Tata Power commissions first 63 MW unit of Bhutan hydro plant

 

Tata Power has commissioned the first unit of its 126 MW Dagachhu hydro power plant having a capacity of 63 MW in Bhutan.

Dagachhu project is a joint venture between Tata Power and Druk Green Power Corporation, owned by Royal Government of Bhutan and National Pension and Provident Fund of Bhutan.

With the commissioning of the first unit of this plant, Tata Power's overall hydro power generation capacity now stands at 513 MW and the total at 8,684 MW.

Dagachhu Hydro Power Corporation has entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement with Tata Power Trading Company Ltd (TPTCL, a company of Tata Power) for sale of power from the project. The power generated from the project shall be sold by TPTCL in the Indian power market.

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CCI clears three hydel projects…

 

Cabinet Committee on Investment has cleared three hydro power projects, which were stuck due to environmental bottlenecks.

According to a Power Ministry official, the three hydel projects -- Tawang (800 MW), Tato (700 MW) and Teesta (520 MW) -- which were awaiting approvals for a long time have been cleared by CCI.

These projects in Arunachal Pradesh (Tawang and Tato) and (Teesta) Sikkim were sent to CCI from the Power Ministry in December, last year.

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Peak power deficit in India rises to 4.2 per cent in December: CEA…

 

India's peak power shortage increased to 4.2 per cent, or 5,547 MW, in December from a month earlier due to lower hydroelectric and wind power production, according to official data.

Electricity demand in the country last month was 1,32,786 MW, of which 1,27,239 MW was met, data with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) showed.

The peak power deficit, or shortfall in electricity supply when demand is at the maximum level, was 3.7 per cent, or 4,803 MW, in November, according to the CEA.

"The prime reasons for increased power shortage is decrease in hydel and wind generation and increase in load, mainly in north India, due to winters," a CEA official told PTI.

The northern states of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand were the worst affected with a deficit of 7.1 per cent, or 2,912 MW. Electricity demand in the region was 40,812 MW and supply was 37,900 MW.

The northeastern region of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland and Mizoram recorded a deficit of 5.9 per cent. The demand for power was 2,009 MW and supply 1,890 MW.

The eastern states were the least affected with a 1.5 per cent peak power shortage. The electricity requirement of states including West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand in December was 13,814 MW and supply was 13,604 MW.

The western region, which includes Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Goa, reported a power shortage of 1,031 MW, or 2.5 per cent, on demand of 41,335 MW.

The peak power deficit in the south -- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep and Puducherry -- was 3.7 per cent, or 1,275 MW, with demand at 34,816 MW.

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Tata Power's hydro plants get certification for integrated management systems…

 

Tata Power, India's largest integrated power company, today announced that its hydro generating stations at Bhira, Bhivpuri and Khopoli have received certification towards the successful implementation of QMS, ISO 9001:2008, EMS: ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS :18001:2007 systems, by TUV NORD Mumbai.

These certifications are awarded to organisations who have improved their health and safety performance and demonstrated sensitivity and responsiveness towards their customers, employees and the society at large.

Speaking on the accomplishment, Mahesh Paranjpe, head -Hydros, Tata Power, said, ''We are committed to operating our facilities in an environmentally sensitive and responsible manner and facilitate clean, safe and healthy workplace to provide value to our customers, employees and all stakeholders. We are dedicated to continuously improve the Quality, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety management practices in order to provide world class standards in all our facilities. The certifications are the outcome of the extraordinary team work exhibited by all the employees at the Hydro stations.''

Shares of the company declined Rs 0.8, or 1.02%, to settle at Rs 77.60. The total volume of shares traded was 243,624 at the BSE (Monday).

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Renewable Energy Sector in India may miss target 2 years in a row...

 

The country’s renewable energy sector is likely to miss its capacity addition target for the second year in a row. As against the annual target of 4,325 MW, only 1,922 MW has been achieved during the first nine months of the current fiscal, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

However, amid concern over slow progress, the installed capacity for wind power has crossed 20,000 MW this fiscal, while the overall grind-interactive renewable power capacity is set to cross 30,000 MW shortly. With the addition of 1,922 MW in nine months (marginally higher when compared with 1,763 MW in the year-ago period), India’s total grid-interactive renewable energy capacity addition stood at 29,989 MW as on December 31, 2013.

