Landmark Initiatives Towards Achieving 24x7 Power for All

YEAR ENDER 2014 - POWER

With an objective to provide 24x7 power across the country by 2019, the government has taken several landmark decisions for generation of power, strengthening of transmission and distribution, separation of feeder and metering of power to consumers. Special focus was given to north east by giving approval to the north eastern power system improvement project and comprehensive scheme for strengthening of transmission and distribution in the north eastern states. In the reform and restructuring front, various amendments are being brought in the Electricity Act and Tariff policy. For the power sector, the methodology for e-auction of coal blocks will be completely transparent , encourages greater competition and efficiency and optimizes power tariffs.

      Comprehensive state-specific action plans for 24x7 power to all homes is being prepared in partnership with respective states, encompassing generation, transmission and distribution. The power ministry has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh government under its `Power for all` initiative that aims to cover the entire state by October 2016. Plans for Delhi & Rajasthan are already complete and ready for implementation. For other states are being readied.

The commissioning of one 765kV Raichur-Solapur transmission line by POWERGRID in December,2013 and synchronous interconnection of Southern Regional (SR) grid with the rest  of the grid was achieved, accomplishing the long cherished dream of ‘One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency’. The second circuit of 765kV Raichur – Solapur transmission line implemented through Private Sector Participation has been completed on 30th  June 2014 with active  guidance from POWERGRID. With both the 765 kV transmission lines now in operation, the interconnection has helped achieving a pan-India synchronous grid of 249GW and one of the largest synchronous operating grids in the world.

A National Smart Grid Mission is going to be launched to address key issues of Smart Grid Initiatives on a large scale in the country and to make the Indian Power infrastructure cost effective, responsive and reliable. A 20 year Prespective Plan for integrated inter-regional , inter-state and intra-state transmission network for the country as whole has been formulated. This will be a crucial backbone for the vision of 24x7 power for all homes in India.

  The details of the major initiatives of Ministry of Power to achieve “24 x7 Power for all”  in the country are as follows: Clickhere

 Source:PIB

OIL commissions its 1st 5MW solar plant

India’s second-largest government-owned exploration firm, Oil India limited (OIL) recently commissioned its first 5 MW solar power plant at village Raghwa in Ramgarh district of Rajasthan.

OIL, which till now was engaged in building only small solar power plants for captive use, built and commissioned its first grid-connected 5 MW unit within a span of 118 days. Chairman and Managing Director, S K Srivastava, inaugurated the plant.

The 5 MW solar power plant was set up with polycrystalline technology and the cost of setting it up was Rs 41.49 crore. In all 20,408 solar modules, each having a capacity of 245 watts, have been installed at the site. The overhead transmission line of 11.49 km has been built to enable the feeding of power generated power to the grid.

The company is also mulling to expand this particular unit by another 9 MW. OIL Director (HR and Business Development) N K Bharali said there exists tremendous potential for solar and wind energy projects in Rajasthan and OIL is looking to tap them. He added that the 9 MW solar power plant expansion will be accomplished by 2015.

Source:Energy next

President signed Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Ordinance to facilitate e-auction of coal blocks

New Delhi, December 26

President Pranab Mukherjee signed two key ordinances on Friday, clearing the way for the auction of coal blocks that were ordered cancelled by the Supreme Court, and for a hike in foreign equity cap in the insurance industry from 26 percent to 49 per cent.

The legislations for the two measures could not be taken up in the Rajya Sabha as the Opposition did not allow the Upper House, where the government is in minority, to conduct business during the last few days of the winter session that ended on Tuesday.

A Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided to issue the two ordinances so as to send a strong signal that the government will pursue reforms and would not  allow disruptions in parliament to come in the way, an official said.

The ordinance on coal is necessary for the government to hold auctions for the blocks that were ordered cancelled by the Supreme Court, while that on insurance will operationalise the reforms in the sector, the bill for which was okayed by the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha.

“With the repromulgation of the ordinance on coal, the unfinished process of allocations can begin again,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after the cabinet decision, adding that reforms will not be halted if the opposition does not cooperate.

The government has, in fact, moved quickly on the coal auctions.

A day after the cabinet approval for the allocation of coal blocks, a web portal was formally launched for e-auction of 24 coal mines which will be held in February. Soon after, the tender documents were also released.

“Twenty-four blocks are being put up for auction in the first stage. The process will benifit the common man. Power tariff will not go up, I assure you, because in this case it will be reverse bidding, and tariffs will come down,” Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goel said.

On insurance, the industry expects the upward revision in the foreign equity limits to result in an additional capital infusion of around Rs.50,000 crore ($8 billion) by 2020. This apart, it is also expected to help in increasing insurance penetration that is abysmally low now.

The Indian insurance sector has 52 players -- 28 in non-life business and 24 in life. — IANS

Source:The Tribune

Arun Jaitley Lays Foundation Stones of Two Power Sub Stations & Dedicated One Sub-Station to the People in Delhi

Union Minister for Finance, Corporate Affairs & Information and Broadcasting Shri Arun Jaitley laid the foundation stone of two power sub-stations and dedicated one sub-power station to the people in Delhi today. The 400 kV sub-station of POWERGRID at Rajghat, 220k V substation at Preet Vihar of Delhi Transco Limited and Harsh Vihar substation of Delhi Transco Limited will significantly improve power availability in Delhi. 

The function was presided over by Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State(IC) for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy. Shri Maheish Girri and Shri Vijay Goel, both Members of Parliament were present at Rajghat & Preet Vihar while Shri Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Member of Parliament was present at Harsh Vihar. Senior officials of Ministry of Power, Delhi Power Department and CMD POWERGRID were also present at the foundation laying ceremony. 

On these occasions, Shri Arun Jaitley appreciated the efforts of Ministry of Power for establishment of these 3 sub-stations for Delhi with the help of POWERGRID which will prove to be a milestone in strengthening of Delhi power scenario and provide 24x7 power supply to its residents

Presiding over the functions, Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State(IC) for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy said that various projects are being implemented by the Government for strengthening the power system in Delhi. After implementation of these schemes Delhi residents will no longer need to depend on their diesel generators and invertors for power supply. He announced that Five Lac LED lights will be installed in Delhi with an approximate cost of Rs.500 Crores. These schemes will also help Delhi in reducing the overall power consumption. He also added that in the coming time Delhi consumers will be able to select their power service provider as per their suitability in terms of services. 

