Airlines to be blamed for most fog delays, says DGCA
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) believes airlines are to be majorly blamed for passenger hardships due to fog-induced flight delays and cancellations. The aviation regulator has found that almost all delays and cancellations have happened either due to the aircraft being non-CAT III compliant or pilots not being trained to handle compliant aircraft. DGCA joint chief Lalit Gupta has been warning the airlines to pull up their socks. On Thursday, TOI had reported the pulling up of two airlines. Top officials of those airlines said similar warnings have gone to almost every Indian carrier. On November 30, Gupta had emailed all airlines and named Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo, SpiceJet, Jetlite, Go Air and Emirates for their poor preparedness. But subsequent flight diversions even when visibility was way above the instrument landing system (ILS) or CAT III minimum range showed that the warning wasn’t heeded. DGCA now has a new chief in senior IAS officer B S Bhullar, and it remains to be seen what action he takes. “Every year we see the same thing. Airlines or airports are not prepared to handle flights during fog. Aviation authorities issue the usual warnings, and by the time this drill is over, March sets in and fog goes away. Passengers are fed that airlines or airports have been warned but nothing changes. It’s the same story every year,” said a senior official of an airline. Jeff Heuerman Womens Jersey
Hike in petrol, diesel rates deferred
PSU oil companies have deferred a planned Rs 2.26 a litre hike in petrol and Rs 1.78 increase in diesel. Indian Oil Corporation(IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) revise rates, particularly when a price cut is necessitated, on 1st and 16th of every month based on average international price in the previous fortnight. But an increase that was warranted because of a rise in international gasoline (petrol) price to $62.82 per barrel from $57.43 and that of diesel to $60.97 from $56.79 was deferred today. The surge in international price, which was moderately tempered by strengthening of the rupee to Rs 68.05 from Rs 68.23 a dollar, had necessitated Rs 2.26 a litre hike in petrol and Rs 1.78 in diesel, officials said. This increase was excluding local levies. The actual hike after considering VAT would have been about Rs 2.90 per litre and the same for diesel would have been Rs 2.10. Petrol in Delhi currently costs Rs 66.10 a litre and diesel Rs 54.57. Rates were last revised on December 1 when petrol price was hiked by a marginal 13 paise a litre, but diesel rates were cut by 12 paise. IOC Chairman B Ashok justified the deferment move, saying “it is not compulsory” to change rates on a particular date. “We continue to review it and will take appropriate decision at the right time,” he said. “Price revision is being done in a calibrated manner.” Stating that global prices are volatile, he said there are lots of changes happening around. “We need to take an overall view and then calibrate our views.” Prior to the December 1 price change, rates were hiked by Rs 1.46 a litre in the case of petrol and Rs 1.53 per litre for diesel, excluding local levies, on November 16. Industry sources said the deferment may be for a day or two as Parliament is in session and any hike would have added to the discomfort for the government, particularly when it is facing heat over hardships caused by currency demonetisation. The Winter Session of Parliament ends today and rate revision may follow soon, they said. Atlanta Braves Authentic Jersey
Greenpeace finds support to its anti-coal stance from Central Electricity Authority’s report
Greenpeace Peace has found support to its anti-coal stance from Central Electricity Authority’s prediction of no fresh coal capacity requirement between 2017 and 2027. In a statement released on Thursday, the activist firm Greenpeace India said the CEA’s study corroborates Greenpeace India’s earlier findings on India’s coal power overcapacity, in effect justifying Greenpeace India’s call for an end to new coal power plants. “We welcome the draft plan’s recognition that there is no longer any economic or development rationale for new investments in coal power plants for the foreseeable future,” said Nandikesh Sivalingam, Climate and Energy Campaigner, Greenpeace India. “With India’s renewable energy sector taking off, it is now possible to reduce poverty, improve living standards and provide ‘power for all’. decentralized renewable energy (DRE) is putting power in the hands of people across the nation and resources must be focused on meeting this goal.” In September, Greenpeace released an analysis of the overcapacity problem plaguing India’s coal power sector, warning that over Rs 3 lakh crore of investment is being wasted on coal power plants that will not be required. The CEA’s study validates Greenpeace India’s key findings, particularly stating there is no need for any new coal power plants to be added to the country’s existing capacity until 2022, it said. Given that there is over 50 GW of coal power currently under construction, which will come online over the next few years, there is as of today, absolutely no requirement for any increase in coal power plants till 2027 at least. The CEA however, stays silent on the coal capacity in pipeline of about 178 GW. These are projects that have yet to start construction but have received permits or are in the process of applying for permits. These projects represent a potential stranded investment of 10 lakh crore and must not be allowed to progress. “Other ministries need to take cognizance of the CEA’s warning, and act now to avoid wasting