Indian Power Sector News

Indian Power Sector News http://www.kseboa.org/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:06:21 +0000 FeedCreator 1.7.2 CERC proposes budget allocation for SLDC to promote open access http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/JER-692JsxU/cerc-proposes-budget-allocation-for-sldc-to-promote-open-access.html The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has asked the Union ministry of power to provide separate budget allocation for state load despatch centres (SLDC). State governments exercise indirect control over SLDCs to ensure that there is no open access of electricity for other states. This has created problems for private power generators.

A load despatch centre is the apex body responsible for the operation, planning, monitoring and control of the power system in a state.

]]> Suresh Kumar MG Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/cerc-proposes-budget-allocation-for-sldc-to-promote-open-access.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/cerc-proposes-budget-allocation-for-sldc-to-promote-open-access.html NTPC starts getting gas from RIL's KG D-6 fields at higher rate http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/xGTS3AUJo8k/926-ntpc-starts-getting-gas-from-rils-kg-d-6-fields-at-higher-rate.html State-run power utility NTPC today started receiving natural gas from Reliance Industries' (RIL) eastern offshore KG D-6 fields at the government-approved price of $4.2 per mmBtu price. NTPC's Anta plant in NCR region this morning started receiving 0.6 million standards cubic meters per day of KG D-6 gas, industry sources said.

KG D-6 gas will replace the costly LNG that the plant currently uses and will save Rs 150 crore in power generation cost annually. The government had allocated NTPC 2.67 mmscmd of gas from KG D-6 fields but the company had on September 23 signed Gas Sales and Purchase Agreements (GSPA) for less than one-fourth of the earmarked volumes.

]]> Pradeep B Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:29:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/926-ntpc-starts-getting-gas-from-rils-kg-d-6-fields-at-higher-rate.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/926-ntpc-starts-getting-gas-from-rils-kg-d-6-fields-at-higher-rate.html Even after gestation period Dadri power project remains a non-starter http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/ruxuD0A8dDQ/even-after-gestation-period-dadri-power-project-remains-a-non-starter.html The much publicised 10,000 mw gas-based Dadri Thermal Power Project of Anil Ambani is nowhere in site even after lapse of its gestation period of three years. But what has made UP to cut a sorry figure is the fact that the project, showcased as a great `power house' with a potential to ease the state's power shortage in one go, has virtually remained a non-starter. This is when the project was awarded with a breathtaking speed to Anil Ambani, also former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP to the Rajya Sabha and a member of the State Development Council headed by SP general secretary Amar Singh from 2003 to 2007.

The site for the project was chosen to be Dadri in Gautam Buddh Nagar, which is located in close proximity to Delhi in the National Capital Region. With a population of around 57,457, Dadri is not only known for its rich alluvial soil of Ganga-Yamuna doab, but also for high 84% literacy rate, which is much higher than the national average of 59.5%.

]]> Pradeep B Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:46:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/even-after-gestation-period-dadri-power-project-remains-a-non-starter.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/even-after-gestation-period-dadri-power-project-remains-a-non-starter.html Inflated power bills in Delhi - DERC instructs to pay only 30% more than 2008 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/pCf4PcEDiXs/inflated-power-bills-in-delhi-derc-instructs-to-pay-only-30-more-than-2008.html Bringing relief to consumers whose power bills for June, July and August were unusually high, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) passed an order to ensure that for these months, consumers be charged only 30 per cent higher than their bills for the corresponding period in 2008. The order comes 10 days after the DERC levied a hefty Rs 1.68 crore fine on BRPL — one of the BSES discoms — for failure to abide by grid discipline in June 2009.

According to the DERC order: “Since there is a possibility of inaccurate bills, the Commission considers it would be appropriate to charge consumers who have complained against high billing in the months of June, July, August, 2009, on a provisional basis.”

