Telangana aims to become power surplus in two years

Telangana's efforts to meet its power demands received a boost when the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) agreed to fund three major power projects by giving a loan of Rs 24,000 crores. The funds will be utilized by the Telangana State Power Generation Company to set up the projects having an installed capacity of 6280 MW—the 800 MW at Kothagudem Thermal Power Station, 1080 MW at Bhadradri in Khammam, and 4400 MW at Damaracherla in Nalgonda district.

Once these three projects, and a few others that are being planned separately, start operating, Telangana hopes to become a power surplus state. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between REC represented by its Chairman and Managing Director Rajeev Sharma and TSGENCO represented by its Chairman and Managing Director D Prabhakar Rao. On a request from Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao, REC reduced the rate of interest by 0.5 per cent as a special case which will reduce the burden on Telangana by Rs 600 crores.

REC is a Navaratna Enterprise and provides financial assistance for rural electrification as well as all types of power generation, transmission and distribution projects. Apart from this Rs 24,000 crores funding from REC, the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) had earlier agreed to fund Rs 15,000 crores for these three projects and TSGENCO will fund Rs 3,000 crores totaling Rs 42, 000 cores that are required to complete the projects. CM Rao said that power generation will go up as NTPC is also starting work on its 4000 MW (5X800MW) project at Ramagundem while the 1200 MW Singareni Power Project will come up at a cost Rs 4,000 crores.

The CM said that another Rs 21,500 crores will be invested in solar projects and establishing the evacuation and transmission lines. The total investment for 10, 280 MW of power plants in the next four years will amount to Rs 91,500 crores, officials said. Telangana Government has two-pronged approach to increase power generation. On one hand it is working on resource mobilization for establishing basic infrastructure, ensuring water supply to the projects, township development, and laying rail tracks to maintain coal supplies while on the other, it is working on acquiring huge tracts of land to build these projects.

Now that a major portion of the funds are being given in the form of loans by REC and PFC, only the land and environmental clearance issues remain. For the Bhadradri power plant of 1080 MW at Manugur in Khammam District, 1134 acres of land has been already acquired and Telangana Government has applied for environment clearances. This plant's requirement of 1.2 TMC of water will be met from Godavari River, official said, adding that BHEL has already started work there. For the 800 MW of plant at KTPS in the existing land, work has commenced. For the 4400 MW plant 10,000 acres is being acquired at Damaracherla in Nalgonda District and environment clearances are being obtained. 4.6 TMC of water required for this plant will be drawn from the nearby Krishna River.

Source:KSEB

Mine auction to ensure cheaper power: Jaitley

Drawing a comparison with the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) promise of subsidised power, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday that the Modi government’s policy of reverse auctioning coal mines was much more in the interest of the country as it ensured cheaper electricity to the common man in a sustained manner.

Addressing global investors at a conference Re-Invest 2015, Mr. Jaitley said, without naming the AAP: “One way by which people want to provide cheaper electricity is by the state subsidising it… A state subsidy really means that you will have to tax people more in order to provide something free to some other people… Is that a sustainable cause?”

The Finance Minister then argued, “Or is the process we are following… in reverse bidding, the cost of power is going to be linked with the rate at which you get the fuel… it is [a] far more sustainable policy and much more in the interest of this country.”

The Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi on Monday issued directions to its finance and power departments seeking proposals for the implementation of its key pre-poll promise of slashing power tariff in the capital by 50 per cent.

Mr. Jaitley said India was better placed to offer opportunities to investors.

Source:The Hindu

Mine allotment process for PSUs to start on Wednesday

Instead of 36 coal mines, the government has decided that it will 

allot 45 coal blocks to PSUs, says Coal Secretary Anil Swarup

Govt. to invite applications for 43 coal blocks

The government will on Wednesday start afresh the process for allotting coal mines to State and Central public sector undertakings (PSUs) and will now allot 43 blocks, instead of 36 announced earlier.

“Tomorrow, the Coal Ministry will come out with notification inviting applications for 43 coal blocks,” a Coal Ministry official said.

There is a lot of demand from PSUs for allotment of coal blocks.

Coal Secretary Anil Swarup further said that instead of 36 coal mines the government had decided that it would allot 45 coal blocks to the PSUs.

The Ministry has decided to allot 43 mines instead of 45 blocks as two mines have been held back as they are being examined by a technical committee.

The government has put on sale 19 coal blocks in the first lot. Till now nine coal blocks have been bagged by companies like Hindalco, Jaiprakash Associates, Durgapur Projects and B S Ispat.

The government has already started the process of auction of 21 coal blocks to be put on sale in the second lot.

Meanwhile, Jaiprakash Power Ventures bagged the Amelia (North) mine in Madhya Pradesh, quoting Rs.712 a tonne, the highest among 11 firms, including Adani Power, Balco and Essar Power.

Bids are under way on the fourth day of auction for another two coal blocks — Ardhagram in West Bengal and Chotia in Chhattisgarh to be given to firms in the non-power sector.

“Jaiprakash Power the highest bidder at (Rs) 712 (a tonne) for Amelia North,” Coal Secretary Anil Swarup tweeted.

The ten companies in the race for Amelia (North) mine apart from Jaiprakash Power Ventrues Ltd were — Adani Power, Bharat Aluminium Co (BALCO), Essar Power M P, GMR Chhattisgarh Energy, GVK Power Goindwal Sahib, Jindal Power, JSW Energy, KSK Mahanadi Power Company, RattanIndia Power and Reliance Geothermal Power Pvt. Ltd.

The mine has extractable reserves of 70.28 million tonnes (mt). The other two mines — Ardhagram and Chotia for which bidding is on — have extractable reserves of 19.29 mt and 13.57 mt, respectively.