During April-December 2013, wind and solar segments contributed 1096 MW and 495 MW respectively, while the rest was contributed by small hydro, bagasse co-generation, biomass and waste-to-energy categories. Besides, 67 mw of off-grid/ captive power generation capacity from different renewable energy sources were also added during the period.

Presently, wind makes up 67 per cent of India’s total installed capacity of green power. Of the total cumulative capacity of 29,989 MW, wind sector contributed 20,149 MW, followed by small hydro power at 3,763 MW, bagasse cogeneration power at 2,513 MW, solar at 2,180 MW, biomass at 1,285 MW, and waste-to-energy at 99 MW. The cumulative off-grid/ captive power generation capacity from different renewable energy sources in the country stood at 945 MW by the end of December 2013.

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11 TN Hydro Power Dams to Get New Lease of Life Under WB Project...

 

Eleven hydro power dams in the Tamil Nadu State would get a new lease of life under the first phase of the Rs. 745.49-crore World Bank project, a senior official from the Water Resources Organisation (WRO) said.

The official told that 104 of the 127 dams, including 38 Tamil Nadu Electricity Board dams generating hydro-power, would be covered under the funds to enhance them for irrigation and generation of drinking water and hydro-power.

The project would be implemented in four phases and would be completed by 2018. In the first phase, Adavinainar Koil dam, Vadakupachayar dam, Nambiar dam, Kodumudiyar dam and Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli district, Poigayar dam in Kanyakumari district, Vidur dam and Gomukhinadhi in Villupuram district, Mordhana in Vellore district, Siddhamalli in Ariyalur district and Kodayanar in Dindigul district would be covered.

A total of Rs. 63 crore has been allocated for the purpose, a WRO official said. He added that the technical and administrative procedures had been completed and work was about to be started. The main aim is to enhance the strength of the dams to withstand floods. Most of the dams were scheduled to undergo maintenance as they were 40 to 50 years old. The project would adhere to World Bank procedures.

“First we will be studying the internal behaviour of the dam after which it will be strengthened to withstand natural calamities for a long period of time. A hydrology study is also being conducted simultaneously,” the WRO official said, adding, that steel shutter conditions to regulate floods will also be checked and re-strengthened or replaced depending upon the requirement.

Six hydro-electric dams will also be covered under the project. These include Avalanche dam, Glenmorgan dam, Mukurthy dam and Porthimund dam in Nilgiris district, Kadamparai dam in Coimbatore district and Servalar dam in Tirunelveli district. The WRO official said that the project would also cover the 107-year-old Pechhiparai dam besides 25 others in the second phase. The preliminary process has already been started, the official said.

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OHPC surpasses annual power generation target…

 

Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC), which was mandated by Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) to produce 5,676 million unit (MU) hydropower in the current fiscal, has surpassed its annual target and aims to generate 1,000 MU more by the end of March 2014.

“As of 14 January, we have produced 6,004 MU, higher than our target of 5,676 MU. Considering current reservoir positions, we can generate nearly 500 MU more by end of March,” said Santosh Sahu, director (finance) of the state government undertaking.

The rise in power generation was supported by low pressure-induced rains that lashed the southern part of the state towards the fag end of monsoon season that ended in October 2013. As a result, major reservoirs, which are located at Koraput , Malkanagiri and south of Bhawanipatna districts, have ample water to generate record power generation.

Major reservoirs of the state, which supply water to these plants are near their highest level, OHPC website updates showed. Balimela reservoir currently has water at 1508 feet, out of its maximum carrying capacity at 1516 feet, while Mukhiguda reservoir contains 641.8 feet high water, against carrying capacity of 642 feet. Bariniput reservoir, which has a maximum capacity of 858 feet , now has 855.6 feet water in it.

Total hydro power generation, which was around 1200 Mw per day in November however, has come down to 500 Mw average per day as water is being used for irrigation of winter crops from the reservoirs.

