Hyderabad - Power, Energy, Electricity

Hyderabad-based renewable energy services startup Fourth Partner Energy (4PEL) raised a series-A funding of Rs 3 crore from The Chennai Angels earlier this week. "We hope to see a billion dollar company in the making," said R Narayan, investor from the angel investment group, that closed eight investments last year and has a string of investments lined up this fiscal.

The self-funded startup focuses on distributed solar power, and provides end-to-end solar energy services, both tech ..

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There seems to be a ray of hope for Telangana State which is reeling under severe power crisis. The Centre has decided to supply uninterrupted natural gas to six gas-based power plants in Andhra Pradesh, with a combined capacity of over 2,700 MW, which have been lying idle for want of gas linkages.

The good news is that Telangana is eligible to receive its legitimate share of approximately 1,300 MW from AP's gas-based power plants.

Highly placed sources in the Government said that gas has been assured for operating the six plants, which have remained idle for more than 18-months now. Though these six privately owned plants are located in Andhra Pradesh, 54 per cent of their production has been assigned to Telangana.

This timely bonus comes at a time when there is an approximate shortage of 1,800 MW in the new State, which has peaked due to increased agricultural demand for the kharif season. The industrial sector has also been badly hit by the power shortage, with the Discoms imposing a two-day power holiday per week to meet the demand.

It is learnt that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is eager to score political points by projecting himself as a saviour of Telangana by providing a lifeline to its agricultural and industrial sectors.

'Obviously, the TDP president wants to score points over his arch-rival Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao and project itself as the saviour of people of Telangana,' said the source.

However, Telangana Electricity Employees JAC coordinator K Raghu said that Naidu's permission was not required for Telangana to get its legitimate share.

'There is an agreement to receive 54 per cent of the production from these six plants. Naidu wants to fool the people by projecting himself as being magnanimous,' he said. Raghu said that since these plants were privately owned, the AP government would have no say in the matter.

'The AP government has violated the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) of government generated electricity, but they cannot stop Telangana getting its rightful share from private companies,' he argued

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In what could be a breather to Telangana, which is reeling under power crisis, the Telangana State Discoms have succeeded in prevailing upon Hinduja National Power Corporation Limited (HNPCL) to share power to be generated by its plant at Visakhapatnam as per the AP Reorganisation Act-2014.

Officials of the Discoms held a meeting with representatives of Hinduja here on Wednesday. 'Despite the AP government's threats to Hindujas not to share power with Telangana, they have agreed to give power,' a senior official said.

The Hinduja plant in Vizag is likely to start generation of 520 MW in its first plant in February. The second plant with an installed capacity of another 520 MW will start generation in April. Telangana would get around 280 MW in February and another 280 MW in April.

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The detailed project report (DPR) for a 600 MW power plant (stage-II expansion) of Singareni Collieries Company Ltd at Jaipur, Adilabad district was approved by the company’s board of directors on Saturday.

A release on the board approval said the estimated cost of the project was Rs. 3,570 crore, which was to be met by way of SCCL bringing in 30 per cent equity and raising debts for the remaining 70 per cent. The board meeting, chaired by SCCL chairman and managing director N. Sridhar, approved introduction of ‘Special Female Voluntary Retirement Scheme-2015’. Describing it “as employee centric welfare measure”, the release said the scheme was agreed in the structured meeting with the recognised union in December last and similar to those approved in CIL.

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Clarity eludes many aspects pertaining to power supply from the Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station in Nellore, the first unit of which is up for commercial operations from Tuesday evening.

The 800 MW unit was running hassle-free at its full capacity till Monday evening, after achieving 811 MW on its first day, APGenco’s MD K.Vijayanand informed. The plant could prove to be a bonus for both States in view of the dreary summer days ahead.

Nevertheless, as already known, the two discoms of Andhra Pradesh, disregarding the PPA signed in the united Andhra Pradesh, have shown total power from the unit for their own use in their Aggregate Revenue Requirement note submitted to the APERC. The earlier PPA was sent back by the erstwhile APERC citing jurisdictional issues, as the power station was meant to be an inter-State project, and only Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) was the appropriate authority to grant the approval.

However, once the commercial operations begin, the basis on which APGenco seeks to supply the power to the discoms remains ambiguous, as no fresh PPA has been signed with APEPDCL and APSPDCL for the supply.

The approach to be assumed by the Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre (SRLDC) in Bangalore too assumes significance, because, the same had played a key role in reapportioning Telangana’s share of power from AP projects after APGenco withdrew from all the PPAs for which regulatory approval was pending.