Earlier tweeting on auctions, Mr. Swarup said “coal block auction gets under way on the fourth day adding that poor States will reap benefits of coal block auctions.”

The five companies vying for Ardhagram coal mine are Easternrange Coal Mining Pvt. Ltd., Monnet Ispat and Energy, OCL Iron & Steel, SS Natural Resources Pvt. Ltd. and Visa Steel. The technically qualified bidders for Chotia mines are: Balco, Godawari Power & Ispat, Hindalco Industries, Prakash Industries, Rungta Mines and Ultratech Cement.

Source:The Hindu

Exempt imported coal from customs duty, demand private power firms

As part of its budget expectations, the 

Association of Power Producers' (APP) 

has asked for exemption in BCD and

 CVD on imported coal

NEW DELHI: Private power producers have sought customs duty relief on imported coal for thermal plants, saying the levy is "increasing the cost of electricity generation and burdening the common man". 

At present, coal imports attract 2 per cent Basic Customs Duty (BCD) and Countervailing Duty (CVD) each. 

As part of its budget expectations, the Association of Power Producers' (APP) has asked for exemption in BCD and CVD on imported coal. 

APP represents as many as 20 private power companies. Stating that private firms are forced to import the dry fuel as domestic coal is insufficient to meet their requirement, APP said, "Since there is no duty on electricity on the output side, any duty imposed on procurement of coal would be a cost for power companies." 

"BCD and CVD should be nil rated for coal imported for the usage in thermal power plants." 

APP has said that the present duty structure is "unintentionally" increasing the cost of power generation and impacting the common man. 

The private power producers have also sought exemption of customs duty on fly ash for a power plant set up in SEZ. 

"Fly ash has no value and many times the project developers have to pay for disposal of the fly ash while also complying with terms of MoEF for disposal of fly ash. There is no rationale on charging duty on such an item," APP said. 

Meanwhile, Anil Chaudhry, Country President and Managing Director, Schneider Electric India said, "The growth of the Indian economy, to a great extent, will depend on the nation's openness and adaptability to energy security. To achieve this it will require priority sector lending status under RBI guidelines."

Source:ET

PM promises states more funds, greater utilisation powers

PM offered to transfer some of the 66 centrally 

sponsored schemes, for whichRs 3,38,562 crore 

was provided in 2014-15, to states

Exhorting Chief Ministers to bury differences to help India achieve high growth and create jobs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised more funds to states with greater powers on their utilisattion, even as he asked them to address issues delaying projects.

Keen to revive investment cycle, Modi at the first Governing Council meeting of the newly-constituted NITI Aayog asked Chief Ministers to personally monitor factors impacting project execution and suggested that an officer be identified in each state to monitor and resolve pending issues.

He offered to transfer some of the 66 centrally sponsored schemes, for which Rs 3,38,562 crore was provided in 2014-15, to states. A sub-group of Chief Ministers would be set up under NITI Aayog to look into rationalisation of these 66 schemes and recommend which ones "to continue, which to transfer to states, and which to cut down".

"We will move away from 'one size fits all' schemes and forge a better match between the schemes and the needs of states," Modi said.

Modi also announced setting up of two more such sub-groups -- one for skill development and creation of jobs within states and the other to create an institutional framework to make 'Swachh Bharat (Clean India)' a continuous initiative.

Identifying poverty elimination as the biggest challenge, he said the new body, which replaced the long-standing socialist era plan body Planning Commission, will forge a model of "co-operative and competitive federalism".

"Forgetting all our differences, let us focus on the cycle of investment, growth, job creation and prosperity," he said at the meeting attended by Chief Ministers and representatives of 31 states and Union Territories, addressing them as 'Team India'

Noting that India cannot advance without all its states advancing in tandem, the Prime Minister said the idea was to bring up all states together in the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'.

Later briefing reporters, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that Modi told CMs that "the priorities are growth, investment, jobs, poverty alleviation, decentralisation, efficiency and no delay in execution of projects".

The Prime Minister, Jaitley said, also highlighted that the economic activity really is to take place in states and therefore states have an important role to play.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee skipped the meet, but Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Manjhi, who is facing a political turmoil back home, was present. States like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh demanded more funds for states, while Kerala sought greater flexibility in central allocations.

Source:BS

Inox Wind bags 166-mw contract from Green Infra

nox Wind has received a 166 mw contract 

from Green Infra to set up projects in 

Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan 

NEW DELHI: Inox Wind has received a 166 mw contract from Green Infra, a company promoted by IDFC PE Fund, to set up projects in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the sector where the government has restored tax benefits to promote clean energy. 

Inox Wind, part of the $2 billion (about Rs 12,400 crore) Inox group that has interests in multixplexes, cryogenic technology refrigerants and industrial gases, is a subsidiary of Gujarat Fluorochemicals. 

Under the contract, the company will develop and construct the projects on a turnkey basis, supply 83 units of 2 mw wind turbine generators and undertake long-term operations and maintenance, said Devansh Jain, director, Inox Wind. The projects are likely to be commissioned in phases by December. 

While Jain did not divulge the total value of the order, according to market experts an investment of about Rs 6 crore is required per megawatt of wind power. The government's thrust on renewable sector has boosted investor sentiment and attracted several companies to wind and solar power generation. Companies like Suzlon are counting on revival of the sector while the Adani group recently announced a $4 billion investment in the renewable energy sector along with US firm SunEdison, a leading p .. 

player in photovoltaic equipment. 

According to ratings agency ICRA, capacity addition in wind energy is likely to increase 10% to 2,200-2,300 mw during the current financial year. 

Inox Wind also plans to expand operations and is in the process of setting up an integrated wind turbine manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh at an investment of about Rs 250 crore, director of Inox Wind added. 