These substations will be built with state-of the-art technology and will cater to the power demand especially to Central, East and North Delhi. 

Considering the importance of reliable power supply to Delhi, Ministry of Power took the initiative to mitigate the problems in transmission & distribution of electricity it was emphasized that a very strong Inter State Transmission System alongwith 400/220KV Grid Sub-stations in and around Delhi are required to be established to ensure secured transmission network with adequate transformation capacity

In order to facilitate handling of increasing quantum of power with reliability, four nos. of 400/220kV substations along with associated 400kV transmission network under ISTS are being implemented within the periphery of Delhi to import power from various sources outside Delhi. These ISTS (Inter State Transmission System) 400/220 kV substations are planned to be established at Rajghat, Tughlakabad, Karampura and Papankalan by POWERGRID. 

Presently many 220 kV s/s of Delhi are being fed from single source, implementation of above scheme shall provide alternate source, which shall improve reliability of power supply. Thus, with the creation of the above four 400kV S/s planned for commissioning by 2016-17, there would be strong infeed around Delhi which can take care and reliably meet the load demand of Delhi. 

Besides above, development of intra – state network in Delhi has also been planned and taken up for implementation by DTL for absorption of power in reliable manner. The intra state system planned include 220/ 33 kV GIS s/s at Preet Vihar, Papankalan III, Rajghat , Tughlakabad and Karampura besides reconductoring of existing lines and establishment of new lines by Delhi Transco Limited. 

Source:PIB

Shri Piyush Goyal Formally Launches Portal for E-Auction of Coal Mines

Shri Piyush Goyal , Minister of State ( IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy has formally launched the portal for e-auction of 24 coal mines here today . (www.mstcecommerce.com/auctionhome/coalblock) .With this , the registration process has been started and interested bidders with end use plants could visit MSTC website for the purpose. The registration process will be as per KYC norms and will be available on MSTC website. 

While speaking on the occasion, Shri Piyush Goyal said that entire auction process will be transparent, efficient and conducted online only. However, 2 documents the Bank Guarantee comprising the bid security and an Undertaking stating that all information submitted is true and correct shall be received in hard copy. The auction process will comprise (i) Techno–commercial bid for qualification and (ii) Financial bid (e-auction) for selection of successful bidder. Only 50% of the qualified bidders from technical stage (subject to a minimum of 5 bidders) will be allowed to participate in the e-auction process. 

Mines set aside for iron & steel, cement and CPPs will be auctioned through ‘Ascending Forward Auction’, where qualified bidders will quote incremental bids above the pre-determined floor price. Mines to be allocated for power sector will be auctioned through ‘Descending Reverse Auction’ to minimise impact on power tariffs of end use plants. Last date for receiving technical bids will be January 31, 2015 and list of qualified bidders will be placed on MSTC website on February 12, 2015. 

E-auction of coal mines for qualified bidders will be held from February14, 2015 to February 22, 2015.The entire mine allocation process for Schedule II coal mines will be completed by March 23, 2015 with the signing of Coal Mine Development & Production Agreement and the Vesting Order. 

The second phase of auction for 32 Schedule III coal mines will commence soon. 

Source:PIB

Indian Railways Formulating a ‘Solar Policy’ of Procuring 1000 MW Solar Power

The Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu along with Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha commissioned 30 kW Solar Plant at roof top of Rail Bhawan at New Delhi, yesterday. On the occasion, Shri Prabhu envisioned that Railways is planning to harness solar energy in a big way which will be a step forward in mitigating the challenges currently being experienced by our environment. He stressed the need to expedite provision of solar plants at other Railway buildings also preferably in public private partner model. This plant, capable of sourcing power to about 800 light fittings, will generate about 45,000 kWh per annum besides annual saving of about Rs.4 lakh in electricity bills. Also present on the occasion were Member Electrical Railway Board Shri A.K. Mittal, Member Engineering Railway Board Shri V.K. Gupta, Financial Commissioner Railway Board Smt. Rajalakshmi Ravikumar besides other officials from Railway Board, Northern Railway and Delhi Division. 

To expand its footprint in the solar energy space, Indian Railway is in the process of formulating a ‘Solar Policy’ of procuring 1000 MW Solar Power under viability gap funding support and Central Financial Assistance schemes of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) over next 5 years. 

To protect our environment, addressing the challenges of changes in global climate, promoting sustainable development and reducing dependence on fossil fuel, Indian Railways have taken various initiatives and is endeavouring to harness wind and solar energy in a big way to provide environmental friendly pollution free mode of transport. So far Indian Railways is harnessing solar energy of about 10 MW capacity at about 500 Railway stations, 4000 Level Crossing (LC) gates and at number of rooftop spaces of office buildings, hospitals, workshops besides solar based water heating applications at training institutes, retiring rooms and running rooms. IR has further planned to provide solar plants of another 10 MW capacity at 200 Railway stations including Katra Railway station, 26 buildings and 2000 LC gates. 

Source:PIB

GAIL, RCF, CIL and FCIL sign JVAs to revive fertilizer plant at Talcher, Odisha

In a significant step towards augmenting the domestic urea capacity, four PSUs – GAIL (India) Limited, Coal India Limited (CIL), Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) and Fertilizer Corporation of India Limited (FCIL) – today signed Joint Ventures Agreements (JVAs) to set up an Integrated Coal Gasification cum Fertilizer and Ammonium Nitrate complex at Talcher in Odisha. 

The JVAs were signed in the presence of Shri Ananth Kumar, Hon’ble Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minster of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas (Independent Charge), Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) and Shri HansrajGangaramAhir, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers. 

