IRENA Demystifies Renewable Energy Costs...

 

On the occasion of the sixth meeting of its Council in Abu Dhabi, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) launched a unique web portal dedicated to renewable energy cost analysis (www.irena.org/costs). The portal provides access to IRENA’s data and analysis at no cost to users.

“IRENA has developed the most current and comprehensive global database of renewable energy project costs available to the public. Our new portal makes this resource available for policy makers, businesses and the renewable energy community worldwide,” said Dolf Gielen, Director of the IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre in Bonn, Germany, and project leader for this initiative.

“The data shows that the costs of renewable energy are declining, sometimes rapidly. Investment and policy decisions can now be based on the latest, verified data from a trusted source,” added Mr Gielen. “Recent cost reductions, notably for solar photovoltaics, have profound implications for social and economic development opportunities and for millions of people’s aspirations for a better life. On economic grounds, their access to modern energy should be renewable based,” he said.

The new portal showcases IRENA’s position as the global source for cost and performance data of all renewable energy technologies. The web portal makes the latest and best cost data, as well as the Agency’s analysis, publications, presentations and charts accessible to the public. It provides an important service for the further development of renewable energy globally. Often, the lack of up-to-date, accurate and reliable data on cost and performance was seen as a barrier to the uptake of renewable energy technologies. IRENA’s new web portal is ensuring that this will not be the case in the future and the debate about the role of renewable energy technologies in the energy sector can be based on the facts.

The portal is accessible to the public at www.irena.org/costs, free for all users.

Source:IRENA

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120 MW thermal power plant in Ganjam district of Odisha on the anvil...

 

A 120 mega watt (MW) thermal power plant is on the anvil to be established near Chatrapur in Ganjam district.

This power plant would need an investment worth around Rs. 600 crore. It would be established by Dr. Ramakrishna Prasad Power Private Limited (RKPPL) of Hyderabad. Speaking to The Hindu, Ganjam district Collector, Krishan Kumar said the RKPPPL has already obtained clearance from Government of Odisha for this 120 MW coal-based thermal power project. According to company sources it has applied for clearance of the project from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of Central government and has obtained Terms of Reference (TOR) from the MoEF.

As per the instructions of the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), a public hearing for environmental impact assessment of the project would be held on January 10 at the proposed site of the project.

According to the authorities this proposed coal-based thermal power plant would be established near Sri Ramchandrapur village of Chattrapur block in Ganjam District. According to a director of the RKPPL, Naveen Venigalla, who was in Ganjam district regarding the project, the land for the project has been earmarked. This thermal power plant would come up on 85.78 acres of land. Out of it 74.2 acres are government land and rest is private land.  

As per the authorities this project would need around three years for its construction. The company claims that this thermal power plant would be a non-polluting one. Its pollution level would be too low as it would use modern technology and imported coal. The imported coal it proposed to be used by this power plant would have six per cent ash in comparison to Indian coal which has 40 per cent ash, the company authorities claimed.

It is envisioned that the Gopalpur port which is at its final stages of completion to become an all weather port would provide scope for import of coal for this thermal power plant. This power plant would need around 200 cubic meters of water every day. It has been decided to use ground water for the purpose.  When this thermal power plant would start its production, it would evacuate the power generated by it through 132 KV power transmission line of Odisha’s GRIDCO. Around 30 MW of its production would be provided to Odisha government while the rest would be marketed by the company. This project is expected to solve power problem in Ganjam district and other parts of south Odisha.

Source

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UPPCL signs power purchase agreement for 110 MW solar power with the solar power developers...

 

The UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has entered into an agreement with solar power developers for purchasing 110mw of power.

The agreement was entered in the presence of UP chief secretary, Javed Usmani, who said that under the state solar policy the state government will be setting up 500mw of power solar power plants in the state.

The UP New Energy Development Authority (UPNEDA) had invited bids for setting up of power plants compositely to the tune of 200mw. The authority had also put in place a competitive bidding process for power tariff from these power plants. Against this, the authority received bids for 130mw. On Friday, the UPPCL signed the agreement for 110mw power.

