Page 3 - Power Distribution

Discoms' debt to hit an all-time high of Rs 4.5 trillion by FY21: Crisil

Higher costs and constrained cash inflows amid declining demand mean the per-unit operating gap of discoms will widen to 83 paise per unit by the end of this fiscal

Centre looks to EPFO, LIC, PSBs to raise funds through power bonds

PFC, REC will first issue bonds based on initial demand from states

FM announces Rs 90,000 cr liquidity infusion in power distribution sector

PFC, REC to extend one-time loans with riders

Aimed at reviving investment, Electricity Bill shows sparks of reform

The draft is long on intent but short on detail

UP orders scrutiny of Torrent Power, Noida Power over distribution pacts

The two companies distribute power in Agra, Noida respectively

Discoms using drones for effective maintenance of power infra in Delh

The technology is also used for accurate assessment of rooftop solar potential and dealing with vegetation encroachment around power infrastructure

Tata Power set to clinch power distribution licence in central Odisha

With this, Odisha will become the first state in the country to completely privatise its power distribution under different models

Better rainfall led to lower thermal power demand in October: Minister

Overall power generation grew by 7.4 per cent in the first quarter and 1.6 per cent in the second quarter of the current financial year

CESC drops plan to demerge power generation and distribution business

Shashwat Goenka inducted to the board of CESC as its vice-chairman and additional director, subject to the necessary approvals

Economic slowdown, falling industrial demand hurting power consumption

Gujarat saw 1.1% fall in demand, Maharashtra 2.63% in April-September period

Not all state power distribution cos see financial benefit in smart meters

A smart meter has a modem (communication device) and a remote switch by which demand, supply and billing can be monitored and controlled remotely

Smart metering faces hurdles as not all discoms see financial benefit in it

The plan is also up against supply issues with vendors reluctant to deliver to certain states due to payment concerns

Maharashtra big-bang poll promises on cheaper power come at a cost

Consumers in Delhi enjoy free electricity up to 200 units a month. This move has led to a significant number getting zero monthly bills

Centre drafts franchisee model for power supply, urges states to take it up

The plan proposes a "light-handed approach" towards franchisees to incentivise, discount and set tariff (within stipulated range) for electricity supply in an area

Govt's decision to cut corporation tax likely to impact power bill

The source of power, renewable or non-renewable, and the nature of the market, regulated or merchant, will be a factor in deciding whether the cost would go down

Govt's new move to revive discoms: Install 300 mn smart meters in 3 years

As part of the plan, the federal government is mulling providing subsidies to partially cover the costs

Give power distribution to private franchisees: R K Singh to states

Tariff policy to cap loss pass-through at 15%; Singh asks states to bring down operational losses to 15% by Dec 2018

CEA prepares power distribution perspective plan to help stressed discoms

A new 'Long Term Distribution Perspective Plan' is being drafted by the ministry of power to collate details of all power distribution companies. Being prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the idea is to get a picture of the infrastructure and the investment needed discom-wise and year-wise, till 2021-22. The report would be final in three to four months, said ministry officials.It would complement the efforts by states under the Ujwal Discoms Assurance Yojana, the centrally-supported scheme for restructuring the debt-heavy discoms. "The Centre has taken up this exercise to attack supply-side constraints in the power sector, to enable India access 24x7 power supply, especially to all in its rural pockets," Vishal Kapoor, director in the ministry, said at a conference on power transmission & distribution at the PHD Chamber of Commerce. The sole objective was to ensure uninterrupted and quality supply, he emphasised. This would involve intense interaction with all ...

Centre's electrification drive sees surge

The two flagship schemes for electrification, Deendayal Updhayay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), have got a surge in their budgetary allocation for the coming year, of 43 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively.While conventional power generation has taken a back seat, distribution is coming to the fore with these two projects, and have spurred substantial activity in the electric equipment sector. EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contractors are looking at the tremendous demand coming from these two schemes, translating to a robust order book for the sub-33 Kv or distribution sector equipment, say insiders.DDUGJY and IPDS are the rural and urban electrification drive, both announced in the present government's first full Union Budget, of 2015. All electrification schemes of the earlier government were subsumed in these two.Disbursement to states under these was slow in the past three years. Government officials claim that in IPDS .

Kenya Power, Toshiba sign pact to reduce distribution losses

Pilot project will involve installation of amorphous distribution transformers manufactured by TTDI, to enhance efficiency