Largest power plant Balimela generated about 165 Mw electricity , while Upper Indravati produced 114 Mw power on an average by the second week of January. Hydro power generation at Upper Kolab power station was around 70 Mw by mid-January, data showed.
Balimela has the capacity to produce 510 Mw, Upper Indravati 600 Mw and Kolab can produce 320 Mw electricity.

OHPC said higher generation means more profit for the company, which could jump by as much as 50% to Rs 75 crore.

“During 2012-13, our profit after tax (PAT) was Rs 47 crore. This year we are expecting Rs 75 crore due to higher power generation,” said Sahu.

As per OERC guidelines and agreement signed with Gridco, the hydro power producer has to sell additional power generation at half of the agreed rate. For 2012-13, rate of average power sold by OHPC has been fixed at 70 paise per unit upto sell of 5676 Mu power. Any power sold beyond the targeted generation has to be sold at not more than 35 paise.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said while worst-hit Ganjam received 740 mm rainfall during and after the tropical cyclone Phailin, causing flood situation in the district, compared with 111 mm normal rainfall, Odisha received 277% higher rainfall than normal in October.

Odisha needs about 3,000 Mw power in summer season. Hydro power production, which is at 500 Mw now, can rise to 1000 Mw in summer, the state-run power generator said. “The current water availability will be sufficient for summer demand of 2014,” said the OHPC official.

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Government to generate 9,000 MW of power in next 5-6 years in JK…

 

The Jammu and Kashmir government has conceived a well-planned and realistic power generation strategy and set a target to generate 9,000 MW electricity in next 5-6 years in the state, Industries and Commerce Minister Sajad Ahmed Kichloo said today.

"Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has conceived a well- planned and realistic power generation strategy and set a target to generate 9,000 MWs of electricity in next 5 to 6 years in the state," Kichloo said while interacting with deputations of people from Chenab Valley at Civil Secretariat here this afternoon.

He said for the first time in the history of the state that coalition government, under the leadership of Chief Minister, has framed a well-planned policy to tap the huge Hydle Power Potential in the state.

Chenab Valley in particular is emerging as hub of power generation where about five hydro- electric power projects are coming up on the river Chenab, he said, adding the Chenab Valley is gifted by God with abounded hydro power potential which is being exploited optimally under the New Power Generation Policy of the government.

He said a separate agency Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPP) has been constituted by the government to explore all the possibilities to tap maximum power potential.

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BYPL not to get power from Nathpa Jhakri power station…

 

Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Ltd has regulated power supply to Reliance-backed discom BSES Yamuna from Nathpa Jhakri power station from January 1 to June 30, 2014, following non-payment of dues.

BYPL had earlier been barred power supply from this Himachal Pradesh-based power plant from October to December 2013, after defaulting on payments and now SJVN Ltd has extended this power regulation till June-end. This deprived the national capital of about 40-50 MW of power.

SJVN Ltd sent a regulation notice to the state load dispatch centre on regulation of supply from its 1,500 MW hydel plant in December, sources said. BYPL's share from the plant is 27.24% of total allocation.

"SJVN Ltd in its notice has informed that power rendered surplus due to regulation of power supply to BYPL would be sold through PTC on energy exchange platform," said an official. Sources said the regulation will continue in 'duration of regulation' or up to an earlier date if the default is rectified.

"The regulation will be communicated by reducing the schedule of BYPL from the identified source (Nathpa Jhakri plant). SLDC Delhi will have to regulate drawal schedule for the intrastate regulated entities and the regional load dispatch centre (RLDC) would regulate drawal schedule of Delhi State Control Area," said a notice served by SJVN Ltd.

BSES discoms have been regularly defaulting on payment to entities like NTPC, NHPC, DTL, IPGCL and PPCL, claiming cash flow crisis and financial difficulties.

The discoms are now in the midst of disagreement with the new government led by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal who not only ordered a CAG audit for the companies but also announced a Rs 200 crore subsidy benefit for consumers, the cost of which owed to the BSES companies would be adjusted against their pending dues to Delhi government. BSES discoms have said that this adjustment would not be sustainable for them.