Telangana discoms still continue to depend on SRLDC for their rightful share from thermal projects of AP. While a central committee was appointed to resolve the power disputes between the two states, its recommendations are not expected in near future.

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Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has requested the Centre to allot the coal and coal blocks based on the power requirements of Telangana State.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, KCR said,' The Ministry of Coal has issued orders for allotment of 36 Coal Blocks to power projects, wherein end-use has been specified prescribing certain norms and parameters'.

'It is submitted that 2.5 MTPA coal is required for Kakatiya TPP Phase II, which is in accordance with the norms scheduled for commissioning in the later half of 2015. It was originally linked to Tadcherla-I coal block, which was subsequently cancelled in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment dated 24.9.2014.

This coal block requires restoration as this is one of the coal blocks listed for allotment now. It is also submitted that there exists a supply gap of 4.50 MTPS for existing power plants, which require coal blocks allocation.

Further, Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd. (SCCL) is constructing a power plant (2 x 600 MW) which would be operational by Dec., 2015 for which 6 MTPA is required. Another unit of 600 MW is being added to this and thus another 3 MTPA of coal would be needed,' he said.

In addition, the Chief Minister said, in order to overcome the severe power crisis faced by Telangana State on a long time basis, the State Government has undertaken an ambitious project to add 4,200 MW additional capacity in the next 4 years. Coal requirement for these projects is 21 MTPA. All these projects proposals have been at an advanced stage of financial closure, he said.

'I also wish to bring to your kind notice that according to Schedule XIII of A.P. Reorganisation Act, 2014, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) shall establish 4,000 MW additional capacity in Telangana State after establishing the necessary coal linkages.

NTPC accordingly has finalized an expansion unit in its existing Ramagundam plant with a capacity of 1,600 MW (Telangana State Phase-I) and another plant with a capacity of 2,400 MW in Damaracherla, Nalgonda District (Telangana Phase-II).

An allocation of 20 MTPA per annum of coal would be required for these two projects. I have already brought this to your kind notice vide my letter dated 7.6.2014 and 6.9.2014,' he said.

The Chief Minster said Telangana needs 12.99 MTPA of coal in 2015-16; 21.79 in 2016-17; 29.79 in 2017-18; 48.74 in 2018-19 and 57 MTPA from 2019-20 onwards.

'Telangana is struggling with all its teething issues, energy deficit being the most important one. It is imperative that a kick start support is extended by Government of India in its take-off state. It is, therefore, requested that Telangana may kindly be allotted with the coal and coal blocks based on the State's power requirements,' he said in his letter.

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Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has requested the Centre to allot the coal and coal blocks based on the power requirements of Telangana State.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, KCR said,' The Ministry of Coal has issued orders for allotment of 36 Coal Blocks to power projects, wherein end-use has been specified prescribing certain norms and parameters'.

'It is submitted that 2.5 MTPA coal is required for Kakatiya TPP Phase II, which is in accordance with the norms scheduled for commissioning in the later half of 2015. It was originally linked to Tadcherla-I coal block, which was subsequently cancelled in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment dated 24.9.2014.

This coal block requires restoration as this is one of the coal blocks listed for allotment now. It is also submitted that there exists a supply gap of 4.50 MTPS for existing power plants, which require coal blocks allocation.

Further, Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd. (SCCL) is constructing a power plant (2 x 600 MW) which would be operational by Dec., 2015 for which 6 MTPA is required. Another unit of 600 MW is being added to this and thus another 3 MTPA of coal would be needed,' he said.

In addition, the Chief Minister said, in order to overcome the severe power crisis faced by Telangana State on a long time basis, the State Government has undertaken an ambitious project to add 4,200 MW additional capacity in the next 4 years. Coal requirement for these projects is 21 MTPA. All these projects proposals have been at an advanced stage of financial closure, he said.

'I also wish to bring to your kind notice that according to Schedule XIII of A.P. Reorganisation Act, 2014, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) shall establish 4,000 MW additional capacity in Telangana State after establishing the necessary coal linkages.

NTPC accordingly has finalized an expansion unit in its existing Ramagundam plant with a capacity of 1,600 MW (Telangana State Phase-I) and another plant with a capacity of 2,400 MW in Damaracherla, Nalgonda District (Telangana Phase-II).

An allocation of 20 MTPA per annum of coal would be required for these two projects. I have already brought this to your kind notice vide my letter dated 7.6.2014 and 6.9.2014,' he said.

