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Ministry of Coal launches mine opening permission module on SWCS portal

India, News

The Ministry of Coal has introduced a Mine Opening Permission module on the Single Window Clearance System (SWCS) portal to streamline and expedite the approval process for initiating coal mining operations. This digital initiative enhances transparency and efficiency by enabling online applications and real-time tracking, thereby reducing reliance on manual paperwork and minimizing delays.  The module is designed to encourage a more investment-friendly environment in the coal sector.

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Ministry of Coal releases report on overburden utilisation in the coal sector

India, News

The Ministry of Coal has published the high-powered expert committee (HPEC) report on the gainful utilisation of overburden (OB) in the coal sector.  The HPEC, comprising experts from various ministries, NITI Aayog, and coal companies, examined ways to repurpose OB—typically composed of soil, rock, and other discarded materials during coal mining—into valuable resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability. The report outlines strategies for processing OB to produce manufactured sand (M-sand), which can be used…

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Ministry of Coal opens bids for 10th round and reattempts of 9th and 8th commercial coal mine auctions

India, News

The Ministry of Coal has opened bids for the 10th round and the second attempt of the 9th and 8th rounds of commercial coal mine auctions. In the 10th round, 43 bids were received for 16 out of the 61 mines on offer.  However, in the second attempt of the 9th round, only 1 bid was submitted for the 5 mines available. No bids were received for the single mine offered in the second attempt…

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Power ministry to launch Rs 10 billion scheme for MSME energy efficiency

India, News

The Ministry of Power (MoP) is set to launch a Rs 10 billion scheme to support energy efficiency initiatives among small and medium businesses, aiming to incentivize adoption of energy-efficient technologies.  Under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s ADEETIE scheme (Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments), the plan will provide interest subvention of approximately five percent for small enterprises and three percent for medium enterprises. Technologies covered include automation systems for resource…

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Adani Power’s coal plant can now supply Indian market under amended export rules

India, News

The Indian government has amended its power export rules, allowing Adani Power’s 1,600 MW Godda coal-fired plant in Jharkhand, previously contracted to supply all its output to Bangladesh, to now supply electricity to the domestic market. The amendment, detailed in an internal power ministry memo dated 12 August, permits the plant to connect to the Indian grid and sell power locally in cases of sustained non-scheduling of its capacity or payment delays. This change, which…

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India achieves record coal production in FY24, surpassing 997 million tonnes

India, News

India recorded its highest-ever coal production in FY24, reaching 997.828 million tonnes, an 11.71 per cent increase from FY23. In Q1 FY25, India produced 247.396 million tonnes of coal, a 10.75 per cent increase from 223.376 million tonnes in the same period last year. Several initiatives contributed to this growth. The Single Window Clearance portal expedited the operationalization of coal mines. Captive coal mines were permitted to sell up to 50 per cent of their…

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CEA recommends addition of 80 GW of coal-based capacity by 2031-32

India, News

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recommended a coal and lignite-based installed capacity of 283 GW, up from the current 217.5 GW. Consequently, the Ministry of Power (MoP) is planning to establish an additional minimum of 80 GW of coal-based capacity by 2031-32. This expansion is expected to entail an expenditure of at least Rs. 6,672 billion by 2031-32. According to Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), the country is committed to achieving approximately 50 per…

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Decommissioning Coal-Based Plants in India

Analysis, Features

The proportion of installed capacity from coal/lignite has decreased from 55 per cent in 1947 to 50 per cent in 2024, but it still dominates, accounting for 50 per cent of installed capacity and 73 per cent of generation as of March 2024. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects coal/lignite will still comprise 32 per cent of installed capacity by 2030. Coal-based plant installations surged between 2007 and 2017, driven by high spot prices in power…

Power Sector News Roundup for November 12, 2024

Power Bytes

Global: ACCA report warns of inadequate climate preparedness among businesses. EnBW to install a 100 MW battery storage system in Marbach, Germany. ScottishPower signs £1 billion deal with Siemens Gamesa for East Anglia 2 offshore wind farm. Entrion Wind secures US patent for FRP monopile technology. SPPC awards 7.2 GW power project contracts under Saudi Vision 2030. Energy Vault to build a 57 MW battery storage project in Texas. Nexans to sell AmerCable to Mattr…

Institutional Infrastructure of Energy in India

Power 101

India’s energy sector is supported by a vast and multi-tiered institutional infrastructure that includes ministries, regulatory bodies, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and research institutions. These entities work together to manage, regulate, and oversee energy production, distribution, and policy implementation. Below is an overview of the key institutions involved in India’s energy landscape. Ministries Ministry of Power (MoP): The Ministry of Power is responsible for developing and managing the country’s power sector. It oversees electricity generation,…