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Manali Hydel project wall collapses during trial run...

 

The reservoir of a hydel project near here burst on Sunday morning during a trial run of filling it with water, causing panic in settlements downstream. The exercise was undertaken just a few days before the commissioning of the project at Aleo village.

A 4.8MW hydropower project, Aleo Manali Hydropower Pvt Ltd stage-II, being set up on Allain Nullah, is scheduled to start power generation by the end of this month. Sources said the project management had opened the inlet gates of the reservoir, which has capacity to store 12,000 cubic meter of water, on Saturday. A day later, around 10am, a huge chunk of the reservoir wall collapsed when it was filled to only 75% of its capacity. As the water breached embankment, levels in Allain stream and the Beas rose suddenly, causing panic among residents in Kullu and Bhuntar towns, some 50 kms from here.

An official of the project management said the reservoir was being filled on a trial basis, but a wall collapsed before it was filled to capacity. "We have suffered huge losses. The reasons for the incident are still unknown. About 95% work of the project has already been completed," he said.

According to Manali sub-divisional magistrate Vinay Dhiman, the project management had not informed them about filling up the reservoir on trial basis. "It could have proved fatal for many. We are looking into the matter and those found guilty will be liable for legal action," he said.

Vashisht panchayat pradhan Govardhan Thakur alleged that the project management had neither informed them of the filling of reservoir nor warned the public. Thakur Dass, pradhan of Prini village, located next to the project site, said the management should take extra care of the people and property in nearby villages.

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Buying hydro power may become mandatory for discoms...

 

The Union power ministry is planning to make it mandatory for power distribution companies (discoms) to buy electricity from hydel projects — a move that would put them on a par with renewable power plants. The idea is to attract investments into the sector and raise the falling share of hydroelectricity in the country’s power mix.

Since the proposal has the potential to increase discoms’ power purchase costs, the ministry has decided to consult electricity regulators and state governments on the issue. Sources said the proposal will be first put up before electricity regulators who are meeting in Chandigarh on January 17. Thereafter, the ministry is expected to call a meeting of state energy ministers to discuss this issue.

Specifically, the idea is to put in place a policy of hydropower purchase obligation (HPO) similar to renewable power purchase obligation, which mandates discoms to buy a certain share of electricity from generating stations running on wind, solar energy and bio-mass. Under the mechanism, discoms in states lacking renewable resources can fulfil their obligation by buying renewable energy certificates from others. Apart from discoms, captive power generators are also required to comply with the policy.

“We are considering HPO for hydropower plants along the lines of renewable power purchase obligation and will soon begin consultations with stakeholders, including state governments, on it,” a senior power official said.

The ideal ratio of thermal and hydropower is 60:40. But, in India, the share of hydel power in the energy basket has fallen from 26% in 2007-08 to 16%, and is projected to further decline to 13% by 2022.

India has the potential to generate 1.5 lakh mw electricity from hydro resources, but it has harnessed only 40,000 mw. The Union power ministry had envisaged capacity addition of 8,237 mw in the hydropower sector during the 11th Plan. However, only half the targeted capacity could be added.

Some industry experts feel the proposed HPO can go a long way in boosting investor sentiment on the hydropower sector if it is implemented properly. Others think HPO needs to be complemented with other incentives, such as an increase in the return on equity (RoE) for hydel projects, if the desired result is to be achieved.

Debasish Mishra, senior director, Deloitte, told Fe: “HPO will definitely give a boost to investment in hydel projects provided state electricity regulators set reasonable targets and ensure adherence by utilities and consumers. Else it will meet the same fate as renewable power purchase obligations.”

“Apart from HPO, the RoE on hydel projects should also be increased if the share of hydropower is to be restored to the ideal level of 40%,” said Ashok Khurana, director-general, association of power producers.

Apart from the risk of geological surprises, lack of road connectivity, especially in border areas, hampers capacity addition based on hydro resources. The Centre has constituted a ministerial panel headed by finance minister P Chidambram to suggest ways to expedite development of supporting infrastructure for hydel projects.

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Bhakra Beas surpassed the generation target set by CEA...