GAIL, RCF, CIL and FCIL on 5th September, 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding for jointly setting up Fertilizer and Ammonium Nitrate complex at Talcher.JV1, GAIL Coal Gas (India) Limitedshall be led by GAIL and will be primarily responsible for setting up the Upstream Coal Gasification and Gas Purification section for production of Ammonia Syn Gas for downstream fertilizer unit at an estimated investment of Rs 3000 Cr. GAIL had floated an Expression of Interest for Technology selection for coal gasification and shall be finalized by end of January, 2015 which is critical for the success of the project. 

JV-2, Talcher Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited,shall be led by RCF and will be primarily responsible for setting up Ammonia-Urea, Nitric Acid-Ammonium Nitrate plants at an estimated investment of Rs 6000 Cr with majority stake held by RCF & CIL. Pre-project activities are also been undertaken by respective RCF and CIL. 

  The project comprises of 3850 MTPD Urea plant, 2700 MTPD Ammonia plant, 850 MTPD Nitric Acid plant and 1000 MTPD Ammonium Nitrate plant. GAIL will put up the Coal gasification plant and RCF and CIL will put up the other downstream plants of Ammonia, Urea, Nitric Acid and Ammonium Nitrate. 

Subsequent to Detailed Feasibility Study, execution of construction activities is likely to start in year 2015-16 and expected to complete by the year 2019. 

A suitable coal block for supplying coal to the project in the vicinity of the complex is being identified on priority basis by the Government of India. The process for allocation of the block is being initiated by Ministry of Coal. 

The project is of strategic importance for the country as it aims to make breakthrough for an alternative source of feedstock in the form of abundantly available coal from domestic sources. As per the available statistics, the total coal reserves in the country are around 300 billion ton with recoverable reserve of 173 billion ton. Thus the potential exists for converting these reserves into value added products like syn gas for use by fertilizer and power plants at affordable price. 

Revival of the Talcher unit will trigger a great economic boom in Odisha and eastern part of the country as it will generate opportunities in the form of direct and indirect employment for the people in the region.Besides, the project will give the much needed urea fertilizer to the farmers of the country. 

Success of this project is expected to be a game changer and shall pave a way forward to the production of fertilizer from abundantly available coal resulting in less dependency on imports. 

Source:PIB

Coal Ministry to Commence First Batch of E-Auction of 24 Coal Mines Tomorrow

Pursuant to the order of Honourable Supreme Court and in line with the provisions of Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Ordinance, 2014 and subsequent Rules, Ministry of Coal will commence the first batch of e-auction process for the 25-1=24 (Marki –Mangli II being in inviolate area as informed by MoEF) Schedule II mines from tomorrow, December 25, 2014. While briefing the whole process , Shri Anil Swarup, Coal Secretary stated that out of 24 mines proposed to be auctioned, 7 are for the power sector, 16 for other end use plants of iron & steel, cement and CPPs and 1 mine for steel sector (coking coal). 2 Mines each i.e 4 mines shall be auctioned together : Gotitoria East and West and Gare-Palma IV/2 and IV/3 , Shri Swarup added Shri Swarup further stated that bidders with specified end use plant are only permitted to participate in this auction. After own consumption, if there is any surplus coal, the successful bidder will be permitted to sell the surplus coal only to CIL at respective bid price or notified price of CIL for that specific grade of coal. Registrations will commence on December 25, 2014 and interested bidders with end use plants could visit MSTC website for the purpose .The registration process will be as per KYC norms and will be available on MSTC website. Explaining the process, Shri Swarup said that entire auction process will be transparent, efficient and conducted online only. However, 2 documents the Bank Guarantee comprising the bid security and an Undertaking stating that all information submitted is true and correct shall be received in hard copy. The auction process will comprise (i) Techno–commercial bid for qualification and (ii) Financial bid (e-auction) for selection of successful bidder. Only 50% of the qualified bidders from technical stage (subject to a minimum of 5 bidders)will be allowed to participate in the e-auction process. Mines set aside for iron & steel, cement and CPPs will be auctioned through ‘Ascending Forward Auction’, where qualified bidders will quote incremental bids above the pre-determined floor price. Mines to be allocated for power sector will be auctioned through ‘Descending Reverse Auction’ to minimise impact on power tariffs of end use plants. Last date for receiving technical bids will be January 31, 2015 and list of qualified bidders will be placed on MSTC website on February 12, 2015. E-auction of coal mines for qualified bidders will be held from February14, 2015 to February 22, 2015.The entire mine allocation process for Schedule II coal mines will be completed by March 23, 2015 with the signing of Coal Mine Development & Production Agreement and the Vesting Order, Source:PIB.

Railway Minister Commissions Solar Plant in Rail Bhawan

The Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu along with Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha commissioned 30 kW Solar Plant at roof top of Rail Bhawan at New Delhi in presence of Member Electrical Railway Board Shri A.K. Mittal, Member Engineering Railway Board Shri V.K. Gupta, Financial Commissioner Railway Board Smt.Rajalakshmi Ravikumar besides other officials from Railway Board, Northern Railway and Delhi Division. This plant, capable of sourcing power to about 800 light fittings, will generate about 45,000 kWh per annum besides annual saving of about Rs.4 lakhs in electricity bills. 

On the occasion, Shri Prabhu envisioned that Railways is planning to harness solar energy in a big way which will be a step forward in mitigating the challenges currently being experienced by our environment. He stressed the need to expedite provision of solar plants at other Railway buildings also preferably in public private partner model. 

To protect our environment, addressing the challenges of changes in global climate, promoting sustainable development and reducing dependence on fossil fuel, Indian Railways have taken various initiatives and is endeavouring to harness wind and solar energy in a big way to provide environmental friendly pollution free mode of transport. So far Indian Railways is harnessing solar energy of about 10 MW capacity at about 500 Railway stations, 4000 LC gates and at number of rooftop spaces of office buildings, hospitals, workshops besides solar based water heating applications at training institutes, retiring rooms and running rooms. IR has further planned to provide solar plants of another 10 MW capacity at 200 Railway stations including Katra Railway station, 26 buildings and 2000 LC gates. 

To expand its footprint in the solar energy space, Indian Railway is in the process of formulating a ‘Solar Policy’ of procuring 1000 MW Solar Power under viability gap funding support and Central Financial Assistance schemes of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) over next 5 years.

