Energy Sector Reforms - Future on 'Renewable Electricity'

- Lokabhimukha Guidance - H.S. Patel IAS (Retd.)

- The use of non-conventional energy is necessary in the preservation of the environment

Continued from previous point:-

From the last two articles we have described the importance of electricity and its role in the development of technical and commercial matters and in which mostly up to 75% of electricity production is done through fossil fuel i.e. coal based power stations, the environment is the main issue with the use of natural resources.

If we look at the world or in India and Gujarat, seeing the way the per capita consumption of electricity is increasing day by day and considering the necessity of human life and development without electricity, electricity has become an important part in the use of technology and with the necessity of coal-based power generation. Protocols and agreements are made on how to prevent/prevent carbon emissions in summits held at the world level considering environmental issues. But in reality the targets are not achieved as expected. Talking from our perspective, earlier this subject was with the Department of Energy by the Government of India, but a separate ministry Ministry of Renewable Energy has been started to take action in a special way and talking from the perspective of Gujarat, Gujarat was the state in the whole country that GEDA for conventional electricity. – Gujarat Energy Development Agency established and credited to Nanubhai Amin, Chairman of Jyoti Limited, Vadodara.

The Government of India has made a pledge to generate 50% of the current electricity generation capacity through Renewable Energy by 2030 and accordingly, it is determined to gradually reduce coal-based power generation and generate it through wind, solar, biogas etc. and accordingly, Gujarat The government has formulated several policies. Gujarat has 1600 km of coastline and Wind Velocity to generate wind energy. Similarly, there is capacity for solar energy as compared to other states of the country.

Especially in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, the solar energy potential is high. According to the current statistics, Gujarat is the second largest producer of solar energy after Rajasthan and as Gujarat Government has recently released Gujarat Renewal Policy-2023, Gujarat will be the first state in the field of solar energy. First in the country, the largest solar park has been built at 'Charanka' of Patan district in Gujarat, especially in Patan, Banaskantha, Kutch, there is more potential for solar energy, so those who want to invest private capital or for those industries / businesses that have high power consumption, wind or solar. (Wind and Solar) with the aim of generating electricity and using it for themselves or to give it to the state energy companies, Gujarat Renewalle Energy Policy-2023 of the state government's energy department. Issued vide Resolution No.REN/E-File/20/2023/6746/B1 dated 4/10/2023 and accordingly to achieve the 50% target by 2030 an investment of 5 lakh crores and 36 (Gw) in an area of ​​4 lakh acres. The policy of 2023 has been formulated in accordance with the capacity to generate 136 GW of solar and 136 GW of conventional (Renewable) electricity. The Gujarat government has announced 'Kishan Suryodaya Yojana' but in case electricity is to be given to all agricultural feeders throughout the state during the day, 66 Naf substations are being set up through the transmission system to evacuate power with wind/solar energy production in technical terms.

Under Gujarat's Traditional Niti 2023 (Renewal Energy), any person, company, body, association can generate energy with solar / wind or solar-wind hybrid technology. There is no limit in this regard, any private entrepreneur can do captive as much as his power consumption or more. In this policy there is a provision to set up a solar park to generate at least 5 MW of power. There is also a provision for allotment of land by the Revenue Department as per the recommendation of the Energy Department where the park may be located in private land or where government land is available.

Necessary approval is to be obtained from the Transmission Company (GETCO) for transmitting the wind / solar energy generated and the transmission charges (Wheeling) sanctioned by the State Government are to be reimbursed. In addition, the generator can sell the power generated for its own use or to state government-owned power distribution companies (DISCOMs).

In this regard, the Energy Development Corporation (GUVNL) is following Competitive Bidding Bids - auction method and thus long term PPA - Power Purchase Agreement is made. Thus the maximum source of wind and solar energy sector as Renewable Energy is in Gujarat and accordingly the Gujarat Niti 2023 has been formulated for the implementation of this Niti, the state government's energy and petrochemical arm GUVNL has been determined similarly the powers have been given to the Energy Department regarding the interpretation of the Niti. Details about this will be made next week.

(gradually)