Tuesday 26 August 2014


Hold Power Finance Corporation: Sharekhan



Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has delivered healthy profitability over the past several quarters led by a strong loan book and high net interest margin. However, the recent guidelines of the RBI allowing regulatory forbearance for banks on infrastructure financing could increase the competitiveness in the sector going ahead which may affect the company’s growth and margins. The asset quality weakened in Q1FY2015, but it remains healthy with the gross NPA at 1.01% of the total loans. However, going ahead the implementation of various reforms in the power sector would be the key to the asset quality. The provisions will rise due to the provisioning requirement for restructured loans (from 2.75% in FY2015 to 5% by FY2018).” “PFC’s stock price has appreciated significantly (by 86%) since our Viewpoint report on the company on February 5, 2014 due to improved sentiment for the power sector. While the performance of the company remains healthy, further re-rating is contingent upon the implementation of reforms in the infrastructure sector (as reforms would have an impact on its asset quality). Currently, the stock is trading at 1.0x FY2016E book value, which is about 15% discount to its five-year mean valuation. We are neutral on the stock and recommend investors to partially book profit on the stock. Since infrastructure is among the priority areas for the government and positive developments are likely in the sector, long-term investors can continue to hold the stock,” says Sharekhan research report.


Monday 25 August 2014

IWT put J&K to disadvantage: CM

Flagging the issue of return of power projects by NHPC to the State as of significant importance and critically essential for the energy supply and economic development in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Saturday reiterated that losses caused to the State on account of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) are enormous.

Omar Abdullah said that while both India and Pakistan have been benefited by Indus Water Treaty, the State of Jammu and Kashmir has been put to disadvantageous position. He said due to this treaty Jammu and Kashmir cannot utilize its water resources to its will for generating hydro power, irrigating agriculture fields and providing drinking water to the people.

He mentioned the hurdle recently brought under Indus Water Treaty for launch of huge water supply project for Greater Jammu to utilize Chenab water to meet the requirements of the people for next 25 years.

The Chief Minister was addressing a high level meeting of the officers of Union Power Ministry and J&K State Power Development Department which was also participated by the Union Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge) Pyuish Goyal, J&K Minister of State for Power, Vikar Rasool, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Union Power Secretary, Devendra Choudhary, J&K Principal Secretaries, B. R. Sharma, B. B. Vyas, Suresh Kumar, A. K. Mehta and senior officers from various Union Power Agencies and State Government Power Department.

Omar Abdullah said that quality and affordable power to the consumers in the State has remained his government’s priority in the last about six years. He said while sufficient measures were taken to upgrade the infrastructure and improve power distribution and transmission system, the focus remained on indigenous power generation.

He said power sector is the key sector to bring turn around in the economic development in the State besides making adequate energy available to the people and exporting the surplus.

“This is the sector which can transform the State from the deficit to the surplus one”, he said and added that projects of the capacity of 1500 MWs have been launched during the last about six years while projects of the capacity of over 9000 MWs are in different stages of execution.

The Chief Minister said that old infrastructure has been upgraded or replaced to improve the transmission and distribution system. He said two Data Centres have been established one each in Srinagar and Jammu to benefit the consumers and digitalize the system of transaction and other aspects.

He said under flagship programmes like R-APDRP and RGGVY, the system is being further improvised. He said R-APDRP will be rolled out fully in the towns and the two cities in coming months.

While welcoming the Union Minister and thanking him for the interest he is showing in the fast track development of power projects in Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister expressed the hope that the various power projects under execution in the State would be completed in the fixed time frame with the support of the Centre Government.

He described the deliberations of the meeting highly productive and a major step to address the issues and find out befitting ways and means to settle these.

Omar Abdullah mentioned PP under which Jammu and Kashmir received funds for power and other projects. He said that the huge amounts earmarked for the development and completion of power projects has not been utilized by the Centre. He said these funds can be transferred to the State through the window of PP for completion of various power projects.

