
where they have brought the concept of sub licensee and franchisee in addition to
number of new concepts.
Franchisee/sub licensee may bring new technology and operate the portion of network
assigned to him, including all its trouble spots and overloaded areas. He must reduce
losses, and handle trouble spots by engagement of his customers. OPTIMIZING
THE AVAILABLE NETWORK, reduce losses and improve service through giving
incentives to customers for peak shifting, storing cheap power for use in expensive
times by renting customer funded storage assets, etc.
The Consumer Desk has been created for informing the consumer and enable them for
expressing their difficulties and view/suggestions as stake holders in developing the
sector in right direction and getting their issues highlighted/addressed. The Tutorial
Section will bring relevant documents for information and parting knowledge to the
consumers. In addition, it has been launched in digital form so that every consumer
can get the best of it free of cost.
Together we will excel and will bring out the distribution sector from present crisis.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and Energy Konnect does not necessarily
subscribe to it. Energy Konnect shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation
directly or indirectly.
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ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

T
he cost of power and the limited availability of 24X7 quality power
continue to remain an issue in the economic growth of the country.
To make Indian products competitive in the international market and
to avail the opportunity of shifting the manufacturing base from China to
India there is a need for ensuring quality power and reduction of Industrial
tariff in line with the other industrial countries. Similarly, both agriculture
and domestic consumers also need reasonable tariff for keeping agriculture
cost at a reasonable level and supporting the common man for improving
in the standard of living and participating in the growth of the country. The
present system of cross subsidizing the agriculture and domestic consumers
by charging higher tariff both to Industrial and commercial consumers
has become counter productive for the industrial sector. The Distribution
Utility Forum has deliberated on Cost of Supply of Electricity, where they
have deliberated on different process of determining the cost of supply. The
executive summary of the report has been made available in this issue.
There is an urgent need for reworking on the cost of supply of electricity
by optimizing cost of all the components which add up in making cost of
supply of electricity. It has become more demanding with the integration of
substantial renewable energy (RE) generation.
The regulated tariff of thermal generation comes in two part i.e. fixed cost and
energy cost. It has been observed that for the similar size & type of units the
energy cost varies substantially, so there is a need for optimizing such cost
through efficient operation and management. In forthcoming issues, we will
bring detail analysis of fixed cost and energy cost components of generating
plants/organizations for understanding the scope for improvement in arriving
at the optimum cost.
The distribution licensee sources its power from Thermal (Coal), Thermal
(Gas), Diesel, Hydro, Nuclear, Wind, Solar, Municipality waste, Agriculture
waste, etc. Some of them are based on government policy implemented
through regulation and majority are need based conventional like Thermal &
Hydro. The licensee also sources its power from Energy Exchange at market
driven rate. All these add up in determining the average cost of purchase.
Despite cross subsidizing of both Agriculture and domestic consumers by
the Regulator, losses of the state-owned distribution licensees have been ever
COVID-19 healing theme – whether its business, governance, or personal
relationships. ‘Power Quality’(PQ) becomes critical to the sustenance of
growth in the connected and digital nervous system of the country. High
concentration and dependency on power electronics in the modern electrical
networks create challenges in Energy and PQ management. PQ events such
as low voltage profile, current or voltage dips and unbalances, harmonics
etc. adversely affect the energy efficiency in the short and long run. Distorted
currents also affect the voltage quality, which in turn reduce the energy
efficiency. Energy savings should be looked at from the scope of saving
energy that is being wasted. To be truly energy efficient therefore requires
reliable and safe electrical power, and this, cannot be achieved without good
PQ.
As domestic consumers come under subsidized category further increase in
their consumption and this penal provision proposed by government may
increase the tariff of the I&C consumers and loss of the Distribution licensee.
So, there is an urgent need for 24X7 quality power and efficient management
of power procurement with the support of AI to ensure optimized cost of
power.
In this issue and subsequent issues of the magazine deliberation will be
made on quality of power and generation cost of supply. Similarly, after
deliberation on generation, in subsequent issues we will be deliberating
on the other items i.e. Distribution cost, Transmission cost, AT&C loss,
Regulatory assets, one by one to arrive at the optimum number.

Editorial
Mr R N Sen, Editor-in-Chief
increasing, even after complete bail out by UDAY. The present loss numbers
have crossed Rs 1.0 lakh crore and are increasing at a rapid pace. The recent
injection of Rs 90,000 crores for payment to generators also has become
inadequate and there is a demand for increasing it to Rs 1.20 lakh crores.
To implement 24X7 quality power with consumer focus of the Distribution
licensees, the Government has proposed to bring in Tariff policy/Regulations
that will give rights to the consumer to seek 24X7 quality power supply in
their home. For every load shedding that is unscheduled or stretches beyond
a cut off time, consumers would have to be compensated by the distribution
licensee under the new proposal. The compensation would be in the form
of a credit that will be made into the consumers’ account with distribution
licensee so that this credit is used when paying the next electricity bill.
COVID-19 crisis has made a hard push for digital India through Contactless,
remote, intelligent, automatic, data driven and yet connected is the post-

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L
ike a true living organism, life in India is evolving, learning, adopting The 2019 report by Non-Linear Loads…Why We Should Be Worried?
to cope with the crisis forced by COVID-19. Some of the responses World Bank on the Non-linear loads (LED lights, VFDs, Renewable Energy etc.), and voltage
are planned, some unplanned and most of others can be attributed
global competitiveness disturbances in the Power Distribution network distort the waveform. The
to the virtue of a natural, ‘survival’ instinct. The full impact and extent of
ranks India’s reliability poor PQ resulting from these distortions in the waveform is a cause of huge
the responses to COVID-19 will be understood only in the distant future.
of electricity on 108 losses to assets, productivity and efficient energy utilisation. The multi-
For now, and even if it may feel like a trap, survival is more important than
anything else.
among 141 countries. faceted nature of disturbances that lead to poor PQ creates its own challenges
Notably, the rank has in measuring and improvement.
One of the inadvertent outcomes of the unfortunate COVID-19 crisis is an
declined significantly The not so linear growth of non-linear loads in India
additional rapid and rather a hard push for digital. Contactless, remote,
intelligent, automatic, data driven and yet connected is the post-COVID-19
as compared to the  Metro-rails/Railway electrification
healing theme – whether its business, governance or personal relationships.
previous year (2018),  Automation (VFDs, Robots)
from 80th among 137  Power Electronic Equipment
The dream of ‘Digital’ India as a definitive milestone in shaping the experience
of citizens now seems more obvious than before. Starting from ‘one country
countries.
 Renewable Energy – Rooftop Solar/Wind etc
one tax (GST)’, to the recently announced ‘one market for the country’s agro-  Electric Vehicles and charging stations
economy’ - the role of ‘digital’ technologies as the nerve center of underlying  LED Lights on streets, households, industries
governance structures is unprecedented everywhere. In spite of the many
hurdles on its way, India is forging ahead to improving the ‘quality of life’ Power Quality – an economic phenomenon
for its citizens. But like all living organisms – India’s appetite for growth and With the concept of ‘digital’ economy setting in, various industrial and
evolution needs an equally nurturing environment. That’s where electricity commercial facilities are getting centralized control with full automation,
plays an important role. And ‘quality of power’ becomes critical to the which calls for a high degree of reliable and safe power distribution. The
sustenance of growth in the connected and digital nervous system of the digital economy demands quality power, and while being sensitive to power
country. quality, such equipment itself is also a cause for polluting the power system
The ‘quality of power’ is therefore critical to defining the ‘quality of life’ environment.
in India. But when it comes to ensuring ‘Power Quality, unfortunately, for Power Quality and Reliability is the key to successful delivery of quality
every two steps forward, India has been taking one steps backward. Will products and uninterrupted operation of an industry, be it industry,
we be able to break the pattern? Can India collectively drive and take the government or personal experience. While it may seem the growth of non-
turn to ensure good ‘Power Quality’? The model PQ regulations by Forum of Non-linear loads linear loads mentioned above may be the driving force of the economy,
they are also the root cause of poor PQ. Often, this manifests into serious
Regulators hold the promise. In this article, we try and assess the possibility (LED lights, VFDs,
of its fulfillment. economic consequences and costing business millions of rupees each year
Renewable Energy
in revenue loss, process improvements, opportunity loss, equipment failure,
Quality Power For All – An Unfulfilled Promise!
etc.), and voltage
electrical hazards like fire and scrapped product.
disturbances in the
Adding 26.6 million electricity connections for consumers in a record time There is a dire need for all concerned stakeholders to deliberate and act on
Power Distribution
of 16 months is an unprecedented achievement for India’s power sector. The the vital issue of power quality and the latest technologies for mitigation and
network distort the
reach and availability of electricity don’t seem to be a problem. The next improvement of energy utilisation efficiency and reliability.
waveform. The poor
target of 24 X 7 electricity seems to be achievable in many ways. In fact, as
PQ resulting from India’s PQ Regulations - the ‘cost’ of keeping power ‘clean’!
Power the indices show the availability of power has improved significantly over
the last few years. Survival doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore. In a way,
these distortions in The electrical power landscape for India is changing rapidly. We are no more
the waveform is a in a pure sine wave era controlled by linear loads; rather we are almost fully
Quality
power in modern life is akin to water or air – the essential for life. But it takes
a lot more than the guarantee of a breathable air or any quality of water for cause of huge losses controlled by non-linear loads.
to assets, productivity, Poor PQ phenomena translates to malfunctioning of sophisticated equipment.
Regulation –
life to grow and flourish. India’s electrical power has the same and exact
challenge. India’s power is polluted. There is no alternative but to improve and efficient energy Harmonics, voltage unbalance, voltage sag and flicker problems, standing
utilization. The multi- waves and resonance – are some of the issues that adversely affect energy
India takes a
Power Quality.
Clearly, the one area where India lags behind as compared to other developed faceted nature of consumption, production and its quality, leading to huge losses in terms
disturbances that lead of energy, product, service, and damage to equipment. Thus, it becomes
turn!
economies of the world is its Power Quality. As India advances on every
to poor PQ creates imperative to be aware of quality of power and the deviation of the quality
regulatory framework to modernize, and improve the experience of citizens,
parameters from the norms or standard to avoid breakdown, service failure
the regulations on Power Quality must be assimilated with focus. Even more its own challenges
Arvinder Singh Bakshi or equipment damage.
important is the fact that this needs to be done before we as a country are in measuring and
& Manas Kundu exposed to the shocks from poor Power Quality. improvement. At the same time, maintaining good Power Quality is a growing concern and

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ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 COVER ARTICLE COVER ARTICLE
The digital economy a compulsion for reliable and safe operations in every modern facility. The
demands quality wide-ranging PQ concerns begin with what’s the definition of good PQ and
extends to methods of improving PQ in view of specific nature of the facility.
power, and while being
The multi-faceted nature of PQ parameters often means its is highly complex
sensitive to power
to measure and improve PQ. The model PQ regulations provide a clear view
quality, such equipment
to the stakeholders in guiding them to align their PQ improvement strategy
itself is also a cause and efforts. The delay in enforcement of PQ regulations at State levels is
for polluting the power going to be detrimental for our national preparedness in serving quality
system environment. supply to improve our citizen’s quality of life.
Poor Power Quality often manifests as a network wide challenge. Improving
PQ, therefore, almost always requires a unified effort at every level in shaping
the electrical network – starting from standards to design, procurement,
workmanship, maintenance and monitoring.
Power Quality Regulations – Safety And Efficiency Perspectives
PQ events such as low
Power Quality – the threat in the dark! voltage profile, current
Lack of adherence to standards in design and the tendency to
procure the low-cost devices for power distribution, without unbalances, harmonics
the assessment of risks to safety, remains the untold cause
behind most electrical safety issues including fires. This also
includes Power Quality. For instance, it is certain that the
factors which can cause electrical fire to go well beyond the run. Distorted currents
simple explanation of short circuit with many of them closely
linked to poor power quality in the electrical network.
The need for enforcing standards, across industries, systems
and devices is critical to nullify the risks posed to safety. The
PQ regulations could emerge as the unifying axis around
which higher safety and reliability can be planned and built.
Poor PQ phenomena Power Quality and Energy Efficiency – the two sides of the same coin!
translates to High concentration and dependency on power electronics in the modern
malfunctioning electrical networks create challenges in Energy and PQ management. PQ
of sophisticated events such as low voltage profile, current or voltage dips and unbalances,
equipment. Harmonics, harmonics etc. adversely affect the energy efficiency in the short and long
run. Distorted currents also affect the voltage quality, which in turn reduce
voltage unbalance,
the energy efficiency in several indirectly. Energy savings should be looked
voltage sag and flicker
at from the scope of saving energy that is being wasted. To be truly energy
problems, standing
efficient therefore requires reliable and safe electrical power, and this, cannot
waves and resonance – be achieved without good PQ.
are some of the issues
that adversely affect Improving PQ - Model Regulations Show The Way..
energy consumption, The model regulations in Power Quality recommended by the Forum of
production and its Regulators, Chaired by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, along
quality, leading to with the regulations on PQ issued by Central Electricity Authority, and
huge losses in terms standard issued by Bureau of Indian Standards are poised to serve as the
of energy, product, unifying force to significantly improve the Power Quality in India. As the
service, and damage to State Regulatory Commissions adapt the guidelines, several states in India
equipment are assessing the status of PQ, for the first time.
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ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
In the next few years, we can expect an expanded
definition of PQ indices, clarity on roles and
responsibilities of various entities, update of standards/
limits to follow, and a new incentive/disincentive
framework along with detail procedure to monitor/
assess PQ.
Model PQ Regulations – a guide for Utilities and
Solution providers
 Frequency Deviations (tightened band from 0.5 Hz
to 0.15 Hz)
 Harmonics (to follow IEEE 519-2014 and IEC 61000-4-30 Class-A for PQ
Analysers)
 Voltage Variations & Flicker (Short/Long Term Sensitivity as per IEC
61000)
 Voltage Unbalance
 Voltage Dips and Swells (Duration from 10 ms up to and including 1 min)
or voltage dips and
 Voltage Transients (User to apply Surge Suppression Devices)
 Supply Voltage Interruption (Voltage drop of 10% - short (20 ms to 1 min)
etc. adversely affect
and long (3 mins+)
the energy efficiency
 Power Factors (compensation for injecting Current Harmonics)
in the short and long
The model PQ regulations lays an emphasis on development and enforcing
also affect the voltage
of standards to drive PQ improvement. As of now, the solutions claiming
quality, which in turn
PQ improvement come with real and pseudo claims. To bring about ‘true’
reduce the energy PQ improvement therefore requires investments in PQ monitoring and
efficiency in several assessment technologies as the first step.
indirectly. Adapting technologies that adhere to prescribed standards is the next big
step, followed by solutions to ensure regulatory compliance. This, along
with the solutions to address specific issues pertaining to the poor PQ in the
electrical network will help to significantly improve the PQ.
PQ Regulation Benefits for Utilities
 Improving customer satisfaction
 Ensuring compliance
 Proactive management of risks to reliability and safety
 Aids preventative and predictive maintenance
 Early detection of problems
 Accurate Fault analysis with clear root causes
 Accurate planning for capital investment to improve
PQ
 Benchmarking of PQ in various contexts
Enforcing PQ regulations – the approach for Utilities
1. Map PQ Issues in specific context – Users,
Infrastructure etc.
2. Identify Testing Clusters for monitoring and analyzing
PQ
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 COVER ARTICLE COVER ARTICLE ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

The model PQ 3. Set-up PQ Monitoring to capture comprehensive scenarios

regulations lays 4. PQ Analysis in line with national and state specific standards and
an emphasis on regulations
development 5. Define State-specific Policies to improve PQ through regulations
and enforcing of
PQ Regulations – Can it turn around the inverted?
standards to drive
The biggest step in ensuring long-term focus is to go beyond the monitoring
PQ improvement.
and measurement of PQ parameters that matter in the short run that is to save
As of now, the penalties. The approach to PQ in India is an inverted one. Take for instance,
solutions claiming the investments in harmonics filters and capacitor banks. But harmonics are
PQ improvement only a symptom. Until the intensity of harmonics is reduced, filters are just
come with real and doing a damage control. With presence of high harmonics the damage to the
pseudo claims. To larger power systems and connected equipment is almost inevitable in the
bring about ‘true’ PQ long run.
improvement therefore
requires investments Conclusion
in PQ monitoring
For all the damage done by COVID-19, it could also be an opportunity. But
and assessment only if India raises itself up to the opportunity with focus, determination and
technologies as the conviction to work in a unified manner. The collective power will count more
first step than individual capabilities with alignment deciding the magnitude of our
force. From a PQ perspective, it’s a defining moment where the regulations
provide an opportunity to go beyond individual agendas, come together and
rally behind to deliver on a safe and reliable ‘power’ to all. This collective spirit
is the biggest concern for India’s economic and social wellbeing aspirations,
not COVID-19.

References

I
ndia is committed for 24X7 quality power supply at affordable cost to
1. Quality Check – Powerline https://powerline.net.in/2018/03/10/quality-
all category of consumers. Both State and Central governments are
check-2/
putting their best effort in making this happening through numerous
2. Power Quality Standards in India - http://www.apqi.org/download/
grants, subsidies, concessional loans & discounting the charges of central
download20161014093845.pdf
generating and transmission companies. Both quality and cost have
3. Power Quality and Safety - https://apqi.org/how-poor-power-quality-can- become more relevant with the post COVID 19 opportunity in making India
lead-to-electrical-fires/ as preferred destination for shifting manufacturing & service sectors from
China including Defence production and addressing the challenges for
creating gainful employment/entrepreneurship opportunity at rural & semi
Optimizing urban areas for the migrant labours who have shifted to their home due to the
disruption created by COVID 19.

the cost of Let us deliberate on reducing the cost of 24X7 quality power to make it
affordable to the end consumers. It important to understand the different

24x7 quality components added in arriving the cost of power to the end consumers. The
earlier concept of sourcing power from central/large generating stations and

power to subsequently transmitting them in the distribution network through high

voltage transmission network of CTU/STU may be quite cost effective in

consumers
case of load centres but for remote villages with low load the cost of such
transmission and distribution comes out quite costly. Presently it gets
Mr Arvinder Singh Bakshi is the former Member CERC & former Chairman CEA neutralized by calculating the average cost of transmission and distribution
and Mr Manas Kundu is APQI-India Coordinator R N Sen for the complete network which includes load centres also. However, the

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There is a need for incremental cost always attracts government support in the form of subsidy. The average cost of The average cost of power at the exchange during the month of July 2020
analysing every Now with the disruption created by the Renewable Energy (RE) there is a power at the exchange was Rs 2.47 (Rs 1.98 - Rs 2.90) against which in the above table cost of
need for revisiting the need for further capital investment for making actual Power varying from Rs 3.61 - Rs 4.80, so we need to have a close look for
component which adds during the month of
cost of power cheaper to the end consume by cutting down the Transmission arriving at the right number after considering the committed fixed cost of
up in obtaining the July 2020 was Rs 2.47,
& Distribution cost due to proximity of the consumers with the RE generators PPA already signed .
average cost of supply (Rs 1.98 - Rs 2.90/)
Now let us analyse some of the Distribution Licensee’ (DL) average cost of Let us start analysing the various components of Thermal generation cost.
to the end consumers against which in the
supply. The name of DL has been indicated as A, B, C, D&E by hiding the About 60%-70% of the power purchase cost consists of is energy cost i.e.
and specially to C&I above table cost of
actual names to avoid any disclosure at this stage. Already series of articles cost of fuel which varies from unit to unit based on their normative heat rate
consumers to make Power varying from
written by Mr B P Singh on Tariff setting started appearing from July-August & specific oil consumption. The cost of coal depends on its source of supply
India competitive in the issue will help us to understand the process of Tariff determination.
Rs 3.61 - Rs 4.80, so (Captive mine, Indigenous/imported), grade/ quality of coal, transportation
international market. we need to have a cost, Government taxes and duties, Transit loss and Grade slippage due
There is a need for analysing every component which adds up in obtaining the
Let us keep a tentative close look for arriving to supply of inferior quality by the supplier. If meticulously planned after
average cost of supply to the end consumers and specially to C&I consumers
target for reducing the to make India competitive in the international market. Let us keep a tentative
at the right number thorough analysis of all the cost components there is fair possibility in
average cost of supply target for reducing the average cost of supply to Rs 5/Kwh from present Rs
after considering the substantial reduction of energy cost.
to Rs 5/Kwh from 6.36 - Rs 7.34/Kwh. We will start analysing every items of the above table. committed fixed cost of Similarly, the fixed cost also can be reduced by meticulously planning and
present Rs 6.36 - Now let us start with the first item i.e. Cost of power. Subsequently we will PPA already signed improving the norms. With the support of ERP, the real time granular data
Rs 7.34/Kwh analyse the other components i.e. Transmission cost, T&D Loss, O&M, ROE, can be collected from the source by the generating company and the same
Interest on capital debt, Depreciation, Interest on Working Capital (IWC) and can be used for online filing of tariff petition, based on those granular data
Interest on Security Deposit (ISD) & Other components one by one. We may the Regulatory Commission can carry out through analysis for further
also consider for switching over to prepaid mechanism and rework on the improvement and determining the tariff through prudence check without any
working capital requirement thus ensuring 2%-5% reduction of tariff and ambiguity. Already WBERC has initiated development of ERP in the similar
abolishment of LPSC and efficient implementation of DBT. line.
According to global consultant Wood Mackenzie, the levelized cost of It can be seen from the Table of all India power mix as on 30th June 2020
electricity generation from fossil fuel at around $44.5 per MWh (Rs 3.05 per (CEA report) the installed capacity of RE has increase to 87,669.19 MW out of
unit) in India is the cheapest in the region. In China, it is $48.5 per MWh (Rs total installed capacity of 371,054.12 MW i.e. more than 23.6% .Due to falling
3.33 per unit) and Australia $50.9 per MWh (Rs 3.49 per unit) among other price of solar and wind power and the commitment at Paris agreement India
12 countries in the region. has embarked on an ambitious target of having 450 GW of renewable energy
The same is for solar power. In India, the cost is estimated at around $38.2 by 2030 and also provide 17 lakh solar pumps to farmers under Pradhan
MWh (Rs 2.62 per unit), the lowest. In Australia, it is $52.7 per MWh (Rs 3.62 Mantri-Kusum Yojana in coming days to capitalise on this clean resource.
per unit) and China $61.2 per MWh (Rs 4.2 per unit). India’s levelized cost With the support of With the continuous falling of Solar and Wind power cost there will be steady
of onshore wind power generation, estimated at $48.9 per MWh (Rs 3.36 per ERP, the real time increase of Solar and Wind power percentage in the total mix not only for
unit), is also the cheapest in the region. granular data can improving the environment but also for optimizing the cost of supply. However
intermittent and unpredictable nature of renewable energy and low capacity
be collected from
utilisation of the transmission system needs to be addressed. The problem
the source by the
will get pronounced with the addition of large-scale renewable capacity. In
Average Cost of Supply based on latest Tariff Orders generating company
order to manage the infirm nature of power, electricity distribution companies
Per unit rate and the same can be (Discoms) are procuring balancing power (thermal) to provide grid stability
Distribution cost used for online filing and to meet its requirements during hours /periods of non-availability of
Sl
No
Cost
DL Cost of Trans. on T&D O&M Interest
Regulatory
Asset
Average
cost of
of tariff petition, based renewable energy (RE).
IWC +
Power Cost
Loss (incl ROE on capital Depreciation
ISD
Others Total allowed supply on those granular In a recent report it has been indicated that by shutting down inefficient
emp) debt
data the Regulatory more than twenty years old coal base plants at Koradi, Maharashtra the
L=a+b+
a b c d e f g h i j k
c+j+k Commission can carry distribution licensee will be saving substantial amount against energy bill
1 A 390 75 102 94 15 17 21 5 -7 145 0 712
out through analysis every year. The report also proposes for shifting to solar power in place of the
2 B 404 45 83 71 20 14 22 9 -6 129 79 740
for further improvement inefficient old thermal units.