The company will manufacture 800 mw of nacelles and hubs, 800 mw of blades and 600 mw of towers at the new facility which is likely to be commissioned in phases over the next year. Earlier, it was awarded two wind-farm project contracts of 54 mw and 118 mw in Gujarat and Rajasthan by Tata Power Renewable Energy, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power. 

Industry executives told ET that Inox Wind is likely to come up with an initial public offer (IPO) in March-April. The company plans to raise up to Rs 700 crore as primary component and an offer for sale of up to two crore shares held by Gujarat FluorochemicalsBSE -0.57 % is on the cards, said an executive, who did not wish to be identified. 

The total issue size will be decided after the valuation, the executive said, adding that the company is in the process of holding road shows for the IPO in Hong Kong, Dubai and London. 

Source:ET

BHEL commissions 270 MW thermal unit in Maharashtra

NEW DELHI: State-run BHELBSE -2.54 % today said it has commissioned a 270-MW unit of a coal-based thermal power plant in Maharashtra. 

The third unit was commissioned at Rattan India Power Limited's (formerly Indiabulls PowerBSE -3.45 %) upcoming thermal power project located at Amravati in Maharashtra, BHEL said in a statement. 

This is the third 270 MW unit commissioned by BHEL in Phase-1 of the project. The project is being executed in two phases, each of 1,350 MW, the statement said. 

Shares of the company were trading at Rs 281.40, down 1.30 per cent on the BSE.

Source:ET

Investor commitments received for 1.3 lakh MW renewable energy: Piyush Goyal

It can be noted that every megawatt of new capacity

 in solar energy requires investment of up to Rs 8 cr, 

while the same for wind energy is Rs 4.5-6.85 cr. 

MUMBAI: Even before the first-ever meet for attracting investment in renewable energy sector starts, the country has received commitments to create 1.30 lakh MW generation capacity, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said today. 

"We have received commitment for investments for nearly 1.3 lakh MW of renewable energy from both the domestic and international players," Goyal today said, speaking here on sidelines of an event organised by VASVIK. 

The government, which is targeting an investment of USD 100 billion in clean energy over four years, will be holding `Renewable Energy Global Investors Meet and Expo' (RE-INVEST) from February 15 to 17. 

The Minister did not give details of the investment proposals. 

It can be noted that every megawatt of new capacity in solar energy requires investment of up to Rs 8 crore, while the same for wind energy is Rs 4.5-6.85 crore. 

The meet, organised by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), is aimed at showcasing the government's commitment to the development and scaling up of renewable energy to meet the national energy requirement in a socially, economically and ecologically and ecologically sustainable manner, he said. 

Goyal added that the government is working closely with domestic and international partners to achieve its target of 1 lakh MW of solar capacity and 40,000 MW of wind power in the next five years. 

Source:ET

India plans to get Bhel to bid for Bangladesh power project

Bids for the 1,320MW Khulna project, also termed 

the  Maitree  (friendship) project, that may  have a 

final capacity of 2,640MW are to be called shortly

As part of India’s strategy to exert economic and strategic influence in the neighbourhood by developing infrastructure, state-owned NTPC plans to set up coal-based power projects in Bangladesh.

New Delhi: In an attempt to thwart China’s plan to corner the construction contract for a $1.68 billion power project in Bangladesh that India is helping its neighbour build in the electricity-starved country, India wants Bangladesh to allow state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) to bid for it. 

As part of India’s strategy to exert economic and strategic influence in the neighbourhood by developing infrastructure, state-owned NTPC Ltd plans to set up coal-based power projects in Bangladesh. Accordingly, bids for the 1,320 megawatts (MW) Khulna project, also termed the Maitree (friendship) project, that may have a final capacity of 2,640MW are to be called shortly. According to preliminary bid conditions yet to be finalized, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) wants to put in a qualifying condition that the prospective bidder must have a 500MW running unit overseas. 

While this may allow Chinese, Japanese, Korean and European manufacturers to compete for the tender, India’s Bhel doesn’t qualify. “The bids for the construction of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt.) Ltd, which is being developed in an equal joint venture by NTPC and BPDB, are to be called shortly,” a person aware of the development said, requesting anonymity. “The tender documents which are yet to be placed may have the 500MW overseas running unit condition. While this may allow Chinese, Japanese, Korean and European manufacturers to compete for the tender. NTPC will oppose it to give Bhel a chance to compete.” Another person aware of the development, also requesting anonymity, said, “Bhel has had this discussion with NTPC. NTPC will ensure that Bhel will be able to bid for the project. Apart from this condition of 500MW running unit overseas, other conditions can be introduced to facilitate Bhel’s participation.

” Queries emailed to the spokespersons for India’s ministries of external affairs and power, Chinese embassy and Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, and BPDB remained unanswered till press time. A Bhel spokesperson in an emailed response said, “Bhel is unaware of any such development.” An NTPC spokesperson in an emailed response said, “The QRs for the bid documents shall be finalized and approved by board of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Pvt. Ltd. Participation of Indian manufacturer along with other international players in the tender will be a matter of pride for all of us.

” India and China are in a race for the world’s resources as they seek to fuel economic growth. Indian efforts to step up energy diplomacy by engaging with Myanmar, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka haven’t had the desired result though. China is becoming increasingly influential by wielding its growing economic might without being constrained by the need to consider its own local constituents. Experts stress the strategic importance of the project and the associated benefits from it. “It was always agreed that there will be a international tender. The contract will be given to the best bidder. If the project goes to China, there may be a problem,” said former power secretary P. Umashankar. 