In his address Union Minister for Power, Piyuish Goyal said that the Government of India under Prime Minister Narindra Modi has focused Jammu and Kashmir specially and the development of power sector would receive special place.

Union Minister said that the issues between the State and the Union Power Ministry can be easily resolved through the process of meetings and interactions. He said Union Power Ministry will provide full cooperation to the State in moving ahead confidently on road to achieve new goals in power development sector. He said the huge potential of 20000 MWs of hydro energy available in the State if harnessed would not only give significant boost to the State’s economy but also benefit the Country.

Piyuish Goyal asked the officers of Government of India and the State of Jammu and Kashmir to draft DPRs for all the identified hydel projects so that no delay is caused at the time of the launch of each project. He said generation of 20000 MWs should be the goal for us to achieve in near future.

“Let it happen in our time”, he maintained. He said Government of India would provide all financial support to Jammu and Kashmir to realize this goal. He also welcomed the establishment of Chenab Valley Power Company by the State Government to take up power projects under joint venture mode. He said this would give considerable fillip to achieve the power generation targets.

The Union Minister said that Modi-Government has flagged quality and affordable power generation as an important and priority concern and efforts would be made to provide the adequate and affordable power to 125 crore population of the Country irrespective of any politics.

He said the country’s economic upliftment; development of social fabric, improvement in the sectors of health, education, industries, agriculture and allied activities besides all round development revolves round the development of power sector. He said round the clock power supply particularly to the youth to utilize it for achieving economic and technological goals is the endeavour of the Government of India.

The Union Minister asked the officers of Union Power Ministry to give special dispensation to Jammu and Kashmir in the schemes pertaining to power development.

In a PowerPoint presentation Principal Secretary Power Development Department, A. K. Mehta gave overview of various projects under execution in the State in power sector. He gave details of the projects being executed by the Central Agencies, state government and the private parties.

He said 14 projects with capacity of 6263 MWs in the State Sector, 5 projects with the capacity of 1679 MWs in the Central Sector, one mega project with 850 MWs in IPP mode and 37 small projects with 453 MWs also in IPP mode have been initiated for completion by the end of 13th Five Year Plan.

He said in 2013-14 six projects with a capacity of 355 MWs have been commissioned while 25 projects with 1980 MWs are under various stage of execution. He said 20 projects with the total capacity of 2237 MWs have been tendered out and six projects with the capacity of 4669 MWs are at clearance stage.

The Principal Secretary also gave resume of various schemes under execution for the improvement and upgradation of power transmission and distribution system. He also highlighted some issues needing attention at the Union Power Ministry level.

Friday 22 August 2014

Can India Achieve 100% Renewable Energy?


By 2050, India could rely entirely on renewable energy to create a sustainable energy future.
Darshan_Goswami_image_1a
In the coming years, India will face seemingly insurmountable challenges to its economy, environment and energy security.  To overcome these challenges India needs to shift to non-polluting sources of energy.  As Jeremy Rifkin, an economist and activist, said in New Delhi in January 2012,  “India is the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy sources and, if properly utilized, India can realize its place in the world as a great power,” and adding “but political will is required for the eventual shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.”  The U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) also has recommended that the world needs a major shift in investments from fossil fuels to renewable energy in order to curb greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
India has tremendous energy needs and it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet those needs through traditional means of power generation.  Over 40% of rural Indian households don’t have electricity.  While India is developing domestic energy sources to satisfy the growing demand, it is also anxious about having to import increasing amounts of fossil fuels that exacerbate the trade deficit and can be harmful to the environment.  Coal imports hit a record high during the last fiscal year and will likely rise further over the next five years since India aims to expand its power-generation capacity by 44%.
The country’s inability to generate clean, affordable power is also a major constraint to achieving energy security.  The present centralized model of power generation, transmission and distribution is growing more and more costly to maintain and, at the same time, restricts the flexibility required to meet growing energy demands.  India needs to encourage a decentralized business model in order to more readily take advantage of abundantly available renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, biogas, geothermal and hydrogen energy, and fuel cells.  India is blessed with an abundance of these resources, yet it spends millions of rupees to import oil, coal, and natural gas resulting in enormous amounts of renewable energy being unused/wasted.  To that end, renewable resources are the most attractive investment because they will also provide long-term economic growth for India.
To secure its energy future, India urgently needs to design/implement innovative policies and mechanisms that promote increased use of abundant, sustainable, renewable resources.  All of India’s future energy demand could be met by utility-scale and rooftop PV, concentrated solar power, onshore and offshore wind, geothermal, and conventional hydropower.  This would require building many more solar power systems and wind farms, hybrid solar-natural gas plants, solar thermal storage and advanced battery-based grid energy storage systems.  Investment in these technologies would create millions of new jobs and an economic stimulus of at least US $1 trillion, and perhaps much more if all indirect (ripple) effects are included.  Other major changes involve use of electric vehicles and the development of enhanced Smart Grids.  Making the transition to 100% renewable energy is both possible and affordable, but requires political support.