The solar power plants with which the agreement was signed included, 10mw by Azure Surya Private Limited, 50mw by M/s Essel Infra Project, 20mw by Moser Baer, 10mw by M/s Refex Energy, 10mw by M/s Jackson Power and 10mw to be set up by DK Infracon. All these power plants are proposed to be set up in Bundelkhand region. Usmani said that NEDA would soon invite bids for the rest 370mw.

Source

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DERC turns down discoms power tariff-hike plan in Delhi...

 

The Delhi power regulator has turned down a request by the distribution companies to hike power tariffs in the Capital, a day before the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal takes oath as chief minister. This is probably the first time that a claim by the distribution companies has been turned down.

Distribution companies BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited had sought the hike as power purchase cost adjustment (PPAC) which would have been effective for the quarter of January to March 2014.

This increase was sought to cover the increased expenses incurred by the companies from July 1 to September 30, 2013, and is done every quarter. While BYPL had asked for a steep seven per cent hike, BRPL had sought a 3.5 per cent hike, TPDDL had asked for two per cent hike.

“There is a formula to work out PPAC, which was approved in the tariff order announced in August. After studying their claims and verifying them, we found that there was no need for an increase as they have not incurred additional cost over what has been allowed to them,” said PD Sudhakar, chairman of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Board (DERC).

The power tariffs were last revised for the quarter of May to July when the power regulator had approved a 3 per cent hike for TPDDL, and a 4.5 per cent hike for areas under BRPL and BYPL.

AAP’s election manifesto says that the party will slash power tariff in the Capital by 50%. The party, set to form the government in Delhi, has also promised to conduct audits of the distribution companies.

A possible fallout of the political changes in Delhi was witnessed recently when TPDDL, which supplies electricity to north Delhi, submitted its annual revenue requirement (ARR) to DERC and didn’t seek a hike. “They have left it on us to decide. They submitted their papers giving out financial details and have admitted that there is a shortfall,” said a senior official. BRPL and BYPL are yet to submit the ARR.

Source

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Progress of OPGC, NTPC power & coal mine projects in Odisha...

 

The progress of the power plant and coal mine projects allocated to OPGC is satisfactory.

This has come to light in the State level Steering Committee Meeting held under Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra in secretariat conference hall today wherein Energy secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena presented the present status of the projects and outlined issues for discussion.

The progress of work NTPC and UMPP projects in Odisha was also reviewed in the meeting.   Discussions in the meeting reveal that Manoharpur and Dip side Manoharpur, a contiguous coal block was allotted to OPGC for fuel connectivity to Unit-3 & Unit-4 2x660 MW supercritical units ( expansion units of OPGC).

The fuel supply to these power plants is totally dependent upon these coal blocks. On 23rd December, 2013 Ministry of Coal, after a review by IMG has asked for explanation to OPGC regarding slow progress in development of coal mines.  Review reveal that Ministry has issued notice to 48 coal mines in various States which includes show cause to 27 and explanation for slow progress to 21 allottees. OPGC has been issued letter of explanation for slow progress. 

Available data shows that in the meanwhile, all permits for setting up power plants have been secured and EPC contract has also been awarded. The work of power plant has commenced in work site. Regarding Manoharpur coal block, Stage-1 forest clearance has been secured. Land acquisition has been expedited with over 80% of Govt. land sanctioned in favour of the coal block and 77% of compensation amount disbursed for private land acquisition. It has been resolved in the meeting that land acquisition will be completed by end of Jnauary, 2014.  Bidding process has been expedited. Request For Proposal ( RFP) has been issued to qualified bidders.

It has been decided in the meeting that contract award will be completed by February, 2014. Directorate of Geology and Steel & Mines department will expedite the process of drilling and work execution in Monaharpur dip side. Similarly, for MGR ( Mary Go Round) Stage-1 forest clearance has been secured. Over 50% of Govt. land has been sanctioned in favour of the project and processes of disbursement of compensation to private land owners have been expedited. Request for Proposal has been issued for EPC contract.   

Replying to queries of media after the meeting Energy Secretary Sri Jena said that the progress of work for OPGC Power Plant expansion units and allotted coal blocks is almost ahead of the schedule. The work will be further expedited. Sri Jena added that we are waiting for mining approval form Government of India. Sri Jena has also said that we will comply with all the queries made by the Ministry within the prescribed time; and, we are confident that Ministry will be satisfied by the progress achieved till today.  

