March 2017 – Central Electricity Authority (CEA) recently said that 46,000 MW of power capacity is stranded as of now on account of poor last mile connectivity largely on distribution side as states have not built sufficient infrastructure to take this idle power to the last consumer, according to its Member (Planning), Mr Pankaj Batra.

Speaking at a Conference on Smart Grids, Automation and Solar Storage under aegis of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was presided over by the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ms Shalini Prasad, Mr Batra explained that of this, 30,000 MW is thermal generated whereas the remaining 16,000 MW is gas fed.

He explained that largely states and some of the UTs are entirely responsible for under utilisation of this capacity for which adequate last mile connectivity should have been built by them so that this idle capacity could have been utilised to lighten the rural landscape of the country.

Inaugurating the conference, Ms Prasad, however, added that though India has a National Smart Grid Mission in place, the work on it is progressing slowly as different stakeholders in the power sector have diverse views and opinions on smart grids and the policy formation on this front would take place in due course of time.

In his welcome remarks, Sr Vice President, PHD Chamber, Mr Anil Khaitan pointed out that although reforms in power sector are progressing but the open access system which has been in vogue for quite some time would yield desired results provided states do not burden its consumers with additional charges, surcharges and even levies to make its tariffs profound and inconvenient.

Among others who spoke on the occasion consisted of Director, Industrial Systems & Products, BHEL, Mr Amitabh Mathur; Managing Director, IDAM Infrastructure Advisory, Mr Balwant Joshi; Co-Chairman, Energy Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr Varun Todi and its Director, Dr Ranjeet Mehta.