Infrastructure and Energy Sector

[Indx TechStyle]

Piped gas project in B'luru soon

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said the proposed City Gas Distribution (CGD) project will soon be launched in Bengaluru to supply piped natural gas (PNG) to all households.

Speaking to reporters, he said talks with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the State government on laying the pipelines were in the final stages. Simultaneously, steps are being taken to invite a tender for awarding the pipeline laying work, he added.

The GAIL Gas Limited recently bagged the contract for establishing and maintaining of CGD network covering about 263 km of pipeline in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts. The contract also includes supply of piped gas to all households.

The company will, in turn, be awarding local contracts to lay pipelines. The company has to cover a minimum of five per cent of the estimated 20 lakh households in five years. Admitting that there had been a delay in implementing the project, the minister said that it would now be taken on a priority basis. "Only 15,000 kms of gas pipeline has been laid since the country secured independence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now set a target to the Petroleum Ministry to increase it to 30,000 kms by 2019,” he added.

Pradhan was speaking on the sidelines of a function organised to promote "Give It Up” campaign (giving up LPG subsidy). "The campaign is not intended at cutting down subsidy expenditure. It is about helping the poor. The government will use the money saved under the campaign to improve standard of living of the poor,” he added.

Two lakh people

The campaign has been successful and about two lakh people have already given up the subsidised cylinders in the country. Well-known playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor and entire staff of TATA group have given up LPG subsidy, the minister said.

On the occasion, about 50 people, including BJP leaders R Ashoka, Vimala Gowda, Arvind Bellad, Tejaswini Ananthkumar, (wife of Union minister Ananth Kumar) handed over filled-in forms declaring that they will give up the LPG subsidy.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

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[Indx TechStyle]

Press Information Bureau ​

Government of India
Ministry of Power​

01-December-2016 16:37 IST​

Reverse E-Bidding to ensure adequate Fuel Supplies for Stranded Gas based Power Plants: Piyush Goyal​

3 Phases of auction of e-bid Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas ( RLNG) have been completed so far and 4th Phase is presently under operation from 1st October, 2016 to 31st March, 2017. Under the 4th Phase, Power System Development Fund (PSDF) support ranging from Rs 0.21 per unit to Rs 0.22 per unit has been secured by the successful bidders in the reverse auction. Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of state (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines said this in a written reply to a question in Lok SAbha today.

The Minister further informed the House that the Government has sanctioned a scheme for importing spot Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) in 2015-16 and 2016-17 for the stranded gas based power plants as well as for plants receiving domestic gas up to the target Plant Load Factor (PLF), selected through a reverse e-bidding process. The scheme provides for financial support from PSDF (Power System Development Fund).

The Minister further said that the scheme envisages sacrifices to be made collectively by all stakeholders, including the Central and State Governments by way of exemptions from applicable taxes and levies/duties on the incremental RLNG being imported for the purposes.

RM/VM

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy​

01-December-2016 16:44 IST​

Guidelines for setting up of Wind Power Projects

Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has sanctioned a Scheme for Setting up of 1000 MW Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) connected Wind Power Projects on 14 June 2016. The Scheme provides for formulation of Guidelines by MNRE for implementation of the Scheme. This was stated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.Accordingly, after stakeholders’ consultation, MNRE issued Guidelines on 22 October 2016. The salient features of the Guidelines are given below:

(i) Scheme to be implemented by Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).

(ii) Wind projects will be selected through open and transparent competitive bidding process followed by e-reverse auction.

(iii) Eligible project capacity will be minimum 50 MW and maximum 250 MW per bidder.

(iv) Trading Company, selected by SECI, will sign Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with selected bidder and back-to-back Power Sale Agreement (PSA) with buying entities at a pooled price of the total bids selected. The duration of PPA and PSA will be 25 years from commercial operation date of the project.

(v) The transmission of power up to the point of interconnection where the metering is done for energy accounting shall be the responsibility of the bidder. Use of State transmission system to bring wind power at ISTS point also allowed.

(vi) Part commissioning allowed subject to commissioning of atleast 50 MW or 50% of the allocated Project Capacity, whichever is higher.

(vii) Project to be completed within 18 months from issue of Letter of Award. Maximum period of 27 months allowed for completion of project with penalties.