“The project has strategic importance for relationship between the two countries. It will be the largest such project in Bangladesh and its impact will be felt there as it has the potential to generate goodwill for India. Most of their capacity is from diesel units which has a high cost associated with it. In comparison, the tariff from this project will be of optimal value,” Umashankar added. In Bangladesh, a neighbour that is key to Indian attempts to develop the region, even the India-friendly Sheikh Hasina regime hasn’t stopped the Chinese from making their presence felt. Mint reported on 18 November 2011 about India’s plan to develop the Khulna power project hanging in the balance after differences emerged between the two sides over tariffs and the use of Chinese equipment. NTPC and BPDB later signed a joint venture agreement for the imported coal-based project in January 2012. 

Power purchase and implementation agreements were signed by NTPC in Bangladesh in April last year for the Khulna project, which is expected to be commissioned by 2018, with the entire power to be supplied to Bangladesh. The National Democratic Alliance government has stepped up its efforts to boost relations with Bangladesh, including a new visa policy, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated his government’s neighbourhood-first foreign policy and promised to strengthen ties with all neighbours in South Asia. India is prepared to supply an additional 100MW of electricity to Bangladesh on addition to the 500MW it was supplying. According to information available on the website of Indian High Commission in Dhaka, 

“Land filling at site is 70% complete. Site levelling of main plant area (identified as priority area) has mostly been completed and contract for main plant fencing activities has been awarded.” 

“Business Execution Concept of the Company has been finalized. Global Expression of Interests (EoIs) were invited from experienced consultants to provide Owner’s Engineer Services to the JV Company for project development. responses have been received. Responses are being scrutinized for further action,” the website added. In a separate development, NTPC on Friday said net profit for the quarter ended 31 December rose 7% from a year earlier as it benefited from higher sales. Net profit rose to Rs.3,074 crore from Rs.2,861.28 crore a year ago. Revenue fell to Rs.19,339.37 crore from Rs.19,589.01 crore.

Source:Livemint

China’s wind energy capacity exceeds UK’s entire energy system

China added 20.7 GW of wind energy capacity in 2014 and its total installed wind power capacity, accounting for 40 per cent of all new capacity in the year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).

According to figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), China’s total installed wind power capacity has reached 96 GW, which exceeds the entire energy system of UK.

With an installed capacity of 96 GW, China is the world’s largest wind energy market. Today, wind energy is the third largest power source in the country after cal and hydro based power generation.
It was a good year for Chinese wind industry in 2014, with most of the installation coming ahead of expected subsidy cut in 2015. The project developers showed urgency in completing their projects to avoid the expected cut in feed-in-tariffs

Source: Energy Next

US to help India lean more on renewable energy

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama have taken a big step forward with their announcements on tackling climate change, but there is no indication yet that India will change its basic stand in international negotiations that the developed countries are the biggest polluters and they must pay for it.

Modi and Obama on Sunday agreed that India and the United States will work together to support India's ambitious climate and energy goals by focusing on air quality and increasing the share of renewables in the energy basket. This partnership is based on ten specific initiatives, which include broadening the areas for undertaking research in clean energy; addressing urban air quality; expanding policy dialogues and technical work on clean energy and low greenhouse gas emissions technologies; undertaking demonstration and pilot clean energy projects; and developing cooling solutions to replace hydrocloroflurocarbons (HFCs), which contribute to global warming. Each of the initiatives addresses India's domestic priorities and needs.

The US, which sealed a landmark deal on climate change with China in November, last year, began its partnership with the Asian country in 2009 with similar goals focused on China's priorities.

Modi and Obama on Sunday agreed that India and the US will work together to support India's ambitious climate and energy goals by focusing on air quality and increasing the share of renewables in the energy basket.

The two countries had started off by agreeing to work together on vehicular emissions, renewable energy partnership and energy efficiency. Urban air quality, which includes working with the US Environment Protection Agency, was added later to the agenda and the partnership between the two countries deepened over the past five years to address issues such as scaling down of HFCs, which are refrigerant gases with high global warming potential.As with China, the US' approach to India has been to help the country address issues it has identified, be it air quality, augmenting renewable energy generation, reducing vehicular emissions efor achieving energy efficiency. For the US, the partnerships are aimed at helping the countries opt for economic growth without increasing carbon emissions. "It is a bit like leading the horse to the water," an analyst said.

"The US helps address potential areas of carbon emission, help clean up the air, and finally the partner country reaches a place where they can make some bigticket commitment." Climate change is one of the issues that President Obama has focused on during his presidency, particularly in his second term. Not only is it a legacy issue for the US president, it is also part of Washington's efforts to shed the recalcitrant image it had gained by not ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, which is a legally binding international treaty to reduce carbon emissions.

Analysts argue that for the United States to push through participation in global efforts to tackle climate change, it is necessary that other big emitters like China and India too be seen to be taking efforts to address the issue of emissions. The engagement with China and India is part of that effort. It is, at the same time, America's attempt to take leadership of the global effort by enabling countries like India and China, which are projected to be big producers of carbon in the future, to limit their emissions.

In the case of China, the partnership that began with interventions on urban air quality, vehicular emissions, cleaner coal and renewable energy culminated in China's announcement that its carbon emissions will stop increasing by 2030.

Experts say that such a culmination is not yet in the offing for India. Speaking ahead of the US President's visit to India on how sectoral focus on the India-US engagement on climate change, Navroz Dubash, senior fellow at the Delhi-based Centre for Policy Research said, "India's energy needs are unpredictable. We have a massive issue about the demographic bulge. We have had growth in the service sector but it doesn't take care of the bulge. That will be addressed by focusing on manufacturing."

Source:ET

Up to companies to decide on civil nuclear power: US

Up to companies to decide
on civil nuclear power: US

Ben Rhodes said it is for private American firms to make their determination with regard to establishing atomic power plants in India.