 

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has surpassed the energy generation target set by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for 2013-14 in the first nine months itself.

The BBMB generated 9,679 million units (MUs) from April 1 to December 21, 2013, against the full-year target of 9,665 MUs.

According to the BBMB spokesman, this was facilitated by ensuring high machine availability of 95.08% as well as optimal water reservoir operations, leading to effective utilisation of inflows.

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NGT seeks clarifications on Subansiri hydro power project...

 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF), ministry of power, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and the state governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on the issue of releasing minimum sustenance water at the rate of 450 cumecs from the Lower Subansiri dam throughout the year in order to ensure the river's ecological health.

The tribunal asked the respondents to file their replies within January 29.

The notice came after the Assam Public Works (APW), an NGO, moved the tribunal seeking clarifications on how the project will affect the Subansiri river which is located downstream of the dam site. The project is believed to have an adverse impact on riparian areas and aquatic life.

The APW approached the tribunal after the Supreme Court declined to intervene in the case saying it is a technical matter requiring expert opinion in September last year.

"As per initial RTI information, the NHPC and MoEF planned to release water at the rate of six cumecs for 20 hours when the project will be 'off-grid' (not generating electricity). This implies that no water would be released into the river, home to our national aquatic animal-the river dolphin, for a long period of time," said Abhijeet Sarma, who petitioned on behalf of APW.

Sarma added, "After constant public pressure, the NHPC announced that it will release between 220 to 250 cumecs of water by keeping one turbine running. This is far less than the minimum sustenance flow of the river. Who can guarantee that the turbine will be kept running continuously? Any disruption of flow, even for a short period, will annihilate the downstream biota of the river."

In the petition, APW asked for an opening in the dam at a suitable level so that the sustenance flow of 450 cumecs can be maintained without human control. It also requested that a 'fish ladder' be located at the dam's opening for fish migration.

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Boost Hydel power with proactive policy...

 

The report that tiny Bhutan seeks to be India's hydel partner is good news for sustainability and promises to significantly make up for the declining share of hydroelectric power capacity nationally.

We do need to step-up hydel capacity in areas of steep gradient that would considerably reduce submergence, like the sub-Himalayan region and particularly the northeast, which is hugely water surplus.

It is also welcome that two proposed hydel projects in the Siang river valley in Arunachal Pradesh have reportedly got environmental nod. Note that the two projects — Simang I and II totalling 133 MW — are located on the Simang, the right bank tributary of the river Siang; the Siang valley alone has an estimated 12,450 MW of hydel potential, which, in the north-east as a whole, is well in excess of 50,000 MW, much of it in Arunachal Pradesh.

Overall, a projected 90,000 MW of pumped storage hydel capacity is yet to be tapped. Hydel capacity is not just renewable but also provides the cheapest peaking power.

And peaking load is set to surge in fast urbanising India. Our hydel capacity, meanwhile, has reduced steeply to barely 17% of total power generation capacity and currently adds up to just over 39,000 MW.

A host of policy rigidities seem to come in the way of hydel power. The lack of ready availability of long-term financing does add to project risks. Also, the sheer uncertainty over environmental, forest and other clearances and infrastructural bottlenecks on the ground add to the costs.

Further, while power projects get customs and excise exemption for equipment, 75% of hydel project costs are civil works for which there is no parallel benefit, no accelerated depreciation, and conventional hydel power is not even labelled renewable energy. That is plain anomalous.

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Bhutan seeks to be India's hydel plant...

 

Giant cranes scoop out mud from deep inside the mountains. Frenetic construction activity is on as a state-run company in this tiny landlocked Himalayan country races to complete one of the crucial hydropower plants.

Workers at the site of the Dagachu hydropower plant are busy giving final touches to the project which is expected to go on stream by the middle of 2014.

The 126 megawatt plant is the first under the public-private-partnership model and has already connected 9,000 rural households in Bhutan. The plant, located in the remote Dagachu river, has been built under the PPP model and is the first foreign direct investment for the Himalayan country.

