Addressing a press conference in Mumbai in late January to flag off the 12th edition of ELECRAMA-2016 – World Electricity Forum, the electrical equipment manufacturing industry leaders made an earnest appeal to encourage innovation and technology upgradation in the power sector in Maharashtra. Acknowledging that the state is comparatively better than some other states, they called for a quick implementation of central government’s Ujjwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY).

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Babu Babel, President, IEEMA mentioned that, “For India to grow faster, it is essential that we overcome the challenges in power sector. The financial health of the DISCOMs can be improved, through technology innovations and upgradation of infrastructure. A large portion of 16,500 MW required in next five years can be successfully managed if Maharashtra enhances its Plant Load Factor (PLF), reduce power theft, minimise AT&C losses, etc., through innovative technologies now available. IEEMA is keen to support the state in addressing all key challenges faced. ELECRAMA 2016 will provide a worldview on technology, best practices, new systems and forecasting the trends in the future of electricity, both from technology and a socio-economic point of view. ” Incidentally, Maharashtra is the largest base of electrical power generation in India with 38,000 MW capacity accounting for 14% of the total national capacity.

Maharashtra has also demonstrated the will to address the challenges in power sector. The state has reduced its distribution losses to 14 per cent by March 2014 from 22 per cent in 2007-08. The transformer failure rate also dropped to 9.18 per cent by March 2014 from 14.03 per cent in 2008-09. However distribution losses are relatively higher in the state, which is a setback for the industry and the citizens.

Mr Aaditya Dhoot, Organising Committee Chairman, ELECRAMA added, “Massive investments planned in the power sector are a great opportunity not only for the industry but also for the nation as well. It is important for everyone associated with the sector witness’s world’s cutting edge technologies and ideas during ELECRAMA 2016 – World Electricity Forum. A first of its kind interactive platform for participants from the Financial Sector called “NETWORK2NETWORTH” is being organised concurrently to bridge the gap between the Finance and Power Sector. The platform will provide key decision makers from the finance sector an opportunity to interact with corporates, industry experts and SMEs from the power sector to understand the opportunities and key challenges in the industry, aimed at developing new business associations.”

He further added “ELECRAMA 2016 will also host the World Utility Summit™ A pioneering thought leadership forum, which will set the agenda for the future, actively playing the role of a key enabler for the eco-system, to develop optimal solutions, technology and products. It will be the first step in the long journey to creating integrated, sustainable utilities of the future.”

ELECRAMA 2016 will provide the industry a worldview on technology, best practices, new systems and forecasting the trends in the future of electricity, both from technology and a socio-economic point of view. ELECRAMA – 2016, will for the first time feature “WORLD UTILITY SUMMIT”, a unique global platform, which will witness eminent experts/CEOs from around the world sharing their experiences on the evolving global landscape of ELECTRICITY. This will include the economics of Power, demand paradigms, policy and regulation, technology, digitisation, smart electricity/cities and the issue of carbon footprint.

Four union ministers – Shri Anant Geete, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Power, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Railways and Shri Kalraj Mishra, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises – have confirmed their presence for ELECRAMA 2016. Officially supported by Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, this is the largest and most prestigious event in its space in the world.