(viii) Minimum declared Capacity Utilization Factor to be 20%. Provision of compensation in case of shortfall in minimum generation.

(ix) Wind projects to submit monthly performance data through Online.

RM/RS-
@ezsasa and @Chinmoy may be interested.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy​

01-December-2016 16:42 IST​

5791.54 MU Electricity generated by Cumulative Solar Installations till September 2016​

As per information received from Central Electricity Authority (CEA), 5791.54 MU electricity is produced by cumulative solar installations in the country from April 2016 to September 2016. This was stated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Quantum of electricity produced by cumulative solar installations in the country is given below

Year

Energy generation (MU)

2015-16

7447.92

2016-17 *

5791.54

* from April-2016 to September, 2016.

Also, comparative percentage of solar energy produced during the last three years and the current year of all renewable energy generation during the period is given below:-

Year

Solar Energy generation (MU)

Total Renewable Energy generation (MU)

% of Solar energy produced

2013-14

3353.80

53224.50

6.3%

2014-15

4599.02

61784.93

7.4%

2015-16

7447.92

65780.85

11.3%

2016-17*

5791.54

47627.29

12.2%

* from April-2016 to September, 2016. (Tentative data received from CEA)

The grid connected solar power installation capacity during the last three years is given below:

Year

Solar Capacity Installed in MW

2013-14

947.46

2014-15

1112.07

2015-16

3018.88

2016-17

1965

(as on 31.10.2016)

Replying to another question Shri Goyal said that the infrastructure for power evacuation and transmission is taken by state and Centre Transmission Utilities. Government has taken up project for development of Green Energy Corridors in 8 States dedicated for Renewable Energy including Solar energy. “The Indian solar market is growing in size”, he added.

RM/PS

 

[3deffect]

India builds the world's largest solar power plant

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Modi Asks Indian Oil Firms to Increase Overseas Acquisitions
India is looking at multi-vector energy corridors that require Indian oil companies to step up partnerships with foreign counterparts, Indian PM Narendra Modi said while upholding the OVL-Rosneft deal as a model.

© AFP 2016/ PRAKASH SINGH
Indian Prime Minister Modi Wins Time Person of the Year Readers’ Poll

New Delhi (Sputnik) – Indian PM Narendra Modi has hailed the recent foray of India’s state owned ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) in Russian oil fields as a significant leap in the direction of attaining energy security.

Speaking at an annual Petroleum conference held in India, Modi hoped India’s oil companies would continue to expand their overseas assets. “I hope that our oil and gas sector companies will take the opportunity to tie up with their foreign counterparts to explore for more equity oil… Indian energy companies must become multinational and work towards India-Middle East, India-Central Asia, and India-South Asia energy corridors.”

Modi also drew attention to the opportunities in India for global hydrocarbon companies due to a investment-friendly policy framework. A new hydrocarbon exploration and production policy will provide for a comprehensive license for the exploration and production of all forms of hydrocarbons, including shale oil and gas and coal bed methane, he informed delegates from India and abroad.

The policy also allows bidders to choose the acreage they wish to explore and has mooted a revenue sharing model instead of profit sharing to reduce any scope for disputes and give marketing and pricing freedom for the crude oil and natural gas produced.

“Our constant efforts have improved India’s ranking in Ease of Doing Business. Let me assure you that our commitment is strong and our motto is to replace red tape with red carpet,” he said while highlighting the projection that India is poised to account for one fourth of the incremental global energy demand between 2013 and 2040. It is expected to consume more oil in 2040 than the whole of Europe.

Hydrocarbons continue to be an essential part of India’s energy basket as the demand for fossil fuels is expected to go up in line with a projected five-fold jump in the economy to $ 10 trillion by 2040. Oil security is also vital to India keeping in view strategic and defense considerations.

India’s Hydrocarbon Vision 2025 aims to ensure adequate availability by a mix of domestic gas imports through pipelines and import of LNG. It also aims to tap unconventional sources of natural gas like coal bed methane, natural gas hydrates and underground coal gassification.