This is also the world's first cross-border clean development mechanism (CDM) project. The CDM allows emission reduction projects in developing countries to earn certified emission reduction credits and these can be traded and sold to meet part of the emission reduction targets under the Kyoto protocol.

The state-run Druk Green Power Corporation holds 59%, the Pension and Provident Fund of Bhutan 15% and the Tata Power Company 26% in the project. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is the lead financier and has provided $80 million for the project along with funding from an Austrian commercial bank.

Bhutan is banking on hydropower exports to India to revive the fortunes of its faltering economy. Several large projects are underway and companies such as Jaypee, Larsen & Toubro and Gammon India are taking part in the massive construction underway.

"At this stage of development, we are highly dependent on exploiting the water resources of Bhutan," said Sonam Tshering, Bhutan's secretary of economic affairs.

The urgency for building hydropower plants in the picture-postcard country is palpable.

Bhutan is grappling with a large current account deficit estimated at 20% of its gross domestic product. The sale of electricity from these projects to a ready-and-captive market in India will help it earn precious foreign exchange to sustain its economy. New Delhi has lent a helping hand and, in turn, will receive steady supplies to meet its growing energy needs.

"The best part of the hydel power development in Bhutan is that hydro power projects are all funded by the Government of India through a very generous combination of grants and loans," said Nam Dorji, Bhutan's finance secretary.

In 2010, electricity exports from Bhutan to India amounted to 5.579 kilowatt hour, helping the country earn about $223 million, according to ADB data.

India and Bhutan signed a pact in 2008 to develop hydropower projects in the country and about 10,000 megawatt power would be exported to India by 2020.

The development of such projects augurs well for the region. "Regional trade in energy can help send energy from places that have excess, such as Bhutan, to countries in need of energy like India, optimizing the region's energy resources," ADB said.

"The recently established India-Bangladesh transmission line could ultimately allow energy to go from Bhutan to Bangladesh," the multi lateral agency said.

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No takers for Meghalaya’s hydro power projects...

 

There has been no takers from power companies to develop over 75 run-off-river mini hydro electric projects in this power-starved state of Meghalaya, an official said Friday.

“We have floated expression of interests (EOIs) inviting private power companies to develop small hydro electric projects, but unfortunately there has been no takers,” additional chief secretary in-charge of power B.K. Dev Varma said.

The proposed mini power projects if developed would enhance an additional power of over 567.91MW in this power-starved state, which presently generates only 186.70 MW and has a share of 200 MW from central utilities.

“I really don’t know exactly what was the reason that why we couldn’t find any bidder, it could be the proposed projects are in treacherous and lack of infrastructure (roads) to reach those areas,” Varma said.

“The other reason could be the terms and conditions of the EOIs do not attract investors to develop these projects. But nonetheless, we will again rework the EOI’s in a couple of months and we are hopeful by this year these projects will find investors,” he added.

Till a decade ago, Meghalaya generated surplus power and sold it to neighbouring states. But today, the state shells out about Rs.20 crore for purchasing power every month.

The situation may not improve in the near future as many of the hydel power projects under construction are running behind schedule.

Bangladesh has also opposed to construct two dams: One across the Umiew River known as Mawphu Hydro Electric Project in East Khasi Hills, and another across Myntdu River known as Myntdu-Leshka Hydro Electric Project Stage-II in the West Jaintia Hills.

The 85 MW Mawphu project would be built by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (Neepco) on the Umiew River in East Khasi Hills District at an estimated cost of Rs 453.81 crore.

Moreover, Meghalaya is already on debt-trap with the state-owned Meghalaya  Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) has to clear pending dues of around Rs 300 crore to  North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation(NHPC).

State-owned NEEPCO has already regulated its power supply to Meghalaya following the non-clearance of outstanding dues. 

However, Varma said the Meghalaya government has submitted a proposal to union ministry of power for financial restructuring plan in order to clear the pending dues of the three central power corporations.

“The restructuring plan was aimed at to avail 25 per cent financial assistance from the Central government as well as 75 per cent from financial institutions in the form of loan,” he said.

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Environmental panel clears Simang I and II hydel projects in Arunachal Pradesh...

