Unit-4 at Mundra plant runs for record 600 days: Adani Power
Adani Power today claimed that its thermal unit at its 4,620 MW Mundra power plant has created a national record by running continuously for 600 days and generating 4,142.56 units of electricity. A unit of NTPC’s Vindhyachal power plant ran for 559 days previously, Adani Power said in a statement, citing industry data. At the time of going to press, the unit is still operational and continues to create a new generation record, it said. A comprehensive operational excellence and maintenance programme was institutionalised at all the plants to improve availability and reliability of the units and it has resulted in the uninterrupted operation of unit 4 for 600 days, the company said. “The continuous operations of the thermal unit without any interruption for such a long time is a huge feat considering the complexity of technology and scale of operations involved in it. “This goes out to reflect our commitment towards nation building by providing quality uninterrupted power supply. Given the performance track record, we are confident of achieving many such accomplishments in the coming future,” said Gautam Adani, Chairman, Adani Group in the statement. “A comprehensive Operational Excellence and Maintenance Programme has been institutionalised at all our plants to improve availability and reliability of the units and this has resulted in the uninterrupted operation of Unit 4 for 600 days. “Strict adherence to standard operating procedures, systematic skill development of operations team through training, knowledge sharing and implementation of best in class maintenance processes and technology were the key factors which have resulted in this achievement,” Vneet Jaain, CEO, Adani Power said. The Mundra power plant operates nine units out of which five are supercritical units of 660 MW each and four are sub-critical units of 330 MW each taking the total generation of the power plant to 4,620 MW. Danny Shelton Jersey
Dharmendra Pradhan to showcase India’s oil, gas field discoveries in US
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will showcase India’s oil and gas field discoveries at a global energy conference beginning here next week. Pradhan and Russia’s energy minister Alexander Novak will be among those to address the international gathering of industry, policy and financial leaders at CERA Week 2017, organised by the UK-based IHS Markit from March 6 to 10. “We look forward to Novak’s perspectives on behalf of Russia, the world’s largest oil producer and those of Pradhan’s on behalf of India, the world’s fastest-growing major energy market as well as future prospects for its domestic oil and gas production,” said Daniel Yergin, conference chair and vice chairman of IHS Markit. Pradhan and senior officials from Oil and Gas sector will showcase India’s small and marginal oil and gas field discoveries at the conference. Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), International Energy Agency, Canada, Bangladesh, Nigeria, the UAE, Rwanda, the UK, Sri Lanka would also address the conference. The annual Energy Innovation Pioneers (EIP) programme aims to identify the most innovative and distinctive new technologies across the energy spectrum including advanced analytics, distributed generation, energy storage, the Internet of Things, robotics and transportation. Judging criteria has included creativity, feasibility of plan, scalability of technology and leadership team. “Technology is at the heart of the energy business all across the energy spectrum, and these creative and dedicated problem-solvers highlight the critical role of innovation in shaping the energy future. It is innovation that will determine the pace of change,” said James Rosenfield, co- chairman of CERAWeek and founder of the EIP program. “Through their entrepreneurial spirit, this year’s class of Energy Innovation Pioneers represents technology start-ups that see the challenges of competing energy supplies, shifting policies and emerging technologies as opportunities,” said Carolyn Seto, the programme’s director and co-chair. Alex Klaessig, associate director and program co-chair said, “The increased penetration of renewables and storage at a time of low wholesale power prices challenge traditional utility practices. “The innovative ideas, technologies, and business models of this year’s class of Pioneers show how innovation conquers those challenges, and also demonstrate how their solutions draw from and contribute to progress in other sectors”. The conference will feature more than 350 speakers from around the world. Albert Wilson Womens Jersey
‘Government looking at creating 2-3 integrated oil, gas units’
Towards realising a proposal contained in the Union Budget for 2017-18 for merging state-run oil and gas companies into a single entity, the government is looking at creating two to three integrated units according to an energy expert here. “The government seems to be moving in the direction of one ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corp)-led integrated player. Indian Oil Corp (IOC) can be the other integrated player. GAIL should be encouraged to be the integrated player in the gas segment,” Narendra Taneja told BTVi in an interview. Following Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s budget proposal in February of a merger, reports said explorer ONGC may acquire state-run fuel refiner HPCLBSE -3.61 % for about Rs 44,000 crore. “The idea is to strengthen the balance sheet of ONGC, where it has to compete with global oil giants. With this integration ONGC will become a $100 billion company,” Taneja said. The government thinking is that a much bigger entity will give bigger negotiating power in activities globally such as the purchase of crude, technology, R&D expertise, as well as faster decision making and economies of scale. Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has clarified that Budget 2017-18’s bare announcement of the government intent to merge state-run oil companies into a single entity will actually mean creation of multiple entities. “If the government goes for the merger of their balance sheets, it will be a good move. But HPCL, being very different in working culture from ONGC, should be allowed autonomy to maintain its own culture,” Taneja said. The American rating Fitch has said in recent report in this regard that there would be considerable difficulties involved in merging a number of entities “with differing structures, operational systems, and cultures”. “ONGC would be in a better position to help HPCL, so that the latter becomes an asset, and not a drag… So that they can then go on to acquire integrated assets abroad ranging from upstream to downstream companies,” the expert said. “Where the world over, downstream companies are facing challenges, ONGC, with its strong fundamentals, would be better able to mobilise funds for HPCL,” he added. Taneja underlined that such a merger would benefit minority stakeholders. “First focus should be on protecting the interest of minority stakeholders. Following that, the consumers interests should be safeguarded,” he said. The creation of two large vertically integrated oil companies would also mean limiting the choice for consumers of fuel to two companies only. Jalin Marshall Authentic Jersey
Apathy of NHAI, government: Plea in Kerala HC
A petition has been filed in the Kerala High Court against the delay on the part of the state government and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) in implementing various provisions of the Road Safety Act-2007. The petition also alleged the NHAI and the government had failed to remove unauthorised advertisements and flex boards along the national highways in the state. Kochi-native D B Binu in his petition said it is the responsibility of the state government to maintain and manage NH-47, including steps to ensure clear vision for motorists. As per an agreement signed by the NHAI and a private agency for beautification of the Edappally-Vyttila stretch of NH-47, no advertisement/hoarding should be put up on the stretch, causing distraction to motorists. Austin Ekeler Womens Jersey
Niti Aayog wants its chief in NHAI Board
Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have emphasised on the mantra for breaking “silos” of individual departments for team work, but bureaucrats and departments are trying hard to protect their turfs. In a recent example, government’s Niti Aayog has said that the chief executive officer of this think tank body should be included in the NHAI Board besides two other independent members. The road transport ministry has proposed to delegate the power of appraisal and approval of highway projects to NHAI Board under the next generation avatar of Vajpayee’s Golden Quadrilateral programme, Bharat Mala. This massive highway development programme will cover nearly 25,000 kilometres with an investment of at least Rs 3.5 lakh crore. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime NHAI Board was delegated the authority to appraise and approve individual highway projects after the Cabinet gave one time go ahead for the entire highway development programme. NHAI board had secretaries of finance, economic affairs, highway ministry and the erstwhile Planning Commission. But this model of faster clearance was changed during UPA and almost all individual projects went through layers of appraisal and finally were to be put before Cabinet for approval. TOI has learnt that finance ministry has said that since the highways ministry has already been delegated more financial power to appraise and approve bigger highway projects, where is the need to delegate more power. This paper has also learnt that to address these observations, Transport Bhawan is reworking the composition of NHAI board by incorporating Niti Aayog CEO and two independent directors in the board. Quick appraisal and approval of highway projects are required to push award and ultimately the construction of highways to increase the pace of road construction. The government has been struggling to cross the mark of 20 km per day, against the target of building 40 km daily. Eric Rowe Womens Jersey
India’s first inaugurated heliport in inaugurated in Delhi’s Rohini
Built by Pawan Hans Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, India’s first heliport has been inaugurated in north Delhi’s Rohini on Tuesday. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju inaugurated the heliport. Pawan Hans Ltd Chairman and Managing Director B P Sharma said, “The heliport has come up at an investment of Rs 100 crore.” The heliport has a terminal building having capacity of 150 passengers, four hangars with parking capacity of 16 helicopters and nine parking bays. It also has a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. The heliport will play an important role in providing various helicopter services ranging from offshore transport, connecting remote & inaccessible Islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep promoting heli-tourism in India. Delhi’s LG said, “I am glad to learn that the Pawan Hans Ltd has developed Nation’s 1st Integrated Heliport at Rohini, Delhi to take the growth story of aviation in India to new horizons.” The heliport will be used for providing services for disaster management, emergency medical services, law and order surveillance. “Rohini facility is India’s first integrated facility for rotor wing aircraft including their landing and takeoff. It has a terminal building that can cater to 150 passengers per day besides separate air traffic control (ATC), fire and fuelling services,” Sharma said. Earlier in February 2016, Pawan Hans carried out trial sorties from the heliport and had planned to go for full scale chopper operations from May. It is expected to reduce congestion at the Delhi Airport. Jurrell Casey Jersey