The top priority for the Modi government is to open up the hydrocarbon market and ensure a level playing field for state owned enterprises, private companies and other international players.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

California-Like Seaside Highway May Come To India, Courtesy Nitin Gadkari
Press Trust of India | Updated: Dec 17, 2016 20:49 IST

Story Highlights

• Nitin Gadkari said he came up with the idea during his visit to the US
• Centre is in the process of promoting road-side amenities: Gadkari
• He said 35,000 kms of roads would be upgraded as national highways soon

Hyderabad: The government is considering the possibility of beautifying the surroundings of Mumbai-Goa national highway along the seacoast on the lines of the road linking Los Angeles and San Francisco in the United States.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said during his visit to the US two months ago, he travelled by road from San Francisco to Los Angeles along the Pacific ocean, and for the first time saw how roadsides can be beautified.

Mr Gadkari said that the Centre is in the process of promoting road-side amenities, including hotels and motels.

"We have to think if we can use the nature's beauty and further beautify (the road-side stretch)", he said.

The Minister said he has asked the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to prepare a detailed project report on whether the Mumbai-Goa road can be developed on the lines of Los Angeles-San Francisco road.

"So, the process is on. People should enjoy their ride travelling by road," he said, inaugurating the 77th annual session of the Indian Roads Congress.

Mr Gadkari said his Ministry has finalised an estimate to construct 2,000 Railway overbridges, and he favoured "pre-cast" centres in districts to undertake such works.

He said 35,000 kms of roads would be upgraded as national highways soon.

When he took over as Minister, 403 road projects valued at Rs 3.75 lakh crore had been stalled because of issues related to land acquisition, and environment and forest clearances. "95 per cent of those projects no longer face such problems", the Minister said.

The minister also said 1300 spots have been identified in the country for providing road-side amenities --like hotels, motels, petrol bunks and helipads -- which would offer tremendous employment opportunities for locals, and 70 tenders have already been floated in this regard.

Government also plans to come out with a mechanism by which engineering graduates -- particularly diploma-holders and those from polytechnics -- get jobs in the area of bridge maintenance and other minor works so that they also become contractors, he added.

 

[ezsasa]

California-Like Seaside Highway May Come To India, Courtesy Nitin Gadkari
Press Trust of India | Updated: Dec 17, 2016 20:49 IST

Story Highlights

• Nitin Gadkari said he came up with the idea during his visit to the US
• Centre is in the process of promoting road-side amenities: Gadkari
• He said 35,000 kms of roads would be upgraded as national highways soon

There is already a seaside highway from chennai to pondycherry.

The bike ride is beautiful, if one can start before dawn from chennai. Sunrise on the left is beautiful.

 

[Rushil51]

http://www.climatechangenews.com/2016/12/16/india-to-halt-building-new-coal-plants-in-2022/

India to halt building new coal plants in 2022

 

[Rushil51]

https://techvibes.com/2016/12/05/india-builds-worlds-largest-solar-power-plant-in-under-one-year

India Builds World’s Largest Solar Power Plant in Under One Year

 

[Rushil51]

National Geographic on Adani's Solar Power plant

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Enabling India to attain the highest voltage level in the world

 

[Indx TechStyle]

10 per cent bonus in the works for early National Highway completion

For the current year, the ministry has set the highway construction target at 10,000 km.

NEW DELHI: A bonus of up to 10 per cent of total project cost may be offered to firms that construct and deliver highway projects a year before the deadline. The government is considering incentivising early completion of highway projects through National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highways Industrial Development Corporation (NHIDCL), officials said.

The road transport and highways ministry expects the financial burden of such bonuses will be offset by saving 5 per cent on average in annual cost escalation. The total project of any highway project is derived by taking into account 5 per cent annual cost escalation during the construction period.

“We’ll be giving bonus up to 10 per cent to the contractors who deliver the project before the official deadline. It will reduce the construction cost and we will be saving 5 per cent cost escalation for a year,” a senior ministry official said.

Different slabs — from 3 per cent of project cost up to 10 per cent — depending on early delivery, have been set for projects to be awarded under public-private partnership model and government-funded engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model. The ministry is struggling to meet the ambitious road construction target set by the minister Nitin Gadkari.

For the current year, the ministry has set the highway construction target at 10,000 km. It is hopeful of clocking more than 8,000 km, which will be the highest ever in a financial year even as it falls short of the target.