The Chief Minster said Telangana needs 12.99 MTPA of coal in 2015-16; 21.79 in 2016-17; 29.79 in 2017-18; 48.74 in 2018-19 and 57 MTPA from 2019-20 onwards.

'Telangana is struggling with all its teething issues, energy deficit being the most important one. It is imperative that a kick start support is extended by Government of India in its take-off state. It is, therefore, requested that Telangana may kindly be allotted with the coal and coal blocks based on the State's power requirements,' he said in his letter.

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Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has requested for allocation of surplus power from Eastern Grid to Telangana in view of severe shortage of power in the coming four months.

'The State of Telangana, ever since its inception on June 2, 2014, has been experiencing acute power shortage. The situation is further compounded by the fact that the State of Andhra Pradesh, for reasons best known to them is not honouring the provisions of the State Reorganisation Act, 2014, and existing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

The committee appointed by the Ministry of Power to look into the power sharing arrangements is yet to give its final report in this regard. I had brought these facts to your kind notice vide my letter dated 6.9.2014. The situation has only worsened since then and going to be severe in the coming four months i.e., February ' May 2015,' the Chief Minister said in his letter.

Under these circumstances, he urged the Prime Minister that at least 500 MW of power from the surplus power available in the Eastern Region may be allocated to Telangana State using the existing transmission corridor capacity.

'I request for your immediate intervention in this regard,' KCR said. The Chief Minister also marked a copy of the letter to the Union Minister of State for Power Piyush Goyal.

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invisiblex1 said:

lets wait till march 20 .. when ac's will start running in all posh houses.. you get true klarity

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Issues of power sharing between the two newly carved States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are likely to be discussed threadbare at the high level committee meeting to be held at Delhi on Tuesday.

Issues ranging from each State’s share of power from central generating stations, to refusal by Andhra Pradesh to transmit power from the Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station at Krishnapatnam, are likely to come up for discussion at the meeting to be held under the aegis of Central Electricity Authority and Ministry of Power.

Originally scheduled to be conducted on February 18, the meeting was postponed, and both States received communication recently about the fresh date.

Issues pertaining to validity of the power purchase agreements, sharing of infirm power from the Krishnapatnam plant, and share of the equity and assets of APPDCL as well as inter-state hydro electric projects, will be thrashed out at the meeting, to be attended on Telangana’s behalf by the Energy principal secretary Aravind Kumar, and on AP’s side by the CMD of APTransco K.Vijayanand.

Also to be raised by Telangana is the issue of ownership of the Nagarjunasagar Tail Pond Dam and power house, sources informed.

The power house is owned by Andhra Pradesh as of now, as per the bifurcation agreement.

This will be the third meeting by the committee which had been constituted in July last year, after APGenco had announced that it was withdrawing from all the PPAs for which regulatory approval was pending.

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The Telangana government is exploring various alternatives to bridge the gap of about 200 MW of estimated net power shortage during this summer. Swapping of RLNG with natural gas and possible connectivity with Eastern Grid via Vijayawada-Nellore corridor are the two options being actively considered for availing 500 MW more, as per the information shared by the Telangana Energy Principal Secretary, Aravind Kumar.

Based on previous years’ demand, a shortfall of 900 MW to 1,000 MW is projected State-wide for the next three months, Mr. Kumar said, while interacting with the media on the sidelines of ‘Solar Energy Investment and Technology Forum’ here on Wednesday.

Of this, about 250-300 MW will be met through naphtha-based production in the existing plants run by independent power producers while supply of 500 MW is expected from the NTPC’s Kayamkulam plant in Kerala, which is also naphtha-based. Further, Thermal Powertech Corporation owned by Gayatri Projects is already supplying 100 MW.

The Power Grid Corporation of India has expressed optimism that the Vijayawada-Nellore corridor may become functional in near future, and if it happens, 500 MW may be availed from the central pool through High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission at Gajuwaka.

On the non-renewable front, Mr. Kumar said bids will be called for setting up of solar power plants of another 1,000 MW capacity in the coming 15 days, in addition to the 505 MW for which bids are already finalised and signing of PPAs is under way. Power, thereof, would be connected to the grid latest by March next.

Further, extension might be given to solar projects of about 250 MW which could not be launched on time due to State bifurcation.

The aim is to reach the goal of 5,000 MW of non-renewable energy through private producers in the coming four years. Interest is also expressed by public sector companies such as NTPC, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation to set up solar plants, provided that the State government offers land. Process is on to work out the cost for such power, Mr. Kumar informed.

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Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced there will not be any power cuts in Telangana State from May this year with about 1,000 MW being added to the grid in phases from Sunday.

