Magazine

Last edition
January-February 2025

Home › Smart Grid / T&D ›Integration of RE and Nuclear Energy in the Grid Vital for Viksit Bharat 2047 Goal: Power Minister

Integration of RE and Nuclear Energy in the Grid Vital for Viksit Bharat 2047 Goal: Power Minister

India's power sector is crucial to the nation's goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047, with a focus on renewable and nuclear energy integration, financial viability of distribution utilities, and advancements in storage and cybersecurity, highlighted Union Power Minister Manohar Lal at a regional power sector meeting in New Delhi.

February 21, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey

Power Sector has a vital role to play in India’s goal for becoming a developed nation by 2047 for which further integration of renewable as well as nuclear sources of energy is required, said Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal during a regional meeting of the power sector in New Delhi.

He further added that the world is aiming towards achieving net zero carbon emission and soon we may see demand for products manufactured through green energy only. Further, he mentioned that renewable energy sources should also be coupled with investment in storage systems like battery energy storage system (BESS) and pumped storage projects (PSP).

Union Minister of State for Power and NRE Shripad Yesso Naik underlined the importance of a future ready, modern and financially viable power sector to fuel the growth of country on its journey towards becoming a developed nation.

He mentioned that the growing demand for electricity supplemented by newer modes of consumption like electric vehicles, data centres and newer paradigms like RE integration, battery storage, cyber security of critical infrastructure and pumped storage etc. demand for collective efforts from all concerned.

He pointed out that financial viability of distribution sector is vital for the overall growth of power sector in the country. He further mentioned that distribution utilities need to make efforts for expeditious implementation of works sanctioned under RDSS and called the utilities to promote smart meters through effective consumer engagement. He also mentioned about the requirement of strengthening cyber security frameworks so as to safeguard critical infrastructure.

The meeting was attended by Union Power Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Secretaries, Principal Secretaries (Power/Energy) of participating states, CMDs of central and state power utilities. Officers from Ministry of Power also participated in the meeting.

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power highlighted major concerns about financial health of public sector distribution utilities. He expressed concerns about slow progress of works under RDSS. He mentioned that timely implementation of the works under RDSS would help make the distribution sector operationally efficient. Further, he also urged the states for implementation of the Resource Adequacy Plan in a strategic manner and to resolve pending issues in ongoing projects in the generation and transmission projects.

The 13th Integrated Ratings of 63 distribution utilities was launched for the year FY 2023-24. Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd. (AEML) topped the ratings for FY 2023-24, followed by Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (DGVCL), Noida Power Company Ltd. (NPCL), Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (MGVCL) and Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (UGVCL).

The 4th edition of the Consumer Services Rating of DISCOMs (CSRD) report covering performance of DISCOMs for FY 2023-24 was also launched during the meeting. Six DISCOMs – BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. (BRPL), BSES Yamuna Power Ltd. (BYPL), Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (TPDDL), Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd. (AEML), Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) Mumbai, NOIDA Power Company Ltd. (NPCL), have secured the highest grade ‘A+’, 15 DISCOMs secured ‘A’ grade.

The first edition of the Distribution Utilities Ranking (DUR) Report for FY 2023-24 was also launched during the meeting. In the Distribution Utilities category – Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd. (UHBVNL), Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd. (DHBVNL) and Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Ltd. (TPWODL) topped the rankings.

Under Special Category State Utilities – Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd. (UPCL), Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) and Arunachal Pradesh Power Department were the top performers. Under the category of Urban DISCOMs, Adani Electricity Mumbai Ltd. (AEML), Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd. (TPDDL) and NOIDA Power Company Ltd. (NPCL) were the best performing DISCOMs.

Tags:

Smart Grid / T&D

Ministry of Power

Regional power sector meeting

Battery Energy Storage Systems

Pumped Storage Project

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme

Smart metering devices