What needs to be done?

Instead of an overarching energy strategy India has a number of disparate policies.  To date, India has developed a cluster of energy business models and policies that have obstructed adoption of renewable energy expansion plans.  This present approach threatens India’s economic competitiveness, national security and the environment.  India must fundamentally transform the manner in which it produces, distributes and consumes energy to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, enhance global competitiveness and decrease carbon emissions.
The Government of India has taken several measurable steps toward improving infrastructure and power reliability (such as development of renewable energy from solar and wind), clearly more needs to be done, and fast.  One step in the right direction was the establishment of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in late 2009.  However, the present JNNSM target of producing 10% of the country’s energy from solar − 20GW by 2022 − is totally inadequate.  JNNSM needs to take bolder steps, with the help of central and state Governments, in order to play a greater role in realizing India’s solar energy potential.  One such step would be establishment of a nationwide solar initiative to facilitate deployment of 100 million solar roofs and utility-scale generation installations within the next 20 years.  In achieving such a goal, India could become a major player and international leader in solar energy for years to come.
In addition, developing off-grid powered micro-grids have the potential to change the way communities generate and use energy, and can reduce costs, increase reliability and improve environmental performance.  Micro-grids can be used to take substantial electrical load off the existing power grid and so reduce the need for building new or expanding existing transmission and distribution systems.

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Why is renewable energy important?

Types of Renewable Energy

Tuesday 19 August 2014

India ranked 5th amongst top 10 wind power producers: Report

India ranked fifth amongst top ten wind power producers in the world by adding 1,700 MW capacity in 2013, a report said
India ranked fifth amongst top ten wind power producers in the world by adding 1,700 MW capacity in 2013, a report said

NEW DELHI: India ranked fifth amongst top ten wind power producers in the world by adding 1,700 MW capacity in 2013, a report said.
 

"China was the leading wind power producer by adding 16,100 MW capacity in 2013, followed by USA, Germany and Spain," Renewables 2014 Global Status Report said. 

By the end of 2013, China, the US, Brazil, Canada and Germany remained the top countries for total installed renewable power capacity, the report said. 

According to the report, over the past few years the levelised costs of electricity generation from onshore wind and particularly solar PV (photo-voltaic) have fallen sharply which has resulted in an increase in wind and solar power projects being built without public financial support. 

In terms of annual investment in the wind energy sector and production, China ranked number one followed by Germany, UK, India and Canada. 

Worldwide more than 35,000 MW wind power capacity was added taking the total number to 3,18,000 MW in 2013 to which India contributed 1,700 MW. 

"The wind industry continued to be challenged by downward pressure on prices, increased competition among turbine manufacturers, decline in key markets among other reasons," it added. 

About 40,000 MW of new hydro power capacity was commissioned in 2013 increasing the total global capacity by 4 per cent to approximately 1,000,000 MW. 

By far the most capacity was commissioned in China (29,000 MW), with significant capacity also added in Turkey, Brazil, Vietnam, India and Russia. 