Source:PIB

Suresh Prabhu-led panel bats for coal, power sector reforms

Removal of transmission constraints through short- and long-term actions

An advisory group headed by railway minister Suresh Prabhu has made a strong case for opening the coal sector to supplement production by Coal India.

The advisory group, set up on 25 June  by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre, has suggested steps to enhance coal production in the short, medium and long terms, as well as improvements needed in Coal India.

The group submitted its report on Monday.

To ensure round-the-clock power supply, the group has pressed for reform of electricity distribution, including privatisation and public-private partnerships, separation of carriage and content in distribution licences, and an enhanced role for and improvements in the working of the Central Electricity Authority.

It suggested transmission constraints be removed through short- and long-term actions and sought a greater push for adding thermal power capacity.

R V Shahi, former Union power secretary and convener of the group, told Business Standard, “The advisory group has emphasised the need for urgent action on coal linkages to power plants already commissioned and likely to be commissioned by March 2015, development of railway infrastructure from coal mines to the main railway system through various options, including a joint venture company on infrastructure by Coal India.”

He said the advisory group had suggested amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, Tariff Policy and Standing Bidding Documents, and advanced action for coal linkages for projects in the 13th five-year Plan.

Moreover, the group has recommended phasing out old and inefficient thermal power plants that burn excessive fuel.

It has argued new coal-based power plants should be obliged to set up a renewable energy generation station as specified by the government.

Further, the group has emphasised the need for strengthening penalties to improve quality of service and grid discipline, establishing regional regulators in consultation with states and a mechanism to review of the performance of regulatory commissions through a forum of regulators.

Source:BS

Govt to fund Rs1,000 crore for 1 gigawatt of solar projects

India, which has installed 3 gigawatts of solar power, aims to reach 22 gigawatts by 2022 under the so-called Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.

Chennai: India said it will give as much as Rs1,000 crore ($158 million) to state-run companies for building 1 gigawatt of grid-connected, solar-photovoltaic power projects in the next three years. The companies will have to use photovoltaic cells and modules made in India to avail the funding, according to a government statement. The government will do away with statutory clearances for projects located in “remote areas” where land is “inexpensive.” India, which has installed 3 gigawatts of solar power, aims to reach 22 gigawatts by 2022 under the so-called Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. State-run companies such NTPC Ltd., National Hydroelectric Power Corp Ltd., and the Indian Railways plan to set up solar-power projects.

Source:Livemint

India might sway US firms with N-power insurance

 India is offering to set up an insurance pool to indemnify global nuclear suppliers against liability in the case of a nuclear accident, in a bid to unblock billions of dollars in trade held up by concerns over exposure to risk.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is hoping the plan will be enough to convince major US companies such as General Electric to enter the Indian market ahead of President Barack Obama's visit at the end of next month.

Under a 2010 nuclear liability law, nuclear equipment suppliers are liable for damages from an accident, which companies say is a sharp deviation from international norms that put the onus on the operator to maintain safety.

From the 1950s, when the United States was the only exporter of nuclear reactors, liability has been channeled to plant operators across the world.

India's national law grew out of the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster, the world's deadliest industrial accident, at a factory owned by US multinational Union Carbide which Indian families are still pursuing for compensation.

The law effectively shut out Western companies from a huge market, as energy-starved India seeks to ramp up nuclear power generation by 13 times, and also strained US-Indian relations since they reached a deal on nuclear cooperation in 2008.

GE-Hitachi, an alliance between the US and Japanese firms, Toshiba's Westinghouse Electric Company and France's Areva received a green light to build two reactors each. They have yet to begin construction several years later, according to India's Department of Atomic Energy.

Even Indian suppliers refused to sell equipment until the law is amended or they can be sure they are indemnified against any liabilities.

"We are working fast to address the concerns of suppliers. We are working on a solution with the insurance companies," RK Sinha, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

'Encouraging signal'

State-run reinsurer GIC Re is preparing a proposal to build a "nuclear insurance pool" that would indemnify the third-party suppliers against liabilities they would face in the case of an accident.

Under the plan, insurance would be bought by the companies contracted to build the nuclear reactors who would then recoup the cost by charging more for their services. Alternatively, state-run operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) would take out insurance on behalf of these companies.

Sinha said New Delhi believed the insurance plan was the best option given how tricky changing the law would prove, and that the proposal should be ready within the next two months.

Details of the plan have yet to be thrashed out, and Sinha said the government was considering how it would better capitalise NPCIL.

India wants to generate 62,000 megawatts from nuclear sources within two decades from the current level of 4,780 megawatts, even as other countries shift away from nuclear energy following Japan's Fukushima disaster.

GE declined to comment on the Indian proposal to offer insurance cover. Westinghouse said it needed more information before it could comment.

Areva said in a statement that the creation of an insurance pool was an "encouraging signal", and that the government appeared committed to working out a comprehensive solution soon.

However, India's nuclear liability regime remained open to interpretation and an Areva spokeswoman said the company needed more clarification to make the legal framework acceptable.

Russia muscling in

One Indian company said it was ready to return to the 2,800 megawatt Gorakhpur nuclear power project in the northern state of Haryana it abandoned, once the insurance cover is in place.

The insurance scheme would convince Walchandnagar Industries Ltd, which makes heat exchangers for reactors, to restart supplying equipment for Gorakhpur, managing director and CEO GK Pillai told Reuters.

Moves to win over the Americans coincide with Russia's push to build more nuclear reactors in India.

Earlier this month, during President Vladimir Putin's visit, Russia's state-owned Rosatom said it would supply 12 nuclear energy reactors for India over 20 years, following two it has already built in the south of the country.

G. Balachandran, one of India's foremost nuclear affairs experts, said Russia appears to believe it can operate with the existing nuclear liabilities law without suffering a loss.

This week US and Indian nuclear affairs officials, as well as representatives from the NPCIL Ltd, Westinghouse and GE-Hitachi met to advance implementation of the nuclear deal, an Indian foreign ministry official said.

The group is meeting again early next month, before Obama arrives, to move the discussion forward.