Air Costa suspends operations
Air Costa(LB, Vijayawada) has announced it has temporarily suspended all flight operations effective immediately. In a statement issued to the Indian press on Tuesday, February 28, a spokesman said the airline had failed to resolve unspecified “financial issues” with GECAS from which it leases four EMB-190s. “We are trying to resolve the issue,” he was quoted by the PTI News agency. “We are also in advanced stage of talks for fund infusion in the airline.” Services are expected to remain suspended until Wednesday, March 1, at the earliest. Antoine Bethea Womens Jersey
Several airports remain unused in India, says Ashok Gajapathi
Union Minister for Civil Aviation P Ashok Gajapathi Raju suggested better utilisation of the airports under Airport Authority of India as 70 of 125 airports are operational and rest left to cattle grazing. India has 400 airports including many in the private sector. Addressing an interactive session organised by CII Visakhapatnam chapter, the minister said tax on aviation contributes to the economy as much as Rs 11,000 crore and Rs 3,350 crore to the State exchequer every year. More will be added with increased air connectivity. It is since two and half years, the ministry has been working on the regional connectivity which generates lot of interest in different sectors. Also as part of improving the connectivity, there are 44 airlines which have been given destinations to connect within India. In the near future, there will be approximately 35 new destinations likely to be added. The Minister stated that after bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh is one of the lowest in the aviation tax. It has seen a tremendous growth in the passenger traffic with Vijayawada at 71 per cent, Vizag 65 per cent, Tirupati and Rajahmundry 51 per cent each. C.J. Mosley Womens Jersey
India now #4 country for air travel; passes Germany for airport traffic with over 250m passengers in 2016; IndiGo’s 40% domestic share
The latest passenger statistics from the Airports Authority of India confirm that the country’s airports handled over 254 million passengers in 2016, an increase of 20% over 2015. This means that India moves into fourth place in the global rankings, overtaking Germany, and behind only the US, China and the UK. While the US and China are well out of reach, it is possible that India could overtake the UK (whose airports welcomed over 270 million passengers last year) either in 2017 or maybe 2018. Leading the way among Indian airports was Delhi, which sailed past the 50 million passenger milestone in 2016 and finished the year handling 55.6 million passengers, an increase of 21% compared with 2015. Of the top 15 airports, 12 grew their passenger volumes by more than 15%, while two (Guwahati and Jaipur) saw growth of more than 30%. With passenger numbers at Bengaluru passing 22 million thanks to growth of 22.5%, local media have reported that there is now consideration being given to re-opening the city’s old airport, which was closed when the new airport opened in 2008. Passenger numbers on domestic routes increased by more than 20% in every month of 2016. In fact the sequence of 20%-plus growth goes back to November 2015. The last time the country achieved such growth across every month was a decade earlier in 2006. While most Indian airlines roughly maintained their market share of the domestic market across 2016, IndiGo continued to grow its share, reaching a record 42.6% in October, before falling back slightly to 40.3% in December. The airline’s increased share appears to have come at the expense primarily of Jet Airways, which saw its share of the domestic market fall from 18.7% in January to 15.3% in December, and Air India, which went from 16.0% to 14.0% during the same period. The other leading players, SpiceJet and GoAir, both pretty much held steady with around 13% and 8% respectively. Relative newcomers AirAsia India and Vistara both gained a little ground, increasing their domestic shares from around 2% to 3%. Greg Olsen Jersey
Govt to sell 51% stake in Air India? Aviation secy says not true
Union Civil Aviation Secretary RN Choubey on Tuesday denied that the government was looking to sell a majority stake in Air India. A report had claimed that the government was looking to sell a 51 percent stake in the loss-making national carrier to a strategic partner. People familiar with the matter were quoted as saying that the proposal had included reviving the airline within five years. They claimed that presentations had already been made to the Finance Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office. While Air India spokesperson Dhananjay Kumar and Finance Ministry spokesperson DS Malik had declined to comment, Choubey cleared the air by saying that no such proposal was on the table. The national carrier, which has the largest fleet in the country with 140 planes, has 14.6 percent of market share in the domestic passenger market. Under a financial restructuring plan in 2012, Air India was slated to receive Rs 30,231 crore equity infusion, 75 percent of which it has received so far. The airline’s losses have reduced of late, with Air India reporting a loss of about Rs 3,587 crore in 2015-16, from a loss of Rs 5,859 crore in the previous year. E.J. Gaines Womens Jersey