India, which added more than 4,000 MW renewable capacity in 2013 also plans to increase the capacity to 55,000 MW by 2017 from the current level of around 30,000 MW
.

Goyal to power India using Gujarat model

The plan is to provide 24x7 electricity to every household in the country

Piyush Goel
Piyush Goel

Minister of State for Power, and New and Renewable Energy on Friday announced that his ministry would replicate government’s Jyotigram Yojna, or rural electrification scheme, in other states to provide 24x7 power supply to every household.

The scheme was started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was chief minister of the state.

Goyal and a team of officials visited Gandhinagar to study initiatives taken by the state in the power sector. They had a five-hour meeting with state Energy Minister Saurabh Patel and senior bureaucrats. “I have received training of the highest order from colleagues of Gujarat, who have demonstrated not only to the nation but to the world what government can do for the people,” said Goyal. “I will take this scheme to other states to provide 24-hour power supply across the country.”

He, however, added that though the model was successful in Gujarat it can’t be suitable for all states. “One size does not fit all. This model will have to be calibrated as per each state's need. Lesson on cutting down transmission and distribution losses and power theft is what other states need to learn. The first task of my ministry is to provide 24x7 across India. We have to learn lessons from Gujarat on how to escalate power generation, cut down on transmission and distribution losses, control the every increasing cost of power and maintain efficiency.”

Under the scheme, Gujarat separated electricity feeder lines for agricultural and non-agricultural users, to make farm power rationing effective and tamper-proof. By providing a continuous, reliable full-voltage power supply for restricted hours daily, the plan made it possible for farmers to keep to their irrigation schedules, conserve water, save on pump maintenance costs and use labour more efficiently.

According to him, big states like Uttar Pradesh, which is facing acute power crisis, could benefit from the model.

The minister also enquired about the quality of coal supplied to state units and how quality of coal needs to be controlled to increase efficiency of power plants. The issue of using railways for transportation of coal was also discussed.

“Given the statistics it would seem that there is not much of a gap in demand and supply of power in India. But in reality, there is a big gap. Thanks to policy paralysis that we have inherited, it will take some time to resolve the issues. I promise that in a reasonable time, we will be able to bring a revolution in the power sector,”  the minister said.

Goyal also met Gujarat Chief Minister and briefed her about the issues they had discussed during the meeting between state government officials and the central team.

Sunday 17 August 2014




ADB ready to facilitate Nepal-India power trading

Saturday 16 August 2014


Welspun to invest Rs 15,000 crore in solar, wind energy segments

(The city-based diversified…)
MUMBAI: Welspun Group, one of the largest domestic solar power producers, is betting big on the sector and has plans to invest Rs 15,000 crore to take its capacity to 1.75 GW over the next three years.
The city-based diversified company, which is also the world's second largest home linen maker and a one of the top heavy industrial pipes producers, is into the pipes, plates & coils, steel, infrastructure and energy and had grossed up over Rs 18,000 crore in revenues last fiscal.
It has two subsidiaries in the energy space - Welspun Renewables Energy and Welspun Energy one for the solar and the wind respectively. The private equity of the Asian Development Bank had recently picked around 11 percent in the latter for USD 50 million.
"We are planning to invest up to Rs 15,000 crore over the next three years in the renewable energy space to take our total generation to 1.75 GW. While we already have a commissioned capacity of 328 MW, mostly in the solar space, we have close to 725 MW under development," Welspun Group chairman B K Goenka said.
He said the company has already invested over Rs 3,000 crore into the power sector so far.
Goenka said his company has the capabilities to do the design, engineering and construction of renewable projects, which brings down his execution cost. "Our projects are among the highest generating ones in the country and we are largest solar power producer in the country today with 330 mw of generation."
Most of this fresh investment will be in solar space, he said, adding the company will be focusing on Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan. On the wind side, the company is planning to have 120 MW by the end of this fiscal itself.
Asked about why the focus on energy sector that is highly regulated, Goenka said the surety of returns makes energy one of the most key areas to be in. Also, there will be no dearth of demand for power in a power starved nation like ours.