3 C 361 79 42 94 60 26 0 -11 169 34 686

and determining the In a study conducted for West Bengal it was observed that from the year 2022
tariff through prudence onward as per MOP notification the installed capacity of solar power will be
4 D 480 37 40 32 15 23 6 4 119 0 636
check without any more than 4,000MW against the evening peak of about 12,000 MW and day
5 E 442 3 71 105 44 26 41 12 -10 218 0 734
ambiguity.
12 13
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 COVER ARTICLE COVER ARTICLE ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

In one side RE power peak of about 8,000 MW. Which means to accommodate 4,000 MW of Solar All India installed capacity (in MW) of power stations (As on 30.06.2020) (UTILITIES)
is reducing the cost generation at its peak generation time the conventional generators will have Mode wise breakup
to reduce their generation to 4,000 MW and again ramp them up to 12,000 Ownership Grand
of generation but in Region
/ Sector
Thermal
Nuclear Hydro
RES * Total
MW for meeting the evening peak when there will no solar generation. In (MNRE)
other side balancing Coal Lignite Gas Diesel Total
the absence of cost effective storage system( battery/pump storage unit) of State 16659.00 250.00 2879.20 0.00 19788.20 0.00 5777.25 701.01 26266.46
of generation through
power, for balancing the intermittent nature of RE power we will be requiring Northern Private 22425.83 1080.00 558.00 0.00 24063.83 0.00 2817.00 15969.04 42849.87
various measures will to operate some of our old thermal units (Koradi) in two shifts those who Region Central 14354.96 250.00 2344.06 0.00 16949.02 1620.00 11491.52 379.00 30439.54
add substantial cost on are more than twenty years of age and modulate the load of the modern Sub Total 53439.79 1580.00 5781.26 0.00 60801.05 1620.00 20085.77 17049.05 99555.87
supply. The situation efficient units from 105% to 30% both for ramping up during evening load State 21740.00 1040.00 2849.82 0.00 25629.82 0.00 5446.50 555.54 31631.86
will continue to be and ramping down during high RE generation in the day time. Western Private 32847.17 500.00 4676.00 0.00 38023.17 0.00 481.00 25010.48 63514.65

dynamic and will need Recently POSOCO has conducted one study in the above line by modulating
Region Central 18347.95 0.00 3280.67 0.00 21628.62 1840.00 1695.00 666.30 25829.92

high skill for availing the load of different size, age, and technology units for finding out the ways
Sub Total 72935.12 1540.00 10806.49 0.00 85281.61 1840.00 7622.50 26232.32 120976.43
State 19782.50 0.00 791.98 159.96 20734.44 0.00 11774.83 586.88 33096.15
the optimum cost of of meeting these challenges. Private 12747.00 250.00 5340.24 273.70 18610.95 0.00 0.00 41372.38 59983.33
Southern
generation by the use of In one side RE power is reducing the cost of generation but in other side Region Central 11835.02 3240.00 359.58 0.00 15434.60 3320.00 0.00 541.90 19296.50
AI on real time basis balancing of generation through various measures will add substantial cost Sub Total 44364.52 3490.00 6491.80 433.66 54779.99 3320.00 11774.83 42501.16 112375.98

on supply. The situation will continue to be dynamic and will need high skill State 7450.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 7550.00 0.00 3537.92 275.11 11363.03

for availing the optimum cost of generation by the use of AI on real time Eastern Private 6153.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6153.00 0.00 96.00 1217.98 7466.98
Region Central 13682.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 13682.05 0.00 1005.20 10.00 14697.25
basis.
Sub Total 27285.05 0.00 100.00 0.00 27385.05 0.00 4639.12 1503.09 33527.25
State 0.00 0.00 533.86 36.00 569.86 0.00 422.00 233.25 1225.10
North Private 0.00 0.00 24.50 0.00 24.50 0.00 0.00 102.14 126.64
Eastern
Region Central 770.02 0.00 1253.60 0.00 2023.62 0.00 1155.00 30.00 3208.62
Sub Total 770.02 0.00 1811.96 36.00 2617.98 0.00 1577.00 365.39 4560.36
State 0.00 0.00 0.00 40.05 40.05 0.00 0.00 5.25 45.30
Private 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.84 7.84
Islands
Central 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.10 5.10
Sub Total 0.00 0.00 0.00 40.05 40.05 0.00 0.00 18.19 58.24
State 65631.50 1290.00 7154.86 236.01 74312.36 0.00 26958.50 2357.03 103627.89

ALL Private 74173.00 1830.00 10598.74 273.70 86875.45 0.00 3394.00 83679.86 173949.30
INDIA Central 58990.00 3490.00 7237.91 0.00 69717.91 6780.00 15346.72 1632.30 93476.93
Total 198794.50 6610.00 24991.51 509.71 230905.72 6780.00 45699.22 87669.19 371054.12

Abbreviation: SHP=Small Hydro Project (s 25 MW), BP=Biomass Power, U&l=Urban & Industrial Waste Power, RES=Renewable Energy Sources
Note: RES include SHP, BP, U&I, Solar and Wind Energy. Installed capacity in respect of RES (MNRE) as on 30.06.2020 (as per latest information available with MNRE)

* Break up of RES all India as on 30.06.2020 is given below (in MW)

Small Hydro Bio-Power Solar Total
Wind Power
Power BM Power/Cogen. Waste to Energy Power Capacity

4688.16 37829.55 9880.31 148.84 35122.33 87669.19

A. Capacity Added during June, 2020 270 MW

Unit-1 (270 MW) of BHADRADRI TPP has been commissioned and added to state sector of Telangana.
B. Capacity Retired during June, 2020 0 MW
C. Capacity removed due to change from Conventional to RES during June, 2020 0 MW
D. Net Conv. Capacity Added during June, 2020 (A-B+C) 270 MW

* Sector wise breakup of RES capacity as shown is provisional.

Allocation from central sector stations has been updated till 31.05.2020.
Share of Railway (675 MW) from NABI NAGAR TPP (750 MW) is included in central sector of Bihar.
Share from private sector generating stations has been updated as per latest information available.

14 15
COVER
ENERGYARTICLE
KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
C
ost of Supply is the cost incurred by the utility to supply one unit of
electricity at its consumer’s metering point and is a crucial part of the
tariff setting process. The purpose of computation of Cost of Supply
(CoS) is to apportion all costs required to serve consumers of different
categories in a fair and an equitable manner giving proper price signals and
identifying subsidy/cross-subsidy among consumer categories for developing
an appropriate policy and a regulatory way forward. In India, industrial and
commercial consumers are generally charged a higher electricity tariff in
order to subsidize agricultural and domestic consumers, who are charged a
tariff which is lower than the actual CoS.
Worldwide, most common approaches to calculate CoS are Embedded Cost
of Supply (ECoS) approach and Incremental/Marginal Cost of Supply (MCoS)
approach. The difference between the two approaches lies in the treatment
of the costs. The Embedded Cost approach uses the accounting costs on
the books of accounts of the utility, whereas the Marginal Cost approach
estimates the resource costs of the utility in providing each additional unit
of power to its consumer base. As of now, in India, no specific mandates are
there in any act or policy - Electricity Act, 2003, National Electricity Policy
and Tariff Policy - to follow a particular methodology to calculate cCoS of
electricity. Furthermore, both Embedded andcMarginal Cost approaches
Executive
demand a large quantum of reliable data, which is so far not available with
almost all the Indian DISCOMs. Majority of DISCOMs, therefore, opt for
Simplified/Average Cost of Supply (ACoS) approach to estimate voltage-
Summary wise Cos. APTEL in their Appeal No. 102 of 201 O advised initiating a
simple formulation for computation of voltage-wise CoS. In this approach,
- Cost of it is adequate to determine the voltage-wise Cos taking into account the
major cost elements which would be applicable to all the categories of
Supply of
consumers connected to the same voltage level. Different SERCs are using
different factors and assumptions in computing the Cos using the simplified
approach. Though most of the developed nations are adopting either a
Electricity Marginal Cost approach or an Embedded Cost approach to calculate the
CoS, 90% of DISCOMs in India are still following the simplified approach
Raghav Pachouri, using average cost at system level or at various voltage levels primarily due
Balaji Raparthi & to lack of reliable and accurate granular data.
Ashish Kumar Sharma It is essential to allocate various costs - demand, energy, and customers -
16
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
COVER ARTICLE
2020
judiciously among different consumer categories, based on different factors
such as supply voltage level, load factor, time of usage, distribution losses,
etc., for true and prudent cost reflection among various consumer categories.
The major disadvantage associated with the simplified approach is that the
Cos value computed is common for all voltage levels and consumer categories.
The tariff specified for different consumer categories with the common CoS
computed based on the simplified approach, doesn’t provide prudent cost
comparisons. The Embedded Cost approach is, therefore, recommended for
DISCOMs in India to estimate voltagewise / category-wise cost of supply in
order to bring tariff rationalization.
The primary advantage of ECoS is that costs embedded among different
consumer categories across various voltage levels and their corresponding
allocation factors can be worked out based on granular data that is available
with the utility.The ECoSapproach requires data pertaining to power purchase
cost, voltage-wise/category-wise transmission and distribution assets cost,
assets (including line lengths, voltage-wise transformer cost, voltage-wise
substation cost, etc.), number of consumers, energy sales, connected load,
load research data (system level and feeder level load data) and technical and
commercial loss data, etc. The availability of the aforementioned data on a
year-to-year basis would help in building a credible data base for computation
using the Embedded Cost of Supply approach.
During the discussions with DISCOMs in the country, we found that non-
availability of granular data is a major challenge due to non-availability of
feeder/OT meters, absence of load research data, limited implementation of
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), in moving from simplified to Embedded
Cost approach. The feeder level load research becomes essential to gather
voltage-wise / consumer-wise data, essentially required for the proper
estimation of ECoS.
In order to address the issues and challenges, suggestions from the utilities
were discussed during the 4th Distribution Utilities Forum (DUF) meeting
on 10 June 2019. Some important propositions that emerged include the
need for immediate attention of state governments and SERCs for achieving
100% feeder, OT and consumer metering in a time-bound manner, proper
implementation of ERP system and periodic load research studies. Along
with the aforementioned propositions, an alternative for computing ECoS
in the absence of granular data during the transition from the simplified
approach to a fullfledged ECoS approach has also been recommended in
this report. Additionally, consumer awareness with regard to the quantum
of subsidies received from the government is also considered necessary.
One of the possible ways of doing this is to mention the actual Cos in the
consumers’ bills, for all the consumers - subsidizing as well as subsidized
consumers, along with subsidies given or received.
The authors acknowledge and thank Mr Gireesh B Pradhan, Honorary Chairman
DUF, Ex-Chairman, CERC
Mr Raghav Pachouri is Associate Fellow, TERI; Mr Balaji Raparthi is Associate
Fellow, TERI; Mr Ashish Kumar Sharma is Research Associate, Electricity and
Fuels Division, TERI.
17
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 CONSUMER DESK CONSUMER DESK ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

You will find articles To

T
here has been major demonstration by the electricity consumers of on cost of 24X7 quality The Hon’ble Chief Minister

CONSUMER
Government of West Bengal
CESC in Kolkata after receipt of June bill as residents and celebrities power in couple of
Nabanna, Howrah
complained of receiving exorbitant electricity bills, some for the month forthcoming issues, you

DESK
Indian power sector is in its most
critical turning point, if properly
planned and addressed it will ignite
all around development and growth
not only in the sector but also for the
country making India one of the top
three economy of the world.
One side we will have to make
industrial power cost as cheapest
of May, and others for June. are kindly requested for
Consumers, including celebrities and political activists, however, argued that writing to us with your Sub:- Proposed (Amendment) to The Electricity Act 2003 under heading
the company is billing extra by manipulating the slab mechanism. Electricity view on the deliberation “The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020” – A bill further to amend The
charge per unit increases with the increase in the usage of units and when and send us your
Electricity Act 2003.
previous dues are being adjusted with the latest bill, units are being charged
article for analysis and Ref:- No 42/6/2011-R&R( Vol-Vlll), Government of India, Ministry of Power,
at the higher slab rate.
further deliberation Sharma Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi, Dt. 17th April 2020.
Due to lockdown CESC could not take meter reading in the month of April on each item. We have
onwards till June. In the June bill CESC has stated that,
published the letters
“In the absence of physical meter reading due to lock down our bill were written by General Madam,
prepared as per Applicable Regulatory Guidelines.
Secretary, ABECA in We on behalf of All Bengal Electricity Consumers' Association (ABECA)

in the world along with providing

1) Provisional Bill for March ’20 was based on March ’19 Bill this issue, you are would like to draw your kind attention to the above referred subject, and

24X7 affordable quality power to
all. Though it seems difficult, but it
is possible for which we will have
to engage the consumers from all
sections and categories (industrial,
agriculture, domestic & commercial.)
We will be bringing tariff
notifications, discussion papers and
all relevant regulations in simplified
form for ease of understanding
by the interested consumers so
that he/she can contribute in tariff
finalization grievance redressal and
improvement of the sector including
loss reduction.
Once our viewership increases
substantially, we will start bringing
the insight of tariff determination
under the heading “Do you know it.”
Through your active participation we
will be able to improve upon quality
and cost of power.
For any quarries / suggestion please
write to us at: infoenergykonnect@
gmail.com
Presently we will guide you but do not
take up your issue with the licensee,
for this you may take the services of
professionals/NGO. We request both
professionals and NGO who are
interested in providing such services
to consumers for sending their details
which we will publish at our website
for ease access of the consumers.
2) Provisional Bills for April ’20 & May ’20 were prepared on the basis of
average consumption of previous 6 months that primarily cover the winter
season, which typically has lower consumption.
3) We have resumed Meter Reading from 8th June 2020 and the June ’20 Bill
is based on physical meter reading with proper rate slab benefits. This June
’20 bill includes the actual consumption of previous months excluding the
already billed units”.
Many consumers expressed their displeasure at this move and demanded
that the CESC withdraw the bills. Following a meeting with state Power
Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, the power utility company said it would
send revised bills for June to consumers.
Now let us find out what went wrong which resulted consumers with the
same consumption of power are asked to pay higher amount. In the month of
April’20 & May’20 the bill was raised based on the average consumption of
last six months, as the last six months were winter months, so billed quantity
of a hot and humid April & May was less than the actual consumption. The
difference of actual and billed got added in the June bill thus moving the
June bill in the higher slab and also attracted additional government duty in
addition to the higher energy charges.
Now CESC may have to take approval of regulator WBERC for raising revised
bill to avoid higher slab and government duty for those consumers who’s
monthly consumption generally remains within 200-300 Kwh. The revised
bills are to be prepared by dividing the actual consumption of last four
months based on pro rata consumption of last year’s same months. This
will make the monthly bills of the current year more in line with the last
year’s consumption and better spread to avoid moving into higher slab and
payment of government duties for many consumers.
CESC could have avoided this chaos in the first place by raising provisional
bills for the unmetered months and raising the monthly bills of last four
months based on pro rata consumption of last year’s same months after
getting actual meter reading with the consent of WBERC.
requested to give your want to congratulate you for your objection submitted Against the anti people
view/observation Bill to the Prime Minister. More over we want to say some points as our
observation.
for deliberation
and subsequently 1) This notice of proposed amendment to Electricity Act 2003 under the
heading "The Electricity ( Amendment) Bill, 2020" is issued at a time
publishing in
when the entire nation is under Lock Down at the direction of the Central
forthcoming issues.
Government due to COVID-19 and all the State Governments are very
much busy to fight the Corona Virus spread and Death of people due
to the disease and people of India are very much worried and anxious
about the fearful situation. The selection Of time for the exercise will
deprive most of the people to submit their objections --which have been
asked for.
2) A careful study of the proposed Amendments to the Electricity Act 2003
reveals that this Bill is out and out against the interest of the electricity
consumers of all the states of India as stated below.
(A) Through the abolition of so called cross subsidy maintained in the
section 61(g) and by ignoring the Section 62(3) of the Electricity Act
2003 where different tariff for The consumers for different purpose
of use of electricity. And a flat rate of tariff for all the category of
consumers is going to be introduced, the result of which will be
that the tariff rate of domestic consumers, commercial consumers,
small traders, small scale industries, agriculture consumers will
be equal. The result is that at a stroke the tariff Of low and medium
Copy of the letters voltage consumers and life line consumers will shoot up.
written by General (B) The power of the State Government as was provided in the original
Secretary, ABECA. Electricity Act 2003 on different aspects of Electricity (Concurrent
You may give your subject in the constitution) is proposed to be grossly curtailed.
view/comments (C) Except in big cities, Distribution of electricity is at present under
on these letters by state government's control through SEDCLs.The Amendment
writing to us at, proposes total privatisation of 'Distribution' buy opening it up
infoenergykonnect@ to private 'franchisees' and sub-distribution contractors which is
gmail.com sure to add to sufferings of public besides cost escalation.

18 19
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 CONSUMER DESK CONSUMER DESK ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

(D) The existing power of 'State Electricity Regulatory Commission' To

will since be curtailed. Mr. R.K Singh.
(E) the existing power of the state Load Despatch Centre will since be Ministry of powers Government of India.
curtailed by strengthening Center's control. Sharam a Shakti Bhautan,
New Delhi-110001
Dated -07-05-2020
3) We on behalf of All Bengal Electricity Consumers’ Association submitted
our objection to the Central Government in respect of the above issues
on 08/05/2020.
Sub:- Comments on the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020, a Bill further to
4) In this connection the Maharashtra, TamilNadu, Telengana, Kerala,
amend the Electricity Act, 2003.
Bihar State Governments submitted their objections, specially The
Ref:- No 42/6/2011-R & R (vol-viii) Government of India. Ministry of Power.
Telangana Government has designed this Bill as a 'Draconian Bill'.
Dt. New Delhi, 17th April, 2020

In such circumstances, considering your objection, we urge upon you to

ensure that your MPs also oppose the Total Bill in the Parliament. Sir,
I would like to draw your kind attention on the above referred subject on
behalf of All Bengal Electricity consumer's Association (ABECA), West
Sincerely yours, Bengal and say as follows:

