Reliance Power's 4000 MW Tilaiya UMPP need to receive PSU status to get exemption for compensatory forestation requirement...

 

Reliance Power Limited's (RPower) 4,000 MW Tilaiya Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP) is required to receive a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) status from the Central Government in order to be exempted by the Jharkhand Government from providing non-forest land in return for diverting forest land for the proposed mega power project.

 

As per the rules of diversion of forest land, the projects of state run companies are exempted from providing compensation in cases where forest land is diverted for the projects.

The Tilaiya Ultra Mega Power Project was an Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up by the state run Power Finance Corporation (PFC) which is the nodal agency for Ultra Mega Power Projects in the country.

Later on the project was awarded to Reliance Power Limited and the SPV was transferred to it.

However, as per the Jharkhand Government, the decision is yet to be made by the Central Government on whether the Tilaiya plant will be considered a private company plant or a government plant. Based on that, they will or will not compensate for the land acquired for the plant.

 

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More literature on this topic...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/jharkhand-awaits-centre-decision-on-psu-status-for-rpower-plant/articleshow/21597560.cms

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Indian Railways planning to use Solar Power for its AC Coaches...

 

Indian Railways seems to be considering to use the solar energy to power its air conditions coaches; had asked Indian Institute of Technology, Madras to find ways for the same.

Indian Railways, the largest railway system of the world, is seriously considering to use innovative technologies to tap alternative/renewable sources of energy and to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel and the power grid.

There are two ways to source power for air conditioning (i) power cars that use diesel and (ii) AC coaches that generate power from the speed of a train. Currently, power cars are attached to trains like Shatabdi Express, Duronto and double decker trains while AC coaches of other trains have self-generating systems.

According to the Indian Railways, it has approached IIT Madras to find ways to tap solar power and use it for interior lighting and air conditioning and signed an MoU for this purpose last month.

Integral Coach Factory has initiated preliminary discussions with IIT Madras to work out different modalities to develop a feasible model to use solar power in running trains which will draw power from the sub for interior lighting and cooling.

If the project is successful, the railways may be able to dispense with power cars.

 

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow1/21608984.cms

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R-Infra receives Rs. 185 Crores order to digitize Bihar's power distribution network...

 

Reliance Infrastructure Limited (R-Infra) has bagged a Rs. 185 Crores order from the Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) to digitize its customer service which will allow the utility to reduce losses, improve billing and load distribution to its 12 lakh consumers.

 

Under the said contract, R-Infra will cover North and South Bihar Discoms which are having around 71 towns. The It implementation project to be carried out by R-Infra will help business processes of Bihar's SEBs using IT platforms, which will result in enhanced customer service, reduction in power theft, revenue realization and improved efficiency.

The project will involve implementation of key IT technologies like geographical information system (GIS) and network service provision will result in a drastic improvement in network. Real time monitoring and energy audit will further ensure reduction of losses. As a result of this, the cost of subsidy will be reduced and this will reduce tariffs for consumers. Apart from this, R-Infra will carry out system integration (SI) for utilities and deploy key applications, including management information system, document management system, asset management, IT infrastructure, network & IT security. It will ensure faster execution and more accountability to stakeholders.

R-Infra will also train the resources of utilities for all its IT applications to help them become IT savvy. After the completion of the project, R-Infra will carry out management & maintenance of system for five years.

According to the R-Infra, the project will be completed in one and a half years.

The company is executing IT consultancy and implementation projects for utilities in Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka. This is R-Infra's ninth project under the government's R-APDRP Program.

 

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More literature on this topic...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/reliance-infrastructure-to-digitise-customer-services-in-71-bihar-towns-help-cut-losses/articleshow/21609746.cms

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IL&FS is executing 10,000 MW of coal and gas based projects...

 

IL&FS Energy Development Company is executing 10,000 MW coal and gas based projects, and some of them are expected to start generation in the next one year.

As said by the company during the event organized by Independent Power Producer's Association of India, it has 4,000 MW coal based thermal power projects coming up in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. It will be having 6 units of which two will be commissioned by December 2014.  The company is likely to the sign the PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) with Tamil Nadu for 15 years.

IL&FS Energy has also envisaged setting up of some other projects as below:

• 4,000 MW thermal plant in Gujarat
• 2,000 MW gas-based plant and an LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) terminal alongside the plant
• 1,000 MW gas-based capacity in its kitty would do so by executing a 750 MW gas based plant in Joint Venture with ONGC in Tripura using the state-run company's gas.