NEW DELHI: A day after India and the US reached an understanding on resolving the logjam in implementing the landmark civil nuclear deal, a senior White House official today said it is for private American firms to make their determination with regard to establishing atomic power plants in India. 

"The two governments have reached an understanding; they've reached an agreement about how to resolve the issues that have been I think a break and a logjam for the last several years," White House Deputy National Security Advisor, Ben Rhodes told US reporters travelling with Obama. 

"When you look at the administrative arrangement that we've reached an understanding on, this will provide for the necessary information sharing and contact between the two governments, for us to feel like we can move forward in implementing the 123 Agreement," he said. 

"On the issue of liability, the Indians have put forward an approach in which they're creating an insurance pool, and committed financial resources to that pool that will mitigate risk for companies that are doing business here in India," Rhodes said. 

"In terms of the two governments, we believe that we have reached an understanding on these critical issues that have been an impediment to moving forward in the last several years. At the same time, it's ultimately up to US companies to make their own determinations about whether and when to invest in India and to move forward," Rhodes said. 

"In terms of the work that the governments have done together through a contact group the two leaders empowered here, we believe that this was a significant breakthrough and we now have the framework to move forward in implementing the 123 Agreement," he said in response to a question. 

A contact group formed by the two countries after the September 30 Obama-Modi meeting at the White House met three times to resolve the impending issues related to the civil nuclear deal. 

"The Indians certainly came to the table with increased information-sharing and exchanges that met our concerns. I don't think this is a contest of wills, but I do think that it was important for these additional understandings to be worked out in terms of increased information-sharing and understanding of how information will be provided, and also this insurance pool that could mitigate risk. 

"I think these are concepts that were fleshed out over the course of the last three meetings of this contact group," he said. 

Rhodes appreciated the leadership of Modi in resolving the issue. 

"We appreciate the leadership that Prime Minister Modi showed in getting this done, building on the work of the previous government but, enabling us to get over the hurdle. But we also wanted to find a way through this," he said. 

"We wanted to reach an understanding that was acceptable to both countries to allow us to move forward with the agreement and our broader relationship," Rhodes said.

Source:ET

Ben Rhodes said it is for private American firms to make their determination with regard to establishing atomic power plants in India.

SINGAPORE: Global benchmark prices for natural gas have converged to their closest in five years, a trajectory created by a supply glut and an oil rout. That spells trouble for US and Australian projects coming online this year. 

Prices in the natural gas hubs of Europe and Asia are at their closest to the US benchmark since 2010 after oil plunged below $50 a barrel and gas supplies from Australia and the United States created a surplus of cargoes. 

Asian prices may fall further as new projects come online in Australia and the United States, adding to the glut and depressing markets to the point that some of the facilities may not be able to export profitably. 

"Spreads in gas prices between Asian LNG and US gas have fallen by 50 per cent from $12 to $6 (per million British thermal units). With liquefaction and shipping costs of $6.50, arbitrage margins are now negative," Alliance Bernstein said in a report. 

Global prices were all around $5 per mmBtu before prices started to diverge five years ago. In North America, the shale gas boom led to a glut, pulling prices there to less than $2 per mmBtu. In Europe, dwindling supplies and unstable flows from a volatile North Africa pushed prices to $8-10 per mmBtu. The most dramatic moves were in Asia, where the closure of Japan's nuclear reactors following the Fukushima meltdown resulted in a surge in LNG demand. With Chinese consumption also growing, Asia prices rose to more than $20 per mmBtu. 

Source:ET

Global coal prices inch closer to CIL's, cheer to IPPs

Demand for imported coal to go up

A fall of 25 per cent in global coal prices over the past six months is likely to bring cheer to power producers in India. At $46 a tonne, the price of imported coal is inching closer to that sold by state giant Coal India Ltd (CIL).

According to CIL executives, the average cost of what they produce is Rs 900-2,000 a tonne. The average sale price of CIL’s coal is Rs 1,400 a tonne, currently. If the transportation cost is added, at a rail charge from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 a tonne, the final cost of CIL coal comes is in the range of Rs 2,400-3,400.

Though the rail transit cost for every tonne per km is the same for both imported and domestic coal, the better heating ability of imported coal gives it an edge. Coal sold by CIL is lower grade, with a value of 3,500 to 5,500 kcal; imported coal has one of 5,550 to 6,500 kcal. The ash content is also low at two per cent in imported coal; in domestic produce, it is 25 per cent. This means to generate a unit (kilo watt) of power, 25 per cent less coal is required if it is imported.  

The global price in 2008 touched $130 a tonne. Since then, it has been sliding, from $80 a tonne in December 2013 to $50 in December 2014. At a foreign exchange rate of Rs 62 for a dollar, the landed price is Rs 2,700 to Rs 3,000 a tonne. After adding transport cost, it is Rs 3,700-5,000 a tonne for power companies. So, for generating the same amount of power as from a tonne of imported coal, the cost of domestic coal would be Rs 3,000-4,250, a cost differential of 15-23 per cent.

A senior power executive said plants operating on domestic coal can, therefore, replace at least half their need with imported coal. “Depending on the configuration, they can save on cost since heat value is higher in imported coal,” said the executive.

Plants banking on blended coal would now stand to benefit, say experts. “Even at a blending of 30-40 per cent, if the prices remain at current levels, the demand for imported coal would go up,” said a Delhi-based sector analyst. Industry experts said as Indian power plants can blend 50 per cent imported coal, there is a strong likelihood that imported coal would replace the domestic one where the input cost favours imports.