Prodyut Chowdhury 1. That the notice of letter of the proposal draft amendment to Electricity
General Secretary, ABECA Act 2003 under the name “The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020” has
been issued on 17-04-2020 at a time when covid-19 has been spread
out throughout India and also throughout the world and many people
were victimized and died of corana virus. People are anxious of the
serious problem and kept in Lock Down following the direction of the
Government of India and the state Governments also. In such a situation
the issuances of draft Electricity amendment Bill 2020 which is such an
important issue that requires the through discussion of the people at
large and the M.L.A.s of all the states and the m.P.s and the experts of
the very subject and obviously consumers side , who are deprived to give
their views and comments at this moments due to lockdown period and
within in 21 days from the date of issue of the notice/ letter (17/04/2020)
If the central government sincerely wants the comments of the people,
consumers of electricity the central government should not choose the
time of issuance of proposed Amendment Bill 2020 during the lock
down period. We find, this is not democratic process on the part of the
central government. I have send a letter to you with the request to extend
the time of 1 month after the lockdown period is over and thereafter the
normal situation arises .But no reply has yet been reached to us till now .
Hence , I am submitting a preliminary and instant comments on behalf of
our organisation All Bengal Electricity Consumers Association (ABECA)
Copy of the letter as with information to the ministry of power , Government of India , that
written by General farther we will submit our supplementary comments 1 months after the
Secretary, ABECA. lockdown is over .
You may give your 2. In this very grave situation , our submission before the Ministry of Power,
view/comments Government of India , to withdraw the draft Electricity amendment Bill
on these letters by -2020 .
writing to us at, 3. With the proposed draft electricity amendment Bill 2020 Government
infoenergykonnect@ of India provides statements and reasoning in 13 th para In the first
gmail.com
20 21
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 CONSUMER DESK
para the interest of the electricity sector investors interest has been given
much more emphasis and also to protect the interest of the consumers is
also mentioned.
4. I think that the interests of the consumers are of two types- i) A reasonable
tariff and ii) Better electricity service .
5. In section 61 (d) of the Electricity Act 2003 it is stated safeguard of
consumers interest and at the same time recovery of the cost of electricity
in a reasonable manners. But our experience since 2003 is that the
electricity tariff due to the coming into effect of the Electricity Act 2003
is increasing year by year and at a stroke it increased many times. It
is expected that the amendment it would be brought in such a way so
that the interest of the consumers be really protected. But the proposed
amendment did not protect the interest of the consumers, on the contrary,
proposes such changes which will increase the administrative expenses
to a great extent and the net result is that the tariff will be increased
unreasoningly.
6. i) In 61 (b) of the electricity act 2003 enacted as "the generation,
transmission, and distribution and supply of electricity are conducted on
commercial principles . For this , the section 13 , section 7 and section
14 of the Electricity Act 2003 provided and Split up of one Electricity
Board (SEB) into three companies, vide- i) generating company, ii)
transmission company and iii) Distribution Company. While in the earlier
, the electricity (supply) act, 1948 declared , electricity would consider
as services as far as to the consumers of electricity and to get only 3%
surplus for the viability of the electricity board. But due to the split of
boards and commercial outlook of electricity sector in 2003 Electricity
Act and thereafter formed three companies, then i) generating Company
get 15.5% return on their equity capital ii) transmission company gets
16% on their equity capital and iii) Distribution Company gets 16% on
their equity capital. This is the cause of abnormally tariff hike at a stroke
due to the commercial outlook and split up of State Electricity Board into
3 companies .But now in the proposed electricity Amendment bill on
17. 04. 2020, at para 2 the statement of object and reason stated that the
electricity sector is seized with few critical issues which have weekend
the commercial and investment activities in the electricity sector. For this
in the proposed amendment creates 'franchisee' which means a person
recognised as such and authorised by a distribution licences who can
see to distribute electricity on its behalf in a particular area within his
area of supply. Proposed amendment section 2(27); and section 14;52
substitution of provide and as it appear in para (5 ) of the Amendment).
We think this further split of distribution licences into franchise para
(3) section (17 A) will father enhance of cost and tariff and as such we
suggest to delete this amendment. In section 61(g) of the Electricity Act
2003 the expression "also reduce the cross subsidies in the manner
specified by the appropriate commission.
We think that this expression of section 61 (g) of the Act is contrary to
the Section 62 (3) of the Electricity Act-2003 where it is elected as "The
Appropriate Commission may differentiate according to the consumers
22
CONSUMER DESK ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
load factor power factor voltage factor consumption of electricity the
geographical position of any area the nature of supply and the purpose
for which the supply is required. This is called differentiation of tariff
which is not called cross-subsidy. In the earlier electricity (supply) act
1948 there was , and there is at present differentiate of tariff for the
domestic consumers commercial consumers and industrial consumers.
But in the present amendment the central government it is to interpret
differential tariff as cross subsidy and wants to make a trial rate tariff
for all type of consumers and that is average cost or supply to become
applicable for all consumers. It is wrong approach, it is not just and
reasonable. So we oppose the elimination of cross- subsidy to and bring
flat rate tariff for all by changing the differential tariff, in the amendment
it is propose in para 12 (ii), subsection 42(2) "cross subsidies shall be
progressively reduced" and in para (15) of the amendment of section
16(g) the word progressively shall be omitted for the words (specified by
the appropriate commission) as provided in the tariff policy.
So we suggest this portion of 'Amendment' shall be deleted.
7. The para (it of the statement of objects and reasoning on "subsidy" as
per section (65) of the electricity Act. 2003 is the 'misconception' du
to deal with the section (65) isolates. This should be considered with
section (108) of the Electricity Act. 2003. It we read the section 65 with
section 108 if will the cl.... that if the state Government thinks that any
tariff fiction of the state Commission is against the interest of the public
then the concerned state Government either direct the commission to
change or alter the tariff fixed by the commission or provide subsidy to
the consumers considering the prefect the interest of the consumers from
the tariff shock. This is done by the West Bengal state Governments by
reducing rate of tariff through subsidy up to certain level of and category
of electricity consumers. The request is that the consumers are not to
pay the high tariff. But in the proposed tariff the Amendments went to
provide subsidy directly to the Individual consumers and so long the
consumers do not get. subsidy they will have to pay higher tariff and
to been tariff shock. This is not just and reasonable. In the para (16)
and 18 of the proposed amendment of section (65) of the Electricity Act-
2003 the change is subsidy direct by to the consumer is provided in the
amendment.
The result is there will be repeated tariff stock of the consumers and
ID to pay higher tariff increase at a first time. So we suggest that the
amendment of section 85 of the Year 2003 of para 18 should be deleted.
It will not protect the interest of the electricity consumers.
8. The creation of the electricity enforcement authority in the proposed
amendment after para x of the b.a. 2003 in sorted as x section 109a to
Section 109 in will increase tariff for other due to in hence administrative
caused by this new creation of the authority and at the same time this
is the curtailment of the power of the state Commission. Adjudicating
officer and also the power of the state government relating to electricity.
This will lead to the move centralization of the power of the Government
and this will be get autocracy and will go against the interest of the
23
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 CONSUMER DESK
consumers as such the introduction of this change in the proposed
amendment is anti people. This change should be deleted. Section 82 85
of the 94 2003 provide the power and function of the state government
relating to electricity e register Commission and 6 and section 86 1B 86/1
f of the f a 2003 provides power and functions of the state Commission.
This power is curtailed in section 109a 109 m of part x a. This begets
the centralisation of power to the central government and will be get the
autocracy. As such this change is not desirable. In para 10 and 12 of
the amendment of section 42 of the Electricity Act 2003 the subsidy 7
of fast provide of the at will increase cost and also tariff and by this way
the change of Sab Tera 1 2 and 3 of 13 12 will abstract the open access
and will bring flat tariff by removing differential tariff on the plea e of
so-called cross subsidy. This is not justified and reasonable we suggest
this portion of the amendment should be deleted.
10. 6b e of the amendment mandated that the state head dispatch Court
read discusses generating company generating station sub-station shall
comply with the directions issued by the national head dispatch centre.
Side amendment of section 26 Avatar Act 2003 this person reduces the
power and function of the state government and the state Commission
who have power to control the state head dispatch centre and the
generating company and the licence. This person will Baguette the
autocracy and disturb the state autocracy and ultimately will increase
the father administrative cost and tariff and will go against the interest
of the consumers. We suggest to delete this portion of the amendment.
11. In para 20 and section 78 of the Electricity Act. 2003 change of selecting
the chairperson and manager of the state Commission as proposed to the
violation of the section 85 of the Electricity Act 2003 and curtailment of
power of the state government relating to the selection of the Chairman
and members of the state Commission. This is not justified and contrary
to the constitution of India who is largest to delete there portion of the
proposed Amendment Bill of 2020 .
12. The change section 79 at para 21 of the proposed amendment 2020 is
also the curtailment of power of the state Commission. This will also
be get the autocratic power of the central government and as such we
suggest to delete this person of change in the proposed amendment the
para 23 and section 84 also reduced the power of the state government
an this issue and as such we suggest to delete this portion also.
Submitted by
(Prodyut Choudhury)
General Secretary, ABECA
24
TUTORIAL ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
E
Reliable and quality lectricity Act 2003 is an Act to consolidate the laws relating to
power supply has generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity and
generally for taking measures conducive to development of electricity
attained the driver
industry, promoting competition therein, protecting interest of consumers
seat. This necessitated
and supply of electricity to all areas, rationalization of electricity tariff,
legislature to think
ensuring transparent policies regarding subsidies, promotion of efficient and
of setting Standards environmentally benign policies, constitution of Central Electricity Authority,
of Performance for Regulatory Commissions and establishment of Appellate Tribunal and for
Utility while serving matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
its consumers. The It is a revolutionary Act in the Indian history of power sector. In many judicial
Electricity Act 2003 has pronouncements it has been recorded that this Act is a code by itself.
rightly so provisioned
Section 57 of the Electricity Act 2003 provides for Consumer Protection:
for the same Standards of performance (SOP) of licensee:
(1) The Appropriate Commission may, after consultation with the licensees
and persons likely to be affected, specify standards of performance of a
licensee or a class of licensees.
(2) If a licensee fails to meet the standards specified under sub-section (1),
without prejudice to any penalty which may be imposed or prosecution
be initiated, he shall be liable to pay such compensation to the person
affected as may be determined by the Appropriate Commission: Provided
that before determination of compensation, the concerned licensee shall be
given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
(3) The compensation determined under sub-section (2) shall be paid by the
concerned licensee within ninety days of such determination.
The Electricity Regulatory Commissions in exercise of powers conferred
by the proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 43 read with clause (t) of sub-
section (2) of Section 181 and sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of Section
57 read with clause (za) of sub-section (2) of Section 181, Section 59, and
clause (zp) of sub-section (2) of Section 181 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of
2003), notifies the Regulation for Standards of Performance of Distribution
Licensees, Period for Giving Supply and Determination of Compensation.
Except few Electricity Distribution Companies which serve purely urban
areas, others serve urban as well as rural areas in its area of License and
these are mostly State Electricity Distribution Companies. From the very
Standard of beginning electricity was needed for lighting dwelling units; streetlights,
public water works, energise agriculture pump sets and small industries.
Performance Then with passage of time, commercial and industrial revolution set
its new horizons where reliable and quality power supply has become a
of
matter of necessity. Then came the revolution in the field of Information
and Communication Technology which has occupied the prime position in
almost all fields and various e-platforms have been set up. This is more so
Distribution evident in Covid 19 epidemic which compelled corporates to go in for Work
from Home culture for its staff and now the stage is such that it is seen as
Licensee norm than an exception.
In this backdrop, supply of reliable and quality power supply has attained
Deepak Lad the driver seat. This necessitated legislature to think of setting Standards of
25
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 TUTORIAL TUTORIAL ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Suffering in rural parts Performance for Utility while serving its consumers. The Electricity Act 2003
can be alleviated to a has rightly so provisioned for the same.
greater extent through However, though all State Regulatory Electricity Commissions have notified
strengthening the such Standards it has tried to set the ball rolling fast in urban areas than in
Rural areas. Rural areas are still far away from getting services on par with
rural infrastructure
their urban counter part. It is not the case that the Commissions are not aware
by suitably replacing
of this. Widely spread infrastructure, lengthy overhead lines, shortage of staff
existing LT network
and transport difficulties, poor realization of dues are some of the hurdles
by High Voltage
in providing required services. In this sense, the urban and rural divide is
Distribution System clearly visible. This resulted in self-proclaimed trained private individuals
(HVDS) to illegally pop up for providing the services to rural population which
sometimes culminates into fatal/nonfatal electrical /mechanical accidents.
Suffering in rural parts can be alleviated to a greater extent through
strengthening the rural infrastructure by suitably replacing existing LT
network by High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS), providing sufficient
staff with adequate tools and plants and transport. Though it requires huge
investment, but it will go a long way in providing reliable and quality power
supply and reduction of AT&C losses thus it will bridge the gap in Urban and
Rural as far as Standards of Performance is concerned.
Section 42 (5) and
Section 42 (5) and (6) of the Electricity Act 2003 provides for establishment
(6) of the Electricity
of a Forum and Ombudsman for redressal of grievances of the consumers in
Act 2003 provides
accordance with the guidelines as may be specified by the State Commission.
for establishment In accordance with this provision every Distribution Licensee has set up
of a Forum and adequate number of Forums and Ombudsman in its license area.
Ombudsman for
There is also an important provision in Section 173 of the Electricity Act
redressal of grievances 2003 which opens an avenue for consumers to approach District Consumer
of the consumers in Forum, State Commission and National Commission for redressing their
Electricity Ombudsman interrupted supply. There are many other cases wherein compensation has
Mumbai vide its order been granted. In one of the cases, it is also observed that one agricultural
consumer was not at all using its power supply for irrigation purpose. National
dated 29th December
Highway road construction was in progress. LT supply lines were broken due
2018 in Representation
to JCB work resulting in interruption of supply. This event was not at all
No. 232 of 2018 in
reported by consumer or the road construction contractor to the distribution
Mahendra Chunilal licensee. Taking advantage of this case, the consumer filed complaint with
Shah V/s. MSEDCL has the grievance redressal mechanism after a lapse of considerable period
granted compensation and claimed heavy compensation. When the matter reached the Electricity
of Rs. 2,80,800/- for Ombudsman, Nagpur, it awarded heavy compensation, however, in the
delay in restoration of Review Application filed by the Distribution Licensee, many facts came to
interrupted supply light which were not part of the earlier hearing and it reversed the order and
cancelled the compensation.
In nutshell, it is a tight rope walk exercise for an adjudicating authority in
deciding the cases of compensation.
The Maharashtra There is heavy demand of agricultural connections in the State of Maharashtra
and it is a fact that the distribution licensee in all probability cannot adhere
Electricity Regulatory
to the timelines stipulated in the Regulations for release of supply. The
Commission has rightly
issue has many contours such as non-availability of competent contractors,
taken an appropriate
supply of material in time, transport of material to the site which is normally
call on the petition a rural one. Besides this, since there is flood of applications, chronology of
filed by the distribution applications needs to be fixed. This cannot in all probability be neglected
licensee and through notwithstanding the provisions in the Regulations. The Maharashtra
its order decided that Electricity Regulatory Commission has rightly taken an appropriate call on
the compensation the petition filed by the distribution licensee and through its order decided
payable to agricultural that the compensation payable to agricultural consumers shall be limited to
consumers shall be twice the service connection charges paid by the consumer

accordance with the grievance. It is seen that there are consumers who have approached the limited to twice the Therefore, in view of this, there is an urgent need to have a fresh look to
guidelines as may be District Consumer Forums and even have gone up to National Commission service connection existing provisions of the standards of performance regulations and take an
specified by the State under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. charges paid by the appropriate call.

Commission Section 173 (Inconsistency in laws): consumer

Nothing contained in this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder or
any instrument having effect by virtue of this Act, rule or regulation shall have
effect in so far as it is inconsistent with any other provisions of the Consumer
Protection Act, 1986 or the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 or the Railways Act, 1989.
State Electricity Regulatory Commissions have notified Regulations for
Standards of Performance of Distribution Licensees, Period for giving
supply and determination of compensation. The main intention in providing
compensation for failing to provide required service as envisaged under

TUTORIAL the Regulation is for the overall improvement of service of the Distribution
Licensee. It never meant to act as a tool to earn for the consumers. However,
The Tutorial section it is observed that many consumers used it to earn and harass the officers
will bring relevant of the Distribution Licensee. Therefore, the adjudicating authorities needs
documents for to take an overall view while deciding the case and ground realities in field.
information and parting Electricity Ombudsman Mumbai vide its order dated 29th December 2018 in
knowledge to the Representation No. 232 of 2018 in Mahendra Chunilal Shah V/s. MSEDCL
consumers. has granted compensation of Rs. 2,80,800/- for delay in restoration of
Mr Deepak Lad is former Member, MERC

26 27
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 TUTORIAL TUTORIAL ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Dear Readers, in the previous
issue we had shared Section –I
explaining the Institutional and
Policy framework for Determination
of Tariff. In this issue we are sharing
our next section i.e., bringing out
the elements, various checks and
SECTION - II : TARIFF DETERMINATION PROCESS To safeguard interest of
the consumers. Factors
4.  Tariff Determination
that should encourage:
4.1 Process Competition,
Mandated by the ACT and the Policies issued there under, SERCs frame Efficiency,
and notify Regulations for Determination of Tariff. These Regulations are Optimum investments,
for filling Tariff Petition for Tariff calculation etc. This Regulations Framework
specifies:
o The Control Period and Coverage of BUSINESS PLAN,
o Methodology for Filling Tariff Petition,
o Forecasting & Scheduling Principles
o Controllable and uncontrollable factors and mechanism of passing/

balance, the consultation process

subordinate legislations and has the force of law which cannot be challenged Economic use of the sharing of any gains/losses on account of such Controllable and

etc., all that goes into determination

before APTEL but are appealable before the Hon’ble High Court and the resources, uncontrollable factors

of Tariff.
Hon’ble Supreme Court. Good performance - o Financial Parameters
The term Tariff regulations generally implies Multi Year Tariff (MYT), which Principles rewarding o Procedure for tariff determination, including time-limit
are applicable for a defied period. These Regulations are framed & notified efficiency in o Benchmarking / Treatment to various ARR Components
underlining the following principles: performance. o Midterm Price Adjustment
- To provide framework for utilities for a pre-defined period (3 to 5 Years) o Penalties & Incentives
with an intent to provide regulatory certainty to utilities, investors & Reduce / eliminate o Exclusions, if any
consumers cross-subsidy
Business Plan Regulations
- Commercial principles to reflect cost of supply/recovery and to ensure
Business Plan Regulations are treated as an integral part of the MYT
financial viability of the sector to attract investment such as:
Regulations and are valid for a pre defined period (3 years in case of DERC),
o Principles of returns on investments,
since they specify the business plan of the utility including norms, targets
o Principles of regulating/benchmarking individual costs & revenue for various parameters such as Return on Equity, Rate of Interest, Loss
elements trajectory, RPO targets, Collection Efficiency, contingency limits for sale of
o Incentives to promote operational efficiency, reduction of losses etc., power through settlement mechanism etc., which needs periodic review and
for the utilities to become more efficient in operation validation.
- To ensure growth, Business Plan Regulations broadly comprise of:
- To safeguard interest of the consumers. o Expense & return norms
- Factors that should encourage: o Power Procurement Plan – long-term, short-term
o Competition, o Deviation wrt Merit Order Procurement
o Efficiency,
o Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Expenses
o Optimum investments,
o Economic use of the resources, o DEBT : EQUITY ratio, Treatment for Equity in excess of Limit
Steps for tariff
RETAIL o Good performance - Principles rewarding efficiency in performance;
determination can be
o
o
Use full life of Assets and Rate of Depreciation
Interest expenses computation
- Reduce / eliminate cross-subsidy.
TARIFF – summarized as under:
a.  Tariff Petition Filling
o Working capital requirement & corresponding interest

Understanding
Over the period some structural changes have been carried out in the MYT o Return on EQUITY (ROE) / INVESTMENT (ROI)
Regulations by some SERCs. For Instance, DERC in 2017 has split the MYT by DISCOM
o Treatment of Other Income
Regulation framework in two segments i.e.: b.  Analysis of
the MYT Regulations:
Petitions by SERC for
its completeness and
o Income Tax
o Capitalization, De-Capitalization and Re Capitalization of assets and

determination At the outset it may be mentioned that instead of notifying separate

MYT regulations, for the various utilities i.e. GENCOs, TRANSCO’s and
admittance
c.  Seeking stakeholder
treatment thereof, which involves treatment for:
• In case of Capitalization

process & DISCOM’s, all the three have been merged together in a single common MYT
Regulations, thereby obviating the need for looking into separate documents
comments and Public ƒ Over/under capitalisation from that of projection

Consultation / Hearing. ƒ Time Over-run & Cost Over-run

bringing in for cross referencing and understanding / interpretation.

These Regulations enumerate the procedural part i.e. the principles to be
d.  Conduct Prudence ƒ Additional Capitalisation
Checks ƒ Foreign Exchange Rate Variation (FERV)

competition adopted for Tariff determination, and the methodology for treatment of various
cost elements, controllable and un-controllable parameters, computation of
e.  Undertake Truing-up ƒ Consumer Contribution:
f.  Issuance of Tariff # Re-conciliation after completion of scheme
incentives, penalties etc, and the timelines including the applicable formats # Treatment of Over/Under recovery
B P Singh Order
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ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 TUTORIAL
• In case of De-Capitalisation:
ƒ Treatment of De-capitalised assets, depending on the stage:
ƒ Before Useful Life
ƒ After Useful Life
ƒ Re-use before/after useful Life
ƒ On Account Change in Law / SERC Directions
In view of the foregoing the various steps for tariff
determination can be summarized as under:
a. Tariff Petition Filling by DISCOM
b. Analysis of Petitions by SERC for its
completeness and admittance
c. Seeking stakeholder comments and Public
Consultation / Hearing.
d. Conduct Prudence Checks
e. Undertake Truing-up
f. Issuance of Tariff Order.
4.2 Filling Of Tariff Petition
For the purpose of Tariff determination, DISCOM
is required to file a tariff petition. The need for
filling the petition can be better understood, once
we have a look at Section 86 (Functions of State Commission) of Electricity
Act, 2003, which states that:
 “Clause (a) determine the tariff for generation, supply, transmission and
wheeling of electricity, wholesale, bulk or retail, as the case may be,
within the State;
 Clause (b) regulate electricity purchase and procurement process of
distribution licensees including the price at which electricity shall be
procured from the generating companies or licensees or from other
sources through agreements for purchase of power for distribution and
supply within the State;
 Clause (i) specify or enforce standards with respect to quality, continuity
and reliability of service by licensees;
Thus it is incumbent upon the SERCs to keep a check on utilities workings,
and being Quasi Judicial body, filling of petitions is the prescribed process
through which the DISCOM is required to place its operational and
performance details, duly audited and supported by before the SERC for its
scrutiny and taking a holistic view before issuing the final orders.
Accordingly the utilities file their tariff petition, comprising of:
a. The Aggregate Revenue Requirement - ARR petition. (AAR means the
costs pertaining to the Utility’s business to be recovered through Tariff
and Charges.
b. Details for Annual Performance Review with respect to the targets
notified by the Commission, both actual performance and anticipated/
expected performance over the up-coming period.
30
TUTORIAL ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
c. Audited reports and accounts in support of Utility’s claims in the
ARR Petition. it includes expenditure, income and other performance
parameters as specified by the SERC.
Further as per clause 3 of Section-64 (Procedure for
tariff order) of Electricity Act 2003:
“(3) The Appropriate Commission shall, within
one hundred and twenty days from receipt of
an application under sub-section (1) and after
considering all suggestions and objections received
from the public,”
Accordingly the respective SERC notifies the
methodology, the components, formats, timelines
etc., for filling the petitions in its MYT (Multi-year
Tariff) Regulations.
- For Example – Delhi Electricity Regulatory
Commission (DERC), in its MYT Regulations
has provided that the Distribution Licensee
shall submit Annual Tariff Petition, at least 150
days prior to the end of the relevant Financial
Year. It is presumed that by that time the accounts of the utility have
been audited and approved, which forms an essential component for
filling the petition.
4.3 Components Of Tariff Petition
a. Energy balance
- Power Purchase Plan – Demand forecast, basis of projections and
quantum of power required to be procured during the year, both on
long term as well as short term basis to the meet demand
- Information in respect transmission, distribution and commercial:
o Intra State Transmission loss (%)
o Distribution Loss (%)
o Energy requirement at DISCOM periphery (MU)
o Inter State Transmission loss (%)
o Energy requirement at state transmission periphery (MU)
o Expected Collection efficiency
b. List of all the power plants with long term PPA together with quantum
of power allocated in MW terms and power plant wise expected power
purchases in energy (MU) terms considering Merit Order Dispatch
(MOD)
c. Estimated power purchase volume through short term purchase both
from Conventional as well as RE sources.
d. Fixed costs that the Distribution Licensee has to bear towards Generator,
Central Transmission DISCOM (CTU) and State Transmission DISCOM
(STU)
e. Power Plant wise Variable Cost to compute probable power purchases
on the basis Merit Order Dispatch (MOD).
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ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 TUTORIAL TUTORIAL ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

f. Deviation in power purchase with respect to Merit Order Dispatch during Determination of aggregate revenue requirement can thus be summarized as
the preceding year (period under true up) and reasons thereof. under:
g. Anticipated quantum & Cost of Power Purchase from Must Run Plants AGGREGATE REVENUE REQUIREMENT (ARR) = EXPENDITURE –
(not on MOD) i.e., OTHER INCOME
- Renewable energy plants Where,
Aggregate Revenue
- Waste to energy plants -  EXPENDITURE (ΣA to J ) :
Requirement (ARR) =
- Nuclear energy plants A. Power Purchase Cost
Expenditure – Other
B. Transmission Charges
Income h. Transmission charges, that the DISCOM has to pay to TRANSCO C. O&M expenses
i. Plan to meet Renewable Power Purchase Obligation (RPO - compliance D. Depreciation
EXPENDITURE (ΣA to
as per RPO policy i.e., to procure either renewable energy or REC to E. Return on Equity
J)
fulfill RPO target. F. Interest on Loan
A.  Power Purchase G. Interest on Working Capital
j. Revenue projections:
Cost H. Income Tax
B. Transmission - Expected revenue earned at last year’s tariff
I. Carrying Cost i.e. cost for funding Regulatory Asset / Accumulated
Charges - Increase/decrease in tariff required, if any, to meet the expenditure.
Revenue Gap.
C.  O&M expenses k. Financial components: J. Any other payment obligation (e.g., in case of DELHI - Contribution
D. Depreciation towards DVB Ex Employees Pension Trust Fund; Liquidation of
- O&M cost
E.  Return on Equity o Employee,
Regulatory assets, Revenue gap, if any, at the notified Tariff including
F.  Interest on Loan o Repair and Maintenance,
power purchase cost adjustments etc.)
G.  Interest on Working o Administration & General,
Capital o Legal expenses.
-  OTHER INCOME:
H.  Income Tax K. Non – Tariff Income
- Depreciation
I.  Carrying Cost L. Income from other sources / means/ business using Utility’s resources.
o As per Tariff Regulations (While the utility is allowed to collect
i.e. cost for funding 90% of cost to re-place existing equipment after its useful
Regulatory Asset / In addition, the Petition also includes additional information in respect of:
life, the rest 10% is considered as the salvage value of the
Accumulated Revenue equipment)
- compliances to the various Directives given by the SERC from time to
Gap. time for the period under review,
- Return on Equity (RoE) & interest on loan, Return on Investment
J.  Any other payment - any new category of consumer that needs to be included,
(RoI),
obligation (e.g., in case - any change in the number of consumers, consumer category and their
- Interest on Working Capital,
of DELHI - Contribution profile etc.
towards DVB Ex- - Non tariff income, etc.
4.4 Completeness of The Petition
Employees Pension - Income Tax
Prior to admittance of the petitions filed by DISCOM, SERC undertakes a
Trust Fund; Liquidation - Capital Expenditure i.e. addition of new assets, if any
preliminary scrutiny / checks for its completeness with respect to the laid
of Regulatory assets, - De-capitalization i.e. removal/deletion of any asset(s) resulting in
down procedures, norms and furnishing of data as per the prescribed formats
Revenue gap, if corresponding reduction in Gross Fixed Asset of the project / scheme,
etc. In case SERC observes any deviation(s) or shortcomings; it returns the
any, at the notified if any,
petition back to the DISCOM, listing out the deficiencies which are required
Tariff including - Consumer Security Deposit to be made good by them. The DISCOM, thereafter, re-submit the rectified /
power purchase cost - Carrying costs on Regulatory Assets / accumulated revenue gap, if revised petition.
adjustments etc.) any.
4.5 Public Consultation / Hearing
- Other income including such as wheeling charge from Open access
OTHER INCOME Once the SERC is satisfied about its completeness, the petition is admitted
Consumers, other business income etc., if any
K.  Non – Tariff Income and the SERC:
L.  Income from other DISCOM thus files its tariff petition; duly supported by financial and - As per Competition Commission of India (Procedure in regard to the
sources / means/ audited statements, seeking revision in tariff to meet its aggregate revenue transaction of business relating to combinations) Regulations, 2011,
business using Utility’s requirement expecting a reasonable rate of return on its investments as per every Commission is required to publish public notice in two local
resources the norms set forth by the SERC. language newspapers and two English newspapers for mass circulation,