Further, iron ore miner NMDC has decided to rope in IL&FS Energy Development Company as joint venture partner for setting up a 500 MW thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh with an estimated investment of Rs 2,000 crore. IL&FS Energy would arrange coal for the power plant either through purchase, auction or long-term fuel supply agreement.

In addition to the conventional energy projects, the company is also hopeful of completing 1,000 MW wind power projects during this year.

 

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More literature on this...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/ilfs-energy-aims-to-add-10000-mw-of-power/articleshow/21593752.cms

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Moser Baer Projects' 3,800 MW projects held due to absence of coal linkage and financing...

 

Moser Baer Projects Private Limited's proposed 3,800 MW power projects are held up due to absence of coal linkage which has also made company's plans of fund raising difficult.

According to the company, all the required permissions has been received and land has been acquired for the said Project and currently awaiting the fuel linkage. Further in the absence of coal linkage, company is also finding it difficult to arrange funds for the Project.

Company is planning to develop around 5,000 MW  of projects with and estimated investment outlay of around Rs. 25,000 Crores in the next fiver years out which currently around 1,200 MW capacity is being executed for which coal linkage is available.

Further, the loans are also arranged for this capacity and revenues generated from this plant will be utilized for building other projects.

 

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More literature on this...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/moser-baer-powers-3800-mw-projects-stuck-for-want-of-coal/articleshow/21593962.cms

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Jindal Power to explore opportunities of hydro projects in Tajikistan...

 

Jindal Power Limited is considering to explore the opportunities of setting up hydro power projects in Tajikistan.

Jindal Power is currently executing three hydro power projects in Arunachal Pradesh at Etalin, Atunnli and Kamla.

Company has prepared the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for the Kamla Project whilst the DPR of Atunnli is under preparation. The Etalin project has been touted as the largest hydro power project in the country.

Apart from hydro, company is also intending to focus on solar and wind energy projects and have shortlisted Rajasthan & Gujarat considering their potential.

According to the company officials, Tajikistan government has invited the company to look at their hydro potential. Tajikistan has hydro potential of 60,000 MW.

Jindal Power, which currently has 1,000 MW of coal-based capacity, is targeting 10,000 MW of thermal generation capacity by 2020.
About 7,000 MW of the new capacity is likely to be added in India, either by setting up new plants or acquisitions, while the remainder will be developed overseas, mostly in Africa.

 

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More literature on this topic...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/jindal-power-may-explore-setting-up-hydro-plants-in-tajikstan/articleshow/21594106.cms

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KSERC receives award for "Transparency & Fostering Competition" by IPPAI...

 

During the event organized by the Independent Power Producer's Association of Indian (IPPAI), the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has received an award for "Transparency & Fostering Competition" in recognizance of its measures to strengthen & regulate the power sector.

 

IPPAI has organized a national level meeting of regulators and policy makers in Goa on 3rd August 13 and had instituted around 13 awards for recognizing the efforts for promotion of clean and efficient power generation by both private and government corporations.

As said by the former chairman of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, there are several issues plaguing Indian Power Sector coupled with corruption and inefficiency problems over fuel production and the awards are aiming to incentivize progress and good work in the Indian Power Sector.

The Jury, comprised former secretary, Ministry of Power, member secretary of the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council and former secretary of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

The Jury has selected Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission for the special award after evaluating the relative performances of all state electricity regulatory committee.

To combat severe power shortage, innovative concepts like recovery of marginal cost of power from extravagant consumers, higher rate for high-end domestic consumers and 'Time of Day' tariff for domestic sector were introduced for the first time in the country in Kerala. This along with effective control and admonitions on the Kerala State Electricity Board has forced it to streamline unregulated power purchase and enter in to prudent contracts to avoid power shortages in the future.

In addition, the KSERC has rationalized tariffs after a gap of 10 years and prescribed preferential tariffs for green and renewable sources like wind energy and small hydro projects.

 

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More literature on this topic...

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Kerala-power-commission-wins-award/articleshow/21588451.cms

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REC Mechanism helped Solar Projects in MP to achieve Grid Parity...

 

Evidencing the fact that the Solar Energy in India has almost reached the grid parity, some of the solar projects are able to sale the power at price which are lower than the conventional electricity.

It seems that the  imminence of "Grid Parity" is due to the decrease of capital cost  requirements of solar projects, introduction and effective implementation of Introduction of Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Mechanism.