The meeting also reviewed the progress of NTPC projects like Darliplai Super Thermal Power project, Dulanga coal mining project, Gajmara Super Thermal power Project and Talcher Super Thermal Power Station. The issues relating to Resettlement & Rehabilitation, land acquisition, disbursement of compensation, exemption of stamp duty on Govt. land compensation to patta holders under forest rights act, renewal of water allocation etc were discussed and finalized in the meeting.

The progress of 4000 MW Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) in Odisha, a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) was also figured in the meeting. The bottlenecks relating to private land acquisition, diversion of forest land, acquisition of land for Marry Go Round (MGR), Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant (POL), water corridors were discussed and necessary decisions were taken for removal of those bottlenecks.  

Additional Chief Secretary Revenue & Disaster management Dr. Taradatt, Principal Secretary Forest & environment Sri Raj Kumar Sharma, Secretary Steel and Mines Gudey Srinivas, Secretary Energy Sri P.K.Jena along with senior officers from State Pollution Control Board, Forest Corporation, NTPC, OPGCL and PFC participated in deliberations.

Source

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PowerGrid gets shareholder approval to hike FII limit to 30 per cent...

 

Power Grid Corporation of India has received shareholder approval to increase the limit of holdings by foreign institutional investors to 30 per cent from 24 per cent currently.

FIIs can acquire and hold, on their own account and on behalf of each of their Sebi-approved sub-accounts, shares of the company up to an aggregate limit of 30 per cent of the paid up capital, the state-owned company said in a filing to the BSE on Friday.

Shareholders also approved a proposal to increase the company's borrowing limit to Rs 1,30,000 crore from the current cap of Rs 1,00,000 crore.

Both proposals were cleared through postal ballots. The plans had been approved by Power Grid's board of directors at a meeting on October 23.

Last month, Power Grid had said that increasing the limit would provide more headroom for FII investments in the company. FII holdings have been on the rise since the company's first follow-on public offer in 2010.

Power Grid had hit the capital market with an initial public offering in October 2007.

Shares worth about Rs 7,000 crore were sold in the company's second follow-on offer, which closed earlier this month.

The government got about Rs 1,600 crore from the sale of 18.51 crore shares, while Power Grid raised close to Rs 5,400 crore from its offer of 60.18 crore new shares.

Proceeds from the offer would be utilised by the company for 27 transmission projects.

Source

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NTPC to start mining coal from Dulanga block by Mar 2015...

 

NTPC Ltd, the country's biggest power generating utility hopes to start coal production from the Dulanga block by March 2015.

With a mineable reserve of 152 million tonne, the Dulanga block located in the Ib valley coalfields, is linked to NTPC's 1600 Mw super thermal power station coming up at Darlipalli in Sundargarh district. The power plant is scheduled to be commissioned by 2018.

The cost of developing the coal block is estimated at Rs 1556.65 crore. So far, NTPC has spent Rs 76.92 crore on the coal mine project.

The coal block has got in-principle environment clearance in March 2012. Final green clearance is expected after receipt of Stage-I forest clearance.

Development of the coal mine needs 464.15 acres of private land. Notification under Section 11 of Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development)- CBA Act, 1957 has been issued. Land rates have been finalized and disbursement of compensation would commence after approval from the NTPC board.

Similarly, development of township, rehabilitation & resettlement (R&R) colony and necessary infrastructure needs another 410.07 acres of land. The state revenue & disaster management department has approved the proposal to issue notification under Section (7) for R&R colony, CISF colony and infrastructure area. Proposal for Section 4 (1) notification for 210.63 acres for overburden dump area is being processed by the state government.

Requirement of government land for the coal block is 432.21 acres out of which an amount of Rs 17.65 crore has been deposited with the tahsildar office for 263.23 acres.

Forest land of 794.13 acres also needs to be diverted for the coal mine project. Acquisition of forest land will be initiated after receipt of Stage-II forest clearance from the Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) and subsequent permission from the state government for tree felling.

It may be noted that the Ministry of Coal (MoC) recently sought explanation from NTPC in respect of slow progress in developing the Dulanga coal block. The notice to NTPC was on the basis of recommendation by the inter-ministerial group mandated to review the progress of development of allocated coal blocks and associated end-use projects and to recommend action, including de-allocation, if required. The IMG observed that many critical milestones were still pending for developing the coal mine.