]]> Suresh Kumar MG Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:28:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/inflated-power-bills-in-delhi-derc-instructs-to-pay-only-30-more-than-2008.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/inflated-power-bills-in-delhi-derc-instructs-to-pay-only-30-more-than-2008.html Energy conservation - PSEB plans to organise seminars in schools http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/PSpZaHLNIB8/921-energy-conservation-pseb-plans-to-organise-seminars-in-schools.html In an effort to spread awareness regarding judicious use of energy, Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) is trying to rope in school authorities to target students. The Board has already asked the schools to use CFLs and is also organizing special seminars in school premises to create awareness among students. The department has consulted the educational institutes to allow them arrange seminars on energy saving in their schools, and in the city PSEB has already conducted two such seminars.

The chairman of the Board is himself taking keen interest in the initiative and is addressing students at these seminars. On December 14 there would be a state-level seminar for schools on energy conservation where around 700 delegates are expected to participate.HS Randhawa, deputy chief engineer, PSEB, said they are trying to create awareness among students so that they may make judicious use of energy.

]]> Harikumar B Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:11:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/921-energy-conservation-pseb-plans-to-organise-seminars-in-schools.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/921-energy-conservation-pseb-plans-to-organise-seminars-in-schools.html Ultimately consumers have to bear additional cost paid to Reliance - NTPC http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/yBaC3fy9cK8/922-ultimately-consumers-have-to-bear-additional-cost-paid-to-reliance-ntpc.html The power ministry, which is the administrative ministry of state-owned National Thermal Power Corp Ltd, has said if the country's biggest power generator is denied gas from Reliance Industries Ltd's Krishna-Godavari block at $2.34 per mBtu, it will not take the burden but pass the additional cost on to the customers. "In the event that gas is not supplied to NTPC at $2.34 per mBtu (the earlier agreed price), the burden of extra price of gas would be passed on to the customer as the fuel cost is a pass-through as per regulations for fixing tariff under Electricity Act, 2003," the power ministry said in its submission to the Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings on Wednesday.

In what is perhaps the most bizarre part of the gas dispute between the two Ambani brothers, two arms of the government seem to be fighting each other. While NTPC is fighting a legal battle with RIL in the Bombay High Court over supply of 12 mcmd gas at $2.34 per mBtu, the petroleum ministry – which claims complete control over the pricing and distribution of RIL's gas – insists on a price of $4.20 per mBtu.

]]> Lathish PV Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:50:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/922-ultimately-consumers-have-to-bear-additional-cost-paid-to-reliance-ntpc.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/922-ultimately-consumers-have-to-bear-additional-cost-paid-to-reliance-ntpc.html Parallel meters to be installed to counter inflated bills of Reliance http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/gwuMJ51R76Q/920-parallel-meters-to-be-installed-to-counter-inflated-bills-of-reliance.html After a probe threw up the possibility of the BSES using faulty billing software, a red-faced Delhi government is now planning to ask the discoms to install parellel meters in households that have complained of inflated bills. After six months, if it is seen that the reading of the parellel meter is less than that of the BSES meter, the balance amount will have to be refunded. A formal order on this is expected soon, highly-placed sources in Delhi government said.

The Delhi government and the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) have together received 1,500-odd complaints of inflated bills. Sources, however, reiterated that in order to seek a refund, consumers should have lodged a complaint through the ``right channels''.

]]> Suresh Kumar MG Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:05:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/920-parallel-meters-to-be-installed-to-counter-inflated-bills-of-reliance.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/920-parallel-meters-to-be-installed-to-counter-inflated-bills-of-reliance.html Total electrification of Kerala by 2011: Chief Minister http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/dewg2VvGmx4/total-electrification-of-kerala-by-2011-chief-minister.html Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has said that Kerala will become the first `totally electrified’ State in the country by 2011. Declaring the Alathur Assembly constituency as ‘totally electrified’ at a function in Mangalam Dam Centre on 31-10-2009 the Chief Minister said that every household in the State will have electricity and drinking water by 2011.He said with Alathur becoming ‘totally electrified’ a total of 13 Assembly constituencies in the State have achieved this ‘totally electrified’ constituency status.

In another two months Palakkad will become the first ‘totally electrified’ district of the State, he said. All the landless and houseless people of the State will also get them in another two years, he added. These are the next major steps being implemented by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government after the revolutionary land reforms and `total literacy’ programmes in the State.