scarce capital,” said Sivalingam. Data with Greenpeace shows that between January and October 2016, 7,230 MW of coal power commenced construction. Between January 2014 and June 2016, approximately 50,000MW of new coal power was either given final environmental clearance or allowed to start the clearance process by the Ministry of Environment. On coal requirement CEA also projects that coal requirement for electricity by 2027 will be only 901 million tonnes and less than 800 tonnes for 2022, even in a worst case scenario. Despite this, Coal India has been forced to adopt a one billion ton target by 2020, which is resulting in significant loss of forest, displacement of communities and pollution of water and air resources as a result of expanded mining. The CEA’s new projections expose the complete lack of any justification for such destruction. Continued use coal will have catastrophic effects: not just on the economy, but also on our natural resources and habitats, and have adverse effects on the health of millions of Indians due to air pollution. Any future expansion on coal will also threaten the Paris Agreement’s aspiration of restricting temperature increase to 1.5C, which India ratified with much fanfare in October this year .. Matt Tennyson Authentic Jersey
10 states account for 90 per cent of large-scale solar installations: Mercom
India now has a total installed large-scale solar capacity of 9,018 MW and a solar pipeline of 14,030 MW as of December 2016, with the top 10 states accounting for approximately 90% of all solar installations and pipeline, Mercom Capital Group has recently estimated. These are Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Tamil Nadu leads with 1,577 MW in-operations. In order to fulfil the state Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) the Tami Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (TANGEDCO) recently auctioned 500 MW solar. The state has close to 485 MW of solar under various stages of development. Nevertheless, the state is yet to join the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) which aims at financial turnaround of DISCOMs. Until then, developers will be concerned due to TANGEDCO’s history of payment delays. However, TANGEDCO is tendering another 500 MW. To boost the transmission and evacuation infrastructure in the state, TANGEDCO has begun construction of substations. Currently, four substations are nearing completion and are expected to be completed by June 2017. Due to transmission issues, the state has curtailed solar in the past; “but, not so any more, we are well on track,” an official at TANGEDCO told Mercom. Rajasthan’s position was recently usurped by Tamil Nadu as installation activity in the state has slowed. The state has 1,324 MW of solar in-operation with a project pipeline of 1,206 MW and could reclaim the top spot. Developers told Mercom that in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, they are wary that curtailment might come back to haunt the sector. The distribution companies can be reluctant to purchase solar power due to cost higher than conventional energy. In Rajasthan, curtailment took place earlier this year due to required system parameters. The PPAs have been delayed in the state. Earlier, the state used to sign PPAs at preferential tariffs; the program ended in March of 2016. The state is trying to fast-track the competitive bidding process and solve issues between DISCOMs and developers Mercom has gathered from Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation (RRECL) officials. The green energy transmission corridor, once developed, will boost the willingness of DISCOMs to sign PPAs, as they can supply to other states and will have more buyers, added the RRECL official. Considering Gujarat has large tracts of land ideal for large-scale grid-connected solar projects and hasn’t faced evacuation and transmission issues, the solar sector in the state has been stagnant with 1,101 MW in-operation and 300 MW under development.Gujarat is a power surplus state and has met its RPO obligations and is not in a hurry to ramp up its solar installations. Andhra Pradesh is the state with the most solar parks. Activity in solar sector has picked up in the state with the completion of Kurnool solar park. At present, Andhra Pradesh has solar projects aggregating 1,009 MW in-operation and 1,494 MW under development. In Andhra Pradesh, transmission losses are its gravest issue and few DISCOMs are reluctant to buy solar beyond their RPO. Nevertheless, the transmission network will be on-grid by February 2017 in the state. Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (APTRANSCO) is currently setting up the infrastructure which would ease sale of power. Telangana has come a long way with its solar policies and programs since its inception as a state. These programs have helped the state leapfrog others to claim the fifth spot with 1,006 MW in-operation and 2,418 MW under development. The state is mired with transmission and grid-connectivity problems. The state has a huge project pipeline, but, developers are concerned about power evacuation once all projects are commissioned. The state also suffers from land availability and grid-connectivity issues. In Telangana, grid is being upgraded and “the state will be able to evacuate all power generated in the future.” The state nodal agency has put an impetus on transmission infrastructure as a lot of projects will be commissioned in the coming years; “the state is gearing up for an industrial boom,” commented an official at Telangana New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation. Madhya Pradesh has transformed itself from a power deficient state to a power surplus