Power Reforms On the Cards: State Ministers To Discuss Power Sector Reforms

Government is moving fast on the power sector reforms agenda and wants to give 24x7 power to citizen of the country. For this objective Ministry of Power, Renewable Energy and Mines is organizing a two day conference of power ministers of States and Union Territories on 6 & 7 November at Bolgatty in Kochi, Kerala. Minister of State (IC) for Power Coal & New and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the conference and it is meant to discuss a host of issues pertaining to the sector. Sources in the power corridor told DSIJ that this conference is quite significant as it is happening before the winter session of Parliament, where the proposed amendments Electricity Act will be taken up and central government is trying to woo the support of states in revamping the power sector and ramp up reforms in the sector. In the conference, states power ministers will discuss apart from sector reforms issues related to power generation, distribution and transmission, coal production and supply, promotion of renewable energy and energy conservation. 

As far as agenda is concerned, it will include preparation and implementation of State specific documents of 24x7 Power of All, Electrification of remaining un-electrified villages in mission mode, Expeditious implementation of Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Jyothi Yojana (DDUGJY), implementation of Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), Strategies for AT&C loss reduction, Smart Grid, Financial health of discoms, Advance transmission planning, Right of Way (RoW) issues in transmission projects, Green Energy Corridor I& II.

The outstanding dues of State Electricity Boards, discoms to power sector PSUs and Coal India Limited will also be a topic of discussion in the conference to be attended by among others Power, Renewable Energy and Mines Ministers of States and Union Territories , the Secretaries of Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Ministries and heads of Discoms and Central Public Sector undertakings of Power sector. 

In the thermal sector, discussions will be held on support of state governments for thermal projects in: land acquisition, ensuing congenial law & order situation, coal swapping-methodology and benefits, coal linkage policy and third party sampling of coal. As per ministry release discussions will also be held on how to expedite the completion of 36 ongoing Hydropower Projects and to resolve issues related to eleven stranded or stalled projects and formulation of transparent and progressive hydropower policy and resettlement & rehabilitation policy.  In the area of Renewable Energy, State wise review will be taken on the progress of fixing of RPOs, evacuation and transmission infrastructure to match the target of 1,75,000 MW by 2022.