New Delhi, Nov 8: All the states of India have unanimously endorsed the Center’s ambitious plan of electricity for all by March 2017 and bring down distribution loses to 15 percent in five years.
This was agreed at the final day of a two-day energy conference here.
With losses of electricity distribution companies in India touching a staggering Rs.3.8 trillion ($58 billion), the Union Cabinet on Thursday has already approved a major restructuring and revival package for the sector, with both checks and incentives, to remove what is considered the weakest link in the government’s plan of power for all by 2022.
Transmission and distribution loses – mainly due to power thefts had been varying between 17-35 per cent.
The states have resolved to ensure expeditious implementation of Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) projects by implementing them within 30 months from date of sanction and achieve 15 percent Aggregate Technical and Commercial Losses (AT & C) at national level by 2019-20.
It was decided that the states whose plan documents on ‘Power For All’ have not been prepared should get it expedited with the help of consultants and central team members so that all these documents are completed by December 31.
Setting up of solar parks as per stipulated schedule and to mandate the installation of solar roof tops on government buildings were also among the issues discussed and agreed upon.
It has been further decided that the states will encourage inter-state and intra-state transmission of renewable energy through various measures like allowing open access, not charging wheeling charges, cross subsidy charges, banking charges and others.
Those states which are rich in wind resource have further agreed to put in place a mechanism for forecasting and scheduling of wind power by January 1, 2016.
