The Conference of Power Ministers from States and Union Territories (UTs) was held in New Delhi, chaired by Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs. The event was attended by Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (NRE) Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, three Deputy Chief Ministers, 12 State Power Ministers, senior officials, and Secretaries from States, UTs, and various Ministries.
Key Discussions:
The conference addressed critical issues, including the operational performance and financial stability of DISCOMs, the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), smart metering practices, the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, PM Surya Ghar Yojana, resource adequacy plans, energy storage, renewable energy development, the National Transmission Plan, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, carbon markets, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission. States shared insights and suggestions on these topics.
Highlights from the Minister’s Address:
- Peak Power Demand and Supply: Shri Manohar Lal noted the effective management of India’s record-high peak demand of 250 GW through collective efforts, while emphasizing the need to further increase capacity to meet growing demand.
- Financial Viability: The Minister addressed concerns regarding DISCOMs’ financial health, reporting an improvement in the Average Cost of Supply (ACS) – Average Revenue Realized (ARR) gap, which narrowed from ₹0.45/kWh to ₹0.21/kWh. He urged timely payment of government dues and subsidies and called for DISCOMs to adopt prepaid smart meters across government offices.
- Smart Metering: States were encouraged to provide a 5% rebate to prepaid consumers and engage effectively with consumers to promote smart meters.
- RDSS Implementation: Expedited implementation of RDSS-sanctioned works was emphasized for improving the efficiency of the distribution sector.
- Innovation via Powerthon-II: The Minister launched Phase II of Powerthon, which aims to incubate 40 innovative technology solutions for DISCOMs with financial support of up to ₹37 crore.
Sectoral Recommendations:
- Infrastructure and Technology:
- Strengthen intra-state transmission systems to align with the Interstate Transmission System (ISTS).
- Prioritize resource adequacy planning and optimization of power purchase agreements.
- Promote flexibility in coal-based power plant operations to meet demand surges.
- Invest in Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to enhance grid integration of renewable energy and meet peak demand.
- Renewable Energy:
- Focus on the National Green Hydrogen Mission and rooftop solar installations under PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
- Encourage nuclear power plant development, especially in coal-scarce regions, with capacity projected to rise from 8 GW to 20 GW.
- Consumer-Centric Initiatives:
- Effectively implement the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, ensuring timely service delivery and compensation for deficiencies.
- Address concerns regarding fly ash disposal through initiatives like coal mine backfilling.
- Policy and Governance:
- Publish a combined ranking methodology for DISCOMs to foster healthy competition.
- Adopt State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) workforce adequacy guidelines and restructure load despatch centers as needed.
- Follow cybersecurity guidelines and enhance demand forecasting processes.
- Shri Shripad Yesso Naik reiterated the government’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power and enhancing energy storage solutions.
- Secretary (Power) Shri Pankaj Agarwal called for state collaboration in implementing reforms, completing RDSS works, and resolving issues in generation and transmission projects.
The conference concluded with a collective resolve to strengthen the power sector’s operational efficiency, financial viability, and capacity-building efforts to meet India’s growing energy needs.