“For power plants based in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and other western parts, the distance is around 1,500 km and more. The transport cost is above Rs 2,000 a tonne of coal. In such a case, getting imported coal which is also of better quality looks viable,” said a power sector executive.

NTPC, which has most of its power plants near coal mines, has the lowest transport cost. Independent power producers face not only transport cost but a loss of six to eight per cent of the amount in rail transit, said a coal industry official.

Source:BS

Engineering firm Sunil Hitech bullish to develop 200MW solar capacity in next 5 years

The company is currently developing a
5 MW solar plant in Maharashtra
under the Jawaharlal Nehru National
Solar Mission (JNNSM) phase II batch I. 

MUMBAI: Engineering firm Sunil Hitech EngineersBSE 5.71 % expects to develop nearly 200 MW solar capacity in the next 5 years on the back of government's ambitious target of developing 100 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022, a top official of the company said. 

The company, through its infrastructure arm Sunil Hitech India Infra (SHIIL), is currently developing a 5 MW solar plant in Maharashtra under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) phase II batch I. 

The new government has given emphasis on setting up 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022. 

"As an infrastructure company, we have the capabilities of setting up large solar plants so we can participate in this mission and we hope we can have a portfolio of at least 200 MW in the next 5 years," Sunil Hitech Engineers Joint Managing Director Sunil Gutte told PTI. 

The company is also L1 for the 15 MW solar power project, which is yet to be awarded under the same scheme. 

"The government has planned to set up solar parks in various parts of the country. We will be participating in the bids which we believe will come up for tendering in the next few months," he said. 

Source:ET

ET GBS: We’ll repel all greedy corporate efforts, says Power Minister Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal says the need for tie-ups
with the private sector will not hamper
government’s sense of sound economics,
political wisdom

NEW DELHI: The government will depend on a partnership with private sector for investment-led growth, but will blend sound economics with political wisdom and repel any greedy corporate effort to grab resources cheap, the minister for coal, power and renewable energy Piyush Goyal said. 

Delivering his special address at the Economic Times Global Business Summit, Goyal said the government's policy action and reforms would be calibrated in the context of the political economy to make sure good efforts are not stymied by unrest that can hit output of minerals, coal or electricity.

"If one can calibrate the entire process, one can introduce competition into the system, one can ensure the public and private sectors coexist as we roll out infrastructure.

I believe that is the way to go forward, that is the way to achieve results, that is the way to make it politically and economically a sound business proposition and in that, the 

government's role can only be one of an enabler."

The government and companies need to be honest, he said. "We cannot have a situation where the private sector is wishing to corner assets in natural resources and corner them cheap or is only looking at what is in it for him rather than even for a moment bothering about what is in it for the country." The comments come amid the private sector's stiff opposition to a proposal to change the bidding guidelines for big power projects.

Also, private companies that are looking to bid for coal blocks oppose the requirement to furnish an initial price offer during the technical bid stage. According to the coal ministry, this requirement will ensure bidding by only serious players and prevent cornering of the blocks by a few.

Goyal said capital was scarce but still government funds had been used for election-oriented expenditure in the past. "...What we saw particularly in the last few years was a consumption-led growth, rather than an investment-led growth," he said. "It is that aspect of the economy which I believe we need to change, which to my simple economic understanding is the critical turnaround that India will see and witness and benefit from."

Goyal said he had faced criticism for not completely denationalising the coal sector, but he defended the strategy and said reckless privatisation was not the answer.

Source:ET

Piyush Goyal hopeful of garnering global investments in power sector at WEC in Davos

He also said the divestment process
of CIL is on track and the upcoming
coal auctions have been designed
specifically to keep power tariffs low.

MUMBAI:Power, coal and renewable energy minister Piyush Goyal is hopeful of the Indian power sector getting significant investments from global investors at the upcoming World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. 

"Earlier investors had lost interest in the Indian power sector but not anymore," he said. "In the upcoming World Economic Forum at Davos, I am sure that global sovereign funds, hedge funds and other large global investors will be keen to invest in the sector and I am confident that we will garner multi-billion dollar investments as I am already flooded with investment proposals. Investors have regained confidence after seeing the work we are doing in an extremely deadline-oriented fashion," he said at a media briefing in Mumbai on Thursday. 

He also said the divestment process of Coal India is on track and the upcoming coal auctions have been designed specifically to keep power tariffs low. 

"The entire upcoming coal auction process will be done in a transparent fashion via e-auctions and it will be ensured that power tariffs are kept low," he said. "Also, as a consequence of these auctions, the state governments of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh will earn royalties of close toRs 3.5 lakh crore over the next fiveyears. Stock markets have a mind of their own which do not influence government decisions, so Coal India's divestment process is very much on track." 

The power ministry is looking to address the lack of rail connectivity, which is hampering the movement of coal across India."Coal India will spend Rs 5,000 crore to purchase 250 rail rakes for faster evacuation of coal from mines in Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, which will help in the off take of 200 million tonnes of coal by 2016," Goyal said. 

On the Dabhol power plant in Maharashtra which has Rs 8,000 crore of debt on its books, Goyal said, "The Centre is open to discussing all options including privatization. I will convene a meeting in the next 10 days with the lenders, the officials of the Maharashtra government and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company to discuss the issues pertaining to the arrears of Rs 2,000 crore from MahaVitaran and also on how the project can be saved from turning into a non-performing asset. .. 

Further, Goyal also said that the Centre plans to float tenders for five ultra mega power projects (UMPPs) of 4,000 MW each in the current calendar year. "An expert committee will submit a report within a month on how to implement UMPPs in the country," he said. 

According to Goyal, the Centre plans to pump close to $250 billion into all key sectors such as power generation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy and coal production to achieve 24x7 power supply. "We are committed to supplying uninterrupted power to each household, shop, industrial unit. We want to bring about a transformative change in power sector and ensure affordable 24x7 power for all homes, industrial and commercial establishments." 