Creating the insurance scheme to help projects get off the ground is GIC's "top priority", Chairman Ashok Kumar Roy said in an email, although he cautioned that the timing, coverage and level of participation were yet to be finalised.

Source: BS

Power Grid Corp nominated for largest transmission line

Rs 26,820-crore line kept out of global bidding against regulations

The government has awarded a critical power transmission corridor project, connecting power-starved southern states to thermal power rich, western India, to Power Grid Corporation. This has been done by "nomination", shunning private sector investment through an auction.

Officials in the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Power Finance Corporation and Power Grid confirmed the development.

They added the decision was based on requests by the southern states that the central government award to Power Grid, the high voltage direct current transmission line connecting Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu.

The ministry of power had put up eight transmission contracts with a total investment of Rs 53,000 crore for rate-based global competitive bidding in September.

Later, it decided to allot the largest project of Rs 26,820 crore to the state-owned transmission company and central transmission utility.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) had in 2011 ordered the power transmission projects to be awarded through rate-based competitive bids, as was the case with generation projects.

"In the annual power ministers' conference in New Delhi on September 9, the southern states requested the central government to allot the project to Power Grid. Especially Tamil Nadu, which wants this project to come up as soon as possible. It has been insisting on giving the project to Power Grid," said a senior government official.

R Viswanathan, Tamil Nadu's minister for electricity, prohibition and excise, in his speech at the conference, said, "To evacuate the power available with the pithead power stations in Chhattisgarh, work on the line from Chhattisgarh to Tamil Nadu needs to be entrusted to Power Grid, in view of its expertise and implementation capacity."

Govt officials said Power Grid was the only company expertise in such lines

They cited the recently commissioned Raichur-Solapur transmission line. This 760 kV-460 km line, the first one connecting the southern region with western India, was commissioned this year in February.

Executives at private power companies, however, said there were several companies in India like Alstom, Siemens and Larsen & Toubro which offered high voltage direct current transmission lines. The Adani group, too, has installed a 500 kV (2,000 MW capacity) line from Mundra to Mohindargarh in Gujarat.

Companies in the race for the project are irked at this 'unlawful' move. Reliance Power, Tata Power, Sterlite Energy, Lanco and Larsen & Toubro were planning to bid for this project.

Power sector experts said the decision could have been taken due to the size of the project.

The Raigarh-Pugalur line will have a capacity of 6,000 MW and cover 2,000 km.

"Nomination of power transmission projects is against the National Tariff Policy and the Electricity Act, apart from the CERC regulations. Tariff-based bidding was introduced to make the sector cost-efficient and ensure timely delivery. This is a setback to power plants in Odisha and Chhattisgarh and consumers in Tamil Nadu who could have availed cheap power at the earliest," said an executive with a private transmission company.

A senior CEA official said the other seven projects would be allotted through bidding. The cumulative cost of these projects is less than the one awarded to Power Grid.

Power transmission was opened to the private sector in 2010, with the award of the western regional system strengthening project to Reliance Infrastructure and the east-north interconnection line to Sterlite Energy.

Source:BS

Govt notifies draft approach paper for coal e-auction

Bid price based on Coal India rates, ceiling price for power sector

The government on Thursday notified draft rules for e-auction of cancelled coal blocks suggesting floor price for bidding and ceiling for power sector bidders.

Now there would be tariff based reverse bidding where the end use is generation of power and forward bidding for production of steel, cement and power generation for captive use.

In the draft approach paper released for comments from the stakeholders, the ministry of coal has also suggested the methodology for auction. The criteria for calculating the floor price for bidding would be based on Coal India’s price of coal for the same grade. There would be a ceiling price for power sector bidders to prevent shooting up of power tariff.

The potential bidders would have to pay upfront the floor price which is 10 per cent of the intrinsic value of the mine. This would be not less than Rs 150 per tonne. The bidder paying the highest floowr price would be the preferred bidder. The bidders would also pay the cost of land, mine infrastructure, leases, clearances paid by the prior owner. A notified authority will disburse this part of the revenue to compensate stakeholders in a mine viz labour, banks and financial institutions. 

The Central government also plans to conduct two-stage bidding under the Coal Mines Special Provisions Ordinance.After being eligible in the technical stage, top 50 per cent of the pre-qualified bidders would be allowed to participate in the e-auction and submit price offers.

For technical eligibility, the potential bidders would have to meet criteria of end-usage of coal, amount of coal needed for same, distance of end-use plant to the mine and the completion status of the same. This could translate into power, steel & cement projects which had attached captive mines getting it back, after payment of penalty.

The e-auction will take place in 69 days of issue of public notice regarding the same.

Making changes in the prior rules circulated for public comments, the government has mentioned that the successful owners would have to sell surplus coal, if produced from their captive mines to Coal India at the notified price. In earlier rules, it has allowed swapping/transfer of surplus coal for similar end usage.

In the first phase of e-auction, 74 blocks will be auctioned. The Supreme Court, on September 24, had ordered cancellation of allocation of these blocks — 42 operational and 32 in line to start production — with effect from April 1, 2015. These mines would now be offered only to developers with projects in notified end-use such as steel, power, cement and coal washing.

Source:BS

Torrent, state-owned discoms seek hike in power tariff in Gujarat

Torrent Power has sought 8 per cent and 11 per cent respectively for Ahmedabad and Surat

Power consumers in Gujarat may have to shell out more for the power they consume as state owned electricity distribution companies (DISCOMS) as well as private sector power supplier Torrent Power Limited (TPL) have filed petitions with Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) seeking increase in power tariff for the year 2015-16.

While TPL, which supplies power to Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Surat, has sought a hike of 8 per cent for the power supplied to consumers of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, the proposed increase in tariff for Surat city is 11 per cent.

On the other hand, the state owned electricity companies have demanded a rise of 2.57 per cent in power tariff for 2015-16. The state owned DISCOMs include Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Limited (MGVCL), Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL), Pashchim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL), Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO), Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL) and State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC).

"We are seeking a normal increase in power tariff to offset expenditures incurred by state-owned power companies under various heads. The average tariff increase would be approximately 10 paise per unit," said, a senior state electricity company official. Existing power tariff varies for different categories.