Friday 15 August 2014

The three musketeers of Nigeria’s power sector

Every electric power system is an assemblage of generation, transmission, distribution, communication and associated facilities which are physically linked and operated as a single unit under one control.

 Typically, the transmission and distribution lines together with the allied facilities are used to transmit electricity from its point of origin (the power generating plant) to the final consumer.

 Due to its physical characteristics, electricity flows uniformly along all available paths that offer the least resistance. As such, the flow of electricity must be closely monitored to ensure that sufficient generating capacity is available and on-call to satisfy the entire demand (load) for electricity placed on the power system.

In addition, for system standardization and reliability purposes, the flow is maintained at a specific frequency (in Nigeria, it is set at 50Hz). All equipment and apparatus connected directly or indirectly to the Grid must operate at the specified frequency mode (cycles per second).

The flow of electricity within the system is maintained and monitored by dispatch centres having control and security responsibilities. Typically, in evolving electricity markets, the dispatch centre prioritizes and inventorizes all generating capacity available to it, tracking transactions involving buying and selling of either electric power or capacity, monitoring current load and anticipated future load on the system.

In Nigeria, there have been challenges with the Nigerian electricity grid because for a long time, the state-owned electric monopoly; the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), was characterized by poor operational performance which could be gleaned from various facts including the fact that only 426 out of the 774 local government councils in Nigeria were connected to the national grid.

The situation was such that, of the 426 local government councils (the “Councils”) connected to the national grid, only the headquarters of the Councils were connected and not the entirety of the residents in these local government areas.

Further, the situation was such that the last transmission line was built in 1987. In fact, a survey conducted in 2012 by TNS Research and Marketing Services, a leading global research organization, revealed that 51% of Nigerians do not have access to (grid) electric power supply, and the remaining 49% of Nigerians with access to electric power supply, admitted its epileptic and unreliable nature.

With the pathetic state of the electric power sector, the cost of doing business in Nigeria has been much higher than that of her neighbouring States, such that certain key businesses have relocated outside Nigeria. This has led to a drop in the volume of businesses that would ordinarily have been attracted into the country, because of the lack of quality and dependable grid power supply to the economy for industrial, commercial and socio-domestic activities.   

With the privatization of the power sector, a management contractor, Manitoba Hydro International (“MHI”), was selected to improve electricity transmission in Nigeria because without a strong grid system, an all-round success cannot be achieved in the sector. It is now expected that MHI would work towards the overall improvement of the Nigerian transmission infrastructure as much as possible.

Further, there is need to work towards having a SuperGrid which makes it possible to trade high volumes of electricity across great distances. A SuperGrid will normally connect electric power plants and major substations, while ensuring that electricity, of various forms and frequencies, generated in one place can be utilised by persons elsewhere. For a successful functioning of the SuperGrid in Nigeria, a major technology upgrade is required to guarantee its realistic operation and an assured benefit to its beneficiaries.

The SuperGrid concept has been in existence for a while but mostly known in more developed electricity markets. Recently, the Nigerian Government began to debate its introduction.  It is reasonably expected in Nigeria, that the development of the SuperGrid will positively influence investment decisions, change perception of market opportunities and also ensure coordination between governments, regulators and licensees.

The advantages of a SuperGrid, amongst others, are that it will influence investment decisions at a corporate level and encourage private participation in the power sector. The SuperGrid network will reduce wastage, as surplus energy not used but produced can be transmitted or transported to other areas where they can be utilised by other persons. Without a SuperGrid, it will not be possible to take advantage of the large amounts of energy that may be obtained from alternative sources of renewable energy such as wave farms, tidal lagoons and concentrated solar power. These sources of renewable energy, although they can be quite remote, can also be produced large scale and this will assist in a mass transmission of electrical power to more people who need to utilize such power.