The construction of Zojila tunnel at a height of more than 11,000 feet near Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir will be the first such project where the government will offer 10 per cent bonus to the construction company for completing the project in six years, a year ahead of the official deadline.

I hope you guys are aware about Zojila project, who aren't, just take it as important as making Asia's longest bridge as well as tallest statues.

The project, being constructed on the EPC model, will be awarded by April, officials said.

ET View: Boost Innovation

The move does make sense. But, in parallel, we need innovative project management skills that are cutting-edge and up-to-date.

We need to incentivise new-knowledge creation at, for instance, IITs and leverage the effort to boost productivity and processes in highway construction. Also needed is participatory project monitoring online, so that all concerned can log on and review project schedules on a monthly, weekly and even daily basis.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Government nod for four developers willing to set up new SEZs

Embassy Property Developments, Horizonview Properties and Phoenix Embassy Tech Zone have planned to set up IT/ITeS SEZs in various locations in the country.

NEW DELHI: The government has approved proposals of four special economic zone developers, including Phoenix Embassy Tech Zone, to set up SEZs in the country.

The decision was taken at the meeting of Board of Approval (BoA) on January 6.

BoA is a 19-member inter-ministerial body chaired by the commerce secretary.

The other three developers who got the green signal are Worldwide Oilfield Machine, Embassy Property Developments and Horizoneview properties.

Worldwide Oilfield Machine has proposed to set up an engineering-specific SEZ in Pune spread over 58.23 hectares.

Embassy Property Developments, Horizonview Properties and Phoenix Embassy Tech Zone have planned to set up IT/ITeS SEZs in various locations in the country.

However, the board deferred the proposals of L&T Constructions Equipment as "recommendation of the State government was awaited," an official said.

According to an industry expert, the increase in number of proposals to set up new zones reflects a gradual increase of investor interest in SEZs, which act as export hubs.

After the government imposed minimum alternate tax and dividend distribution tax, SEZs started losing their appeal. The developers and units want the government to withdraw or significantly reduce taxes.

The Commerce Ministry has been demanding its finance counterpart not to abolish the tax incentives being enjoyed by SEZs as their removal would hurt exports and job creation.

Developers and units in SEZs enjoy certain tax holidays and other procedural benefits. The government is considering doing away with tax exemptions to various sectors gradually, including SEZs.

Exports from the SEZs logged a marginal growth of 0.77 per cent at Rs 4.67 lakh crore in 2015-16. Exports from such 204 SEZs stood at Rs 4.63 lakh crore in 2014-15.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Inland Waterways Authority of India starts work on converting 106 rivers into national waterways

Transportation through inland waterways comes with inherent advantage of being cost effective and environment friendly.

NEW DELHI: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has begun the preparatory works on converting 106 rivers into National Waterways (NWs) by making them navigable. 106 rivers across the country were declared national waterways by the government in April 2016. These rivers would be used to move freight cargo.

In phase I, 8 waterways are being considered for development. Some of the states that the eight NWs would cover, include Bihar (NW-37, Gandak & NW-58 , Kosi), Uttar Pradesh (NW-40 Ghaghra), Goa (NW-68, Mandovi, NW-111, Zuari and NW-27, Cumberjua Canal), West Bengal (NW-97, Sunderban), and Assam (NW-16, Barak).

"While the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for these waterways are ready, the tender process for fairway development of two NWs namely river Barak in Assam and Ghaghra in Uttar Pradesh respectively have been initiated. For Goa waterways, the tenders for construction of jetties would be taken up shortly," a statement from IWAI said.

For another 46 waterways, which are in coastal & tidal regions, two stage DPR studies have been initiated. These reports are in the final stage of preparation. Based on the recommendations, further development works would be under taken.

Of the remaining 52 waterways which are in remote, inaccessible and hilly regions, only feasibility studies have been ordered. Field surveys in 44 NWs have been completed and are in progress in another 4. Draft feasibility report of 36 NWs have been received and are under evaluation.

With just 0.6% of India’s freight transported through the inland waterway route despite vast network of rivers across its geographical corner that form about 20,000 Km of navigable waterways, the need for developing additional National Waterway is essential.

Transportation through inland waterways comes with inherent advantage of being cost effective and environment friendly.