Other companies, who have filed tariff revision petitions with the power sector regulator include Kandla Port Trust, MPSEZ Private Ltd, Torrent Energy Ltd and  ASPEN Infrastructure Ltd.

As per provisions of Electricity Act, all electricity companies whether generation, transmission or distribution have to file their true up for previous year and tariff determination for the next financial year.

"If this increase in tariff is approved by GERC, then a burden of Rs 1,212 crore will fall on consumers of four state-owned DISCOMs and Rs 567 crores on consumers of TPL at Ahmedabad and Surat," said an industry expert.

Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), which represents consumers' causes at various tribunals, has decided to oppose this increase in tariff sought by state-owned and private power companies. They will ask power companies to improve plant efficiency and other economical measures. CERS claims that TPL is seeking rise in power tariff to offset previous accumulated losses.

Tripura emerges as only power surplus state in northeast

AGARTALA: Tripura, ravaged by insurgency for more than three decades, made considerable progress in the commercial sectors and emerged as the only power surplus state in the northeastern region in 2014.

After the inauguration of second unit of the 726 MW gas- based thermal power project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Palatana in Gomati district on December 1, another power plant at Monarchak in Sipahijala district of Tripura would start generation in January.

"With the commissioning of the Palatana project, Tripura is now a power surplus state and we told the central government that it could take 100 mw of power from our allocation and give it to Bangladesh, which allowed us to carry over dimensional machines of the project by using their roads and waterways," state Power Minister Manik Dey said.

"Without their help it would not have been possible to carry the machines through the hilly roads of northeast," he said.

Seven northeastern states are being allocated their share from the project. Assam is getting 240 mw, Tripura 196 mw, Meghalaya 79 mw, Manipur 42 mw, Nagaland 27 mw, Arunachal Pradesh 22, Mizoram 22 mw and the balance on merchant sales by ONGC Tripura Power Company Ltd (OTPC).

"I had a detailed discussion with ONGC officials on the sidelines of the inauguration of the second unit of the Palatana project who assured of supplying natural gas to Monarchak plant by the first week of January," Dey said.

Left Front candidates won the two Lok Sabha seats in the Left-ruled Tripura, defeating Congress candidates by a record margin of votes.

State's Forest and Rural Development Minister Jitendra Choudhury defeated Sachitra Debbarma in the tribal reserve East Tripura seat by 4,60,548 votes, securing 5,94,006 votes himself.

In Tripura West, trade union leader Sankar Prasad Datta won by 5,03,486 votes against Congress' Arunoday Saha, a former vice chancellor of Tripura University. Datta bagged 6,71,665 votes.

Since 1952, Left parties have won the Tripura East seat 11 times while the Congress secured the seat five times.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, also a Politburo member of CPI(M), termed this victory as people's mandate towards good governance.

He said that insurgency problem had reduced in the state drastically due to good governance, standard policing and proactive action of the security forces in Bangladesh who destroyed rebel camps in their soil.

He, however, cautioned that the remnants of insurgency still exist and the ultras were still using the soil of Bangladesh for conducting subversive activities inside Tripura, which has a 856-km-long border with the neighbouring country.

The Left Front further consolidated its bastion in the rural areas by winning in the three-tier panchayats election in the state held in July.

The Agartala Municipal Corporation won the 'Clean and Green City' award this year for waste material management and keeping the city green.

Source:ET

Centre to clear stand on Uttarakhand hydropower projects in 2 months: Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The Centre was today granted two months time by the Supreme Court to spell out its stand on future of six hydropower projects in Uttarakhand which are facing uncertainity in the aftermath of a natural disaster last year.

A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit accepted the plea of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi that the final picture would be cleared after considering the stand and views of all stake-holders which include PSUs like National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Tehri Hydro Development Coporation (THDC).

"We will be in the position to tell the court whether the six of the hydropower projects which claim to have all clearance should be allowed, modified or scrapped altogether after taking the account of all stake-holders," Rohatgi submitted and sought two months to complete the exercise in which the parties would also file objection to the report of the expert committee questioning the clearance granted to them.

Source:ET

Units 3, 4 of Kudankulam nuclear plant to be commissioned in 2020-21: Government to Lok Sabha

The units are scheduled for commis-
sioning in 2020-21," Union Minister of
State for Department of Atomic Energy,
Jitendra Singh, said in a written reply 

NEW DELHI: Units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) are proposed to be launched in 2015-2016 and are scheduled for commissioning in 2020-21, the government today said. 

Administrative and statutory clearances for these projects have been obtained, it added. 

"KKNPP units 3 and 4 are (2x1000MW) proposed for launch in late 2015/early 2016. Government has already accorded administrative and financial sanction for the project and statutory clearances have been obtained. The site has been made ready for construction. 

"The units... are scheduled for commissioning in 2020-21," Union Minister of State for Department of Atomic Energy, Jitendra Singh, said in a written reply to a query in Lok Sabha. 

Replying to another question, Singh said that the Environmental Impact Assessment report for the proposed nuclear power plant at Chhaya Mithi Virdhi in Gujarat has found that setting up the plant at the site would not adversely affect the environment. 

The plant at Chhaya Mithi Virdhi is to come up with US collaboration while Russia is extending help for the KKNPP project in Tamil Nadu. 

Source:ET

Coal auction may push up fuel price for power sector: ICRA

MUMBAI: The auction of 74 coal blocks is likely to witness an intense competition among bidding companies and the exercise may push up the fuel price for power sector, rating agency ICRA said today.

This in turn may put an upward pressure on cost of power generation and the retail tariff, it said.

In a report, ICRA said the bidding for coal blocks may be intense due to low execution risks and their importance for both operational and under implementation projects.

These blocks are from over 200 coal mines whose allocations were quashed by the Supreme Court, which termed their allotment as "arbitrary and illegal". The first round of auction involving these blocks would be completed by March 31.

"Given that the government is initially focused on concluding the auction process for identified mine blocks which are meant for the specified end uses, competition is likely to be intense for the affected project developers, both due to lower execution risks in such blocks and the importance of such mines in ensuring viability of both operational and under implementation projects," ICRA said.