Another issue deserving attention as far as electric power transmission is concerned, in Nigeria is the remote detection of problems or faults on the grid through the smart grid. The smart grid is a type of electrical grid that utilizes information and communication technology to collect and act on data, in a computerized fashion. This helps to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics and sustainability of the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power.

The writer understands that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) is doing a lot to obtain funds to expand the grid and to make the grid more robust than it currently is. In this respect, therefore, the FGN is doing a lot to have a better national grid.

Efficient Regulation

Regulation is broadly defined to include the enactment and/or implementation of treaties, laws, decrees and other legal instruments. The chief regulator of the power sector in Nigeria- Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has performed quite well and needs to sustain the good work. There is need for a deliberate effort at providing responsive regulation as we move into the uncharted path of private sector participation in the whole value chain of electric power provision. Although, it is the writer’s view, that NERC is blazing the trail in efficiently regulating the electric power sector in Nigeria, but must not fall into the trap of over-regulating the sector by not duplicating the role of varying regulations or introducing ‘unworkable’ regulations.

There are also issues around the establishment of additional regulators; the FGN does need to think this through very well before further making it more difficult to do business in Nigeria, by having too many regulators performing the same or similar roles.
NERC also has to continuously ensure that thorough analyses are done and the pros and cons of every regulation, guideline or such other similar instruments are considered prior to issuing same. Additionally, sufficient public participation is recommended prior to issuing regulations in the power sector; particularly regulations that may be sensitive or likely to seem controversial. Although, NERC has been quite interactive with stakeholders; it does still needs to do much more in that regard.

Conclusion
If the modest success achieved so far in the NESI is to be sustainable, the tripod of gas availability, grid enhancement and efficient regulation should be given the priority they deserve. Government is currently doing a lot to improve gas availability through the consideration now given to the settlement of legacy indebtedness to gas producers, an improved gas price and government’s approach to developing a SuperGrid and smart grid.


Thursday 14 August 2014

Self Cooling Solar Cells boost power and last longer

·       Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, may have overcome one of the major hurdles in developing high-efficiency, long-lasting solar cells – keeping them cool, even in the blistering heat of the noonday Sun.
·       By adding a specially patterned layer of silica glass to the surface of ordinary solar cells, researchers led by Shanhui Fan, an electrical engineering professor at Stanford University has found a way to let solar cells cool themselves by shepherding away unwanted thermal radiation. 

·       Solar cells are among the most promising and widely used renewable energy technologies on the market today. Though readily available and easily manufactured, even the best designs convert only a fraction of the energy they receive from the Sun into usable electricity. 

·       Part of this loss is the unavoidable consequence of converting sunlight into electricity. A surprisingly vexing amount, however, is due to solar cells overheating. 

·       Under normal operating conditions, solar cells can easily reach temperatures of 55 degrees Celsius or more.

·       By embedding tiny pyramid- and cone-shaped structures on an incredibly thin layer of silica glass, the researchers found a way of redirecting unwanted heat – in the form of infrared radiation – from the surface of solar cells, through the atmosphere, and back into space. 

·       “Our new approach can lower the operating temperature of solar cells passively, improving energy conversion efficiency significantly and increasing the life expectancy of solar cells,” said Linxiao Zhu, a physicist at Stanford and lead author on the research paper. 

·       “Our method of carefully altering the layers that cover and enclose the solar cell can improve the efficiency of any underlying solar cell. This makes the design particularly relevant and important,” said Aaswath Raman, a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford and co-author on the paper. 








Tuesday 12 August 2014

Government aims to add 10,000 MW per year to lift wind energy sector


Wind energy, which had been overshadowed by solar projects in recent years, got a big boost as the government has restored key tax incentives for this sector.
Wind energy, which had been overshadowed by solar projects in recent years, got a big boost as the government has restored key tax incentives for this sector.
NEW DELHI: The government plans to rapidly accelerate wind energy generation, adding an ambitious 10,000 MW every year, or five times the total new capacity that came up in the last fiscal, as the Modi governmenttakes steps to reduce India's dependence on costly energy imports.