Source: Business Standard

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Monthly review of Indian Power Sector for the month of November 2013...

 

During the month of November 2013, around 1635 MW of generating capacity has been installed under the Indian Power Sector reaching the total cumulative generating capacity at around 232.16 GW.

Further around 1226 Circuit Kms of transmission lines are also added.

 

Summary of the review of Indian Power Sector for the month of November 2013 is depicted below:

• Electricity Generation for the month was at 79.52 BUs
• Generating Capacity Addition for the month was 1635 MW
  • Dhariwal TPP U-1 (300 MW) in Maharashtra  by Dhariwal Infastructure (P) Ltd on 3/11/2013
  • Shre Sangaji TPP U-1 (600 MW) in Madhya Pradesh by MPPGCL on 18/11/2013
  • Barh STPS St-II, U-4 (660 MW) in Bihar by NTPC on 30/11/2013
  • Nimmo Bazgo HE Project U-1 (15 MW) in J&K by NHPC on 2/11/2013
  • Uri-II, U-2, (60 MW) in J&K by NHPC on 16/11/2013
• The all India installed capacity reaches at 232164.94 MW
• Transmission Lines for 1226 Circuit Kms installed during the month
• Transformation Capacity Addition during the month was 4580 MVA
• Average Power Supply deficit was around 4.1% during the month
  • Northern Region - 6.5%,
  • Western Region - 1.1%,
  • Southern Region - 5.9%,
  • Eastern Region - 1.5%,
  • North Eastern Region - 4.6%
• Peak Power Supply deficit was at 2.9%
  • Northern Region - 1.1%,
  • Western Region - 0.8%,
  • Southern Region - 6.8%,
  • Eastern Region - 1.4%,
  • North Eastern Region - 3.9%
• All India Plant Load Factor maintained was around 65.44%
  • Central Generating Plants -  77.12%,
  • State Generating Plants - 58.67%,
  • Private Generating Plants - 69.47%

Complete report can be downloaded from this link.

Source: CEA

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Reliance Power up 3% as CBI likely to close enquiry in Sasan project...

 

Shares of Reliance Power today rose by nearly 3 per cent on the possibility of CBI closing its preliminary enquiry to probe coal block allocation to a power project in Sasan in Madhya Pradesh run by Anil Ambani's firm.

Reacting to this, Reliance Power's scrip went up by 2.89 per cent to Rs 74.7 on the BSE.

On the NSE, the stock rose by 2.89 per cent to Rs 74.70. The CBI is of the view that the allocation is a policy decision vetted by group of ministers.

CBI sources said it has come to light that use of surplus coal from the Sasan UMPP was approved on two separate occasions by two EGoMs. They said since it was a policy decision, CBI was not likely to question it.

However, they added that any final decision has not been taken over the closure and any such decision can only be taken after taking into consideration the views of the Supreme Court.

The sources said they have informed the Supreme Court about the preliminary enquiry in their status report and agency would proceed according to further directions of the apex court.

After the registration of the preliminary enquiry, ADAG spokesperson had said in a statement that "we welcome the independent time-bound enquiries by the CBI, monitored by the Supreme Court, which will clearly establish our bonafides".

It will "once and for all prove beyond doubt that we have been the unfortunate victims of a mischievous campaign of calumny and vilification conducted at the behest of our unscrupulous corporate rivals over the past 5 years," the statement said.

The allocation of coal mines to the Sasan project was done to a 100 percent government-owned company in the year 2006 when Reliance Power had not even won the project, it said adding the government disinvested its shares to Reliance pursuant to a global tender in the year 2007.

The preliminary enquiry was registered on the directions of the Supreme Court that had asked the CBI to probe 14 issues including supply of low floor buses by Tata motors to Tamil Nadu government, grant of spectrum and alleged market manipulations and hammering of stocks by Unitech.

Source

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Year end review of Indian Coal Sector for the year 2013 by Coal Ministry...

 

Coal Ministry has done an year end analysis of the progress made by the Indian Coal Sector during the year 2013.