]]> Lathish PV Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:09:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/kseb/total-electrification-of-kerala-by-2011-chief-minister.html http://www.kseboa.org/kseb/total-electrification-of-kerala-by-2011-chief-minister.html More Mumbai electricity consumers to switch to Tata from R-Infra http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/LjI35Vm0tco/919-more-mumbai-electricity-consumers-to-switch-to-tata-from-r-infra.html Several commercial and residential customers of Reliance Infrastructure (R-Infra) in Mumbai are planning to shift their electricity connections to Tata Power Company (TPC). Around 4,000 restaurants in Mumbai and its suburbs say the shift to TPC would work out to be over 50 per cent cheaper for them. The restaurants which have sought a change of supply include fine dining and mid-size restaurants and fall under R-Infra and TPC's licence areas.

"We have written to both the companies and the regulatory board Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) for a shift from R-Infra to Tata Power. It would be around 50 per cent cheaper for us," says Chandrahas Shetty, president of a restaurants' association in Mumbai.For commercial customers, while TPC charges a fixed rate of Rs 150 per month, R-Infra charges Rs 200 per month. TPC's monthly charge a unit is Rs 3.85 against Rs 7.95 charged by R-Infra.

]]> Harikumar B Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:00:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/919-more-mumbai-electricity-consumers-to-switch-to-tata-from-r-infra.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/919-more-mumbai-electricity-consumers-to-switch-to-tata-from-r-infra.html Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) increase tariff by 15% http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/_Ae_QVCI9pg/uttarakhand-electricity-regulatory-commission-uerc-increase-tariff-by-15.html The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) fixed power tariffs in the hill state with an average increase of 15 per cent, effective from October 1 this year for a period of six months. Making the announcement, UERC chairman V J Talwar said the average increase in power tariff for industries would be 16 per cent and for domestic and non-domestic only by 12 per cent against the proposed hike of 40 to 50 per cent by the government-run Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), the sole power distributor in the state.

Since the annual revenue requirement (ARR) and tariff proposals for the year 2009-10 were filed six months late, the Commission has imposed a penalty of Rs 5 crore on the UPCL. “Had the UPCL submitted its proposals in time, the increase in power tariffs would have been only by 7 per cent,” Talwar said.

]]> Pradeep B Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:58:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/uttarakhand-electricity-regulatory-commission-uerc-increase-tariff-by-15.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/uttarakhand-electricity-regulatory-commission-uerc-increase-tariff-by-15.html Power capacity addition target missed by 38% in in first half of 09-10 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/WIrGzyk2vWg/power-capacity-addition-target-missed-by-38-in-in-first-half-of-09-10.html CEA

CEA

Fresh power capacity addition has fallen short of target by nearly a third in the first half (April-September) of the current fiscal, owing to delays in the supply of critical components in thermal projects, delayed forest clearances and non-availability of fuel for a nuclear power project. According to the latest data provided by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the apex power sector planning body, only 4,433 Mw was achieved in the six months ended September 2009. This was nearly two-thirds of the targeted addition of about 6,462 Mw.

Industry experts believe capacity addition should be around 20 per cent in excess of the gross domestic product (GDP) growth in order for this growth to be sustainable. Last year (2008-09), when India’s economic growth had slipped to 6.7 per cent from 9 per cent in the previous year, the power capacity grew only by 3.4 per cent. The country’s GDP growth for the current financial year is expected to be over 6 per cent. In the first quarter ending June 30, GDP grew 6.1 per cent.

]]> Lathish PV Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:01:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/power-capacity-addition-target-missed-by-38-in-in-first-half-of-09-10.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/power-capacity-addition-target-missed-by-38-in-in-first-half-of-09-10.html NTPC applies for long-term coal linkages for 4000MW Kudgi Thermal plant http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/tIOSaWSLrwc/ntpc-applies-for-long-term-coal-linkages-for-4000mw-kudgi-thermal-plant.html NTPC

NTPC

State-run power producer NTPC has approached the Coal Ministry for long term coal linkages for its proposed thermal power plant at Kudgi in Karnataka. NTPC is setting up a 4,000-MW power plant at Kudgi in Karnataka. Of which, 2400 MW (3x800 MW) will come up in the first phase.