As a result, the auction process is expected to increase the cost of coal for the power sector, which in turn would put upward pressure on price of generation and retail tariff, it said.

ICRA, however, said that the provision for auction and allocation of coal block for mining with 'sale purpose' should be favourable for the coal mining sector in the long run.

The process would enable the entry of private sector in coal mining business with better operational efficiency which would help to improve the availability of coal for the various end uses, the rating agency said.

Source:ET

Tata Power commissions another wind project in Maharashtra

Tata Power has added another feather in its cap by successfully commissioning the final 8 MW of the 32 MW wind farm at Girijashankarwadi in Maharashtra.

After the commissioning of the project, Tata Power’s total wind generation capacity rose to 470.6 MW, with wind farms located in five states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

The project was developed by Tata Power’s subsidiary Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL).

In the near future, TPREL will add 300 MW of wind capacity as various projects are under construction in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

It is expected that the wind farm will generate approximately 62 MUs every year and it will be procured by Tata Power-Distribution through the fulfillment of its Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).

After the commissioning of the project, Tata Power’s total generation capacity will stand at 8623 MW.

On commissioning of the project, Anil Sardana, Managing Director, Tata Power said that wind energy is an important part of our renewable energy portfolio and the aim is to add 150-200 MW every year. Tata power is committed to reduce the carbon footprint by generating 20 to 25 per cent of the total capacity through clean and renewable energy sources.

Girijashankarwadi expressed gratitude to the government of Maharashtra, the local population and the stakeholders for the support extended in setting up this wind power project at Girijashankarwadi.

Meanwhile, Tata Power’s 470 MW wind portfolio and its 56 MW solar portfolio makes it the largest Renewable Utility player in India

Source:Energy next

Import of Coal

Coal can be imported by the purchaser as it is under Open General License. The total import of coal by India during 2013-14 was 168.4 MTe. of which 34.8 MTe. of coal was imported from Australia and the balance from other countries which include Indonesia (103.1 MTe.), South Africa (20.6MTe) and others ( 44.7 MTe.). The data on import is at the level of country of origin.The Ministry of Coal has no specific information on Indian companies that have taken mines on lease in other countries and coal imported from them. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, (Minister of state (I/C) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha 15-DEC. 

Source:PIB

Govt formulating new renewable energy policy: Goyal

The Indian government is taking all possible steps to ensure speedy growth of the renewable energy sector. The Minister of Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy, Piyush Goyal informed the Rajya Sabha that the government is working on a new renewable energy policy, which will give impetus to the renewable energy sector.

Goyal stated that talks are being held with the stakeholders with regards to developing a new policy. In a written response, Goyal stated that the ministry is working towards the preparation of the renewable energy bill so that it will give the much needed boost to the renewable energy power generation in the country.

Goyal informed the house that the Reserve Bank of India had directed all the scheduled commercial banks that the loans provided to the individuals for the setting up of the off-grid solar and renewable energy projects for the household purpose should be covered under the ‘Priority Sector Lending’.

Source:Energy Next

Government may not give free power to coal producing states: Power Minister Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal said the government
 had already introduced in 2010 a
Clean Energy Cess for whicha
levy of Rs 100 is now imposed
 on every tonne of coal. 

NEW DELHI: The government may not provide free power to coal producing states of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh on account of negative impact of industrial activity in these states. 

"The major coal bearing states -- Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh -- have been airing their concerns about negative externalities they face in connection with coal mining and thermal power generation and have been demanding equitable compensation to host power generating states and levy duty on generation," Power Minister Piyush Goyal said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. 

In this regard, the Planning Commission engaged TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) to suggest a suitable methodology for compensation to the states. 

Thereafter, TERI submitted its report to the Planning Commission. 

"The report has not recommended the use of free power to cover negative externalities as the same may create different implications for power deficit and power surplus states," Goyal said. 

He added that the government had already introduced in 2010 a Clean Energy Cess for which a levy of Rs 100 is now imposed on every tonne of coal. 

The amount collected is provided to National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) which aims to fund projects on clean energy, including the host states.

Source:ET

Coal block e-auction rules: Current mine owners to get head start over new bidders

Power, steel and cement projects with attached captive 

mines could get these back after payment of penalty

The captive coal mining firms in producing blocks might not lose their mines even after the deadline of March 31, 2015, set by the Supreme Court. The government's final rules for reallocation of cancelled mines through an e-auction process give the existing owners an advantage over new bidders.

In Phase-I, the 74 operational ones among the 204 deallocated mines will be on the block. The successful bidder will mine coal only for captive use, for projects in the power, steel or cement sector.

The detailed tender document that potential bidders have to file asks for precise details of end-use, amount of coal needed, distance of the end-use plant from the mine and the project's completion status.

“A company eligible to bid for any Schedule-II coal mine under sub-section (3) of Section 4 of the Ordinance shall have incurred an expenditure of not less than 80 per cent of the total project cost of the unit or phase of the specified end-use plant for which the company is bidding,” says a gazette notification in this regard, adding “a company eligible to bid for any Schedule-III mine shall have incurred an expenditure of not less than 60 per cent of the total project cost of the unit or phase of the specified end-use plant for which the company is bidding.” Under Schedule-II are the 42 producing coal blocks, while Schedule-III lists the 32 that are about to begin production.

This implies the power, steel and cement projects with attached captive mines could get these back after payment of penalty. “The methodology is transparent: The best fit bidder will get the suitable mine. The government is asking for the bidder's preparedness to use the mine allotted. In almost all cases, the existing owner is the best prepared with end-use,” said a senior executive in the know of the matter.

The industry stakeholders consulted by the government while designing the final auction rules are hoping the government will not let the investments made in end-use plants, especially those for power projects, go waste.

