The Impressive TimesTIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com
NEW DELHI, 24 JUNE: The Regional Power Conference for Eastern States and UTs was held in Patna on June 24, chaired by Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and Renewable Energy, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Odisha’s Deputy CM Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Bihar’s Energy Minister Shri Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Jharkhand’s Urban Development and Housing Minister Shri Sudivya Kumar, along with Union Power Secretary, State Power Secretaries, CMDs/MDs of central and state power sector entities, and senior Ministry of Power officials.
In his keynote address, Shri Manohar Lal emphasized that India has evolved into a unified national grid, realizing the vision of “One Nation, One Grid,” and met a record peak demand of 250 GW in May 2024, with projections reaching approximately 270 GW later this year. He underscored the urgency for a future-ready, resilient, and financially viable power sector that can support the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The Union Minister called for enhanced resource adequacy planning, urging states to diversify their energy mix with nuclear generation and set up at least one nuclear project per state. He highlighted that the nation’s peak demand is projected to rise to 446 GW by 2034–35, making strong Centre–State collaboration critical.
Stressing the importance of strengthening intra-State transmission infrastructure, Shri Manohar Lal encouraged States to explore financing options like listing their utilities and leveraging multilateral institutions. He announced an allocation of ₹1.5 lakh crore in 50-year interest-free loans under the Union Budget 2025–26 to aid state infrastructure.
He advocated for expanding renewable energy backed by energy storage to ensure reliability, citing that the share of renewables had risen from 32% in 2014 to 49% by April 2025. The Union Minister reaffirmed the goal of achieving 100 GW of nuclear energy by 2047 and called for dedicated state teams to enforce Renewable Purchase Obligations.
Highlighting cybersecurity in the power sector, he emphasized Islanding Schemes to protect the grid from cyber incidents. Shri Manohar Lal also pointed out that the distribution sector needs urgent reforms, highlighting the need for cost-reflective tariffs, reducing AT&C losses, and closing the gap between Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realized (ARR).
He advocated for the deployment of smart and prepaid meters, requesting states to complete installations for Government departments by August 2025 and for high-load consumers by November 2025. These measures, he said, would enable timely payments and reduce losses.
The conference concluded with a reaffirmation of the central government’s commitment to working with states towards achieving “Power for All, at All Times” and a sustainable, resilient, and future-ready energy sector for a developed India.
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