Lucknow: Union Energy, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the 8th Annual Conference of Distribution Utility Meet (DUM) 2024, organized for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, by lighting the lamp. He also inaugurated the exhibition organized by entrepreneurs on new technology and innovation in the power sector by cutting the ribbon and observed the exhibition and also took information from the entrepreneurs about the new technologies related to their product.
In this regard, representatives of the energy sector from across the country, officials of the Union Energy Ministry and the Power Department of the state held detailed discussions on improving the power distribution system, power generation, storage, better power supply to consumers, reducing line loss and implementation of various schemes etc.
Union Energy Minister (Manohar Lal Khattar) while addressing the DUM 2024 conference organized at The Centrum in Lucknow said that energy will play an important role in strengthening the country’s economy and making India a developed nation by 2047. To fulfil this objective, all power companies should coordinate and work for production and distribution, so that there is neither too much burden on electricity consumers nor the companies incur losses. We have to increase electricity production in the country and also work to ensure that energy is available to all areas in the country.
He said that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, the country is not only meeting its energy needs safely, but in the coming times, it will also be able to supply electricity to its neighbouring countries. He stressed on reducing line losses and said that more focus should be given on green energy and solar energy to reduce carbon emissions. He said that there has been a continuous process of meeting energy needs. It will continue and new dimensions will come in this field.
He told that at present there is a demand of 250 Gigawatt electricity in the country, which is continuously increasing. He also asked to focus on setting up nuclear based power plants in the states. By the year 2032, its production will increase from 08 GW to 20 GW. The Government of India is also working on getting 500 GW of electricity from non-fossil fuel by 2030. He launched the National Registry of Rooftop Solar Portal https://www.indiaderregistry.in/.
After the program, the Union Minister (Manohar Lal Khattar) informed the media representatives that he reviewed various works related to energy and urban development in all the states of the country, the progress of ongoing schemes and the difficulties being faced in it and also discussed new schemes and issues. In Uttar Pradesh too, on a two-day visit on 13 and 14 November, the works of energy and urban development of the state were reviewed and various issues were discussed.
He said that a lot of work is being done in the field of energy across the country. Modern technology is being used, due to which the country’s line loss which was 27 percent in 2020-21 has now come down to sixteen and a half percent. Whereas the average line loss across the country is 15 percent. That is why emphasis has been laid on reducing line loss and quick resolution of consumer problems in the state as well. Smart meters are being installed at consumers’ places in every state.
The work of the first phase is to be completed by March 31, 2025. In the state also, it has been suggested to install smart meters first in government offices, government colonies and government employees. Similarly, various issues related to urban development, Swachh Bharat Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, City Transport, Swanidhi Yojana, e-bus service were discussed. He said that Uttar Pradesh is doing good work in the field of urban and metro. Similarly, work is also being done at a fast pace in the works of RRDS Meerut. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work being done in the field of energy and urban development in Uttar Pradesh.
In the presence of the Union Minister (Manohar Lal Khattar), the All India Discom Association was also formed, which will ensure new dimensions of improvement in the Discom and distribution sector. Dr. Ashish Kumar Goyal, Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation, was made the General Secretary of this organization and Lokesh Chandra of Maharashtra has been made the Chairman of the Association. In today’s program, Dr. Ashish Goyal made a presentation regarding the work of the association and said that through this association, all the Discoms and distribution sectors of the country will be helped to improve further.
State Energy and Urban Development Minister AK Sharma said that maximum use of technology is being made for the betterment of the power system. 24-hour power supply is being provided to urban areas of the state and more than 18 hours of power is being provided to rural areas. To provide 24-hour power supply to the state, losses will have to be reduced, for which continuous efforts are being made.
He said that the state has become the state providing the highest power supply of 30,618 MW in the country. Line losses have also reduced in the state. Which was 31 percent in 2021-22, has now become 16 percent. Work is being done on thermal, hydro, solar and PSP projects for energy needs till the year 2034. Uttar Pradesh has become the best performing state in the country under the RDSS scheme. Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the country in CBG production and has installed rooftop solar
Ayodhya is among the top three states in the country. A lot of improvement has been made in the services of electricity consumers. For this, the system of 1912 and ‘Sambhav’ is in operation. Consumers can make their own bills through trust billing. He said that Ayodhya city has been developed as the country’s first solar city. A 40 MW solar plant has also been installed here. Along with this, street lights, high masts, boats in Saryu etc. are also powered by solar. Other 16 cities of the state will also be developed as solar cities in future. He said that the work of installing smart meters is going on at a fast pace. A system of technology based billing is also being created. Along with this, all the balance sheets are also being prepared, which will facilitate in increasing the power supply of the state.
Regulatory Commission Chairman Arvind Kumar said that reducing the power cost in the state is the biggest challenge. Electricity has to be given to more than 3.45 crore consumers of the state. For this, it is necessary to have correct data of supply and demand. The work of RDSS and MISP will improve the power system. Additional Chief Energy Narendra Bhushan said that modern technology is very important for quick resolution of consumer problems and power supply.
Power generation should increase in the state. Solar energy is being focused on. UPPCL Chairman Ashish Goyal said that work will be done to rescue all Discoms from losses, so that people can get electricity 24 hours a day. Modern technology will be used as much as possible to reduce power distribution and line losses. Global Smart Federation Chairman and ISGF President Reji Kumar Pillai said that the country will develop rapidly due to the development and modernization of the power sector. Along with this, there will be ease in power distribution in all areas of the country.
Minister of State for Urban Development Rakesh Rathore Guru, Managing Director Transmission and Paresan Ranveer Prasad, Managing Director UPPCL Pankaj Kumar, Director NEDA Anupam Shukla, officials of the Central Energy Ministry, officials of the Energy Department of other states, members of the Regulatory Commission, representatives of power companies participated in the program.