32 33
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 TUTORIAL
inviting public and stakeholders to submit their views and objection on
tariff petition in written form. Similar provisions also form part of the
Conduct of Business Regulations, notified by the SERCs.
- Accordingly the SERC:
o issues a public notice, seeking stakeholder’s Response / Comments /
Objections / suggestions on the Tariff Petitions Filled by the Utilities
read with the Staff Paper / Executive Summary enumerating the key
submissions/claims made by the Utility in their petition, as may be
prepared by the SERC and put in public domain by way posting them
on respective utility’s / SERC’s websites in a downloadable format.
The notice also specifies the date and manner for submission of
response by the Stakeholder. For the convenience of Stakeholders,
the Utility is also required to provide hard copy of the Tariff Petitions
to the stakeholder(s) at a cost specified by the SERC.
o Simultaneously, DISCOM’s also issue public notice as approved by
the respective SERC for comment from stakeholders on the tariff
petition filed by them and providing the copy of petition and other
relevant data required by the stakeholders during the proceeding as
approved by the SERCs.
o Seeks DISCOM’s response on the Observations / Comments /
Objections / Suggestions received from the various stakeholders.
o Conducts Public Consultation, generally in the form of Public
Hearing, where the stakeholders present their views to the SERC for
consideration.
4.6 Prudence Check
Under the Prudence check, SERC scrutinizes the reasonableness of claims
made by the Utility with respect to the specified norms, and if so required,
seek additional information, supporting documents, clarifications, etc., with
special reference to:
- Sales Projections
- Financial Parameters
- Capital Costs
- Loss Trajectory
- revenue and capital expenditure incurred or proposed to be incurred,
- financing plan,
- use of efficient technology,
- cost and time over run,
- RPO Compliance
- Consumer satisfaction – Reliability of Supply
- Compliance of Directives
- any other factors / parameters as the SERC may deem fit, which has any
possible bearing on the Tariff determination.
At times SERC also undertake Examination of records at site. In case of DERC,
DISCOMs are also subjected to an annual audit through CAG approved firms
appointed by the Commission. The findings through such audits have been
found very handy for True up.
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TUTORIAL ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
4.7 True-Up
Prior to issuance of the final tariff order, SERC conducts all the Checks and
Balances, with respect to the Utility’s claims in their Petition and determines
the eligibility / admissibility i.e., to what extent any claim is to be allowed
or disallowed so as to arrive at the final numbers in respect of the specified
parameters, that would ultimately translate into firming up the financial
values for approval of ARR and Tariff designing.
The broad principles adopted for truing up involve detailed scrutiny/checking
of all the data/ information furnished by the utility its petition. The Very
purpose of True up is to:
- Determine Gap/Surplus with respect to approved ARR
- Reconciliation of Gap/Surplus for projecting ARR (proposed)
- Sharing Efficiency Gains and Losses including DISCOM’s income from
other businesses with the customers By Using Audited figures
- Verification with respect to the Approved Performance parameters:
o T&D Losses
o Billing and Collection Efficiency
o Cost of Borrowing
o SoP parameters (PF, Reliability of Supply)
o Timely Payments to GENCOs & TRANSCOs
o Compliance of Commissions Directions
- Revalidate criteria for considering deviations from norms, if any,
- Revalidate various indices (price escalation factors etc)
- Verify Power Purchase Cost and undertake reconciliation with respect
to Merit Order Power Procurement. It also involves scrutinizing variation
in long term power purchase quantum and cost based on merit order
dispatch vis-à-vis actual purchases from long term sources. These are
subject to certification by the State load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) for any
forced scheduling on Technical / Operational reasons.
- Variation in short term power purchase quantum and cost projected vis-
a-vis actual.
- Permissible trading margins, transmission charges and losses incurred
on forward and reverse transactions in a given time slot.
- Sale through deviation settlement mechanism – recoverable penalty if
any,
- Variation in revenue and sales on Projected vis-à-vis actual revenue and
sales
- Credit to Consumers under Net metering for net surplus power injected
in the grid
- Allowable Capitalization and Adjustments for De Capitalization, if any
- Fulfillment of RPO obligation
- Validation / Verification of any other data, as the SERC may deem fair
and fit.
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ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020 TUTORIAL

4.8 Tariff Order

After receipt of the Responses / Comments / Objections / suggestions from
the stakeholders, same are shared with the Utility seeking their comments.
SERC also seeks additional information, as it may find missing/relevant
during the process of prudence check/true up exercise, as it may deem fit.
There after SERC analyzes all the inputs i.e.:
- Responses / Comments / Objections / suggestions received from the
stakeholders,
- Comments of the Utility on the above,
- Data/Claims filled by the Utility, that have been admitted and accepted/
approved
- Performance indices claimed and to the extent admissible and approved,
- The change in tariff claimed by the Utility vis a vis its revenue at current
tariff level, to assess any need for tariff revision to meet the ARR.

Once it is established that there is a need for revision in the Tariff, SERC
proceeds with the Tariff Design i.e. segregation of Fixed and energy charges
and to the extent it needs to be changed so as to maintain a balance in the
Expected Revenue to be generated with the revised Tariff Schedule and the
ARR considered and approved by the SERC.
The Tariff design basically constitutes the schedule of charges put in a
tabulated form that a consumer is required to pay for applicable financial
year.
After putting in place the Tariff design, issues a detailed Tariff Order,
comprising of various Chapters, enumerating treatment of various Claims
of Utility filled in its petition, the extent same are disallowed / approved
and reasons thereof. It also places on record the Responses / Comments
/ Objections / suggestions that had been received from the stakeholders
and the Comments received from the utility thereon together with SERC’s
reasoned observations/acceptance/rejection, in part or full, as the case may.
SERCs also hold Press briefing with the very purpose making the general
public aware of the changes, what they are expected to pay under this new
order.

We hope that so far all of us have acquired some clarity and basic
understanding about the Process part detailing the elements and the checks
and balance that goes into determination of Tariff. In the next issue, we shall
be sharing (Section – III) bringing out the various steps and actions for Tariff
Optimization and bringing in competitive environment in retail tariff.