 

[Hemu Vikram Aditya]

what about Geo thermal energy
.............................

 

[ezsasa]

what about Geo thermal energy
.............................

They are costly, ROI is very low and only Nordic countries can afford them because they own the technology. I think there is only one such power plant in India, i may be wrong.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Cross Posting
Nitin Gadkari promises to make India's own Davos

Gadkari said he has already begun work on running sea planes in the country, while new buses are being brought in that will run on water as well.

DAVOS: As over 3,000 leaders from across the world huddle for their annual talk-fest in this snow-capped Swiss ski resort town in sub-zero temperatures, senior union minister Nitin Gadkari has got a full city to take back home literally -- he wants to create India's own Davos in hilly terrains of Himalayas.

Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport, Ports and Shipping, said it is very much possible to create a new city like Davos back in India where hotels, shops and conference centres would be set up, while taking care of the environment and other issues, and which can host events like World Economic Forumwhile giving a big boost to tourism, jobs and overall economy.

"After I came here, a thought has come to my mind. I'm yet to start any work on it. We are working on a 1,000-km new roads for Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri of Rs 12,000 crore which would be all-season roads. That will be a historical thing with tunnels etc.

"Along with that, there is Pittoragarh where we are building a road for Mansarovar and we are taking Australian machines through MIG-17 and some work is already done, about 50 per cent. That place has got temperature of about minus 5-6 degrees.

"After coming to Davos, I felt why can't we develop a township like this in that area, where people will come in sub-zero temperatures and which will have hotels and tourism facilities and will even go to Mansarovar," Gadkari told PTI in an interview here at Make in India lounge on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.

The minister, known for his out-of-the box innovative ideas, said it is very much possible to create a Davos-like city there in India, which is rich in all kinds of assets.

"We are capable of creating Taj Mahal even in a desert. It needs a vision, fast track decision making process, transparency and corruption free system. Another important thing is the commitment to the society and the country, and my country also needs something like this," he said.

Giving an example, Gadkari said he was travelling from San Francisco through Pacific Ocean and an idea struck him to build a new road for Mumbai to Goa which will run alongside the sea and the work has begun on that idea.

"Similarly, we will work on Yamuna riverfront by building a wall for a highway from Delhi to Yamunanagar. A study is on for this project which will make travel easier from Delhi to Uttarakhand and Himachal, bringing down the traffic on existing roads," he said.

Gadkari, who is attending several sessions at WEF and is also holding bilateral meetings with corporates and other leaders from across the world here, said he has got an idea after coming here and it is very much possible to create a beautiful city in India itself in sub-zero degree temperatures.

Observing that at times an extreme position is taken on environment like issues, he said it is necessary to protect environment but development is also necessary, so appropriate measures can be taken to ensure that there is no ecological disturbances.

"We need an integrated approach, since an eccentric approach on either side is not good for the country. For a developing country like India, the development should be done by taking care of both sides," he said.

There can be opposition even for a small construction in Himalayas and therefore an integrated approach would be required by the environment ministry, environmentalists, tourism ministry, road ministry and all concerned stakeholders, he added.

"There are so many hotels that have been built here in Davos. They may also have cut trees somewhere. What can be done is that for every tree you have to plant ten new ones. Then, what we will do is we will not cut the trees, but will move them to a new place and will ensure that ten new trees are planted for every single one," he said.

"We are a rich country with a poor population. We can become top most tourist attraction in the world," he said, while adding that there is huge scope for Andaman Nicobar and islands.

Gadkari said he has already begun work on running sea planes in the country, while new buses are being brought in that will run on water as well.

"We need to think out of box and innovate. We can solve many of our problems with new technologies and help change the country. What is required is the appropriate vision, commitment and a leadership that has willingness to do it.

"I am learning after coming here and seeing new ideas. I am studying the successful practices here and I want to know what all can be done back in India," he said, while complementing Professor Klaus Schwab for making Davos and WEF such a big thing on the world map single-handedly.

"A city like Davos in India would give a big boost to tourism, development, jobs and overall economy, while the number of people travelling to holy places in that region will also increase manifold and also increase the faith in our own culture.

 

[Indx TechStyle]

Ken-Betwa, first interstate riverlink project, to be launched soon