Committed to affordable and clean power 24x7: Goyal

Union minister of state for power, coal and new and  renewable energy, Piyush Goyal today said that the government is committed to delivering 24x7 power for all.

"This requires significant augmentation of energy generation, effective transmission and distribution system and finally efficient consumption," Goyal said. At the same time, he reiterated that commitment to economic development and concern for environment, go hand in hand.

Speaking at a seminar ''Sustainable Energy for All '' on the sidelines of Vibrant Gujarat, in Gandhinagar today, he said the country is enormously energy starved, since average per capita consumption is just a tinge over 900 units per year versus Gujarat at 1,800 units and developed countries at 15,000 a year.

"280 million people in 56 million homes are bereft of any electricity whatsoever," Goyal said adding, "Further, a large number of people who are connected to the grid, receive sporadic and inconsistent electricity in many states of India.

He hoped to make a long-lasting, transformative impact on the lives of millions of fellow Indians.

In the last seven months, since assuming office, the government has focused on increasing production of key inputs for power generation and the action plan for doubling production of Coal India Limited to 1 billion tons in five years is ready he said.

The ministry is trebling exploration, investing $1 billion for 250 additional rakes and expediting evacuation (particularly, three critical railway lines which can evacuate 200 million tons).

Outlining the steps taken by the ministry under the new government, he said, "Within a month of the Supreme Court's judgment cancelling 204 coal blocks, the centre promulgated an ordinance and the auction process has already begun in the most transparent e-bidding format.

"This will help in augmenting domestic production and go a long way in eliminating the need to import thermal coal, at great cost to the exchequer.

"The government has also initiated a coal linkage rationalisation exercise to link plants with their nearest coal mines to ensure minimum transportation of coal, unclog railway network, reduce ash related damage to the environment and pass-on the savings of approx. $1 billion to the consumers."

The first swap has already been completed between Gujarat and NTPC-Sipat in Chhattisgarh, saving consumers, particularly Gujarat, $50 million.

He said the government was going for compulsory crushing and washing of coal, to further minimise ash transportation, and taking up afforestation programs at scale. Beside initiating studies to ensure that rivers stay perennial, wherever a hydro project has been planned or is already in operation.

Goyal said, while generation is obviously important, a strong infrastructure in transmission and distribution is equally essential. Unfortunately, this sector has remained historically under-invested. The government has launched two flagship schemes - the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram JyotiYojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), with central government grants of $18 billion.

He added, DDUGJY was inspired by the pioneering initiative of the Gujarat government's Jyoti Gram Yojana, and will focus on feeder segregation in rural areas, proper metering of usage and strengthening sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure including replacement of suboptimal and burnt out transformers, so that farmers receive adequate power and rural homes and small-scale industries receive 24x7 power.

Remote villages with small population would also be connected to the grid, where feasible, or would be provided power through off-grid and micro-grid solutions powered by renewable energy.