Wind energy, which had been overshadowed by solar projects in recent years, got a big boost as the government has restored keytax incentives that had helped India emerge as one of the top countries in the world in generating electricity from wind. The government feels that tax incentives coupled with conducive environment will rapidly accelerate wind energy.

"Originally, the country planned to install 18,500 MW during the 12th Plan period. However, new government is keen to go faster in wind power capacity addition, to reduce its dependence on imported fuels and increase the share of environment friendly energy resources.





Wind energy,overshadowed by solar projects in recent years, got a big boost as the government has restored key tax incentives for this sector.


At a recent meeting with turbine makers and other stakeholders New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal suggested to add 10,000 MW of wind power installations annually," said a government official requesting anonymity. He added ministry and wind turbine makers will jointly study the status of grid availability in six states with maximum wind velocity.

According to Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) proposed target is achievable as the country has capacity to manufacture close to 9,500 MW of wind turbines and it can be expanded in short period.

"Wind turbine makers are capable to meet proposed higher targets of the government. Higher volumes will bring down average cost of installations and even tariff to make wind power more attractive. By resolving issues related to wind power evacuation and renewable power purchase obligations of the state utilities, India can attract domestic investments in the sector that is getting increasing attention of global investments," said IWTMA chairman Madhusudan Khemka, who is MD of Chennai-based Regen Powertech.

Like other power gear makers, Indian wind turbine makers too are facing competition from Chinese counterparts that also offer cheaper finance to the investors in wind energy. Khemka said Indian wind turbine makers with access to best technologies and services are globally competitive but they are unable to offer cheaper finance like Chinese firms.

With installed capacity of over 21,000 Mw, India is fifth-largest wind power producer in the world after China, US, Germany and Spain. According to Centre for Wind Energy Technology India has potential to install over one lakh mw of wind turbines.

Ministry of new and renewable energy and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency are jointly planning to host an international meet in February next year to give impetus to the wind power sector. The ministry is also considering organising similar events to boost solar power.

Delhi Metro station gets solar power plant in a first for country


delhi-metro

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Monday launched the operation of a solar power plant at its Dwarka Sector-21 Metro station.
The plant was inaugurated by Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu at the Metro Bhawan, New Delhi in the presence of, among others, Union Minister of State for Power, Coal and Renewable Energy, Piyush Goyal, and DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh.
Naidu switched on the new, solar-power generated lights on platform No.1 of Dwarka Sector 21 Metro station through remote control from Metro Bhawan on Barakhamba Road.
The power generated by the 500-kWp 'Roof-Top Solar Power Plant' will be used to meet the requirements at the station. The roof-top plant is the largest of its kind in Delhi-NCR under the Renewable Energy Service (RESCO) model and is a result of cooperation between DMRC and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the project 'ComSolar', which supports commercialisation of solar energy in India.
"I feel very happy and proud that DMRC has done it in record time. This initiative to meet DMRC's power requirements is an all-out effort to promote renewable energy. The need of the hour is to promote renewable energy as 80 per cent of our fossil fuel is used to meet our power needs and it is not a very happy situation," Naidu said. "I am happy that DMRC has taken my suggestion of improving the services and reducing the tariff," he added.
As per the model for the roof-top plant, the developer invests, owns and operates the plant while DMRC purchases the electricity generated through a Power Purchase Agreement.
The project was commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety of the government of Germany. It aims to support the New and Renewable Energy Ministry in achieving its targets under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.
DMRC will install three more roof-top solar power plants at facilities under it in continuation of its policy to encourage eco-friendly practices and technologies.
The other solar plants are to be set up at Anand Vihar ISBT Metro station, Pragati Maidan Metro station and the DMRC residential complex at Pushp Vihar with a joint power generation capacity of 25-kWp.
Naidu also lauded DMRC's efforts in reducing operational losses of the Airport Express Line and urged his colleagues to use the Metro for travelling in the city. He also stressed on the need to increase power generation in the country.