 

Madhya Pradesh based M & B Switchgears Ltd, has developed two solar parks in the state:

• In Ragarh, the company has a 15 MW park, in which it owns 2 MW of assets — the rest are owned by other solar investors.
• Elsewhere in the State, it is putting up a 27 MW project, of which 13 MW of assets are operational and the rest will be by the end of August. M and B Switchgears will own 12 MW.

From the some of the above mentioned projects. power is being sold directly to large consumers at a tariff which is as low as Rs. 4.0 per unit which is almost 20% lower than the tariff being offered by the state utilities. 

In addition to above, the solar power generators can be registered with the REC Registry and can avail REC which can be sold on the exchanges like Indian Electricity Exchange and Power Exchange of India.

According to the officials of the company, the financials of projects under this mechanism will be profitable for the investors even if only 20% of the RECs availed by them are sold in the market.

In addition to that, the solar project developer will also get the "Accelerated Depreciation Benefits" under the Income Tax act of India which allows the companies to write off the cost of the project as depreciation thereby significantly reduce the tax payments.

 

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More literature on this...

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/at-rs-4-a-unit-solar-power-cheaper-than-grid-in-mp/article4978485.ece

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ONGC plans 1,000 MW Solar PV Project under REC Scheme in Karnataka...

 

The Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is planning to set up 1,000 MW Grid Connected Solar PV project in Karnataka.

According to sources, the company has approached the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), for the issuance of Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) and Power Purchase Rate.

It has also learnt that the company is identifying suitable land for setting up of the proposed Project in the state. 

According to the officials of KREDL the concept of REC and the efforts of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy have led to several solar power projects taking off in the country.

At present, small good projects are taking off. But large ones are coming up in a big way in the country, due to initiatives being taken by various states. With large projects slowly rolling out in the States, rates have become competitive. Recently, the Tamil Nadu Government invited tenders for 1,000 MW. Rates quoted were around Rs 5.70 per unit. Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, it was Rs 6.49 per unit.

Other States which are finalizing tenders include Karnataka for 130 MW and 1,000 MW and Uttar Pradesh 200 MW. Bihar has already executed a 40 MW project and is exploring a 150 MW project.

Madhya Pradesh has completed a 200-MW project and plans to set up another 300 MW project.

 

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More literature on this topic...

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/ongc-in-talks-to-set-up-solar-grid-in-karnataka/article4982325.ece

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KEC recorded net sales of Rs. 1,746 Crores...

 

KEC International Ltd (KEC) has recorded the net sales of Rs. 1,746 Crores during the Q1 of June 2013 as against Rs. 1,364 Crores during the same period last year.

 

KEC International Ltd, a global infrastructure EPC major, an RPG Group company, today announced its unaudited consolidated results for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

Net Sales for the quarter stands at Rs1,746 crore as against Rs1,364 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous year with an increase of 28% Y-o-Y.

Consolidated Financials of the company:

• EBITDA for the quarter stands at Rs88 crore as against Rs103 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous year.
• Profit After Tax (excluding exceptional item, net of taxes) is Rs3 crore as against Rs 33 crore in the corresponding quarter of previous year.
• The exceptional item is related to implementation of Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) at Thane cable manufacturing facility. The total cost of VRS is Rs 18 crore (net of taxes Rs 12 crore).

The Company has secured new orders in Transmission and Telecom businesses of ` 804 crore. Details are as follows:
Order Intake and Order Book

According to the company, it has secured new orders worth Rs. 804 Crores in the fields of Power Transmission as well as Telecom sectors:

• Company has entered Tanzania by securing an order for design, supply and erection of 400 kV double circuit transmission line under the Tanzania Backbone Transmission Investment Project. The order valued at Rs. 772 Crores is secured from Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited.
• In the Telecom business, the order is for establishing Optical Power Ground Wire (OPGW) communication network in the Western region of India. The order is secured from Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL). The order value is Rs 34 crore.

Including these orders, total order intake during current financial year is Rs2,185 crore. The order book continues to remain robust and it stands at Rs10,056 crore.

Click below to view the real-time stock prices of KEC International.

 

 

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More literature on this topic...

• http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/KEC-International-Q1-net-sales-up-28-percent/5748696184
• http://www.kecrpg.com/KEC%20data/Investor%20relations/financial%20results/Financial%20Result%20-%20June%202012.pdf

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