"It is requested to accord long term coal linkage for the power project from appropriate source," the navratna PSU wrote in a letter to the Coal Ministry.

]]> Lathish PV Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:50:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/ntpc-applies-for-long-term-coal-linkages-for-4000mw-kudgi-thermal-plant.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/ntpc-applies-for-long-term-coal-linkages-for-4000mw-kudgi-thermal-plant.html Karnataka HC notice to Centre challenging R-APDRP IT tenders http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/g5fVSyPxf20/karnataka-hc-notice-to-centre-challenging-r-apdrp-it-tenders.html The karnataka High Court issued notices to the Centre and Power Finance Corporation on a petition challenging the fresh tender called for IT implementation agencies under the restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP). Hearing a petition filed by Gurgaon-based KLG Syndicate Limited, Justice Ajit J Gunjal issued notice and extended the deadline to October 28 from October 26 for parties to submit bids as per fresh tender notification issued on October 14.

Advocate General, Ashok Harnahalli, argued that the ceiling for the tender amount was Rs 368.5 crore, the petitioner had submitted a bid for Rs 650 crore and there was a wide deficit. So, a fresh tender was called, the AG submitted.

]]> Harikumar B Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:27:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/karnataka-hc-notice-to-centre-challenging-r-apdrp-it-tenders.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/karnataka-hc-notice-to-centre-challenging-r-apdrp-it-tenders.html BHEL records 858 crore net profit in second quarter http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/G-mX6lVtKUc/bhel-records-858-crore-net-profit-in-second-quarter.html State-run heavy electrical equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has posted a 39 percent increase in net profit for the quarter ended Sep 30 at Rs.858 crore, compared to Rs.616 crore in the corresponding quarter last fiscal.The company’s total income increased from Rs.5,650 crore for the quarter ended Sep 30, 2008 to Rs. 6,923 crore, the company said in a regulatory statement.

It posted a net profit of Rs.616 crore during the three-month period ended September, with net sales increasing to Rs.6,625 crore in the quarter under review year from Rs.5,342.63 crore a year ago.

]]> Suresh Kumar MG Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:01:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/bhel-records-858-crore-net-profit-in-second-quarter.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/bhel-records-858-crore-net-profit-in-second-quarter.html DERC slaps Rs. 1.6 crores fine on BSES for endangering grid security http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/CbqBXcMyad0/913-derc-slaps-rs-16-crores-fine-on-bses-for-endangering-grid-security.html Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has imposed a hefty penalty of Rs 1.60 crore on Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group's BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) for indulging in "persistent overdrawal of power from the grid" in violation of the rules. BRPL supplies power to south and west Delhi. DERC has also imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on the then BRPL chief executive officer Arun Kanchan in his personal capacity for not following grid discipline. BRPL and its former CEO have been given time till November 15 to make the full payment.

The action was part of an interim order by the electricity regulator after it took suo-moto cognizance of the "unprecedented load shedding" in June 2009, especially in the areas served by BRPL. "BRPL was found to be indulging in persistent overdraft of power from the grid, thereby endangering grid security.

]]> Harikumar B Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:22:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/913-derc-slaps-rs-16-crores-fine-on-bses-for-endangering-grid-security.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/913-derc-slaps-rs-16-crores-fine-on-bses-for-endangering-grid-security.html Punjab to generate additional 12000 MW in 3 years: Parkash Singh Badal http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/vbcJ4oyvtrk/punjab-to-generate-additional-12000-mw-in-3-years-parkash-singh-badal.html Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said his government is working on to add over 12,000 MW of electricity for the state by 2012." Punjab will be able to add another 12,212 MW of power by the 11th plan (2007-12),"he told reporters. Badal said four thermal power plants with a total capacity of nearly 6,500 MW are also coming up in the state.

