Encouraging growth in Power Sector

During the 12th Plan period, a target of 88,537 MW excluding 30,000 MW of Renewal Energy Source, was fixed for capacity addition. Against this, cumulative capacity addition of 84,990.7 MW has been achieved as on 31.03.2016. This was stated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy further stating that some of the key challenges faced by the Government are delay in land acquisition, environment and forest issues, rehabilitation & resettlement issues, natural calamities, law and order problems, local issues, contractual problems, delay in material supply, geological uncertainties, extreme weather conditions, difficult terrain and poor accessibility, funds constraints, force majeure risk, inter – state issues, Right of way problem (ROW) for transmission lines etc.

The following steps are taken for monitoring ongoing/delayed power projects for their timely completion:

• Central Electricity Authority (CEA) monitors the progress of under construction power projects through frequent site visits and interaction with the developers, equipment suppliers and other stakeholders to identify issues critical for commissioning of projects and help in resolving them.

• Regular reviews are also undertaken by Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Cabinet Secretariat to identify the areas of constraint and facilitate faster resolution of inter- ministerial and other outstanding issues.

• A Power Project Monitoring Panel (PPMP) has been set up by the Ministry of Power for monitoring of on-going Thermal and Hydro Generation projects targeted for commissioning during the 12th Plan and beyond along with the associated transmission system.

• Issues are also raised in PRAGATI, for proactive governance and timely implementation, as and when required.

For development of Power Sector, the following schemes have been launched:

(I) Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY) for

(i) Separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders facilitating judicious restoring of supply to agricultural & non-agriculture consumers in the rural areas; and

(ii) Strengthening and augmentation of sub-transmission & distribution infrastructure in rural areas, including metering of distribution transformers / feeders / consumers.

The components at (i) and (ii) of the above scheme have an estimated outlay of Rs. 43,033 crore including a budgetary support of Rs. 33,453 crore from Government of India during the entire implementation period. In addition, the scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) has been subsumed in this scheme with an approved cost of Rs. 39,275 crore including budgetary support of Rs. 35,447 crore.

(II) Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) with the following components:

(i) Strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in the urban areas; and

(ii) Metering of distribution transformers / feeders / consumers in the urban areas.

The components at (i) and (ii) above have an estimated outlay of Rs. 32,612 crore including a budgetary support of Rs. 25,354 crore from Government of India during the entire implementation period. In addition, the scheme of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) has been subsumed in this scheme with approved cost of Rs. 44,011 crore including budgetary support of Rs. 22,727 crore.

(III) National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) for planning, monitoring and implementation of policies & programs related to development of smart grid in India.

The total estimated cost for NSGM activities for 12th Plan is Rs.980 crore including a budgetary support of Rs.338 crores. Under NSGM, 30% funding will be provided for development of Smart Grid in selected Smart Cities in the country along with development of micro grid in the country, the Minister added.