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MoP urges states to identify sites for nuclear power projects

India, News

Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has encouraged states to identify viable sites for nuclear power plants, especially in areas far from coal sources.  The government has already shortlisted 18 locations across the country for new nuclear capacity, aiming to increase nuclear power from 8 GW to 20 GW by 2032.  The Minister advised states to repurpose sites of retired coal-based thermal plants for this purpose. At the recent Power Ministers’ conference on 12 November 2024,…

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MoP unveils National Electricity Plan for transmission

India, News

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has launched the National Electricity Plan for transmission, targeting the transmission of 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and over 600 GW by 2032. The plan also addresses the need for 47 GW of battery energy storage systems and 31 GW of pumped storage plants. From 2022-23 to 2031-32, the plan aims to add over 191,000 circuit km of transmission lines and 1,270 GVA of transformation capacity at 220…

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MoP modifies budgetary support for hydropower

India, News

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has revised the provision of budgetary support for hydroelectric and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), allocating Rs 124.6 billion from FY 2024–25 to 2031–32 to support 31 GW of hydroelectric capacity, including 15 GW from PSPs. The support is capped at Rs 10 million/MW for projects up to 200 MW, and Rs 2 billion plus Rs 7.5 million/MW for projects exceeding 200 MW, with an increase to Rs 15 million/MW for…

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MoP sets price benchmark for biomass pellets in NCR

India, News

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has established a price benchmark of Rs 2.32 per 1000 kcal for biomass pellets, effective from September 1, 2023, to encourage biomass use in thermal power generation within the National Capital Region (NCR). This move supports India’s environmental and energy diversification goals.  The pricing applies to non-torrefied biomass pellets with moisture content below 14% and a gross calorific value of 2800-3400 kcal per kg, as determined by the Price Benchmarking…

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MoP issues guidelines for battery swapping and charging stations

India, News

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has released guidelines for the installation and operation of battery swapping and charging stations. These guidelines apply to swappable battery providers and operators of battery charging and swapping stations. The primary objectives are to promote battery swapping as an alternative to electric vehicle (EV) charging, encourage battery-as-a-service models, and develop a strong battery-swapping ecosystem. Operators can use existing electricity connections for charging swappable batteries, with or without increasing the connected…

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MoP issues draft for competitive bidding on pumped storage plant projects

India, News

The Ministry of Power (MoP) has released a draft for tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) aimed at procuring storage capacity or stored energy from pumped storage plants (PSP). The draft outlines a single-stage, two-part bidding process, including technical and financial bidding stages, for securing storage capacity from these projects. According to the draft, for on-river pumped storage projects, operations must commence within 66 months of signing the power purchase agreement (PPA). For off-river projects, the completion…

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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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PGCIL invites bids for Andaman & Nicobar Islands HVDC link project

India, News

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) has issued a consultancy tender for the interconnection of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (ANI) with India’s mainland grid. The scope of work covers: Route Alignment, Detailed Survey and Soil Investigation works for the Interconnection of North, Middle & South Andaman Islands. In May 2023, a clean energy approach via an HVDC link was proposed to the Ministry of Power (MoP), which could supply sustainable power to North, Middle,…

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Energy Justice and the Renewable Transition: Addressing Inequities in Carbon-Intensive Regions

Analysis, Opinions and Perspective

The global shift towards renewable energy is crucial in mitigating climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and ensuring a sustainable future. Yet, this transition is far from equitable. For carbon-intensive regions, where economies and livelihoods are tightly linked to fossil fuels, the renewable energy transition presents significant challenges. These regions face the risk of economic destabilization, job loss, and social upheaval. In this context, the concept of energy justice has emerged as a critical framework…

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,…