There were power cuts to industry in Telangana from January itself last year as the region in the undivided State faced a severe power crisis, but nothing of the sort was resorted to so far this year, he said in the Legislative Council on Saturday.

“Our plant load factor has improved significantly as it is up 170 MW at the existing thermal power stations. One unit of Gayatri projects will generate 700 MW from Sunday and another 500 MW unit at the same station will go on stream from June. This apart, the State will get 260 MW from gas-based power plants as its share,” Mr. Rao said.

Responding to queries raised by Leader of Opposition D. Srinivas during general discussion on budget, he said there might be some load shedding at the power stations from March 20 to April 20 when consumption by agriculture sector would peak. “But after May, there will be no power cuts in Telangana,” he asserted. He also reiterated that the State would give nine-hour uninterrupted power supply from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for agriculture from 2016 and would maintain 24-hour supply to all sectors from 2017.

After careful consideration, the UPA government provided 53.89 per cent output to Telangana from AP-based power stations and 46 per cent to AP from Telangana power plants in the AP State Reorganisation Act. But, Andhra Pradesh’s reluctance to give Telangana its share of power in Hinduja and Krishnapatnam power projects proved to be a blessing in disguise, Mr. Rao said. “Otherwise, we would have committed to purchase power at the rate of Rs 7.20 a unit for several years from those plants and obliged AP by supplying cheaper power from Telangana generation corporation at Rs 3.75 a unit,” he said.

The government had represented to the Centre to re-allot the coal block at Tadicherla in Karimnagar district, which was cancelled as part of all India cancellations last year.

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Safe garbage disposal and adequate power supply might be two separate issues for the administration but for the Swedish team that was recently in town, both requirements go hand-in-hand. Waste generated in every nook and corner of the city can be effectively used to generate electricity sufficient for the city’s needs by using green technology.

After a careful study of the city, the members observed that electric power potential is 36 MW from the city’s waste. “Unlike in Europe, the waste in Hyderabad has less moisture and is mostly dry. This makes it easily burnable,” said N.V. Ramani, member of the delegation and owner of Green technologies Promotion Sweden AB.

“On an average, 4,000 tonne of waste is produced in the city. 2,000 tonne is organic and about 500 tonne is reusable or recyclable. The remaining 1,500 tonne of burnable waste can be used to generate power,” he said. Mr. Ramani was part of the three-member delegation from Sweden, who will be submitting a proposal to the State government.

Vector-borne diseases, caused by flies thriving on garbage, will be a thing of the past if the government goes ahead with the plan. The proposed plant, which is scalable, will require an investment of Rs. 1,500 crore and about 30 acres of land. The other representatives from Sweco (Sweden based company) will offer expert help in all aspects of the proposed project.

‘Waste to Energy’ principle

The ‘Waste to Energy’ principle is simple as the municipal waste is burnt to generate heat energy which in turn boils water, resulting in steam generation that runs a turbine. Since burning Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in the open is highly dangerous as toxic fumes are let out in the atmosphere, an air pollution control is attached to the incinerator. The Air Pollution Control System (APCS), a section of the plant, purifies the by-products and rids it of toxins before it is released.

“When the technology is so successful in Sweden and other European countries, I see no reason why it will not work here,” said Mr. Ramani, who completed his graduation from the city. “There is a need to segregate organic and non-organic waste at source. From organic (food) waste and sewerage sludge, we can produce bio-diesel to run vehicles. It is a common practice in Sweden and other EU countries.”

Incineration plants have helped Sweden address power issues while eliminating oil and coal based power production. By-products like metals are sold commercially and bottom ash collected is being used for making pre-fabricated bricks and laying roads. Excess heat generated during the incineration process is used to supply hot water for domestic purposes, according to the team.

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Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Saturday reiterated that Telangana would be a power surplus State by the year 2017.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone of Bhadradri Thermal Power Generation Project at Manugur here, the Chief Minister said that efforts were being made to make Telangana State free from power crisis. He said that the Bhadradri project, being constructed at a cost of Rs 5,144 crore, would generate 1080 MW power in the next three years. He said that the government was ensuring generation of nearly 24,000 MW power through different power projects.