state. Rapid implementation of policies and programs has led to a growing solar sector. Currently, the state has 861 MW in-operation and 722 MW under various stages of development. Infrastructure at the Rewa solar park is nearing completion; once tenders are issued, solar is expected to pick up pace. Madhya Pradesh also suffers from transmission and grid issues. Developers in the state have faced curtailment in some cases. The state has also witnessed payment delays. In Madhya Pradesh, the evacuation and grid-connectivity issues are on the verge of being resolved, commented an official at Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL). “None of the state DISCOMs received notification from higher authorities to connect transmission and grid lines. As of now, all details are being distributed to zonal and sub-zonal offices and through interdepartmental deliberations all hurdles will be overcome, added the official at MPUVNL. The largely agricultural state of Punjab has shown progress in terms of fulfilling its power demand. Punjab is ranked seventh with projects in-operation aggregating 569 MW. The state has a project pipeline of 453 MW. In Punjab, DISCOMs do not want to buy expensive solar power to provide subsidized power to farmers. Transmission losses are also an issue in Punjab, furthering developer reluctance. Punjab has already set up canal bank and canal top projects as these take land availability out of the equation. Through implementation of innovative technology and scaling up of the transmission infrastructure, Punjab will remain a sunny state, commented an official at Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA). Karnataka has the largest solar project pipeline of 3,376 MW. The state is facing solar park issues relating to evacuation and transmission which could delay projects. The state is ranked eighth with projects in-operation aggregating 511 MW. Developers are disheartened by the slow progress of solar parks in Karnataka. The DISCOMs in Karnataka are in bad financial shape and
Strenuous efforts needed to boost NTPC’s performance: Parliament panel
Parliamentary panel asked the government to make strenuous efforts to improve the performance of state-run power giant NTPC in the backdrop of lower capital expenditure of Rs 2.19 lakh crore projected in the 12th Plan period (2012-17). The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy chaired by Virendra Kumar also asked the government to take “pre-emptive steps so that lesser expenditure during the 12th Plan should not result in truncated target for NTPC for capacity addition during 13th Plan.” In a report tabled in the Parliament today, the committee noted that a projection of Rs 2,19,613 crore was made as Plan outlay for NTPC for the 12th Plan. However, the committee found that the actual expenditure (cumulative for 4 years of 12th Plan) is expected to be around Rs 89,000 crore. The panel also noted that it is expected that at the end of the 12th Plan, Rs 1,20,700 crore will be utilised as one more year is still to go in the Plan period. It found that even if the expected expenditure of Rs 1,20,700 crore at the end of the 12th Plan is achieved, there will be a huge shortfall of Rs 98,913 crore which stands for 45 per cent of the target. The Power Ministry, besides other reasons, has attributed scrapping of projects worth Rs 26,646 crore by NTPC to the less planned expenditure during the 12th Plan period. It also observed that NTPC has been assigned a target (of adding) 11,920 MW of generation capacity during 12th Plan and against this, 9,550 MW has already been achieved. It is expected that the target will be surpassed by the end of 12th Plan. The committee, noting that financial expenditure and physical performance have a direct correlation, asked the Power Ministry to explain as to how capacity addition targets have been fully achieved despite incurring only half of the expenditure (targetted). As per the report, the Power Ministry has indicated that un-utilised expenditure is related to the projects meant for 13th Plan period. “In this context, the committee expresses its unhappiness with the financial performance of NTPC during 12th Plan. The excuse that the planning in regard to expected expenditure by NTPC was done much before the start of the 12th Plan is not acceptable. “A deviation of 15-20 per cent in any plan is justified, but shortfall of almost half of the target compels the committee to infer that either the planning was flawed or there were lapses in its execution,” the panel said. It also said that NTPC should not lose its share of capacity addition to the private sector in power generation due to short term demand fluctuation. Rather, it should endeavour to compete well with the private sector which, despite all odds, has performed outstandingly. Womens Jersey
Government to take over 75% of discoms’ loans