The same has been depicted below:

 

 

Major Highlights:

• Regulator proposed for Coal Sector
• Public Private Partnership to augment coal production
• Thirty eight captive coal blocks comes under production
• Year End Review of Ministry of Coal

Coal sector witnessed a number of initiatives during 2013 to augment coal production and supply. Regular reviews of captive coal blocks were held by Inter-Ministrial Group to expedite their development, fuel supply agreements were signed with Power Sector and setting of Coal regulator approved. Under the bidding policy, seventeen coal blocks allotted to the Government Companies and thirty eight coal blocks brought under production. Highlights and achievements of the Coal Ministry during the year are as follows:

Assured coal supplies to 78,000 MW projects to boost power production

In a major boost to the power sector, the Government approved supply of coal to power plants with a capacity of 78,000 MW. Commissioned or to be commissioned during April 2009 to March 31, 2015. Coal India Limited(CIL) has already signed 157 Fuel Supply Agreements for a capacity of 71,145 MW. This will not only increase the power generation further but will also fast track several power project which are under consideration.

Coal Regulator proposed for Coal Sector

The Government has approved the setting up a Regulatory Authority for Coal Sector on June 27, 2013. As the enactment of the legislation through the Parliament would take some time, therefore, it was decided that a non-statutory regulator be set up through an appropriate executive order. Accordingly, the matter has been referred to the Ministry of Law for advice/ consultation for framing the executive order. The Coal Regulatory Authority Bill was also introduced in theLok Sabha on December 13, 2013 for its consideration.

Public Private Partnership to Augment coal production

The Government has decided to initiate Public Private Participation (PPP) to augment coal production in the country. Accordingly, a committee has been set up under the chairmanship of Secretary (Coal) with representatives from Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance (DEA), Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Law & Justice (DLA) among others to recommend a framework for the PPP. The committee deliberated on the various models including engaging Mine Developer cum Operators (MDO) & In consultation with all the stake holders, the Government is in the process of finalizing a Model Concession Agreement (MCA) for engagement of MDO in CIL.

Further Disinvestment of Neyveli Lignite Corporation

Disinvestment of 3.56% paid up equity capital of Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) out of Government of India’s shareholding (93.56%) has taken place through Institutional Placement Programme (IPP). This has made NLC compliant with the norms as per SEBI regulations. The 59701260 shares have been sold @ Rs. 60/- per share and total sale proceeds received by the Government are Rs.358.29 Crores.

Allocation of Coal Blocks to Government Companies

Under newly initiated bidding policy seventeen coal blocks, fourteen blocks for specified end-use i.e. Power and three blocks for Mining were allocated to various State Government Companies/Corporations/CPSUs. The proposed Coal Mines Production and Development Agreement to be signed by the Government with the respective eligible Companies is under finalization.

Further, the Government has also decided to put on offer five lignite blocks located in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan for Power/Commercial mining/ Underground Coal Gasification, for allocation to Government Companies and invited applications July 29, 2013 from Government Companies/Corp. particularly from the state of Gujarat and Rajasthan, keeping in view the fact that lignite cannot be transported over long distances due to its low calorific value, high moisture and soft/brittle nature of mineral, making it susceptible to catch fire. The applications received in response to the NIA are under process.

Four coal blocks have also been identified for allocation to power projects on the basis of competitive bids for tariff and applications for the same were invited on December 20, 2013. Besides this, procedure for allocation of area containing coal through auction by competitive bidding is under process.

Thirty eight captive coal blocks come under Production

The target fixed for coal production from the captive coal blocks for the year 2013-14 is 46.15 million tonnes.As on date (upto October, 2013), 38 captive coal blocks have come under production. The production achieved during the year 2013-14 (upto October, 2013 provisional) is 21.740 million tonnes (13.645 million tonnes for private companies and 8.095 million tonnes for government companies).

Third Party sampling of coal supplies introduced

Various consumers of Coal India Limited have been raising their concern about the quality of coal supplied. In order to address these concerns, CIL has introduced Third Party Sampling and analysis of coal supplied to various power plants in the country. For this purpose, CIL has engaged independent third Party agencies for sampling and analysis of coal at suppliers’ end and the system has been made operational from October 1, 2013

Source: Coal Ministry

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