Source: ET

Power sector has investment potential of Rs15 trillion in 4-5 years: Piyush Goyal

Piyush Goyal added that his government
had rewritten the National Solar Mission
with target of 100,000MW capacity by 2022

The Indian power sector has an investment potential of $250 billion or about Rs.15 trillion in the next 4-5 years, providing immense opportunities in power generation, distribution, transmission and equipment, said Piyush Goyal, Union minister of coal, power and renewable energy. 

Addressing a seminar at the Vibrant Gujarat summit on Monday, the minister said the immediate goal of the government is to produce two trillion units (kilowatt hours) of energy by 2019. This will mean doubling the current production capacity in order to achieve provide 24x7 electricity for residential, industrial, commercial and agriculture use. 

“It will take three to four years to achieve this target and entail large investments. It would require about $250 billion in the next 4-5 years. This is going to define India’s target of doubling the power production, getting more gas into the system, expanding renewable capacity, looking at energy efficiency and implementing transmission and distribution network in a more focused way,” said Goyal. 

He added that his government had rewritten the National Solar Mission with target of 100,000MW capacity by 2022. The government has also sought to restart stalled hydro power projects and increased the wind energy target from 20GW to 60GW by 2022, Goyal added.

Source:Livemint

NDA plans big rural push for green energy Govt planning energy

Projects leveraging funds allocated to panchayati raj, rural development ministries

The government has substantially
  raised an earlier solar energy target
 of achieving 20,000 megawatts (MW)
capacity by 2022 to 100,000MW.

New Delhi: The government is planning a massive programme to dot India’s countryside with renewable energy projects, using funds allocated to the rural development and panchayati raj ministries, as it aims to reduce the nation’s overwhelming reliance on imported fossil fuels. 

The ministry of new and renewable energy is working on the plan to leverage the reach and budget of the two rural-related ministries to create these green projects for panchayats and self-help groups, according to a top government official, who requested anonymity. 

The government is also exploring the idea of setting up employment-linked renewable energy projects in rural areas, said the official. “Given the reach of these ministries and the canvas they cover, it makes sense to partner with them. Panchayats have a demand for energy and have the money given in the budgets that are earmarked for them. Our plan is to dovetail with the ongoing schemes,” said a top government official requesting anonymity. 

Some of the major rural development programmes of the government include the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which aims to connect villages with good all-weather roads. While the ministry of rural development has an annual budget of Rs.80,043 crore, the panchayati raj ministry has an allocation of Rs.7,000 crore. 

The rural employment programme alone has a budget of around Rs.40,000 crore and guarantees at least 100 days of unskilled work in a year to every rural household. Another senior government official confirmed the government’s strategy. “We can give broad directions to the states to develop such projects in the rural areas,” the official said. The government’s renewed focus on green energy comes against the backdrop of the US and China reaching a climate change accord. 

Under the agreement, the US will cut greenhouse gas emissions to 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, and China will peak its carbon emissions by 2030 and will aim to get 20% of its energy from zero-carbon emission sources by the same year. The accord between the world’s two biggest economies would help push other nations to negotiate a global pact at the United Nations climate conference in Paris this year, the two countries said. 

Mint reported on 19 November that India plans to train around 50,000 people in areas related to solar power to tap energy from the sun. In addition, the government is also working on a strategy to turn some 20,000 unemployed graduates into entrepreneurs to help it meet its ambitious solar power generation targets—a plan it will implement in concert with state administrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has substantially raised an earlier solar energy target of achieving 20,000 megawatts (MW) capacity by 2022 to 100,000MW. The government also plans to have 60,000MW of wind power capacity by then, requiring an overall investment of around Rs.10 trillion in the renewable energy sector. 

Spokespersons for the ministry for rural development and the ministry of renewable energy didn’t offer any immediate comments on Mint’s query. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had made energy security a part of its general election campaign. The government’s strategy to focus on renewables also stems from the fact that India has an energy import bill of around $150 billion, which is expected to double by 2030. India imports 80% of its crude oil and 18% of its natural gas requirements. 

The government also plans to float five funds of $5 billion each, targeted at promoting green energy sources. The government’s initiatives in renewable energy include plans for setting up of solar parks totalling 20,000MW over a period of five years in the states, which will require Union government support of Rs.4,050 crore. Of these, preliminary work has already started on 16 such solar parks. 

“The ministry of new and renewable energy is providing various fiscal and financial incentives, such as capital/interest subsidy, generation-based incentives, accelerated depreciation, concessional excise and customs duties. The other steps to promote renewable energy include: setting up of demonstration projects, preferential tariff for purchase of power generated from renewable sources, resource assessment, development of power evacuation and testing facilities, introduction of Renewable Energy Certificates and Renewable Purchase Obligation, etc.,” the renewable energy ministry said in a 1 December statement. 

India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change recommends that the country generate 10% of its power from solar, wind, hydropower and other renewable sources by 2015, and 15% by 2020. Of India’s installed power generation capacity of 255,012.79MW, renewable power has a share of only 12.42%, or 31,692.14MW.

Source:Livemint

Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2014 may be delayed

Reforms in the power distribution sector may have to
wait as amendments to the Electricity Act cannot be
presented pending the report of the Standing Committee 

NEW DELHI: Reforms in the power distribution sector may have to wait as amendments to the Electricity Act cannot be presented pending the report of the Standing Committee.

"The Standing Committee will give its report on the proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2014 by April and then we can introduce it in Parliament," Power Minister Piyush Goyal told PTI. 

The Minister said the proposed bill will be introduced post recess in the Budget session of Parliament.