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ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Power & Energy July 2020
Compiled by: Amitava Roy & Biman Kumar Chattopadhyay
1.  Renewables
Renewables in 2020 will be fastest-growing source of
electricity in the US: EIA-Saur Energy
It has forecasted that the electric power sector will add
23.2 gigawatts (GW) of new wind capacity and 12.9 GW
of utility-scale solar capacity in 2020.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/
renewables-fastest-growing-source-electricity-us-eia
Shock for others, but solar consumers get ‘0’ power
bills-HT
Though inflated electricity bills for June came as a
shock for most city consumers, those who use rooftop
solar power have had net-zero electricity bills over the
past three months. A net-zero electricity bill means the
consumer has to pay only basic charges or metre cost to
the electricity distributor
https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/shock-
for-others-but-solar-consumers-get-0-power-bills/story-
MBXG3yZUQjhlj33ChkwiXM.html
Govt push sees players lining up to make solar
equipment- Ind.Exp.
In an indication that the Centres Atmanirbhar Bharat
push could be yielding early results in the solar energy
space, the Energy Ministry has received proposals from a
range of players for over 10GW of fresh solar equipment
manufacturing.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/govt-push-sees-
players-lining-up-to-make-solar-equipment-6552417/
Solar rooftops must for upcoming houses on 500sqm-ToI
The decision was taken by LDA board on Tuesday as
per the new state government policy to maximise the use
of renewable energy. Lucknow will be the first state to
implement the policy and it will brought in other districts
as well.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit y/lucknow/
solar-rooftops-must-for-upcoming-houses-on-500sqm/
articleshow/77494461.cms
JinkoSolar releases RE100 roadmap for
100%renewable power by2025-SteelGuru
JinkoSolar Holding Co Ltd has unveiled its RE100
38
roadmap by providing detail on its approach to achieve
100% powered by renewables by 2025. This roadmap
depicts a series of innovative actions to lower emission
caused by its operation.
https://steelguru.com/power/jinkosolar-releases-re100-
roadmap-for-100-renewable-power-by-2025/562066
NHDC Tenders for 25 MW Floating Solar Park in
Madhya Pradesh-Saur Energy
NHDC Limited, a JV company of NHPC Ltd and the
Government of Madhya Pradesh, has issued a tender,
inviting bids from eligible firms for taking up the
Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) work
for 25 MW floating solar power park at the Omkareshwar
reservoir in the Khandwa district of MP.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/nhdc-25-
mw-floating-solar-park-madhya-pradesh
Power generation from renewables falls 24% in July-
Fin.Exp.
Electricity generation from renewable energy sources
fell 24.2% y-o-y to 12,241.9 million units (MUs) in July
as power production wind plants, which currently has
the largest capacity share in the renewables portfolio,
dropped significantly due to seasonal variations in wind-
speeds. Wind power plants generated 6,489.8 MU in the
month, an annual drop of 42.8%. Production from solar
plants increased 24.2% y-o-y to 4,331.9 MU.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industr y/power-
generation-from-renewables-falls-24-in-july/2052074/
Government plans to promote renewable energy for
public transport-Decn. Herald
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is
working on a proposal to powering city public transport
from renewable sources. As per the plan, the Ministry will
select few cities where tender will be floated to generate
renewable energy through solar, wind, or hybrid, and
using that to make hydrogen fuel or charging batteries to
power the city transport buses.
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/government-
p l a n s - to - p ro m o te - re n e w a b l e - e n e rg y - f o r- p u b l i c -
transport-872100.html
Factor in the grid harmonization cost-ET
It is welcome that competitive bidding has led to
historic lows in renewable power tariffs and large green
capacities nationally. However, the rising costs of grid
harmonisation, the backing down of thermal plants
when RE flows into the grid, so as to maintain stable
grid frequency, needs to be duly factored in.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/
factor-in-the-cost-of-grid-harmonisation/
Renew-SECI Tussle at CERC indicates further trouble
for wind energy-Saur En.
ReNew Wind Energy (TN) Private Limited has pitched to
prevent the encashment of its bank guarantees by SECI,
for a wind power project that is still stuck in Tamil Nadu.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/renew-
seci-tussle-at-cerc-indicates-further-trouble-for-wind-
energy
CERC Releases Blueprint for ISTS Connectivity of
Renewable Projects-Mercom India
This procedure will apply to central transmission utility
CTU, regional load despatch centers RLDCs , state load
despatch centers SLDCs , state transmission utility
STU, concerned distribution companies, and renewable
energy implementing agencies like the Solar Energy
Corporation of India SECI .
https://mercomindia.com/cerc-blueprint-ists-renewable-
projects/
Powering reforms: Transforming India’s power sector
through GARUDA-Fin. Exp
The GARUDA tariff would include the normal tariff
for the new renewable energy plant plus the cost of
decommissioning the old fossil fuel plant.
https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/powering-
reforms-transforming-indias-power-sector-through-
garuda/2048378/
India must ensure intermittent renewable power
becomes firm power through hybrid solutions: Tata
Power -ET En.W.
Hybrid is important because if you just have clean energy
sources wind, solar or hydro then it would not give you
the power gen-eration & power availability for all 24 hrs.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/india-must-ensure-intermittent-renewable-
power-becomes-firm-power-through-hybrid-solutions-tata-
power-md-ceo-praveer-sinha/77410211
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
SECI to conduct a 2nd Pre-Bid Meeting for Solar +
Storage Tender in Ladakh-Energy Infra Post
In January last year, the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy MNRE under the order of the President of India
had launched the new scheme for setting up solar PV
projects with aggregate battery storage capacity in Leh
and Kargil.
https://www.energyinfrapost.com/seci-to-conduct-a-2nd-
pre-bid-meeting-for-solar-storage-tender-in-ladakh/
Renewables to Power ‘Green’ Recovery-Bus. Today
Renewables are the future of the energy sector. We are
in the middle of a great energy transition where we are
moving from polluting to clean sources of energy.
https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/special/
renewables-to-power-green-recovery/story/412042.html
Govt grants ISTS waiver extension for solar, wind
projects until June 2023-ET En.W.
The power ministry has extended waiver of inter-state
transmission system (ISTS) charges and losses on
supply of power generated from solar and wind sources
until 30 June 2023.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/govt-grants-ists-waiver-extension-for-solar-
wind-projects-until-june-2023/77390466
NTPC auction: Second lowest solar tariff of Rs 2.43/
unit discovered- Fin. Exp.
The latest reverse auction for 1,170 mega-watt MW
of solar capacity, conducted by state-run NTPC, has
discovered a tariff of Rs 2.43 per unit. This is the second
lowest tariff for solar power till date and comes on the
heels of the record low bid of Rs 2.36 unit received in the
auction for 2,000 MW of solar capacity held on June 30.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industr y/ntpc-
auction-second-lowest-solar-tariff-of-rs-2-43-unit-
discovered/2047268/
Considering 5% interest subvention for solar
manufacturing: R K Singh-ET
After restricting equipment imports, the government
is looking to promote local manufacturing in the solar
energy sector with a 5% interest subvention scheme,
power and renewable energy minister RK Singh told.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/considering-5-interest-subvention-for-solar-
manufacturing-r-k-singh/articleshow/77399052.cms
39
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Andhra Pradesh commissions 8,203 MW renewable
energy capacity-ET En.W.
Andhra Pradesh, a major renewable energy producer,
has an installed renewable energy generation capacity
of around 8,203 megawatt (MW).Of this capacity,
commissioned till 31 July 2020, wind energy projects
took the largest share with 4,080 MW capacity, followed
by solar energy with a capacity of 3,530 MW.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/andhra-pradesh-commissions-8203-mw-
renewable-energy-capacity/77374246
Is India’s first round-the-clock renewable energy
contract really what it claims to be?-Moneycontrol
A closer look at the contract documentation shows that
the government amended the terms multiple times such
that in the final form, all the conditions that required
round-the-clock supply were deleted or diluted.
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/is-indias-
first-round-the-clock-renewable-energy-contract-really-
what-it-claims-to-be-5650441.html
Change-in-law payments a Rs 4,000 crore booster for
renewable energy sector: CRISIL-ET En.W.
The commencement of change-in-law payments by state
discoms and Solar Energy Corporation of India for the
goods and services tax GST to solar power projects
would lead to a cash inflow of Rs 4,000 crore for the
sector, according to ratings agency CRISIL.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/change-in-law-payments-a-rs-4000-crore-
booster-for-renewable-energy-sector-crisil/77364185
India needs to renew pledge to renewable energy: Niti
VC-ToI
India needs to renew its pledge to renewable energy
as thermal energy cannot take the country far due to
environmental constraints, Niti Aayog vice chairman
Rajiv Kumar said.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-
business/india-needs-to-renew-pledge-to-renewable-
energy-niti-vc/articleshow/77379166.cms
India’s Solar Generation Increased by 26% in Q2
2020-Mercom India
Between April and June 2020 nearly 15.7 BU of electricity
was generated from solar-based sources, according to
data from CEA. This was a 26% increase compared to
the same period last year.
40
https://mercomindia.com/india-solar-generation-
increased/
NTPC Simhadri : Rs. 110 Cr Solar Project Bhoomi
Pujan today-Global Green News
NTPC Simhadri commences its long term endeavor
towards a sustainable future fueled by renewable energy
sources as it conducted the Bhoomi Pujan for the largest
floating solar project in Andhra Pradesh on Aug. 5.
https://www.globalgreenews.com/amp/ntpc-simhadri-rs-
110-cr-solar-project-bhoomi-pujan-today/
‘Land acquisition remains a major issue for solar
projects’- Bus. Line
Large-scale solar power projects continue to face land
acquisition challenges and other bureaucratic hurdles
even as the government is looking to attract investments
in this sector.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/land-
acquisition-remains-a-major-issue-for-solar-projects/
article32279126.ece
Clean energy: Surge in demand for residential solar
power connections-The New Ind.Exp.
Power discoms in Delhi are witnessing a “surge” in
residential rooftop solar power connections, with
more than half of over 3,700 net metering connections
installed in recent years falling under this category,
officials said.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2020/
aug/03/clean-energy-surge-in-demand-for-residential-
solar-power-connections-2178266.html
Gujarat’s Retender for 700 MW of Solar Gets Good
Response, Oversubscribed by 600 MW-Mercom India
The GUVNL’s tender for 700 MW of grid-connected solar
projects in the state’s Dholera solar park (Phase IX) has
been oversubscribed by 600 MW.
https://mercomindia.com/gujarat-retender-700-mw-solar/
China Adds 11.5 GW of Solar Capacity in the First
Half of 2020-Mercom India
According to the latest data released by the National
Energy Administration (NEA), 11.52 GW of solar capacity
was installed in China during the first half (1H) of 2020.
Large-scale solar installations accounted for 7.08 GW,
and distributed solar accounted for 4.43 GW at the end
of June.
https://mercomindia.com/china-adds-11-5-gw-solar/
5 Reasons Why Rooftop Solar Needs to Make The
Technology Jump-Saur En.
Rooftop Solar, is a whole new world, with completely
different requirements. Be it comparisons with expensive
grid power, or space constraints, its role as a primary
or supplementary energy source, or the owners own
investment into the plant, thinking short term here is a
recipe for disappointment here
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/5-
reasons-why-rooftop-solar-needs-to-make-the-technology-
jump
Renewable energy can get India’s returned rural
migrants back to work-World Eco. Forum
The COVID-19 lockdown halted economic activity in
India’s cities, and the loss of their daily livelihoods left
millions of internal migrants economically vulnerable.
One way is to leverage decentralised renewable energy
(DRE) solutions as an enabler for rural commerce.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/08/renewable-
energy-indias-rural-migrants-back-to-work/
Renewable Energy Growth Continues At A Blistering
Pace-Forbes
Renewable energy continued its blistering growth pace
in 2019, globally increasing by 12.2% over 2018. Over
the past decade, renewable energy consumption has
grown at an average annual rate of 13.7%.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2020/08/02/
renewable-energy-growth-continues-at-a-blistering-
pace/#444b667a76b6
Rajasthan solar sector shines bright amidst gloom,
adds max capacity in India-ET En.W.
Rajasthan has added maximum capacity of 1,745
megawatt solar plants in the country in 2019-20, followed
by Karnataka (1,443 MW) and Tamil Nadu (1,342 MW).
This is evident as Rajasthan continues to be the place
where the lowest tariffs in the country are getting
discovered.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/rajasthan-solar-sector-shines-bright-amidst-
gloom-adds-max-capacity-in-india/77311175
Delhi power discoms see surge in residential rooftop
solar power connections-ET En.W.
Power discoms in the national capital are witnessing a
“surge” in residential rooftop solar power connections,
with more than half of over 3,700 net metering
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
connections installed in recent years falling under this
category, officials said.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/delhi-power-discoms-see-surge-in-residential-
rooftop-solar-power-connections/77318302
Telangana to set up floating solar plants-Telangana
Today
Telangana State, which has implemented several
innovative power and water-saving initiatives in the past
six years, is all set to take another revolutionary step
setting up Floating Solar Photo Voltaic (FSPV) based
power generation units on its reservoirs.
https://telanganatoday.com/telangana-to-set-up-floating-
solar-plants
Solar’s Share in India’s installed power capacity mix
inched up to 9.9% During Q2 2020-Mercom
Renewable energy’s share (including large hydro projects)
inched up to 36.3% during the second quarter of 2020 (Q2
2020), up about 0.1% from the previous quarter, according
to the data from the Central Energy Authority (CEA), and
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
https://mercomindia.com/solar-share-in-india/
India may miss renewable energy capacity of 175 GW
target by over 50 GW: ICRA-Energy Infra Post
Even without Covid-19, India would have missed its
intended renewable energy capacity of 175 GW target by
over 50 GW, predicts industry body ICRA. The missed
execution for FY 2021 due to the pandemic is pegged at
4 GW, ICRA said.
https://www.energyinfrapost.com/india-may-miss-
renewable-energy-capacity-of-175-gw-target-by-over-50-
gw-icra/
SCCL synchronises another 30 MW solar power plant
to grid-The Hindu
SCCL synchronises another 30 MW solar power plant
at Manuguru in Bhadradara-Kothagudem district with
the grid successfully, taking its solar energy capacity
to 40 MW as part of its plans to develop 300 MW solar
generation facilities.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/sccl-
synchronises-another-30-mw-solar-power-plant-to-grid/
article32233363.ece
Execution challenges may limit renewable energy
growth at 8GW in 2020: Icra-Mint
Capacity addition in the renewable energy (RE) sector is
41
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
expected to remain subdued at about 8GW in FY21 given
the execution challenges, disruption in supply chain and
labour availability issues amid covid outbreak, according
to a report by credit ratings agency Icra.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/execution-
challenges-may-limit-renewable-energy-growth-at-8gw-
this-year-icra-11596023739242.html
The Solar Foundation: Solar Structures Need
Attention-Saur Energy
It has undoubtedly been modules, cells and inverters,
in that order. What has been missed out is in fact, as
important. Yes, we are talking about the structures that
hold it all together, or the module mounting structures
(MMS).
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-articles/the-
solar-foundation-solar-structures-need-attention
Union Power Minister dedicates 3 wind projects with
800 MW capacity to the nation-PIB
Shri Raj Kumar Singh, Honourable Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Power and New & Renewable
Energy (MNRE), Government of India, today in a virtual
ceremony, dedicated Sembcorp’s state of the art SECI 1,
2 and 3 projects to the nation.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.
aspx?PRID=1642067#.XyGHIdNW4Tc.whatsapp
Gujarat Tops with Wind Power Generation Capacity
Worth 1,468 MW in 2019-20-Energetica India
Gujarat has announced that it has added the highest
capacity for wind power generation in 2019-20. The state
had also seized a lion’s share of the new wind power
capacity installed throughout India in the last fiscal.
https://www.energetica-india.net/news/gujarat-tops-
with-wind-power-generation-capacity-worth-1468-mw-
in-2019-20
New guidelines issued on bundled solar and thermal
power-ET En.W.
Solar and thermal power can be bundled by bidders
to provide 24x7 electricity to distribution companies,
according to new official guidelines issued to scale
up renewable energy without hurting the grid with
intermittent supply.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/new-guidelines-issued-on-bundled-solar-and-
thermal-power/77211747
42
CERC orders issue of RECs to renewable developer that
was denied due to procedural delays-Mercom India
CERC has directed the NLDC to issue renewable energy
certificates (RECs) due to a renewable generator.The
certificates were not issued because of procedural delays
on the part of the Uttar Pradesh State Load Despatch
Center, the petition said.
https://mercomindia.com/cerc-orders-issue-rec/
Infertile land to be made available for solar power in
Maharashtra: Energy minister-ET En.W.
Infertile land in Maharashtra to be made available for
solar power projects, said state energy minister Nitin
Raut. “Land which belongs to state owned power
companies and private one would also be made available
for the solar power projects,” he added further.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/infertile-land-to-be-made-available-for-solar-
power-in-maharashtra-energy-minister/77142436
NTPC floats tender to acquire 1 GW solar projects, to
invest around Rs 5,000 crore-ET En.W.
In a tender or request for proposal (RFP) issued on
Friday, NTPC has invited bids from the promoters or
lenders, authorised financial intermediaries of power
generation companies, independent power producers
or developers for offering operational solar based assets
located in India..
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/ntpc-floats-tender-to-acquire-1-gw-solar-
projects-to-invest-around-rs-5000-crore/77148383
Benchmark rates for solar rooftop projects decline 20
per cent-ET En.W.
The government’s benchmark rates for solar rooftop
projects have fallen about 20 per cent, the fourth
successive year of decline. Rates have fallen by 22 per
cent for projects between 1 kW and 10 kW, currently
averaging at around Rs 42 per watt.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/benchmark-rates-for-solar-rooftop-projects-
decline-20-per-cent/77119168
AP government invites private participation to set up
ultra mega renewable energy power parks-ET En.W.
With an immense potential to produce solar and wind
power in the state, the Andhra Pradesh government has
formulated a comprehensive policy to promote private
participation in the sector.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/ap-government-invites-private-participation-
t o - s e t - u p - u l t r a - m e g a - r e n e w a b l e - e n e r g y - p o w e r-
parks/77121451
Solar power projects planned on a big scale-The Hindu
Land has been identified for setting up 4,800 MW of
solar energy-producing plants in Anantapur district and
very soon acquisition notices will be given to private
landholders at five places ahead of floating tenders for
executing the projects in Engineering, Procurement,
Construction (EPC) model.
https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-
andhrapradesh/solar-power-projects-planned-on-a-big-
scale/article32177955.ece
Government set to promote renewable power plants in
Rayalaseema-The New Ind. Exp.
Under the recently unveiled Andhra Pradesh Renewable
Energy Export Policy, 2020, the first proposal is setting
up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks
(UMREPPs) of three-five gigawatts (GWs) capacity in
Rayalaseema districts.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/
vijayawada/2020/jul/22/government-set-to-promote-
renewable-power-plants-in-rayalaseema-2173112.html
Floating solar projects in Odisha by March 2022-The
New Indian Express
The first phase of the much awaited ‘floating solar power
projects’ in the State is likely to be commissioned by
March 2022.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/
odisha/2020/jul/22/floating-solar-projects-in-odisha-by-
march-2022-2173155.html
RK Singh Confident India Will Have 450 GW RE by
2030-Saur Energy
India will have around 60% of its installed electricity
generation capacity from clean sources by 2030 reaching
450 GW RE capacity, RK Singh has said.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/rk-singh-
confident-india-will-have-450-gw-re-by-2030
Renewables now EU’s biggest source of electricity:
study-ET En.W.
Renewable energy sources such as the wind and the
sun overtook fossil fuels as the European Union ‘s main
generators of electricity in the first half of this year,
according to a new report published.
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/renewables-now-eus-biggest-source-of-
electricity-study/77104615
Clean energy capacity: India to have 60% renewable
energy by 2030, says Power Minister- ET
India will have around 60 per cent of its installed electricity
generation capacity from clean sources by 2030, Power
and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh said
on Tuesday. The minister also exuded confidence that
the renewable energy capacity would touch 510 GW by
2030, including 60 GW of hydro power.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industr y/
energy/power/clean-energy-capacit y-india-to-have-
60-renewable-energy-by-2030-says-power-minister/
articleshow/77092644.cms?from=mdr
BHEL Tenders for Insurance of two Floating Solar
Plants-Saur Energy
In April, the firm had tendered for the BOS works
Package-2 for the 100 MW AC floating solar PV grid-
connected power plant excluding the installation of
floating SPV module array with SCB, ESE LA’s and
associated earthing for NTPC at the Ramagundam Th.
Power plant, Telangana.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/bhel-
tenders-for-insurance-of-two-floating-solar-plants
Ayala’s AC Energy to Build 100 MW Solar Plant in
India-Saur Energy
Ayala Corporation’s subsidiary AC Energy is making its
first major investment in India by developing the 100
MW ac Sitara solar plant through its joint venture with
UPC Renewables China Holdings in Rajasthan, India.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/ayalas-
ac-energy-to-build-100-mw-solar-plant-in-india
Solar cos see potential to scale up; want Govt to tweak
safeguard norms- Bus. Line
The cost of solar power has come down to 2.30 per unit
discovered during recent bids, making it actually cheaper
than other sources of energy and with the potential to
supply at the same tariff for a minimum of 25 years from
the time of implementation.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/
solar-cos-see-potential-to-scale-up-want-govt-to-tweak-
safeguard-norms/article32145478.ece
43
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Most States can recover cost of free solar pumps in
less than 4 years- Bus. Line
Most States will take less than four years to completely
recover the initial investment for giving free solar pumps
to farmers. These pumps will be disbursed under the
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evm Utthan
Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme. It includes the solar
plant cost at 3.5 Cr./MW and feeder separation cost at
0.5 Cr./MW.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/most-
states-can-recover-cost-of-free-solar-pumps-in-less-than-
4-years/article32142219.ece
NHPC, GEDCOL ink pact to develop floating solar
power projects in Odisha-Outlook
State-run hydro giant NHPC on Monday said it has inked
a MoU with Green Energy Development Corporation of
Odisha Limited (GEDCOL) to form a joint venture for
developing floating solar energy projects in the state
with initial capacity of 500 MW.
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/nhpc-gedcol-
ink-pact-to-develop-floating-solar-power-projects-in-
odisha/1899124
Raj set to get 1,070 mw solar power to hike green
footprint-ToI
Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a
tender for the state government for grid-connected solar
photovoltaic (PV) power projects to be set up in the state.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/raj-set-
to-get-1070-mw-solar-power-to-hike-green-footprint/
articleshow/77074944.cms
Chhattisgarh: With solar power, it’s finally a dawn in
remote villages of Narayanpur-ToI
After years of darkness, it’s finally a dawn in remote
villages of Narayanpur as the district administration has
started to set up solar panels for electrification.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit y/raipur/
chhattisgarh-with-solar-power-its-finally-a-dawn-in-
remote-villages-of-narayanpur/articleshow/77017061.cms
DGTR for continued imposition of safeguard duty on
solar cells-Outlook India
The commerce ministry’’s investigation arm DGTR has
recommended imposition of safeguard duty on solar cells
for one more year to protect domestic manufacturers and
discourage cheap imports.
44
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/dgtr-for-
continued-imposition-of-safeguard-dut y-on-solar-
cells/1898521
NTPC’s 1.2 GW Solar tender receives strong response,
oversubscribed by 500 MW-Mercom India
NTPC Limited’s tender for setting up 1.2 GW of Interstate
Transmission System (ISTS) connected solar projects
has been met with an enthusiastic response from the
developers. The tender has been oversubscribed by 500
MW.
https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-solar-tender-response-
oversubscribed/
A.P Govt. move to encourage solar, wind energy
projects-The Hindu
The government has notified the Andhra Pradesh
Renewable Energy Export Policy-2020 through G.O. MS
No. 20 issued by Secretary (Energy) N. Srikant on Friday.
It was stated that the policy was applicable to solar, wind
and solar-wind hybrid projects, including equipment
manufacturing.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-
pradesh/govt-move-to-encourage-solar-wind-energy-
projects/article32118791.ece
Gujarat retenders 100 MW from its 700 MW tender for
Raghanesda solar park-Mercom India
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has
retendered the remaining capacity (100 MW) from its
earlier tender for purchasing power from grid-connected
solar projects in the state’s Raghanesda Solar Park.
https://mercomindia.com/gujarat-retenders-100-mw/
NTPC Floats Tender for 1.1 MW of Solar Projects in
Karnataka-Mercom India
The last date for the submission of bids is September 29,
2020 NTPC Limited has issued a notice inviting tender
for the development of a 1.1 MW grid-connected solar
project at North Kanakapura in the state of Karnataka.
https://mercomindia.com/ntpc-tender-solar-projects-
karnataka/
Using local solar gear will raise tariffs by only 2-5
paise: Energy minister RK Singh-ET
The minister also said that development of renewable
energy along with storage capacity will help reduce
import of fossil fuels. solar equipment will raise per-unit
price of power by only 2-5 paise, which will not deter
buyers, power and renewable energy minister RK Singh
said.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/using-local-solar-gear-will-raise-tariffs-by-only-2-
5-paise-energy-minister-rk-singh/articleshow/77008112.
cms
MNRE to examine bid for powering city transport from
renewable sources: R K Singh-ET En.W.
The minister of new and renewable energy R K Singh on
Thursday said he has asked the ministry to examine an
innovative bid which would involve generating renewable
energy to make hydrogen fuel and for charging batteries
to power the transport of an entire city.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/mnre-to-examine-bid-for-powering-cit y-
transport-from-renewable-sources-r-k-singh/77001531
ANERT Floats a DCR Tender for 6 MW of Solar
Projects in Kerala-Mercom India
The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research
and Technology (ANERT) has issued a request for
selection (RfS) for 6 MW of grid-connected ground-
mounted solar systems in Palakkad, Kerala, along with
power evacuation facilities for the 110 kV substation at
Kozhinjampara.
https://mercomindia.com/anert-floats-dcr-tender-solar-
kerala/
Rooftop Solar in Delhi Breaks Free of Height
Constraints-Saur Energy
The two metre height regulation in Delhi, which was
seen as a constraint by many owners, owing to the
impact it would have on other uses for rooftops, has
been removed. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation
has relaxed norms governing the height of the panels,
making it easier for many to consider solar rooftop again.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/rooftop-
solar-in-delhi-breaks-free-of-height-constraints
SECI to Conduct Virtual Pre-Bid Meeting for 15 MW
Floating Solar Tender-Saur Energy
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued
in a notice that the pre-bid meeting for its tender for
setting up of 15 MW grid-connected floating solar PV
power plant at Nangal Pond, Himachal Pradesh will be
conducted online.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/seci-
virtual-pre-bid-meeting-15-mw-floating-solar-tender
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
NHPC issues Letter of Award for 400 MW of ISTS-
connected solar projects-Mercom India
NHPC Limited announced that it had issued a letter
of award (LoA) for 400 MW of interstate transmission
system (ISTS) connected solar projects.
https://mercomindia.com/nhpc-issues-letter-of-award/
Maharashtra: State to get more clean energy through
mega solar power projects-Ind. Exp.
THE STATE will implement mega solar power projects,
worth 602 MW, aimed at supplying clean and renewable
energy towards the protection of the environment, said
state Energy Minister Nitin Raut.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/maharashtra-
state-to-get-more-clean-energy-through-mega-solar-
power-projects-6507665/
Long Lasting Solar Storage Possible With Solar Flow
Battery-Saur Energy
While solar flow batteries are years away from
commercialization, they offer the potential to provide
reliable electricity generation and storage for lighting,
cell phones or other fundamental uses for homes in
remote areas.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/long-
lasting-solar-storage-possible-with-solar-flow-battery
The great games at play in wind and solar-Mint
In April, a week into the national lockdown—when
factories and offices had shut, shops had closed and
India’s 1.2 billion people stayed indoors—the country’s
electricity demand crashed by 22%. Power generators
scrambled to scale down operations and state-owned
electricity utilities turned down expensive purchases.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/the-great-