In a major relief to about 80 lakh domestic and 21 lakh agriculture power consumers, the Telangana government has decided to take over 75 per cent of loans raised by two power companies -TS northern discom and southern discom. This will have two spin-off benefits: One cushions the consumers from any proposed power tariff hike and the other takes care of Rs 500 crore interest burden on the discoms. CM K Chandrasekhar Rao gave a formal approval and an announcement in this regard will be made soon. “The chief minister has directed the government to take over 75% of loans of discoms. This will reduce over Rs 500 crore interest burden on discoms every year,” D Prabhakar Rao, chairman and managing director of Telangana Transco and Genco, told TOI. The financial restructu ring plan prepared by TSTransco, which is part of the centrally-sponsored Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY), has been approved by the government. The government will also pump additional funds to improve transmission and distribution network to service 1.05 crore consumers. Prabhakar Rao said that power tariff hike proposals, power tariff hike proposals, which have been submitted to Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission recently, would see a revision to benefit domestic and agriculture consumers. Though UDAY was launched in 2015, Telangana raised several objections and kept away from the scheme.UDAY scheme does not envisage taking over of loans rai sed to provide public lighting, energy-saving equipment and augmentation of transmission and distribution network. After agreeing to join UDAY, the Telangana government prepared a new financial restructuring plan in which additional funding for the expansion of distribution network and introduction of energy-saving equipment was also included. Donovan Smith Authentic Jersey
Centre promises Rs 9,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh energy sector
In a move that could gladden the Chandrababu Naidu government in the state, the Centre has promised to release about Rs 9,000 crore for strengthening the energy sector. The Centre has proposed to implement the dual action plan in the state where the infrastructure development schemes in urban and rural areas will be taken up separately. The LED street-lighting programme implemented in urban local bodies will be extended to rural local bodies. Union minister Piyush Goyal heaped praise on AP for topping the charts in energy conservation measures. He presented awards to the best discoms and states at a function held in New Delhi on Wednesday. While the AP conservation mission secured the national best award, eastern power distribution company limited bagged the first prize in discom category. Energy conservation mission chief executive officer A Chandrasekhara Reddy and EPDCL CMD M M Naik received the awards from the Union minister. “We are expecting an additional financial support to a tune of Rs 1,000 crore for taking up LED programme in rural local bodies in the state,” Chandrasekhara Reddy told TOI. He said that rural LED programme would save around 3,000 million units of power which is equal to generation of 1,000 MW annually. He said the Centre had agreed to spend around Rs 6,000 crore to replace about 17 lakh agriculture pump sets in the state in a phased manner. Energy principal secretary Ajay Jain said that energy efficiency plays a pivotal role for economic development of Amaravati in the field of transportation, Hi-tech manufacturing including IT and electronics, food processing and helps for employment generation of over five lakhs jobs in 10 years. Several global agencies like Indo-Swiss, USAID, World Bank are approaching Centre to extend technical, operational and financial support for Amaravati in energy efficiency (EE) front. Drew Bledsoe Jersey
World Bank Group to provide $517 mln for Ghana oil and gas project
The World Bank Group said on Thursday it would provide $517 million to Ghana in debt and guarantees to support the $7.7 billion Sankofa oil and gas project being developed by Italy’s ENI and upstream trader Vitol Ghana. The finance adds to a $700 million guarantee package and brings its total financing to around $1.217 billion for the offshore project, whose gas component is set to open in 2018, a statement said. The Bank’s investment arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), has committed a loan of $235 million to Vitol Ghana and is arranging another $65 million in debt. Guarantees by the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, another Bank institution, will support Vitol Ghana’s commercial borrowing needs for the project and will be issued for up to 15 years. “Sankofa is expected to generate $2.3 billion in revenues for Ghana’s government per year and provide a stable, long-term source of domestic gas that will solve Ghana’s chronic gas supply constraints,” an IFC statement said. ENI holds a 44.4 percent stake in Sankofa, Vitol holds 35.6 percent while Ghana National Petroleum Corporation holds a combined carried and participating interest of 20 percent. Ghana first began pumping oil in 2010 at the offshore Jubilee field operated by Tullow, a British company that this August opened a second field called TEN. Sankofa is expected to generate about 1,000 megawatts of power to Ghana and combined with gas from two other new fields could eliminate the need for Ghana to import gas from Nigeria through the West African Gas Pipeline Company. Minkah Fitzpatrick Authentic Jersey
Gajendra Singh to be Gail marketing director
The country’s biggest gas utility, Gail, is set to get a new director (marketing) in Gajendra Singh at a time when the government is pushing to create a gas-based economy. Singh, who is executive director in Gail at present, has been chosen by the Public Enterprises Selection Board from among 10 candidates short-listed for interviews for the post. A software engineer, Singh started his career with ONGC in 1985 and joined Gail in 1986 when the gas industry was at its nascent stage. Since then, Singh has been involved in the execution of prestigious projects of GAIL including the country’s first arterial gas pipeline — Hazira-Viajipur-Jagdihpur line. His current responsibility entails expanding gas market and ensure capacity utilisation of Gail’s pipeline network. As a director on the company’s board, once his appointment is cleared by the pertinent Cabinet panel, his scope of work would expand to include driving future growth in gas use in line with the government’s aim of creating a gas-based economy. Julien Gauthier Jersey