He said the state government was also pursuing the Union Coal Ministry to sanction a coal link for the 2640-MW Gidderbaha thermal plant. Besides, a 168-MW Shahpur Kandi hydro power project is also coming up with the assistance from the Centre, he said.

]]> Lathish PV Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:54:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/punjab-to-generate-additional-12000-mw-in-3-years-parkash-singh-badal.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/punjab-to-generate-additional-12000-mw-in-3-years-parkash-singh-badal.html Privatised power sector of Orissa in severe power crisis http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/HMZdrk7NaDM/911-privatised-power-sector-of-orissa-in-severe-power-crisis.html Once a state with a power surplus, Orissa is now headed towards a severe scarcity due to a fall in water level in reservoirs affecting hydro-electricity generation. The state is likely to experience blackouts for three to six hours every day from November, official sources said.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik chaired a meeting on the power scarcity and tried to figure out a phase-wise minimised duration of power cuts till the crisis is over. “We are planning to manage the situation keeping in mind consumers’ discomfort, particularly farmers,” said Naveen, after the meeting.

]]> Pradeep B Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:23:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/911-privatised-power-sector-of-orissa-in-severe-power-crisis.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/911-privatised-power-sector-of-orissa-in-severe-power-crisis.html NPCIL to setup 1400MW atomic plant in Chutka in Madhya Pradesh http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/cTa1GTytx_A/npcil-to-setup-1400mw-atomic-plant-in-chutka-in-madhya-pradesh.html The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) has decided to set up an atomic station in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh to generate 1,400 MW power. The setting up of the first nuclear power station in the state assumes significance owing to electricity shortage of over 1,000 MW. Besides, there has also been shortage of coal to run its thermal power stations.

The NPCIL has sent communication to set up an atomic power station to the state government, which in turn has made Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited (MPPGCL) the nodal agency to facilitate the execution of the project.

]]> Suresh Kumar MG Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:35:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/npcil-to-setup-1400mw-atomic-plant-in-chutka-in-madhya-pradesh.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/npcil-to-setup-1400mw-atomic-plant-in-chutka-in-madhya-pradesh.html NTPC for sale!! UPA clears the way for selling 5% stake http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/LCej5oNl5jo/ntpc-for-sale-upa-clears-the-way-for-selling-5-stake.html The UPA Government has cleared partial sale of its stakes in state-run power major NTPC Ltd and an unlisted hydro-electric firm Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) through the book-building route in the domestic market. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its nod to sell 5 per cent of the Centre’s stake in NTPC and 10 per cent in SJVNL, the Commerce and Industry Minister, Mr Anand Sharma, told reporters after the meeting.

The Budget had set a target of mopping up Rs 1,120 crore in 2009-10 through disinvesment -- excluding the cases that were lined up in 2008 but could not be carried through due to Left's opposition. Banks and insurance firms were, however, kept out of the selloff ambit and it was also stated that the government would not allow its holding in any other entity to slide below 51%.

]]> Pradeep B Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:19:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/ntpc-for-sale-upa-clears-the-way-for-selling-5-stake.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/ntpc-for-sale-upa-clears-the-way-for-selling-5-stake.html DERC warning - BSES appoints separate CEOs for BYPL and BRPL http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IndianPowerSectorNews/~3/WXVXelSyHK8/908-derc-warning-bses-appoints-separate-ceos-for-bypl-and-brpl.html Facing mounting criticism for mismanagement in power supply in New Delhi, Reliance Energy-backed power discom BSES removed its CEO Arun Kanchan and appointed separate CEOs for two distribution companies. Ramesh Narayanan, senior vice president of the company has been appointed CEO of BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL), while Gopal Saxena, COO, would be the new CEO BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL).

A BSES spokesman said the new appointments have been made with immediate effect.The spokesman said Kanchan has been "promoted as a Director to the BSES board".

]]> Pradeep B Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:08:00 +0000 http://www.kseboa.org/news/908-derc-warning-bses-appoints-separate-ceos-for-bypl-and-brpl.html http://www.kseboa.org/news/908-derc-warning-bses-appoints-separate-ceos-for-bypl-and-brpl.html