games-at-play-in-wind-and-solar-11594735981374.
html
Floating solar power plants making waves across
Asia-Pacific-Energy Live News
Floating solar power plants are expected to generate
around 900% more electricity across the Asia-Pacific
region.That’s according to a new report from the Institute
for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA),
which suggests countries in Asia leads European nations
in deploying floating solar farms.
https://www.energylivenews.com/2020/07/13/floating-
solar-power-plants-making-waves-across-asia-pacific/
45
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Corporate funding in solar sector falls 76 per cent in
H1 2020 to USD 462 mn: Report-ET En.W.
As per the report by Mercom Capital Group, a global
clean energy communications and consulting firm, total
worldwide corporate funding in the solar sector during
January-June 2020 stood at USD 4.5 billion, down 25 per
cent from USD 6 billion in the corresponding period of
the previous year.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/corporate-funding-in-solar-sector-falls-76-per-
cent-in-h1-2020-to-usd-462-mn-report/76931217
Firms line up to create roadmap for India’s global solar
grid plans-Mint
French government-owned power utility Électricité de
France SA (EDF) and consulting firms McKinsey & Co.,
Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Kearney, Deloitte and
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) are among entities that
have shown interest in creating the roadmap for a global
solar grid planned by India, two people aware of the
development said.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/firms-line-
up-to-create-roadmap-for-india-s-global-solar-grid-
plans-11594599251963.html
NLC India Commissions 20 MW Solar Project with
Battery Energy Storage in Andaman-Mercom India
The Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India Limited
has announced that the electricity department of
Andaman and Nicobar administration has confirmed
the commissioning of a 20 MW solar power project
integrated with 8 MWh battery energy storage system
(BESS).
https://mercomindia.com/nlc-india-commissions-solar-
storage-andaman/
SCCL mulls 500 MW floating solar power plants in
Telangana-Outlook
The proposed plants would be set up along with the
Telangana State Renewable Energy Development
Corporation, an official release from the state-owned
coal miner SCCL said on Monday. The state renewable
energy corporation has taken up the feasibility study
for erecting floating solar power plants on large water
bodies and the department officials gave a power-point
presentation to SCCL CMDN.
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/sccl-mulls-500-
mw-floating-solar-power-plants-in-telangana/1894598
46
Tamil Nadu to sell renewable energy to western states-ToI
While TN can encash its renewable power generation
capacity, the western states can comply with their
RPO. Since the project was announced, there have
been protests against installation of the line through
agricultural fields, especially in western districts.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit y/chennai/
tamil-nadu-to-sell-renewable-energy-to-western-states/
articleshow/76948529.cms
Height norms eased, installing rooftop solar panels
made simpler-ET En.W.
If you wish to install rooftop solar panels but are reluctant
to do so to save terrace space for other activities, there is
a change in norms that may prove to be helpful. Senior
municipal officials say that the building regulations have
been eased for encouraging solar power adoption in the
city of New Delhi.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/height-norms-eased-installing-rooftop-solar-
panels-made-simpler/76951069
Renewable sector reports 72% drop in new capacity
addition in Q1-Bus. Line
The renewable energy sector in the country reported a
72 per cent drop in new capacity addition during the first
quarter of this fiscal when compared with the year-ago
period, on the back of Covid-19 disruption in the supply
chain and other challenges faced by the sector.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/
renewable-sector-reports-72-drop-in-new-capacit y-
addition-in-q1/article32074114.ece
SCCL mulls 500 MW floating solar power plants in
Telangana-ET En.W.
Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is planning
to set up floating solar power plants with combined
capacity of 500 mw on water bodies in Telangana.
The proposed plants would be set up along with the
Telangana State Renewable Energy Development
Corporation, an official release from the state-owned coal
miner SCCL said on Monday.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/sccl-mulls-500-mw-floating-solar-power-
plants-in-telangana/76951121
Global investment in new renewables rose 5 per cent
in H12020, despite COVID-19: BNEF-ET En.W.
The global investment in new renewable energy
capacity, excluding large hydropower dams, stood at
132.4 billion in the first half H1 of 2020, up 5 per cent
from a revised 125.8 billion in the same period last year
despite COVID-19, according to a recent.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/global-investment-in-new-renewables-rose-5-
per-cent-in-h12020-despite-covid-19-bnef/76943481
2.  Environment / Safety
TERI, FTI Consulting partner on hydrogen roadmap
research-P V Magazine
The Energy and Resources Institute TERI and US-based
FTI Consulting have partnered on policy and economic
research to develop a hydrogen-based economy in
India, fuel-cell manufacturing and policy ecosystem,
carbon capture systems, and new and emerging areas in
renewable energy.
https://www.pv-magazine-india.com/2020/08/11/teri-fti-
consulting-partner-on-hydrogen-roadmap-research/
ExxonMobil and Global Clean Energy Holdings Sign
Agreement for Renewable Diesel-Yahoo News India
Renewable diesel can significantly reduce life-cycle
greenhouse gas emissions Exxon Mobile has signed
an agreement with Global Clean Energy Holdings to
purchase 2.5 million barrels of renewable diesel per year
for five years from a converted California refinery starting
in 2022.
https://in.news.yahoo.com/exxonmobil-global-clean-
energy-holdings-151500617.html
Pine needles to generate power in 2 blocks of each hill
dist: CM-ToI
In a bid to give a boost to alternative sources of energy,
Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on
Monday directed the authorities to identify two blocks
in each hill district and develop them as model blocks
for power generation. Only those blocks, which have a
high quantity of pine needles would be selected, to help
generate power through them, the CM said.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/pine-
needles-to-generate-power-in-2-blocks-of-each-hill-dist-
cm/articleshow/77469996.cms
‘Using renewable energy for cooking needs will take
more time’-The Hindu Bus. Line
Speaking at a webinar on World Biofuel Day, Tarun
Kapoor, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Gas, said, “In cooking and industrial use, the prime need
is for heating and therefore electricity may take sometime
before it can take over.”
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/using-
renewable-energy-for-cooking-needs-will-take-more-time/
article32316118.ece
EV makers hail Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy-The Week
Electric vehicle makers on Friday termed the ‘Delhi
Electric Vehicle Policy’ as a step in the right direction
to encourage adoption of clean energy vehicles in the
capital and said it will set an example for other states to
follow.
https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/
business/2020/08/07/dcm78-biz-dl-electric-vehicle-reax.
html
Tamil Nadu to set up exclusive park for EVs, targets
Rs 50k-cr investment Poll-The Smart Investor
Tamil Nadu is planning to set up a park exclusively for
the electric vehicle production eco-system. This will be
the country’s first electric vehicle park.
https://smartinvestor.business-standard.com/market/
story-654561-storydet-Tamil_Nadu_to_set_up_exclusive_
park_for_EVs_targets_Rs_50k_cr_investment.htm
ONGC gas pipeline bursts in Assam, no damage
reported: Official-CNBC TV18
An underground gas pipeline at Assam’s Geleky oilfield
of energy major Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
ruptured on Monday, leading to leakage of gas in the
entire area, a senior company official said.
https://www.cnbctv18.com/energy/ongc-gas-pipeline-
bursts-in-assam-no-damage-reported-official-6532121.
htm
Explained: How Ghazipur landfill’s height was reduced
and if it can be permanently cleared-The Ind. Exp.
Around 15 per cent of the waste is used as Refuse Derived
Fuel (RDF) and sent to energy plants in Ghazipur for
producing electricity. Nearly 20 per cent waste is sent to
construction and demolition waste plants of EDMC for
making bricks, tiles and sand.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/ghazipr-
landfill-height-reduced-permanently-cleared-6522978/
EV charging infrastructure firm EVI Technologies,
RevFin tie up for EV financing- ET
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure firm EVI
47
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Technologies on Monday said it has partnered with
digital lending startup RevFin and electric three-wheeler
makers Saarthi and Mayuri, to provide funding for EVs
and swappable battery solutions.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/auto/auto-
news/ev-charging-infrastructure-firm-evi-technologies-
revfin-tie-up-for-ev-financing/articleshow/77194100.cms
Long-lasting toxicity for humans, animals and birds at
Baghjan oil spill region: Wildlife Institute
WII has said that the highest concentration of
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a toxic compound, in
fish samples from Maguri Motapung wetland, which is
located near the blowout site, was found to be 10-to 100-
fold higher than any concentrations reported from India
or other parts of the world.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/long-
l a s t i n g - tox i c i t y - fo r- h u m a n s - a n i m a l s - a n d - b i rd s -
at-baghjan-oilspill-region-wildlife-institute/stor y-
sY8pXpMnRz5wMPjPKeUJHJ.html
Centre gives nod for 178 EV charging stations in
Telangana-Telangana Today
Bringing in the much-needed Electric Vehicle (EV) charging
infrastructure to the State, the Union Ministry of Heavy
Industries and Public Enterprises has finally approved 178
Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations for Telangana.
https://telanganatoday.com/centre-gives-nod-178-ev-
charging-stations-in-telangana
NGT directs Indian Oil’s Panipat refinery to pay `25
crore-The Hindu
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said the Indian
Oil Corporation Limited’s Panipat refinery in Haryana has
failed to take effective and adequate steps for pollution
control and directed it to submit `25 crore for restoration
of the environment.
h tt p s : / / w w w. t h e h i n d u .co m / s c i - te c h / e n e rg y - a n d -
environment/ngt-directs-indian-oils-panipat-refinery-to-
pay-25-crore/article32196761.ece
76 mishaps in 10 years, coal ash India’s big under-
radar danger, notes study-Ind.Exp.
Besides deaths and loss of property, the accidents also
resulted in extensive pollution of nearby water resources,
air and soil, the study notes.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/76-mishaps-in-
10-years-coal-ash-indias-big-under-radar-danger-notes-
study-6523643/
48
Costly solution: Careful on flue gas desulphurisers-
Fin.Exp.
On July 14, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) advised
an NGO to approach the Central Pollution Control Board
(CPCB) for highlighting some of the technical issues
related to SO2 emission.
https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/costly-
solution-careful-on-flue-gas-desulphurisers/2035605/
GAIL and Carbon Clean Solutions sign a MoU for
Compressed Biogas projects-EPC World
With the Government of Indias support for the clean
energy transition, this partnership will play a crucial role
in furthering technological advancements in production
of CBG from organic waste, which will be critical in this
transition.
http://www.epcworld.in/p/post/gail-and-carbon-clean-
solutions-sign-a-mou-for-compressed-biogas-projects
NGT directs 3 thermal plants to pay Rs 1.5 crore-The
Tribune
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed three
thermal power plants in Punjab to pay Rs 1.5 crore as
“environmental compensation” over their failure to
scientifically dispose of fly ash.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/ngt-directs-3-
thermal-plants-to-pay-rs-1-5-crore-117092
NGO argues that new emission norms for power
plants to entail huge expense-Daiji World
The Veterans Forum for Transparency in Public Life, an
NGO, recently filed an application in the National Green
Tribunal against the Environment Ministry for notifying
emission norms for thermal power plants without
scientifically assessing their likely impacts on improving
the ambient air quality.
h t t p : / / w w w.d a i j i w o r l d .co m / n e w s / n e w s D i s p l a y.
aspx?newsID=732960
EV charging plaza to make e-mobility convenient:
EESL-ET En.W.
Union Power Minister R.K. Singh on Monday said that
EV (electric vehicle) charging plaza is a new avenue for
making e-mobility ubiquitous & convenient in India.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/ev-charging-plaza-to-make-e-mobility-convenient-
eesl/77083094
Power minister launches EESL’’s initiative for clean,
green office spaces-Outlook
Union Power Minister R K Singh on Monday launched
a joint initiative -Retrofit of Air-conditioning to improve
indoor air quality for safety and efficiency (RAISE) of
state owned EESL and USAID to ensure cleaner and
greener office spaces in the country.
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/power-
minister-launches-eesls-initiative-for-clean-green-office-
spaces/1899106
1,777sqkm forest lost to coal mining in Satpuda-Pench
corridor: Study-TOI
Even as government is going ahead with its auction of
coal blocks, latest study on land use land cover (LULC)
change in the wildlife corridor connecting the Pench
and Satpuda tiger reserves reveals a systematic loss of
10,377ha (1,037sqkm) and 7,406ha (740sqkm) of dense
forests and open forests respectively to scrub forests of
density less than 10% tree cover.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit y/
nagpur/1777sqkm-forest-lost-to-coal-mining-in-satpuda-
pench-corridor-study/articleshow/77056854.cms
Sisodia inaugurates first e-vehicle charging station in
E Delhi-Outlook
The charging stations under PlugNgo in Delhi are
expected to cater to the charging requirements of 15 to
18 cars per day, said the spokesperson of BYPL . The
tentative cost of running an e-vehicle is between Rs 1.25
to Rs 1.50 per km, depending on the make of the vehicle.
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/sisodia-
inaugurates-first-evehicle-charging-station-in-e-
delhi/1897946
In a first, Maharashtra to use drones to inspect power
lines-The Hindu
Maharashtra has become the first State in the country
to get the go-ahead to use drones for aerial surveillance
and inspection of extra high voltage (EHV) power
transmission lines and towers.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/in-a-
first-maharashtra-to-use-drones-to-inspect-power-lines/
article32126862.ece
IOC plans more compressed biogas units in Tamil
Nadu-ET En.W.
In a video conference with reporters from Puduchatram
in Namakkal district on Thursday, executive director and
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
state head of Indian Oil Corporation IOC P Jayadevan
said IOC would be responsible for the compressed
biogas and this can be consumed as a green renewable
energy for automotive and industrial applications.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-
and-gas/ioc-plans-more-compressed-biogas-units-in-
tamil-nadu/77010314
Only 1% coal power plant capacity has FGD, 72% yet
to award bids-ToI
Only 1% of the total coal-fired power plant capacity which
is required to comply with the emission standards under
the current phasing plan have installed the mandatory
flue-gas desulphurisers (FGD), an equipment to control
toxic sulphur dioxide emissions.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/only-1-
coal-power-plant-capacity-has-fgd-72-yet-to-award-bids/
articleshow/77023867.cms
All railway routes will be 100% electrified in next 3.5
yrs: Piyush Goyal-Dailyhunt
The railways is taking number of steps to net zero
carbon emission including electrification, improving
energy efficiency of locomotives amp trains and fixed
installations, green certification for installations stations,
fitting bio-toilets in coaches and switching to renewable
energy sources, the Minister said.
h t t p s : / / w e b.d a i l y h u n t . i n / n e w s / i n d i a / e n g l i s h /
deccan+herald-epaper-deccan/all+railway+routes+will+b
e+100+electrified+in+the+next+3+5+years+piyush+goyal-
newsid-n199057210
NGT asks petitioner seeking closure of R-Power’’s
Sasan UMPP to approach committee-Outlook
The National Green Tribunal Wednesday directed
a petitioner, seeking closure and cancellation of
environmental clearance to Reliance Power’’s Sasan
Ultra Mega Power Project in Madhya Pradesh’’s Singrauli
area, to approach a monitoring committee on the issue.
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/ngt-asks-
petitioner-seeking-closure-of-rpowers-sasan-umpp-to-
approach-committee/1895728
Mukesh Ambani’s RIL to build hydrogen based
transportation fuel systems-Fin.Exp.
Ambani also said that it will approach NCLT to spin off
its oil-to-chemical O2C business arm into a separate
subsidiary to facilitate the equity investment by Saudi
Aramco, which it expects to complete by early 2021.
49
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/mukesh-
ambanis-ril-to-build-hydrogen-based-transportation-fuel-
systems/2025385/
GE Power bags orders worth Rs 850 cr to set up air
quality systems-Bus.Std.
GE Power India on Wednesday said it has bagged multiple
orders worth Rs 850.69 crore (USD 112.57 million) to
implement air quality control systems technology in
India. The company will supply these air quality control
systems (AQCS) solutions to NTPC, Hindalco Industries
and UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd, a GE Power
India statement said.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/
ge-power-bags-orders-worth-rs-850-cr-to-set-up-air-
quality-systems-120071501821_1.html
Experts flag dilution of NOx emission limit for coal-
fired power stations-Down To Earth
Power stations commissioned between December 2003
and 2016 can emit 450 milligram / normal cubic metre
(mg / Nm3 ) oxides of nitrogen (NOx), up from 300
earlier, the Supreme Court said July 8, 2020. Experts
have cautioned against further relaxation.
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/pollution/experts-
flag-dilution-of-nox-emission-limit-for-coal-fired-power-
stations-72254
NGT orders notice to Karnataka Power Corporation
Ltd.-The Hindu
The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal
(NGT) has ordered serving a notice to Karnataka Power
Corporation Ltd. (KPCL) over its proposal to set up a
gas-based 350 MW combined cycle power plant near the
Puttenahalli Lake Bird Conservation Reserve.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/
ngt-orders-notice-to-karnataka-power-corporation-ltd/
article32070944.ece
3.  Energy
India’s Offshore Wind Target Unfeasible, Says GWEC
Report-Energy Infra Post
With around 7,600 km of coastline at its disposal, MNRE
set the target of 5 GW of offshore wind power by 2022 and
30 GW by 2030. India has also earmarked nearly 70 GW
of potential area for offshore wind energy development.
https://www.energyinfrapost.com/indias-offshore-wind-
target-unfeasible-says-gwec-report/
50
RLNG to fuel proposed 900-MW power plant-The New
Ind. Exp.
The Chennai Power Generation Limited (CPGL) has
proposed setting up of a 900 MW power plant that
would use eco-friendly Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas
(RLNG) for fuel in Tiruvallur district.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/
aug/13/rlng-to-fuel-proposed-900-mw-power-
plant-2182683.html
Smart metering will improve discoms’ efficiency, high
cost a hurdle: Crisil-Bus.Std.
The report also noted that smart metering could also
help meet the need for robust metering systems, given
the rising dependence on renewable energy will result
in a growing tribe of distributed generators with net
metering requirements.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/
smart-metering-will-improve-discoms-efficiency-high-
cost-a-hurdle-crisil-120081001614_1.html
A.P. govt. plans energy cells in every department-The
Hindu
State Govt. proposes to set up Energy Conservation Cells
in every department to promote Energy Conservation and
Efficiency. The ultimate objective of the Chief Minister
was to achieve cost-effective power in the State through
best practices in the power sector.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-
pradesh/ap-govt-plans-energy-cells-in-every-department/
article32330144.ece
Cabinet to okay new Consumer charter to provide
24X7 power-ET En.W.
The Government proposes to bring in regulations that
will give rights to the consumer to seek 24X7 electricity
supply in their homes and provide them compensation
for any deviation from the stated goal. Sources said that
a consumer charter has been introduced in the new tariff
policy that has been finalised by the Power Ministry
that clearly mandates role and responsibility for power
distribution companies and states the rights of consumers.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/cabinet-to-okay-new-consumer-charter-to-provide-
24x7-power/77462193
India’s coal import drops 43 per cent in July owing to
high stockpile at pitheads, plants-The New Ind. Exp.
The Centre had earlier asked power generating
companies, including NTPC, Tata Power and Reliance
Power, to reduce import of the dry fuel for blending
purposes and replace it with domestic coal. The power
sector is a key coal consumer.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2020/
aug/09/indias-coal-import-drops-43-per-cent-in-july-
owing-to-high-stockpile-at-pitheads-plants-2181165.html
Cutting power losses? Give report: Chandigarh
administration-ToI
The UT administration has directed the power department
to submit a progress report on bringing down T&D losses
after the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC)
had sought one on the study to bring them down.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/
cutting-power-losses-give-report-chandigarh-
administration/articleshow/77453967.cms
NTPC Group achieves 100 billion units power
generation mark-ET En.W.
“NTPC Group has achieved over 100 BUs of cumulative
generation in the current financial year, reinforcing the
group’’s commitment towards excellence in operation
across its plants,” it said in a statement.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/ntpc-group-achieves-100-billion-units-power-
generation-mark/77441901
BHEL begins civil works at 660-MW Sagardighi power
plant in West Bengal-CNBC TV18
BHEL is India’s largest manufacturer of power generation
equipment with an installed base of over 1, 90,000 MW of
power plant equipment globally. The Sagardighi thermal
power station is already equipped with two sets of 500
MW installed by BHEL in 2016.
https://www.cnbctv18.com/energy/bhel-begins-civil-
works-at-660-mw-sagardighi-power-plant-in-west-
bengal-6572901.htm
Khargone: India’s high efficiency leap-Powerline magazine
Indian power giant NTPC commissioned the second unit
of the vast 1,320-MW Khargone Super Thermal Power
Project in Madhya Pradesh this March, completing
its first ultrasupercritical power plant. The project’s
completion is a key step in the government’s program
to develop an advanced ultrasupercritical plant using
indigenous technology.
https://www.powermag.com/khargone-indias-high-
efficiency-leap/
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Average spot power price down 27% to Rs 2.47/unit in
July on IEX-ET
The average spot power price in day ahead market dipped
27 per cent to Rs 2.47 per unit in July as compared to the
year-ago period on the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX).
The day ahead market (DAM) traded 4,487 MU (million
units) during the the month, an IEX statement said..
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/average-spot-power-price-down-27-to-rs-2-47/unit-
in-july-on-indian-energy-exchange/articleshow/77368294.
cms
NTPC generation up 13% in July-ToI
India’s largest generation utility NTPC and its group arms
produced 13% more power in July than the preceding
month, indicating an uptick in demand on the back of
revival in economic activities. NTPC, its subsidiaries and
joint ventures produced 26.73 bu (billion units) in July
against 23.59 billion units in June, the company said.
h t t p s : / / t i m e s o f i n d i a . i n d i a t i m e s .c o m / b u s i n e s s /
india-business/ntpc-generation-up-13-in-july/
articleshow/77357218.cms
China’s new coal projects account for 90 per cent of
global total in H1-ET En.W.
China built more than half of the world’s new coal-fired
power plants this year and accounted for 90 per cent
of new planned capacity, a study showed on Monday,
with Beijing still commissioning new projects even as
capacity worldwide declines.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/coal/
chinas-new-coal-projects-account-for-90-per-cent-of-
global-total-in-h1/77324386
Gas supplies to power plant rise over 13 pc in June-
Outlook
Gas supplies to power plants in the country rose by
over 13 per cent to 36.16 million metric standard cubic
metre per day (MMSCMD) in June this year from 31.95
MMSCMD in the same month a year ago, showing
improvement in the beleaguered segment.
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/gas-supplies-
to-power-plant-rise-over-13-pc-in-june/1908297
India steps on gas as coal use for power generation
slows-ET En.W.
Indian power plants used the most gas in at least 3-1/2
years in the June quarter, as operators along the west
coast snapped up cheap liquefied natural gas (LNG)
51
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
imports that have become competitive against coal,
government data showed.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
oil-and-gas/india-steps-on-gas-as-coal-use-for-power-
generation-slows/77324064
Power consumption slump drops to 2.64% in July; may
hit normal level in Aug-Bus.Std.
The slump in power consumption has narrowed to
just 2.64 per cent in July at 113.48 billion units (BU)
indicating spurt in economic activity and raised hopes
that it would touch normal level this month.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/
power-consumption-slump-drops-to-2-64-in-july-may-hit-
normal-level-in-aug-120080100798_1.html
Energy demand in India showing signs of recovery,
says report-ET En.W.
Energy demand in June contracted by 10.9 per cent year-
on-year for the fourth consecutive month to 105.6 billion
units but is showing signs of recovery due to gradual
lifting of COVID-19 induced lockdown for certain
economic activities, according to India Ratings and
Research (Ind-Ra).
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/energy-demand-in-india-showing-signs-of-
recovery-says-report/77311277
IEX clocks 15% growth in electricity sales volumes in
June quarter-CNBC TV18
The sale of power volume grew 14.5 percent to 14,878
million units at the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX)
in June quarter as compared to 12,990 million units
in the same period last year, the official data showed.
According to the data released by the IEX on Thursday,
the average spot power price at the exchange was down
26 percent year- on-year and yielded significant savings
for distribution utilities and Industries.
https://www.cnbctv18.com/energy/iex-clocks-15-growth-
in-electricity-sales-volumes-in-june-quarter-6495501.htm
Andhra govt to set up four mega energy plants in
Rayalaseema-The New Indian Express
The officials revealed that Solar Energy Corporation
of India SECI Ltd and NTPC have informed the State
officials that they were ready to partner with Andhra
Pradesh to develop transmission system for 8,000 MW
and 5,000 MW respectively.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-
52
pradesh/2020/jul/30/state-to-set-up-four-mega-energy-
plants-in-rayalaseema-2176774.html
Energy efficiency project to cut 22 industries’ power
consumption by 43 pc-HT Synd.
According to official sources, Sustainable and
Renewable Energy Development Authority Sreda
has been implementing the maiden project of its kind
through encouraging consumers to use energy efficient
equipment and appliances.
h tt p s : / / w w w. h t s y n d i ca t i o n .co m / u n i te d - n e w s - o f -
bangladesh/article/energy-efficiency-project-to-cut-22-
industries--power-consumption-by-43-pc/44465116
UP draws up plan to cut AT&C losses to 15% by 2024-
Fin. Exp.
In line with the Centre’s reforms linked distribution
scheme, the Uttar Pradesh government has drawn up a
plan improve the financial and operational performance
of discoms..
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/up-draws-up-
plan-to-cut-atc-losses-to-15-by-2024/2036897/
Western Coalfields offers to supply coal to power
plants of Coal India’s other arms-ET
Western Coalfields has offered four million tonnes of
coal to power plants currently supplied by Coal India’s
other subsidiaries. Customers can shift their existing
sale contracts to Western Coalfields, the company said
in a notice.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-
goods/svs/metals-mining/western-coalfields-offers-to-
supply-coal-to-power-plants-of-coal-indias-other-arms/
articleshow/77202952.cms
CIL’s coal allocation to power sector under e-auction
drops 29% in Q1- Fin.Exp.
State-owned CIL’s coal allocation under special forward
e-auction for the power sector declined 28.7 per cent to
4.74 million tonnes in the first quarter of the ongoing
fiscal, official data showed.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/cils-coal-
allocation-to-power-sector-under-e-auction-drops-29-
in-q1/2036440/
In the future, solar and wind will be everywhere you
look-Mint
As we transition to a zero-carbon economy, wind and
solar power is going to get a whole lot more visible. In
time, power stations are likely to become as ubiquitous
and familiar as gas stations are today.
https://www.livemint.com/news/world/in-the-future-solar-
and-wind-will-be-everywhere-you-look-11595641498421.
html
Gas-based power generation to grow at double the
pace of demand growth: Morgan Stanley-ET En.W.
The report noted the reasons why gas-based power
generation fulfills multiple objectives -competitive gas
prices will help the government to lower coal imports and
fulfill environmental obligations and also complement
the growth of renewables.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-
and-gas/gas-based-power-generation-to-grow-at-double-
the-pace-of-demand-growth-morgan-stanley/77141128
Uttar Pradesh drafts bidding document for Slop-based
renewable power-Mercom India
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission
dismissed a petition filed by the Uttar Pradesh Power
Corporation Limited seeking to fulfill its RPO target by
procuring slop-based power.
https://mercomindia.com/uttar-pradesh-drafts-bidding-
document/
Coal India gives hard-up power producers a much-
needed breather on coal use-ET
The power plants which had signed sale agreements
with distribution companies but were unable to get
enough coal from long-term contract auctions can now
use the fuel meant for other plants of the same group,
Coal India said in a recent notice.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-
goods/svs/metals-mining/coal-india-gives-hard-up-
power-producers-a-much-needed-breather-on-coal-use/
articleshow/77150278.cms
Atomic power station in Gujarat goes critical-ToI
Despite the covid-19 crises, Indias nuclear programme
crossed an important milestone at 9.36 am on Wednesday
when the third unit of the 700 MW Kakrapar Atomic
Power Project KAPP-3 located at Gujarat attained its first
criticality.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/atomic-power-
station-in-gujarat-goes-critical/articleshow/77110458.cms
Increase in coal production helped lower power price:
Western Coalfields-Bus. Std.
Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has increased the
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
production of coal to 57.6 million tonnes in fiscal year
2019-20 and provided it cheaply to government and
private thermal power stations in Central, West and
South India.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/