The recess of close to three weeks is the time when parliamentary standing committees study ministry-specific demands for grants. 

It is only after consideration of the standing committees that these demands for grants are brought before both the Houses, discussed, and then passed.

Cabinet, last month, approved various amendments to the existing Electricity Act 2003, aimed at enabling consumers to choose their electricity supplier, among other reforms.

The amendments will also promote competition, efficiency in operations and improvement in quality of supply of electricity in the country, resulting in capaacity addition and ultimate benefit to consumers.

The central government has also said wherever there are existing power purchase agreements, the interests of stakeholders will be protected, which will be done in consultation with the power regulator.

The government plans to allow competition at the last mile or to the end-consumer without raising tariff or compromising on better customer service.

Source:ET

UP Minister suggests Centre to set up hydro power plants in Nepal

"The Central government should make a
proposal for setting up hydro power plants
in Nepal where there are massive possibilities,
as is being done by China," Shah said here 

BAHRAICH: Uttar Pradesh Power Minister Yasir Shah today suggested that India should try to use the massive possibilities of hydro power generation in neighbouring Nepal by sending a proposal for setting up plants there. 

"The Central government should make a proposal for setting up hydro power plants in Nepal where there are massive possibilities, as is being done by China," Shah said here. 

"If such projects are taken up, Uttar Pradesh will also benefit from it," Shah said, adding that the state will get cheaper electricity from it. 

The Minister said UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is making efforts to improve the power situation in the state and bring reforms in the sector. 

"These efforts are now going to bear fruits as generation in Anpara-D unit will start by the end of March 2015 and by the end of the year, the state is likely to meet its demand through varios sources," he claimed.

Source:ET

China's cheap solar panels cause dark spots in Indian market

These Chinese solar panels are wrecking
the market as they often stop working
within months, industry insiders allege.

NEW DELHI: In the narrow, crowded and serpentine lanes of Lajpat Rai Market in front of the Red Fort in Delhi, there are hundreds of vendors selling Chinese solar panels at less than half the price of Indian brands, much like vegetables, to buyers from power-starved villages in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana. 

However, instead of helping realise the dream of transforming the lives of more than 300 million people who live without electricity in the country, these Chinese products are wrecking the market as they often stop working within months, industry insiders allege. They say only import regulations and quality standardisation can check this "e-waste dumping" by China.

A shopkeeper at Lajpat Rai Market said most buyers go for cheap Chinese solar panels despite traders' warnings.

"We tell them these have no service warranty, no performance guarantees but they think we're fooling them into buying costly products. Within months their solar systems stop working and they call up crying after having lost all investment," he said.

Several experiences with substandard products in rural India have started making people suspicious of solar technology, forcing some Indian brands to launch awareness campaigns to counter this. 

Tata Power Solar, for example, started a 75-day campaign in 22 districts of Bihar in November to educate people to distinguish between fake and genuine products and about the value of warranties.

"We decided to start the campaign when we offered to sell a contractor in Patna 40 solar lamps for his vending carts to replace expensive kerosene lamps. He refused to buy as he had invested a lot in Chinesemade lamps, all of which stopped working within 35 days," said Gagan Pal, vice-president products and operations, at Tata Power Solar.

According to him, substandard Chinese products dominate the Indian solar market with 60-70% share.

Kunwer Sachdev, managing director at Su-Kam, another Indian solar products manufacturer, said a large quantity of panels imported from China are just electronic waste. "Often, we are given a panel of 50 watts instead of 100 watts and no one knows how long it'll last... two or three years? Its wattage is lower," he said. 

"When food products come, there's an audit out there. Why is it not the same for solar panel shipments? How can you allow China to sell us e-waste?" Sachdev said.

Many Chinese products also use fake brand names to confuse consumers. This reporter saw 'So-Kam' solar panels being sold at Lajpat Rai market. Tata Power Solar officials said they have found 'Tata BP' or 'Tata' on panels of Chinese make. 

Government officials said they were aware of imports of rejected poorquality panels and are looking for solutions to curb them. "We have recently written to the Controller of Imports and Exports to check Chinese solar water heaters coming to India. We have to do something for panels next," said Tarun Kapoor, joint secretary, solar, at the ministry of new and renewable energy.

Source:EC

Coal stock shows improvement at thermal plants in December: Central Electricity Authority

NEW DELHI: Critical coal stock position at thermal power plants showed improvement last month as compared to November, with 41 projects under the critical category, according to an official data. 

"As many as 41 thermal power plants had fuel stocks for about a week of which 19 projects had less than four days of stockpiles as on December 30," as per the latest data of Central Electricity Authority.This data showed that 50 thermal power stations had fuel stocks for less than seven days of which 30 stations were left with less than four days of stock. However, the reason for improvement in fuel stock position was not elucidated by CEA. State-run NTPC's plants at Badarpur, Singruali, Tanda,Korba, Korba-II, Sipat, Vindhyachal and Unchahar showed improvement in their stockpiles on December 30 as against November 30, 2014. These plants had less than four days of coal in November. 

However, the fuel stock position at Chandrapur plant in Maharashtra as well as Panipat and Rajiv Gandhi thermal power stations in Haryana worsened in December as they reported super critical or less than four days stock position. It was mainly due to lower supply from Coal India and its subsidiaries during the period, CEA data said. 

Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal has time again said that the government's focus is to increase domestic coal production to the maximum extent possible by facilitating environment and forest clearances expeditiously, pursuing with states for assistance in land acquisition and coordinated efforts with Railways for movement of coal. 

Coal India has been asked to ensure adequate supply of coal. Accordingly, it has committed to a target of 1 billion tonnes of coal production by 2019, from the current levels of 500 million tonnes. 

Source:PIB