 

A key environmental panel has recommended clearance for two hydel power projects in the Siang river valley in Arunachal Pradesh.

The two projects—Simang I and II totalling 133 MW—are located on the Simang, the right bank tributary of the Siang River. Projects in the Siang river basin are viewed as strategically important on account of the border with China. Adishankar Power Pvt Ltd is the project developer.

The Expert Appraisal Committee on River Valley and Hydroelectric Power Projects decided to recommend to the environment ministry that the two projects be cleared subject to requisite clearances from the National Wildlife Board, since Simang II is 6.4 km away from the Mouling National Park.

The panel has asked the developer to revise the cost estimate of implementing the environmental management plan, as it found the figures submitted by it to be on the lower side. It has also suggested that environmental flows of the river should be in line with the recommendations of the Siang Basin study report for winter or lean, monsoon and non-lean and non-monsoon seasons. As of now, the Simang I and II hydro-power projects are the only projects on this river.

The total land requirement for Simang I is 54.58 hectare, of which 32.74 hectare is forestland. The 18-metre barrage will result in a submergence of 15.5 hectare.

Simang II, on the other hand, requires about 46.14 hectare of land, of which 26.75 hectare is forestland. The 18-metre barrage will result in a submergence of 10.57 hectare of land.

Projects in the Siang river basin are seen as strategically important. The Yarlung Tsangpo is known as the Siang after it enters India in Arunachal Pradesh. This is what gives the Siang basin its strategic significance from an international point of view.

The government considers developing the Siang basin important as it will not only help India counter Chinese build-up in the area but also strengthen its negotiating position with China.

India and China have no water agreements. As a result, there is no structured international convention under which India can appeal should its lower riparian rights be affected by the power projects on the Tsangpo.

In this context, developing the Siang basin provides India the best safeguard. As early as August 2010, the then environment minister Jairam Ramesh had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying the environment ministry would ensure expeditious forest and environment clearances for all projects on river Siang without ignoring ecological concerns.

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Changes to the Mega Power Policy approved by CCEA...

 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday approved the Power Ministry's proposal to amend the Mega Power Policy.

The policy was introduced in November 1995 to provide impetus to the setting up of large power projects and derive benefits from economies of scale.

Thermal power projects of 1,000 MW and hydel plants of 500 MW are eligible for benefits under the policy.

These guidelines were modified in 1998, 2002 and 2006 to encourage power development in Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern region.

The projects can tie up electricity sales with distribution utilities through long-term power purchase agreements. They can also sell power outside these agreements, in accordance with the National Electricity Policy 2005 and the Tariff Policy 2006, as amended from time to time.

The benefits of policy also apply to energy-efficient supercritical projects that are awarded through international competitive bidding with the mandatory condition of setting up indigenous manufacturing facilities.

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CCEA may take up Mega Power Policy proposal tomorrow...

 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is expected to take up Thursday the Power Ministry's proposal to amend the Mega Power Policy.

The policy was introduced in November 1995 to provide impetus to the setting up of large power projects and derive benefits from economies of scale.

"The proposal for making changes to the Mega Power Policy may be taken up at tomorrow's (Cabinet) meeting," said a source without providing further details.

Thermal power projects of 1,000 MW and hydel plants of 500 MW are eligible for benefits under the policy.

These guidelines were modified in 1998, 2002 and 2006 to encourage power development in Jammu & Kashmir and the North Eastern region.

The projects can tie up electricity sales with distribution utilities through long-term power purchase agreements. They can also sell power outside these agreements, in accordance with the National Electricity Policy 2005 and the Tariff Policy 2006, as amended from time to time.

The benefits of policy also apply to energy-efficient supercritical projects that are awarded through international competitive bidding with the mandatory condition of setting up indigenous manufacturing facilities.

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CCI may take up three hydro power projects at next meeting...

 

The Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) at its next meeting may take up three hydro power projects that have been held up on account of environmental and forest clearances.

The three hydel projects -- Tawang (800 MW) and Tato (700 MW) and Teesta (520 MW) --have been awaiting environmental clearances for a very long time.

"These projects in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim have been sent to CCI from the Power Ministry for clearance," said a source.

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