increase-in-coal-production-helped-lower-power-price-
western-coalfields-120072100529_1.html
CIL’s coal supply to power sector drops over 21% to
93.5 MT in Apr-Jun quarter-ET En.W.
The supply of coal by state-owned Coal India Ltd to the
power sector fell 21.7 per cent to 93.5 million tonnes (MT)
in the first quarter of the ongoing fiscal against 119.5 MT
of dry-fuel in the April-June period of the previous fiscal,
according to a report by the Coal Ministry.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/coal/
cils-coal-supply-to-power-sector-drops-over-21-pc-to-93-5-
mt-in-apr-jun-quarter/77066369
NTPC’s 1,600 MW Lara Power Project in Chhattisgarh
fully operational- ET
State-owned power giant NTPC said its 1,600 MW Lara
super thermal power station in Chhattisgarh has been
fully operational after 800 MW Unit-2 of the project was
made fully functional. Earlier in September, the 800 MW
Unit-1 of the project was made commercially operational.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/national-thermal-power-corporations-total-
installed-capacity-
CIL introduces exclusive e-auction aimed at coal
importers-Business Today
Coal India Ltd (CIL) on Friday said it has introduced a
new category of spot e-auction for importers only and
aimed at replacing 150 million tonne of the fuel sourced
from abroad with domestic supply.
https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/
cil-introduces-exclusive-e-auction-aimed-at-coal-
importers/story/410195.html
India to create its first overseas oil stockpile in US-ToI
India is moving to store oil in the US, the first time
world in the US, the first time world’s third-largest oil
guzzler is creating an emergency reserve abroad to take
advantage of low prices and guard against possible
supply disruptions
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-
business/india-to-create-its-first-overseas-oil-stockpile-in-
us/articleshow/77025818.cms
53
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
MNRE to examine bid for powering city transport from
renewable sources: R K Singh-Energy Infra Post
The minister of new and renewable energy R K Singh on
Thursday said he has asked the ministry to examine an
innovative bid which would involve generating renewable
energy to make hydrogen fuel and for charging batteries
to power the transport of an entire city
https://www.energyinfrapost.com/mnre-to-examine-bid-for-
powering-city-transport-from-renewable-sources-r-k-singh/
Zero fossil fuel import must for Aatmanirbhar Bharat
vision: R K Singh-ET En.W.
Zero dependence on fossil fuel is required for Aatmanirbhar
Bharat, Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R
K Singh said. Singh also said that once renewable energy
and balancing power become cost-effective, thermal
electricity and fossil fuel will be a thing of past in India’s
energy mix.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/zero-fossil-fuel-import-must-for-aatmanirbhar-
bharat-vision-r-k-singh/77010171
Signs of greenshoots: India’s electricity output
recovers further in first half of July- ET
Power generation fell 3.1% in the first 15 days of July
compared with the same period last year, an analysis
of daily load despatch data from federal grid operator
POSOCO showed, compared with a 9.9% fall in June.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/signs-of-greenshoots-indias-electricity-output-
recovers-further-in-first-half-of-july/articleshow/76996535.
cms
Commercial coal auctions: Industry seeks timeline
extension amid tepid demand-Fin. Exp.
Amid low demand of coal in the current economic
environment, potential investors have requested the
Union government to delay the commercial coal auctions
by three months. In letters sent to the Union coal ministry
regarding the upcoming auction, industry players have
pointed that more time is needed for “identifying reliable
coal customer to purchase coal” and “assess the grade of
coal” for the companies to take informed decision.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/commercial-
coal-auctions-industry-seeks-
Govt allows electricity derivatives, forward contracts-
ET En.W.
Experts said power distribution companies discoms will
54
have flexibility in long-term contracts. Currently, trading
on power exchanges is restricted to11 days while long-
term contracting by discoms is done through tendering.
Once derivatives are introduced on commodity
exchanges, the discoms will be able to lower their power
procurement costs and hedge risks.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/govt-allows-electricit y-derivatives-forward-
contracts/76973278
CIL dues from state power gencos mount to Rs 22,000
crore amid tepid demand-ET
Coal India’s dues from state- owned power generation
companies have risen to Rs 22,000 crore amid muted
demand and high production, sources said on Monday.
The mining behemoth is also not in a position to regulate
supplies to the power companies as demand has
remained subdued over the last few months, they said.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/cil-dues-from-state-power-gencos-mount-to-rs-
22000-crore-amid-tepid-demand/articleshow/76938756.
cms
India faces power deficit despite low demand on
Covid-19-ToI
The Covid-19 pandemic and slowdown in demand
across sectors has not eased the country’s power supply
deficit situation which widened to 0.5 per cent in April-
June quarter of 2020, up from 0.4 per cent in the same
period last year.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-
and-gas/india-faces-power-deficit-despite-low-demand-
on-covid-19/76958778
NTPC’s Singrauli Unit 1 top-performing plant in Q1-
The Statesman
State-run electricity giant NTPC on Saturday said Unit-1
of its Singrauli power plant has emerged as the country’s
top-performing unit in the first quarter of this fiscal. The
unit has registered a plant load factor (PLF) or capacity
utilisation of 101.96 per cent in the April-June period.
https://www.thestatesman.com/business/ntpcs-singrauli-
unit-1-top-performing-plant-q1-1502907883.html
4.  Business
Acme Solar scouts for buyer to sell 1200-MW power
purchase agreements -ET
Acme Solar Holdings Ltd, leading solar power producer
in India, plans to sell its power purchase agreements
PPAs worth 1200 MW, said multiple people aware of the
development.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/acme-solar-scouts-for-buyer-to-sell-1200-mw-
power-purchase-agreements-ppas/articleshow/77511901.
cms
DISCOM Dues to Power Generators Mount to `101
Billion At the End of June-Energy Infra Post
The data released from the portal also showed that
65 DISCOMS owed power generators 1.19 trillion in
overdue payments spread across 17,118 invoices at the
end of June 2020
https://www.energyinfrapost.com/discom-dues-to-power-
generators-mount-to-%e2%82%b9101-billion-at-the-end-
of-june/
Tata power discom claims annual loss of Rs 150 Cr.
due to power theft-ET En.W.
Power discom TPDDL, supplying electricity to nearly
70 lakh consumers in north and northwest Delhi, on
Saturday claimed it has suffered a huge annual loss of
Rs 150 crore due to power theft in some pockets of its
distribution area.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/tata-power-discom-claims-annual-loss-of-rs-150-
crore-due-to-power-theft/66007313
Industrial production declines 16.6% in June-ToI
Industrial production declined by 16.6 per cent in June,
mainly due to lower output of manufacturing, mining and
power generation, as per the government data released
on Tuesday.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-
business/industrial-production-declines-16-6-in-june/
articleshow/77485895.cms
Tangedco owes Rs 18,069cr to power generators-ToI
Woes of discoms across the country have worsened as
their total outstanding to power generators increased
from Rs 95,501 crore to Rs 1.2 lakh crore between March
and June. Rajasthans power utility with Rs 33,379 crore
outstanding tops the list, followed by Tangedco with Rs
18,069 crore.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit y/chennai/
tangedco-owes-rs-18069cr-to-power-generators/
articleshow/77471722.cms
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Save your electricity bill, and save your power
company too; here’s how smart meters can help-Fin.
Exp.
While the government looks to help Indias power
distribution companies emerge from distress, smart
meters can actually prove to be a convenient solution to
the same and may help in saving up on collection and
billing losses.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/save-your-
electricity-bill-and-save-your-power-company-too-heres-
how-smart-meters-can-help/2050642/
Who benefits from Modi government’s commercial
coal auctions? Not coal mining states-Scroll
An analysis shows regardless of the number of
participants, the design of the auctions itself leaves
open the possibility of low revenues for coal-mining
states. This is because the floor benchmark for bidding
has been set considerably lower than previous auction
rounds.
https://scroll.in/article/969802/who-benefits-from-modi-
governments-commercial-coal-auctions-not-coal-mining-
states
Towards a self-reliant India: Private sector steps into
the future of coal mining-CNBCTV 18
Owing to the drastically increasing gap in demand and
supply of coal in India, the government has resolved to
end the monopoly enjoyed by Coal India over the years
and not only allow, but also incentivise the participation
of private players in the industry, to try and domestically
meet the country’s coal needs.
https://www.cnbctv18.com/economy/view-towards-a-self-
reliant-india-private-sector-steps-into-the-future-of-coal-
mining-6596691.htm
New liquidity infusion scheme: Private power
producers say ‘no’ to UP’s demand for discounts- Fin.
Exp.
Independent power producers (IPPs) such as Tata Power,
Bajaj Energy, KSK and Hindustan Power have rejected a
proposal by the Uttar Pradesh government making the
settlement of state discoms’ dues to them under the new
liquidity infusion scheme, contingent on the producers
offering tariff rebates for past supplies.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/new-liquidity-
infusion-scheme-private-power-producers-say-no-to-ups-
demand-for-discounts/2049986/
55
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Rs 68K crore of loans released under discoms liquidity
package-ET
“State-run non-banking finance firms REC Ltd and PFC
have sanctioned loans worth about Rs 68,000 crore so
far under the Rs 90,000 crore liquidity infusion package
for discoms announced in May,” a source said.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/rs-68k-crore-of-loans-released-under-discoms-
liquidity-package/articleshow/77445498.cms
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation cuts debt by 35 per
cent to Rs 13,949 crore-ET
State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
has cut its debt by more than one-third but faces an
uphill challenge to meeting planned expenditure during
current fiscal due to oil and gas prices falling below
sub-optimal levels, according to company officials and
regulatory filings.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
oil-gas/oil-and-natural-gas-corporation-cuts-debt-by-35-
per-cent-to-rs-13949-crore/articleshow/77443684.cms
Delhi: BSES offers to exchange old fans, ACs for
energy-saving ones-Ind.Exp.
The BSES discoms have launched a new energy-
saving replacement scheme catering to consumers in
South, West, East and Central Delhi. Under the scheme,
consumers can exchange old ACs and fans with newer
energy-efficient five-star rated ones with discounts up to
64% for ACs and 67% for fans.
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-
bses-offers-to-exchange-old-fans-acs-for-energy-saving-
ones-6545134/
Actis Acquires 400 MW of Solar Projects from ACME-
Mercom India
Ayana Renewable Power, backed by the U.K.-based CDC
Group, recently acquired First Solar two solar projects
with a capacity of 40 MW.
https://mercomindia.com/actis-acquires-solar-projects-
acme/
‘Will have to shut down’: SEZ-based solar
manufacturers oppose basic customs duty on import
of solar cells- Fin. Exp.
If the BCD is imposed, those in the domestic tariff area
who buy cells and modules from the SEZ units will have
to pay the duty under the 2005 SEZ Act.
https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/will-have-to-
56
shut-down-sez-based-solar-manufacturers-oppose-basic-
customs-duty-on-import-of-solar-cells/2048343/
Coal India logs 22 per cent growth in e-auction fuel
allocation in June quater-Times Now
The four categories of e-auction are spot e-auction of
raw coal, special forward e-auction for power producers,
exclusive e-auction for non-power sector and special
spot auction. Booking by non-power sector, under an
exclusive e-auction to it, witnessed a three-fold rise
during April-June 2020 over the same period in 2019.
https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/
companies/article/coal-india-logs-22-per-cent-growth-in-
e-auction-fuel-allocation-in-june-quater/633469
Retire old thermal power plants to reduce discoms’
debt: IEEFA-ET En.W.
Many thermal power stations are old and operating at
well under half their capacity, yet the states are bound
by contracts to continue to pay hefty capacity charges,
Reduce financial and operational inefficiencies across
India’s power distribution sector, which as of May had
accumulated massive overdue payment liabilities of Rs
1,16,340 crore to generation companies, by retiring old.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/retire-old-thermal-power-plants-to-reduce-discoms-
debt-ieefa/77390206
Offer rebates to get faster payments: UP to private
power plants-ET En.W.
Uttar Pradesh proposes to conduct unique online
auctions among power plants under which companies
which propose to offer higher rebates in dues will get
faster repayment. The move has come as a surprise to
the power industry as this will be the first time the power
plants will make bids to get payments for power supplied
to the state.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/offer-rebates-to-get-faster-payments-up-to-private-
power-plants/77393946
What it Takes to Ramp Up Solar Manufacturing in
India-Mercom India
A presence of large and growing cell manufacturing
capacity in India will automatically lead to investments
finding its way upstream into wafer and ingot
manufacturing in the country, explained Dhruv Sharma
CEO at Jupiter Solar Power Limited, a solar cell
manufacturing company.
https://mercomindia.com/ramp-up-solar-manufacturing-
india/
CERC gives nod for third power exchange in the
country-Bus. Line
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has
approved the application of Pranurja Solutions Ltd, a
company promoted by BSE, PTC Ltd and ICICI Bank,
to set up a power exchange, which will be the country’s
third after IEX and PXIL.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/cesc-
gives-nod-for-third-power-exchange-in-the-count y/
article32267083.ece
Lower industrial consumption arrests power demand
revival in July-Fin. Exp.
Power demand in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh
and Tamil Nadu – where industrial and commercial
consumers comprise more than 40% of electricity users
– was lower by 14%, 9%, 11% and 15%, respectively in
July, year-on-year. Electricity consumption in these states
were even lower than June levels, signaling that the re-
imposition of lockdown curbs in key industrial areas
might have put the brakes on an incipient revival process
in many industries, including the manufacturing sector.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industr y/lower-
industrial-consumption-arrests-power-demand-revival-in-
july/2044753/
Japan utilities expect slow power demand recovery,
cautious on outlook-ET En.W.
Japanese utilities expect a slow recovery in electric
power demand toward March after a 5% drop in the
April-June quarter though some are less confident that
the worst is over.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/japan-utilities-expect-slow-power-demand-
recovery-cautious-on-outlook/77332989
Oil falls on supply glut fears as OPEC+ set to boost
output-Mint
Russia’s oil output in July was unchanged from June
levels, the nation’s Energy Ministry said. OPEC+, a
grouping of OPEC and allies including Russia, is set to
step up output in August, adding about 1.5 million bpd
to global supply.
h t t p s : / / w w w. l i v e m i n t .co m / m a r ke t / co m m o d i t i e s /
oil-falls-on-supply-glut-fears-as-opec-set-to-boost-
output-11596425775151.html
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
CIL sees 17% jump in composite opencast output in
July, hopes further rise-Bus. Std.
State-owned Coal India Ltd (CIL) on Monday said it has
clocked a 17 per cent growth in composite opencast
production in July over the same month a year ago.
https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/
cil-sees-17-jump-in-composite-opencast-output-in-july-
hopes-further-rise-120080301017_1.html
Bengal takes Rs 1,022-cr transition loan from Centre to
help DISCOMS-Bus. Std.
The loan is part of the central government’s Rs
90,000-crore’Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ package to
assist stressed distribution companies .
https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-
policy/bengal-takes-rs-1-022-cr-transition-loan-from-
centre-to-help-power-discoms-120080200576_1.html
Pending electric bills stalling power projects, says
UPCL-ToI
The power-related development projects in Uttarakhand
have run into a wall as the UPCL is claiming to be
struggling with finances due to long-pending electricity
bill payments of government agencies and commercial
establishments.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit y/dehradun/
pending-electric-bills-stalling-power-projects-says-upcl/
articleshow/77320302.cms
India reserves 110 power plant equipment , services
for local companies - ET
India will bar non-local suppliers in bidding for contracts
for the supply of about 110 goods and services to power
plants. The non-local suppliers are manufacturers with
less than 20% of local content. These tenders, in respect
of which there is sufficient local capacity, will be open to
only “class–I local suppliers” or those vendors who have
more than 50% local content.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/india-reserves-110-power-plant-equipment-
services-for-local-companies/77268483
Power to cost more as GUVNL hikes fuel surcharge-
ToI
GUVNL directed its four power distribution companies
(discoms) to levy a fuel surcharge of Rs 2 per unit from
all categories of consumers, except agricultural, for the
July-September quarter as against Rs 1.9 per unit in
April-June.
57
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/
power-to-cost-more-as-guvnl-hikes-fuel-surcharge/
articleshow/77293657.cms
Solar-like duty structure for wind sector to check
Chinese imports-Web India 123
Following curbs on import concessions in the solar
energy sector, the government may levy higher taxes on
wind turbine components and generators to encourage
use of local equipment and give a boost to domestic
manufacturing.
h t t p s : / / n e w s .w e b i n d i a 1 2 3 .c o m / n e w s / A r t i c l e s /
Business/20200731/3601924.html
Continuation of safeguard duties on imports from
China for third consecutive year creates confusion-ET
The government’s decision to continue the imposition of
safeguard duties for a third consecutive year on imports
from China has been met with confusion from the
industry, while experts have said that it might not have
much of an effect in the short-term.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/
policy/continuation-of-safeguard-duties-on-imports-
from-china-for-third-consecutive-year-creates-confusion/
articleshow/77291905.cms
Jharkhand to get Rs 18,889 cr from coal mined by CIL
in next 4 yrs: Govt-Millen. Post
Jharkhand is likely to get revenues of around Rs 18,889
crore from the 742 million tonnes of coal expected to be
mined out by CIL in the state over the next four years,
Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday. The state
earned almost Rs 4,000 crore every year during the last
four years, that is around Rs 16,000 crore, he added.
http://www.millenniumpost.in/business/jharkhand-to-
get-rs-18889-cr-from-coal-mined-by-cil-in-next-4-yrs-
govt-414207
CCI clears Adani Power’s 49% stake buy in Odisha
Power Generation Corp-Fin. Exp.
In a tweet, the Competition Commission of India CCI
said it has approved “ proposed acquisition of 49 per
cent of the total equity share capital of Odisha Power
Generation Corporation Ltd OPGC by Adani Power Ltd
APL”.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/cci-clears-
adani-powers-49-stake-buy-in-odisha-power-generation-
corp/2040121/
58
How safeguard duty on solar imports from China
benefited domestic suppliers but hit India-Fin.Exp.
The safeguard duty on solar imports from China and
Malaysia has produced mixed results – on one hand,
market share of a handful of Indian solar module
suppliers has more than doubled to 30% in the two years
to FY20 and on the other hand, the pace of solar power
capacity addition in India has declined.
https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/how-
safeguard-duty-on-solar-imports-from-china-benefited-
domestic-suppliers-and-india/2040200/
India imposes safeguard duty on solar cells for one
more year till July 2021-Bloom. Quint
India has imposed for one more year of safeguard duty
on solar cells to protect local manufacturers and push
against Chinese imports..
https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/india-
imposes-safeguard-duty-on-solar-cells-for-one-more-year-
till-july-2021
MNRE Allows System Integrators to Bid for
Component C of KUSUM Solar Pump Program-
Mercom India
Under Component C of the KUSUM program, the
government aims to solarize one million grid-connected
agriculture pumps of individual capacity up to 7.5 HP by
2022.Now, system integrators have also been allowed to
take part in the bidding process.
https://mercomindia.com/mnre-bid-component-c-kusum-
solar-pump/
SJVN Seeks Solar and Hydropower Projects for
Acquisition-Mercom India
SJVN Limited has issued a notice inviting expressions
of interest (EoI) from interested parties to offer their solar
and hydropower projects for acquisition by SJVN.
https://mercomindia.com/sjvn-solar-hydro-projects-
acquisition/
Tata Power on track to reduce debt, divest assets: N
Chandrasekaran- ET
The Tata Power Company is working on a range of
initiatives that will cut debt in half, and reduce losses at
Mundra power plant, chairman N Chandrasekaran told
shareholders at the annual general meet on Thursday.
Tata will also sell non-core and coal assets overseas.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/tata-power-on-track-to-reduce-debt-divest-assets-
n-chandrasekaran/articleshow/77263698.cms
Guidelines issued for MNRE’s Program for Off-Grid
solar projects under RESCO model-Mercom India
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
has issued guidelines for off-grid solar power projects
under the renewable energy service company (RESCO)
model. The ministry had issued the draft guidelines for
the implementation of this order earlier in May.
https://mercomindia.com/guidelines-mnre-off-grid-solar-
resco-model/
Renewable energy certificate sales down 50% to 3.49
lakh in June-News Alert
Sales of renewable energy certificates dipped 50 per
cent to 3.49 lakh units in June compared to 6.98 lakh in
the same month a year ago, according to official data.
Renewable energy certificate (REC) is a type of market-
based instrument.
http://newsalert.xyz/News/25320576/renewable-energy-
certificate-sales-down-50-to-3-49-lakh-in-june
Vikram Solar to set up 3 GW solar module production
line in TN-Domain B
Encouraged by the Indian government’s new approach
in localisation of solar cell production and Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to the industry to push
for self-reliance, local solar module maker Vikram Solar
has announced plans for a new solar cell and module
manufacturing facility.
https://www.domain-b.com/industry/power/20200727_
solar_module.html
NTPC and Powergrid offer rebate on fixed charges to
discoms-Indian Infra.
NTPC Limited has decided to give a discount of Rs 13.63
billion to discoms on fixed or capacity charges during
the lockdown period.
https://indianinfrastructure.com/2020/07/28/ntpc-and-
powergrid-offer-rebate-on-fixed-charges-to-discoms/
Rs. 6,000 crore released to clear debts of discoms-The
Hindu
In partial payment of `12,000 crore loan assured to the two
power distribution companies (Discoms) of Telangana
to clear off their outstanding dues to various power
generators, the State-owned Power Finance Corporation
(PFC) and the Rural Electrification Corporation have
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
released `6,000 crore and deposited the amount to the
accounts of the generators.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/
telangana/6000-crore-released-to-clear-debts-of-discoms/
article32195036.ece
CERC announces levelized tariffs for renewable energy
sources for FY 2020-21-Mercom India
The Commission had issued another order last month,
which provided the terms and conditions for determining
tariffs for renewable energy projects.
https://mercomindia.com/cerc-announces-levelized-tariffs/
Andhra Pradesh amends 10 GW agricultural solar
program to mitigate cash flow issues-Mercom India
The Government of Andhra Pradesh ( GoAP ) has issued
amendments to its order for setting up 10 GW of solar
projects in the state to provide farmers nine hours of free
power a day.
https://mercomindia.com/andhra-pradesh-amends-
agricultural-solar/
Soon, even bilateral power purchases will be routed
through exchanges- Bus. Line
Soon all power transactions — including bilateral
purchase and sale of power through long-term power
purchase agreements — will be routed through the
power exchanges. This ‘Market-based energy dispatch
of Electricity’, or ‘MBED’, is expected to deepen the
power markets, bring in better price discovery.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/
soon-even-bilateral-power-purchases-will-be-routed-
through-exchanges/article32185851.ece
Solar Surge Is Making Coal Plants Unprofitable in Top
Exporter-Bloomberg Quint
Even the world’s top coal exporter is struggling to make
money from burning the fuel. Australia’s coal power
plants, which make up more than half of the nation’s
generation mix, are facing increased pressure as rooftop
solar hollows out daytime demand.
https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/solar-surge-is-
making-coal-plants-unprofitable-in-top-exporter
Power demand to decline 8% in FY21, discoms’
revenue to fall 13.1%, says report- CNBC TV 18
Power demand is expected to decline by around 8 per
cent in current fiscal due to the steep fall in demand
from commercial and industrial segments on the back
59
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
of COVID-19 pandemic-induced nationwide lockdown,
Emkay Global Financial Services said in a report.
https://www.cnbctv18.com/energy/power-demand-to-
decline-8-in-fy21-discoms-revenue-to-fall-131-says-
report-6425471.htm
CIL gains over Rs 3,125 cr from improved quality,
supply beyond annual contracted quantity-ET En.W.
For enhanced transparency on coal quality front, CIL has
a well-established third party sampling system covering
all its customers and it had appointed well reputed
agencies like CIMFR as independent consultant to test
coal quality for power sector and QCI for non-power
sector.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/coal/
cil-gains-over-rs-3125-cr-from-improved-quality-supply-
beyond-annual-contracted-quantity/77115151
Customs duty on imported battery will come, says RK
Singh- Bus. Line
Union Power Minister RK Singh on Tuesday said that
“after some time” the government will bring in tariff
barriers to protect domestic battery manufacturers.
https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/
customs-duty-on-imported-battery-will-come-says-rk-
singh/article32152675.ece
No power disconnection till CESC issues new due date
for June bill: Minister-Mint
West Bengal Power minister Sovandeb Chattopadhay
said there will be no disconnection of power supply till
private power utility CESC issues a due date for payment
of a new bill based on June usage.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/no-power-
disconnection-till-cesc-issues-new-due-date-for-june-bill-
minister-11595243753451.html
Indian power regulator proposes uniform price
discovery thro’ pooling of bids-ET
CERC on Saturday issued elaborate draft power market
regulations 2020, which provide for a new concept called
Market Coupling’, meaning a process of collecting bids
from all the power exchanges and matching them to
discover a uniform market clearing price.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/indian-power-regulator-proposes-uniform-price-
discovery-through-pooling-of-bids/articleshow/77056461.
cms
60
Higher tariff revocation to reduce power rate: Gujarat
government-ToI
The Gujarat government’s move to cancel its December
2018 Government Resolution, which allowed higher
tariffs to Adani Power ,Tata Power and Essar Power
and issuance of new guidelines will reduce power tariff
for supplemental power purchase agreement currently
under implementation, the state government claimed.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/
higher-tariff-revocation-to-reduce-power-rate-gujarat-
government/articleshow/77057299.cms
Clean energy can support economic recovery in
downturn: Niti Aayog -ToI
Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Friday said clean
energy has potential to shore up the Indian economy
from the current downturn, urging investors to exploit
long-term opportunities in the sector.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/news/clean-
energy-can-support-economic-recovery-in-downturn-niti-
aayog-ceo/articleshow/77036565.cms
CESC offers instalment scheme-ToI
Inundated with consumer complaints over astronomical
electricity bills for June, CESC has decided to offer an
installment scheme to pay over three months. While the
first tranche will have to be paid within the due date,
which has been extended by 10 days, the rest have to be
paid alongside the payments for July and August.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/cesc-
offers-instalment-scheme/articleshow/77008232.cms
Tata Power’s Mundra plant in final talks to ink
supplemental PPA with Gujarat-ET En.W.
Tata Power arm CGPL, which runs Mundra plant, is in
advance stage of discussion with Gujarat’s utility GUVNL
to ink a supplemental power purchase agreement (PPA)
to facilitate suitable increase in power tariff, an industry
source said.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/tata-powers-mundra-plant-in-final-talks-to-ink-
supplemental-ppa-with-gujarat/77010250
Discom loan package: A boon for power sector?-Fin.Exp.
The Rs 90,000 crore loan package announced by the
Centre for discoms is being seen as a boon for a major
element of the power sector: generation companies or
gencos. Improvement in their cash-flows will help their
credit rating, and enable fresh funding.
https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/discom-loan-
package-a-boon-for-power-sector/2026595/
Power bill calculation fair, says Madras HC, rejects
PIL- ToI
Giving a quietus to the raging charges of amplified power
consumption charges by Tangedco for households for
the lockdown months, the Madras high court has held
that the billing had an element of fairness.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cit y/chennai/
power-bill-calculation-fair-says-madras-hc-rejects-pil/
articleshow/76989984.cms
Maharashtra: August power tariff to be lower by 20
paise/unit-ET En.W.
The variable power generation cost of Mahagenco in
July has gone down by 9.32 per cent, which will reduce
power tariff by over 20 paise per unit.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/coal/
maharashtra-august-power-tariff-to-be-lower-by-20-paise/
unit/76990449
Atmanirbhar Bharat: Govt focuses on local
manufacturing of solar equipments; firms plan to scale
up capacities-Fin. Exp.
As the government trains its focus on local
manufacturing of solar power equipment as part of its
strategy to make an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, Indian solar
equipment manufacturers are toeing the line and scaling
up capacities. Some of the firms that FE spoke to have
revealed plans to add over 4-5 giga watts (GW) of new
capacities each over the next 2-3 years.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/atmanirbhar-
bharat-indian-solar-unit s-firm-up-big-capex-
plans/2022876/
Renewable Energy Association asks MNRE to inspect
solar modules online amid COVID-19-Mercom India