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State-owned power equipment maker, Bhel said it has bagged over Rs 5,000 crore contract for executing a thermal power project in Telangana. "Telangana State Power Generation Corporation (TSGENCO) has awarded Bhel with an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) order for setting up a 1,080 MW thermal power plant in the state," Bhel said in a statement.
"Valued at over Rs 5,000 crore, the order envisages setting up a thermal plant at Manuguru in Khammam District of Telangana," it said, adding that the project is targeted to be commissioned in 24 months. Bhel’s scope of work in the project includes design, engineering, manufacture, supply, construction, erection, testing and commissioning of 4x270 MW thermal sets on EPC basis. The key equipment for the contract will be manufactured at Bhel’s Trichy, Hyderabad, Haridwar, Bhopal, Ranipet, Bangalore and Jhansi plants, while the company's Power Sector - Western Region will be responsible for civil works and erection and commissioning of the equipment. TSGENCO has also entered into a preliminary agreement with Bhel for construction of new thermal power plants totaling 6,000MW in the state.
All these power plants are expected to commence generation within the next three years to meet Telangana's increasing demand for power. In December 2014, TSGENCO had placed an order for Bhel to set up Telangana's energy efficient and environment freindly supercritical thermal power plant also on EPC basis, at Kothagudem.

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తెలంగాణ ప్రజలకు శుభవార్త. తెలంగాణ వస్తె తెలంగాణ కరంటు కోతలతో చీకట్లో మగ్గాల్సిందే అన్న తెలంగాణ వ్యతిరేకులకు చెంపపెట్టు వార్త. తెలంగాణకు 24 గంటల విద్యుత్ సరఫరా చేసేందుకు కేంద్రం అంగీకరించింది. ముఖ్యమంత్రి కేసీఆర్ ప్రధానమంత్రి నరేంద్రమోడీకి పలుమార్లు లేఖలు రాసి తెలంగాణలో కరంటు లొటు పరిస్థితులతో పాటు దేశంలోనే ఎక్కడా లేని విధంగా తెలంగాణలో 20 లక్షల వ్యవసాయ పంపుసెట్లు ఉన్న విషయాన్ని ఆయన దృష్టికి తీసుకెళ్లారు. తెలంగాణకు సహకారం అందించాలని కోరారు. ఈ నేపథ్యంలో తెలంగాణకు 24X7 గంటల సరఫరా ఇవ్వాలని కేంద్రం నిర్ణయం తీసుకుంది.

ఇందులో భాగంగా ఈ రోజు కేంద్ర విద్యుత్ శాఖ సంయుక్త కార్యదర్శి జ్యోతి అరోరా నేతృత్వంలోని 11 మంది ఉన్నతాధికారుల బృందం హైదరాబాద్ కు వస్తుంది. వీరంతా ఈ రోజు విద్యుత్ సౌధో ప్రత్యేక ప్రధాన కార్యదర్శి, ట్రాన్స్ కో, జెన్ కో అధికారులతో సమావేశం అవుతారు. ఈ భేటీలో తెలంగాణ కరంటు రంగ పరిస్థితుల మీద కేంద్ర బృందానికి రాష్ట్ర అధికారులు 50 పేజీల నివేదికను అందిస్తారు. తెలంగాణకు ఆంధ్ర నుండి న్యాయంగా రావాల్సిన కరంటు వాటా ఇవ్వకపోవడం, పీపీఎ ఒప్పందాలను చంద్రబాబు ప్రభుత్వం గౌరవించని అంశాలను కేసీఆర్ కేంద్రం దృష్టికి తీసుకెళ్లారు. మొత్తానికి తెలంగాణ అసలు కరంటు కోతలు లేని రాష్ట్రంగా మారనుంది.

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The 2,600 MWs National Thermal Power Corporation limited in Ramagundam is all set for expansion of its power station by adding two more power generating units of 800 MW each during this financial year 2015-16.
Talking to newsmen here on Tuesday, NTPC Ramagundam executive director R.K. Srivatsava said that the environmental study assessment was done by their agency and would submit the same to the Telangana State Pollution Control Board and the Union Government. The 1,600 MW project site and everything else is ready for the start of the execution of the project. It is waiting only for the State Government’s nod for the allocation of land for the ash pond in the vicinity, he maintained.
Once the State Government allocates land for the ash pond, the company would go for the public hearing for the proposed 2 x 800 MWs power plant, he noted.
The ED said that the coal linkage for the proposed power plant was being done with the Singareni Collieries Company Limited and added that they would be using 70 per cent of coal from the Singareni and the remaining 30 per cent would be imported from other agencies in the country and abroad.
With regard to the expansion of the solar power plant at the NTPC Ramagundam, he said that they were already generating solar power through the existing 10 MWs of power plant and the expansion of 15 MW of solar power plant would be taken up after the power purchase agreement with the Telangana State Government was signed.

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