BACK IN THE GAME

The phases

• Govt to conduct two-phase bidding (technical & financial) 

End-use

• The successful bidder to meet criteria like status of end-use plant, its proximity to the mine and amount of coal needed

No loss

• The end-use projects with captive mines likely to get what they had lost

Ahead in race

• Earlier owners ready to jump in the race are hopeful of getting back their mines

Protecting money

• Stakeholders are hopeful the govt will not let investments in end-use projects go waste

Damage control

• Power-generation capacity of 28,000 Mw has been affected by cancellation of coal blocks

The gazette notification also mentions the capacity of the specified end-use project shall be in proportion to the capacity of the Schedule-II or Schedule-III coal mine a company is bidding for.

The Centre plans to conduct a two-stage bidding under the Coal Mines Special Provisions Ordinance, promulgated to reallocate the cancelled blocks. Power sector executives believe the government, by asking for technical bids first, has already separated the men from the boys. The bidder qualifying in the first stage will be asked to make a financial bid under e-auctioning. The rules specify the technical and financial qualification of participants in the auction.

“Unlike last time, we will see serious bidders during this (first) phase of auction; the criteria for technical bids will bring the current owners back in the game,” said a senior industry official who did not wish to be named. He said new players might enter, if the compensation- and penalty-related issues were taken care of well, but it would be in the larger industry interest that the existing owner got its mine back after paying a penalty ordered by the Supreme Court.

The court had cancelled 204 block allocations, made through the screening committee route over the past two decades, terming those “illegal” and “unconstitutional”. It had given the government time till March 31 to reallocate operational mines and asked mine owners to pay a fine of Rs 295 per tonne of coal.

Source:BS

Next-Gen power distribution era to emerge with new Electricity Act

Changes allow those using less than a Mw to choose supplier

The amendments to the Electricity Act are likely to change the business dynamics for power distribution companies (discoms).

It will provide small consumers a choice of suppliers and allow distribution companies (discoms) to procure power from their own renewable energy plants to meet their renewable purchase obligation.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared changes in the Act. Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal earlier this week said the Bill would be tabled in Parliament soon.

Aimed at creating a competitive market for retail buyers, open access will allow consumers of less than one Mw to choose their supplier.

NEW ELECTRICITY ACT: WHY, WHAT & HOW

Open access for over 1 Mw allowed – enabling inter-state transmission from surplus to deficit points

Power supply business separate from setting infrastructure for supply – opens the market for ancillary business, increases competition

Choice to consumer to select his power supplier – market driven tariffs, better supply and open ground for competition

Time-bound distribution licence – pressure on discom to perform better

RGO along with RPO – promotion of clean energy and its adoption

In the Electricity Act-2003, consumers of more than one Mw can change their distribution company.  

Power generators, too, will be allowed to sell their surplus outside a state. “Opening the sector will make sure the supply of power is in line with market realities,” said an executive in a distribution company.

Currently, state governments can appeal to the regulator to stop such sales in extraordinary circumstances. Distribution companies in other states are unable to freely procure such power.

 “We end up scheduling costly power, which has pushed us to the wall. Banks have also withdrawn any support from the discoms,” said a senior executive with a Delhi-based private power distribution utility.

The distribution industry owes Rs 13,000 crore to power plants.

A big relief for the distribution sector is the separation of the content and carriage businesses. Building infrastructure for power supply and the supply of power will be two different business entities. Besides, any power supplier can use the infrastructure.

The bill also has an important insertion imposing a “duty to connect, supply to request”, where the last-mile supply will keep in mind the economics and viability.

“In most developed markets, the carriage business is controlled by the regulator and content, that is power supply, is market driven within a price band,” said the executive.

As a separate business, the onus of development of the network will rest with the carriage provider.

Distribution companies from across the country have written to the ministry of power seeking a clear demarcation of duties and responsibilities for content and carriage.

The distribution companies, which have repeatedly pointed to their financial stress as the reason for not complying with the renewable purchase obligation, have now been asked to generate renewable power to meet their targets.

The Act proposes a National Renewable Energy Policy and a new Renewable Generation Obligation.

The head of oneof the  distribution companies said the sentiment among Indian consumers was that power should be cheap.

“All consumers think they are burdened with costly power, whereas the discoms struggle with recovering their cost. In a situation like this, an unbundled distribution sector helps all,” said the executive.

Source:BS

Turkey rolls out red carpet for Indian power producers

MUMBAI: With Turkey aiming for mega 125-GW installed power capacity by 2023, private firms like Tata Power, Lanco, GMR and Essar as also state-run NTPC are mulling investments in that nation, according to Turkish investment support and promotion agency.

As of 2012, the installed capacity in Turkey, which is a European Union member despite being an Asian country, was 57,058 MW. It plans to increase the capacity to 1,25,000 MW by 2023 and is expecting domestic companies to contribute significantly in achieving the target.

"There is immense scope in the power sector in Turkey, which is emerging as an investment hub especially in the power sector. Countries like Russia, Austria, China, France, Sweden, Germany and even the US are investing heavily in Turkey now.

"India, which has so far no presence there is now seriously considering Turkey as an investment destination," Sanjeev Kathpalia, senior advisor with the Investment Support and Promotion Agency, under the office of the Turkish prime minister, told PTI in an interaction here.

He said so far India has no presence in his country, but now many private and public sector firms are keenly looking at investing in Turkey.

"Companies like Tata Power, Lanco, GMR, Essar, Reliance in the private sector and NTPC in the public sector are keen to invest. We are in talks with these companies and we may see some positive activity in this direction in the next six months," Kathpalia said.

An investment of nearly USD 100 billion is expected to come in the sector in the next 10 years and India is expected to contribute nearly 15 per cent of the total investment.

He further said apart from the scope Turkey offers in the power generation sector, its geographical position makes it a transit country in the field of energy.

"Turkey's geographical position to the regions of Europe, the Balkans, the Aegean, the Black Sea, the Caucus-Khazar Basin, Central Asia, the East Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East makes it an energy corridor for transporting power resources from the Middle East and the Khazar regions to Europe," Kathpalia said.

He further said his country's strategic position is also critical for export and import of electricity through Turkey enabled energy integration with Europe.

"Indian companies can sell power generated in Turkey on merchant tariff basis outside. Besides, Turkey also offers various incentives to developers who use locally sourced equipment," Kathpalia added.

Source:ET