The Renewable Energy Association of Rajasthan REAR
has written to the Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy MNRE, asking for it to start conducting online
pre-dispatch inspections PDI of the domestic content
requirement DCR certified solar modules.
https://mercomindia.com/renewable-association-mnre-
inspect-solar-modules/
Valid Energy Purchase Agreement crucial to Grid
Safety: Maharashtra Commission-Mercom India
The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission
(MERC) has dismissed a petition by a wind developer
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
seeking the reconnection of disconnected wind projects
and relief for power supplied without a valid energy
purchase agreement (EPA).
https://mercomindia.com/valid-energy-purchase-agreement/
Karnataka Regulator reduces tariff for a delayed solar
project of Adani Green-Mercom India
The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission
has issued an order denying Adani Green Energy (UP)
Limited’s requests for relief under the ‘Force Majeure’
clause of its power purchase agreement with the
Chamundeswari Electricity Supply Company Limited.
https://mercomindia.com/karnataka-regulator-reduces-
tariff/
Maharashtra: Mahagenco reduces electricity
generation cost by 9.32 pc for July-ET En.W.
State-owned Maharashtra State Power Generation
Company (Mahagenco) has said it has managed to
reduce its electricity generation cost by around 9.32 per
cent this month by adopting merit order dispatch (MOD)
method to source coal.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/maharashtra-mahagenco-reduces-electricit y-
generation-cost-by-9-32-pc-for-july/76970207
As discom losses continue to spiral, power secretary
bats for better governance- ET
Revenue deficit of state power distribution companies
has risen to the worst in nearly a decade, while other
financial indicators are also bleak. The pandemic will
only lead to a further loss. Power secretary Sanjiv Sahai
said discoms need to be governed properly.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industr y/
energy/power/as-discom-losses-continue-to-
spiral-power-secretar y-bats-for-better-governance/
articleshow/76948462.cms
National Grid starts construction on UK-Denmark
electricity link-ET En.W.
Britain’s National Grid said on Monday it had started
construction on Viking Link, an electricity interconnector
between Britain and Denmark. Viking Link is a joint
venture between National Grid Ventures, part of National
Grid, and the Danish electricity system owner and
operator, Energinet.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/national-grid-starts-construction-on-uk-denmark-
electricity-link/76939090
61
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
5.  Other Corporate News
Labour Bill: Centre still wary of hire-and-fire clause –
Key proposals-FE
According to sources, the relevant bill, introduced in the
Lok Sabha in November last year, has since been vetted
by the standing committee on labour, but the government
will likely retain most of the industry-friendly provisions
https://www.financialexpress.com/industr y/labour-
bill-centre-still-war y-of-hire-and-fire-clause-ke y-
proposals/2053440/
23 players including Bombardier, Alstom attend
meeting on running private trains: Railways-The New
Ind.Exp.
As many as 23 firms including Bombardier, Alstom,
Siemens and GMR have shown interest in running private
trains in the country and attended a pre-application
meeting Wednesday as a first step, the Railways said.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/
aug/12/23-players-including-bombardier-alstom-attend-
meeting-on-running-private-trains-railways-2182510.html
PM Modi to launch facility to ‘honour’ honest
taxpayers on Thursday-Fin.. Exp.
The move follows a recent reiteration by the finance
minister Nirmala Sitharaman that a taxpayers’ charter
would soon be made part of the Income Tax Act,
delineating taxpayers’ rights and obligations.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/technology/
pm-modi-to-launch-facility-to-honour-honest-taxpayers-
on-thursday/2053209/
India to now encash Chinese smart electricity meter
firm PT Hexing’ bank guarantee-Mint
India’s Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) will now
encash the bank guarantee submitted by Indonesia-
based PT Hexing after cancelling the smart meter
contract for 2 million units, following concerns over its
failure to meet the local manufacturing criteria, according
to a top official at the state run firm.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/india-to-now-
encash-chinese-smart-electricity-meter-firm-pt-hexing-
bank-guarantee-11597148949409.html
Tata Projects Completes 110 km Transmission Line
Project in Thailand-Saur Energy
TATA Projects, one of India’s fastest growing
infrastructure companies has announced that it has,
62
along with its consortium partners, completed the work
on an important 110 km stretch of the 200-km Surathani-
Phuket transmission line project in Thailand.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/tata-
projects-completes-110-km-transmission-line-project-in-
thailand
Andaman & Nicobar to get the power boost as part of
Islands infra upgrade-HT
A power ministry official said the power distribution in
the islands is already being privatized under the Atma
Nirbhar Bharat initiative. The transaction advisor has
already completed discussions with the union territorys
power department and the ministry of power in Delhi
and are expected to complete the transaction documents
by September 2020.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/andaman-
nicobar-to-get-the-power-boost-as-part-of-islands-infra-
upgrade/story-yMtBOkBjGgCv7XyTtky6IJ.html
Genus Power Makes History, Supplies 1.5 Million
Smart Meters to EESL-Daily Hunt (Mobile)
Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd (Genus Power), the
country’s largest electricity metering solutions provider,
becomes the first company in Asia Pacific to achieve
the milestone of supplying 1.5M Smart Meters to EESL
(Energy Efficiency Services Ltd), bearing a testimony of
the manufacturing capability of an Indian company for
such an advance meter amid global competition.
https://m.dailyhunt.in/news/india/english/
business+wire+india-epaper-bwireind/genus+power+mak
es+history+supplies+1+5+million+smart+meters+to+eesl-
newsid-n205445114
Govt plans to lease mine land to private firms for infra
projects-ToI
The coal ministry is laying the groundwork for
leasing out unused mine land for constructing related
infrastructure or other “public purpose” projects with the
aim of monetising idle assets and attracting more private
investment in the sector.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-
business/govt-plans-to-lease-mine-land-to-private-firms-
for-infra-projects/articleshow/77474605.cms
RIL devising plan to become clean energy company in
15 yrs.: BofA Securities-Mint
Reliance Industries (RIL), India’s largest private sector
enterprise, has laid out a 15-year vision to transform
itself into a new energy company, with focus on recycling
carbon dioxide, creating value from plastic, and building
clean and affordable energy with hydrogen, wind, solar,
fuel cells and battery, said analysts.
https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/ril-devising-
plan-to-become-clean-energy-company-in-15-years-bofa-
securities-11596974265696.html
BEL sets up solar-powered classrooms in 122
Karnataka govt schools-ET Governm
State-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has set up solar-
powered smart classrooms in 122 government schools
across the backward Yadgir district in north Karnataka,
an official said on Saturday.
https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
education/bel-sets-up-solar-powered-classrooms-in-122-
karnataka-govt-schools/77443954
PM Modi launches Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: All
you need to know-ToI
These are related to food processing, Artificial
Intelligence, Internet of things, manufacturing of smart
farming equipment and renewable energy.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-
launches-agriculture-infrastructure-fund-all-you-need-to-
know/articleshow/77442451.cms
3 J&K villages connected to national electric grid after
75 years-Deccan Herald
Negotiating months of heavy snowing and the Covid-19
lockdown, the Kupwara district administration connected
three villages located along the Line of Control in Jammu
and Kashmir’s Keran area to the national electricity grid,
ending a wait since Independence.
https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-
central/3-jammu-and-kashmir-villages-connected-to-
national-electric-grid-after-75-years-871378.html
Piyush Goyal to apprise PM Modi of crucial Bilaspur-
Leh railway line progress- ET
The Bilaspur-Leh line seeks to significantly expand
access to projects as well as support movement of
troops and equipment to border areas, boosting J&K’s
connectivity with the rest of the country.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industr y/
transportation/railways/piyush-goyal-to-apprise-pm-
modi-of-crucial-bilaspur-leh-railway-line-progress/
articleshow/77421536.cms
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Power sector engineers to observe ‘protest day’ on Aug
18-ET En.W.
The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) on
Friday said that electricity engineers will observe protest
day on August 18 to oppose Electricity Amendment Bill,
2020 and proposed discom privatisation
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/power-sector-engineers-to-observe-protest-day-on-
aug-18/77409542
Barring Vedanta from bidding: Supreme Court issues
contempt notice to Nalco - Fin. Exp.
The Supreme Court on Friday issued contempt notice
to the top brass of National Aluminium Company
(Nalco), including its executive director (Marketing) R N
Mohapatra and CMD Tapan Kumar Chand, on a petition
by Vedanta alleging “willful disobedience” of its January
judgment that allowed its UK-based arm to participate
in the state-run aluminium producer’s tender for the sale
of surplus 30,000 MT of metallurgical-grade calcined
alumina.
https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/barring-
vedanta-from-bidding-supreme-court-issues-contempt-
notice-to-nalco/2048497/
After water, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh caught in
power war-ToI
Even before the dust on controversy over lift irrigation
projects by AP and Telangana settles down, another row
broke out over power generation by Telangana Genco
from Srisailam projects left bank powerhouse with AP
objecting to it.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/after-
water-telangana-and-andhra-pradesh-caught-in-power-
war/articleshow/77425231.cms
India may ban Chinese firms from ISA’ solar home
power system tender-Mint
Tightening its economic squeeze, India plans to
disqualify Chinese firms from participating in the largest
global solar home system’ price discovery tender, for the
International Solar Alliance’ (ISA) member nations, said
two people aware of the development.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/india-may-
ban-chinese-firms-from-participating-in-solar-home-
power-system-tender-11596710674787.html
China factor kills smart meter deal-Mint
India has cancelled a smart meter contract awarded to
63
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Indonesia-based PT Hexing for 2 million units following
concerns over its Chinese ownership, and for failing to meet
the criteria for local manufacturing, said a top executive of
state-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/china-factor-kills-
smart-meter-deal-11596676046074.html
Powerless power sector-The Pioneer
The Government is now keen on hiking the loan amount
to Rs 1,25,000 crore and relaxing reform conditions. This
is not the first time that discoms are in dire financial
straits and the Government has bailed them out, subject
to their implementing reforms.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/columnist s/
powerless-power-sector.html
Now Chinese miners need govt nod to bid for coal
auctions in India-Times Now
The Coal Ministry recently notice on foreign direct
investment (FDI) in coal block auction stipulated
that foreign investors need prior permission of the
government to participate in the same.
https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/
economy/article/now-chinese-miners-need-govt-nod-to-
bid-for-coal-auctions-in-india/632270
Unicorn India invests in last-mile power distribution
grid automation startup-ANI News
Co-founder CEO Anand Singh said India is a power
surplus country but the distortions in power sector
costed the Indian economy 86 billion dollars in 2016
alone. Using our IoT enabled wireless, modular hardware
and data analytics platform, we cut through these issues
and are enabling electrical utilities to make last-mile
connectivity reliable by helping India achieve an efficient
electricity grid.
https://www.aninews.in/news/business/unicorn-india-
invests-in-last-mile-power-distribution-grid-automation-
startup20200804121529
Jammu and Kashmir: Power projects can power
growth-Fin. Exp.
When the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant (330 MW)
in Bandipora district was dedicated to the nation by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi last May, not many would
have imagined the benefits it would bring to Jammu &
Kashmir in just over a year.
https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/jammu-and-
kashmir-power-projects-can-power-growth/2044893/
64
Govt to launch data centre policy soon, may suggest
single-window clearance-The Ind. Exp.
Among the major policy introductions in the new data
centre policy framework, the MeitY is likely to push for
usage of renewable energy such as solar energy for day-
to-day operations of the building which will house the
data disks, an official said.
https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-
technology/govt-to-launch-data-centre-policy-soon-may-
suggest-single-window-clearance-6537860/
UAE becomes first Arab nation to open a nuclear
power plant-Deccan Herald
The United Arab Emirates became the first Arab country
to open a nuclear power plant Saturday, raising concerns
about the long-term consequences of introducing more
nuclear programs to the Middle East.
https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-
politics/uae-becomes-first-arab-nation-to-open-a-nuclear-
power-plant-868583.html
CERC to Revoke GEPL’s Interstate Trading License-
Saur Energy
CERC has issued a show cause notice to Global Energy
Private Limited (GEPL), a category 1 interstate electricity
trading license holder, regarding default in payment of
fees for two successive financial years.
https://www.saurenergy.com/solar-energy-news/cerc-to-
revoke-gepls-interstate-trading-license
Adani Power is making a second attempt to acquire
Chhattisgarh-based KSK Mahanadi Power-ET
Adani Power is making a second attempt to acquire KSK
Mahanadi Power, a Chhattisgarh based thermal power
producer, after it failed to acquire the company two years
ago, according to people in the know.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/adani-power-is-making-a-second-attempt-to-
acquire-chhattisgarh-based-ksk-mahanadi-power/
articleshow/77321225.cms
Tata Power to focus on renewables for future growth-
Web India 123
Tata Power will focus on the renewable front for future
growth and aims to raise its green energy portfolio to
50 per cent. The company’s growth will be concentrated
in renewables, distribution and transmission of power
along with new and value-added business including
rooftop solar, smart metering, micro-grids in rural areas
and setting up EV charging stations, Tata Power said in
a statement.
h t t p s : / / n e w s .w e b i n d i a 1 2 3 .c o m / n e w s / A r t i c l e s /
Business/20200801/3602145.html
JSW Energy scraps deal to buy GMR plant-ToI
Five months after it inked an agreement to acquire GMR
power plant in Odisha for Rs 5,321 crore, JSW Energy said
it has terminated the deal due to uncertainties triggered by
Covid-19. This is one of the first merger and acquisition
transactions involving domestic consolidation that has
been scrapped due to the pandemic.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-
business/jsw-energy-scraps-deal-to-buy-gmr-plant/
articleshow/77292627.cms
REC arm cancels contract to Chinese firm-Outlook India
State-owned REC Power Distribution Corp Ltd
(RECPDCL) on Thursday said it removed a Chinese firm
from the smart meter project in Jammu and Kashmir soon
after the government order on sourcing of equipment
from ‘’prior reference’’ nations.
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/rec-arm-
cancels-contract-to-chinese-firm/1905937
SECR’s 1st rail over rail flyover commissioned at
Chacher- ToI
RoR at Chacher is attached to NTPC power plant siding.
Earlier, movement of coal-loaded wagons used to disrupt
mainline traffic while crossing. This will ensure smooth
movement of trains between Howrah Nagpur-Mumbai.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/secrs-
1st-rail-over-rail-flyover-commissioned-at-chacher/
articleshow/77250590.cms
Power distribution arm of REC orders cancellation of the
contract to Dongfang Electric India-Energy Infra Post
Power distribution arm of REC Ltd, RECPDCL, has
directed cancellation of an order to Dongfang Electric
India, the Indian unit of the Chinese power equipment
maker, to avoid delays due to testing of gears as mandated
by government order.
https://www.energyinfrapost.com/power-distribution-
arm-of-rec-orders-cancellation-of-contract-to-dongfang-
electric-india/
TNERC directs Tangedco to pay dues to wind power
generators-The Hindu
TNERC noted that only a 30 days time limit for payment is
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
provided and for any delay beyond it all wind generators
are entitled to interest at 1% per month.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/
tnerc-directs-tangedco-to-pay-dues-to-wind-power-
generators/article32229735.ece
Govt extends deadline for submission of EoI by
potential bidders for privatisation of BPCL-Times Now
The privatisation process for oil behemoth BPCL has
been further delayed.
https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/
economy/article/govt-extends-deadline-for-submission-of-
eoi-by-potential-bidders-for-privatisation-of-bpcl/629201
Pandemic-struck PSUs are rushing to upskill their
employees in new tech- ET
IOCL, HPCL, NTPC and PFC are among the PSU behemoths
that are upskilling their workforce in new technological
areas such as articial intelligence (AI), machine learning,
robotics, and data science and cyber security, apart from
training them on best use of digital platforms.
h t t p s : / / e co n o m i ct i m e s . i n d i a t i m e s .co m / n e w s /
company/corporate-trends/pandemic-struck-psus-
are-rushing-to-upskill-their-employees-in-new-tech/
articleshow/77236450.cms?from=mdr
NTPC Simhadri plant develops rail cycle-The Hindu
The NTPC Simhadri plant has developed a rail cycle
aimed at reaching emergency locations with ease. The
rail cycle is a light weight structure that is very helpful in
reaching locations at tracks like bridge approaches, bank
slips and rain cuts, which cannot be approached by road
especially during the rainy season.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/ntpc-
simhadri-plant-develops-rail-cycle/article32225286.ece
CPS Energy To Add Historic Amount Of Renewable
Energy To Portfolio-Indian Nerve
CPS Energy, the largest municipally owned, fully-
integrated electric and gas utility in the United States,
is taking a significant step to diversify its generation
portfolio and meet the energy demands of one of the
fastest growing regions in the country.
http://indiannerve.com/in-press/?rkey=20200728EN7508
0&filter=6492
NTPC achieves highest-ever daily gross generation of
977.07 mn units-The Economic Times
State-run power giant NTPC on Wednesday said it
65
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
achieved its highest-ever daily gross generation of 977.07
million units (MU) on July 28, 2020. This includes power
generated from NTPC’s subsidiaries and JV companies,
it said in a statement.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/
power/ntpc-achieves-highest-ever-daily-gross-generation-
of-977-07-million-units-on-july-28/articleshow/77239915.
cms
Andhra Pradesh units save 2,386 MU power under
PAT: BEE-The New Ind. Exp.
Around 22 energy-intensive units, including
Visakhapatnam-based RINL and NTPC-Simhadri, and
other private firms across the State, from various sectors,
were able to save 2,386 million units (MU) of power under
Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) initiative. The energy
savings resulted in a monetary saving of Rs 1,600 crore.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-
pradesh/2020/jul/27/andhra-pradesh-units-save-2386-
mu-power-under-pat-bee-2175324.html
‘Big push’ to targeted mega infra projects can reignite
economy: Shaktikanta Das-The Indian Express
He suggested a series of reforms in the electricity sector
to promote solar energy via accelerated depreciation
benefits and fiscal incentives.
https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/
big-push-to-targeted-mega-infra-projects-can-reignite-
economy-shaktikanta-das-6526444/
Indian Oil and Total to jointly produce Bitumen
derivatives-Mint
Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), India’s largest refiner
and marketer of petroleum products, and French energy
major Total, have entered into an equal joint venture
to manufacture and market bitumen derivatives and
specialty products for the growing road-building industry
in India.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/indian-oil-
and-total-to-jointly-produce-bitumen-derivatives/amp-
11595856950785.html
FEATURE-India’s tribal farmers tap solar irrigation to
cut migration-ET En.W.
A rising number of Indian farmers are turning to solar-
powered irrigation, which agricultural experts say can
help communities feed their families and generate
income while battling climate threats - all without
producing more planet-warming emissions.
66
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/feature-indias-tribal-farmers-tap-solar-
irrigation-to-cut-migration/77200200
World’s largest fusion plant set to create history-ET
En.W.
The world will mark a historic moment with the start of
machine assembly of world’s largest experimental fusion
reactor at ITER facility in southern France in the virtual
presence of host nation President Emmanuel Macron
and government leaders from the seven ITER members,
including India.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/worlds-largest-fusion-plant-set-to-create-
history/77189399
NTPC awarded with FICCI “Jury Commendation
Certificate” for Women Empowerment-UNI India
The award has been received for NTPC’s flagship “Girl
Empowerment Mission” Project. NTPC is the only PSU
to receive the FICCI Award this year.
h t t p : / / w w w.u n i i n d i a .co m / ~ / n t p c - a w a rd e d - w i t h -
prestigious-ficci-jur y-commendation-certificate-for-
women-empowerment/States/news/2097308.html
Power consumers may get direct subsidies in a year,
proposed policy reform claims- ET
Electricity consumers may start getting direct subsidies
in their accounts in a year as the Union cabinet is set
to take up the National Tariff Policy next week, a senior
government official said.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industr y/
e n e rg y / p o w e r / p o w e r- co n s u m e rs - m a y - g e t - d i re ct -
subsidies-in-a-year-proposed-policy-reform-claims/
articleshow/77161491.cms
Hit hard by Covid lockdown, MSEB wants Rs 20,000
crore loan-ET En.W.
Maharashtra government will stand guarantee for a Rs
20,000 crore loan to be secured by the Maharashtra State
Electricity Board (MSEB) and the subsidiaries under it.
MSEB is facing a resource crunch because of the four
months of lockdown due to Covid-19.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/hit-hard-by-covid-lockdown-mseb-wants-rs-20000-
crore-loan/77165095
Cabinet note for setting up World Solar Bank likely
soon-Mint
Setting up a financial institution will add heft to India’s
credentials as a clean energy champion that was
bolstered by co-founding International Solar Alliance
(ISA), the first treaty-based international government
organization headquartered here.
https://www.livemint.com/industr y/energy/
cabinet-note-for-setting-up-world-solar-bank-likely-
soon-11595503537273.html
Need to set up energy account divisions across UP:
Power minister R K Singh-ET En.W.
An energy account division should be constituted under
a senior official in every distribution company and a
division circle wise energy account published to usher
efficiency in power distribution, said Singh.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/need-to-set-up-energy-account-divisions-across-
up-power-minister-r-k-singh/77138250
Committee to frame solar power policy for Maharashtra
- Outlook
Maharashtra Energy Department has set up a committee
to frame a solar power policy for the state. The high-
power panel is headed by the Principal Secretary of the
Energy Department,
https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/committee-to-
frame-solar-power-policy-for-maharashtra/1901920
How Gautam Adani is turning his back on coal mining
in his push for green energy-Moneycontrol
Coal baron Gautam Adani, 58, is transforming the
$27-billion Adani Group from India’s leading coal-trading
firm to the “world’s largest” green energy company.
https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/companies-2/how-
gautam-adani-is-turning-his-back-on-coal-mining-in-his-
push-for-green-energy-5585041.html
May miss Budget targets, but see strong recovery:
DEA secy-ToI
The government may be unable to meet its Budget
estimates for the current financial year (2020-21) due to
the Covid-19 crisis, but expects a V-shaped recovery and
the contraction in economic growth may not be as sharp
as estimated, a top finance ministry official said.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-
business/may-miss-budget-targets-but-see-strong-
recovery-dea-secy/articleshow/77138249.cms
Restrictions on Public Procurement from certain
countries- P I B
The Government of India today amended the General
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
Financial Rules 2017 to enable imposition of restrictions
on bidders from countries which share a land border
with India on grounds of defence of India, or matters
directly or indirectly related thereto including national
security.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.
aspx?PRID=1640778#.XxnIBEXeJFh.whatsapp
India and Sri Lanka to explore new areas of economic
partnership including infra & connectivity-ET
Infrastructure, energy, connectivity, IT, agriculture,
manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and education
could emerge as new areas of collaboration between
India and its Southern neighbour Sri Lanka. This was
suggested by India’s envoy to Colombo at a high-powered
business meet.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-
and-nation/india-and-sri-lanka-to-explore-new-areas-
of-economic-partnership-including-infra-connectivity/
articleshow/77113680.cms?from=mdr
Power sector in Puducherry won’t be privatised, says
CM Narayanasamy-ET En.W.
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy on
Wednesday said that the legislative assembly passed a
resolution that power sector in the Union Territory will
not be privatised. He said that all legislators present at
the assembly supported the decision.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/power-sector-in-puducherry-wont-be-privatised-
says-cm-narayanasamy/77118259
Eyeing China, India plans solar power park in Sri
Lanka-Mint
By leveraging the country solar expertise, India’s largest
power generation utility NTPC Ltd plans to set up this
project in the island nation under the aegis of Intl. Solar
Alliance ISA .
https://www.livemint.com/industr y/energy/
eyeing-china-india-plans-solar-power-park-in-sri-
lanka-11595419421198.html
How Chinese firms made inroads into India’s power
sector-ToI
Chengdu-based Dongfang Electric Corporation, one of
Chinas backbone enterprise groups directly administered
by Beijing, alone bagged SCADA supervisory control
and data acquisition contracts for 23 cities across five
states and a Union Territory.
67
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/in-depth/how-
chinese-firms-made-inroads-into-indias-power-sector/
videoshow/77051489.cms
Cube Construction, GR Infraprojects, Kalpataru Power,
others in fray for station redevelopment plan-Mint
G R Infraprojects Ltd, Kalpataru Power Transmission
Ltd, GMR Business and Consultancy LLP, Cube
Construction Engineering Ltd, and five other companies,
have been shortlisted to redevelop four railway stations-
Gwalior, Nagpur, Amritsar and Sabarmati and transform
them into commercial hubs.
https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/cube-
construction-gr-infraprojects-kalpataru-power-others-in-
fray-for-station-redevelopment-plan-11594910612758.
html
Coal India sees situation in Jul-Sep ‘uncertain’ as
some states still under lockdown- ET
Coal India, which is already reeling under the pandemic
stress causing adverse impact on demand and supply
of dry fuel, on Friday said the situation will remain
uncertain in July-September as some states are resorting
to fresh lockdowns.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/indl-
goods/svs/metals-mining/coal-india-sees-situation-in-
jul-sep-uncertain-as-some-states-still-under-lockdown/
articleshow/77022952.cms
India plans solar wafer, ingot manufacturing tenders to
cut Chinese imports-Mint
To set up the much-needed solar wafer and ingot
capacity in the country, India plans to come out with
tenders that may provide viability gap funding (VGF) to
attract domestic manufacturers, said two people aware of
the development.
https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/india-plans-
solar-wafer-ingot-manufacturing-tenders-to-cut-chinese-
imports-11594981912323.html
India-US to strengthen strategic partnership in energy
sector-ET En.W.
Covid-19 pandemic is bringing India and the US closer
than before with the two sides now looking to strengthen
their strategic energy sector partnership.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/oil-
and-gas/india-us-to-strengthen-strategic-partnership-in-
energy-sector/77028845
68
Mayors of 96 cities launch clean energy initiative-ET
En.W.
A coalition of mayors of 96 cities across the world,
including New Delhi, representing 700 million people
launched a new agenda focusing on health, clean air and
new jobs for post-COVID-19 economic recovery.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
renewable/mayors-of-96-cities-launch-clean-energy-
initiative/76990388
NTPC enters pact with NIIF to explore biz opportunities
- ET
NIIF will be acting through National Investment and
Infrastructure Fund Ltd (NIIFL) to explore opportunities
for investments in areas of mutual interest with NTPC,
such as renewable energy and power distribution.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industr y/
energy/power/ntpc-enters-pact-with-niif-to-explore-
biz-opportunities-in-areas-like-renewable-energy/
articleshow/76998031.cms
No headway on 7500 MW solar power projects for
Ladakh sanctioned in 2018-Daily Excelsior
There is no headway on 7500 MW solar power projects
for Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh Union Territory
which were sanctioned by the Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy in the year 2018.
https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/no-headway-on-7500-
mw-solar-power-projects-for-ladakh-sanctioned-in-2018/
Uttar Pradesh seeks Rs 20,940 crore loan to clear
power bills-ET En.W.
Uttar Pradesh power distribution utility has sought Rs
20,940 crore loan from REC Ltd and Power Finance Corp
(PFC) under the Atmanirbhar Bharat liquidity infusion
package in the power sector.
https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/
power/uttar-pradesh-seeks-rs-20940-crore-loan-to-clear-
power-bills/76970156
Five new plants coming by 2023, first atmanirbhar
boost may be in urea-Ind. Exp.
Urea could be the first big-ticket item where the Narendra
Modi government is set to realise its plans of ‘atmanirbharta’
(self-reliance) and reducing dependence on Chinese
imports, with the commissioning of four new plants.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/five-new-plants-
coming-by-2023-first-atmanirbhar-boost-may-be-in-
urea-6502755/
ENERGY KONNECT, AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020

Published by Mr Satyaki Sen on behalf of Energy Connect, 123 A B C Road, Kolkata 700000, Edited by Mr R N Sen.