(a) whether it is true that India ranked at the 109th position in the Energy Trilemma Index by the World Energy Council and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken by the Government to boost energy security in the country in terms of energy equity storage capability and import dependency; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure energy equity through universal, affordable and adequate supply of energy?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
( SHRI R.K. SINGH)
(a) : Yes, Sir.
WEC Trilemma index ranking of countries is on the basis of providing sustainable energy through three dimensions: Environmental sustainability, Energy security, Energy equity (accessibility and affordability).
(b) : The steps taken by the Government to boost electricity energy security in the country are:
(i) As on 31.10.2019, the all India generation installed capacity is 3,64,960 MW which includes 83,379.50 MW from Renewable Energy Sources (RES).
(ii) Government of India has planned an ambitious capacity addition target of 1,75,000 MW from Renewable Energy Sources (RES) by the year 2022.
(iii) Electric Vehicles: Government of India is providing incentives to the consumers for adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs). Some of the incentives are as follows:
I. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India: Phase II (FAME II) scheme has been launched with total fund allocation of INR 10,000 crores during year 2019-22 to incentivize EV adoption for shared mobility in India. INR 1000 crore has been allocated for establishment of EV charging infrastructure.
II. Incentives defined in Union Budget 2019:
• GST: The government has reduced the GST on EVs from 12% to 5%.
• Income tax rebate of up to INR 1.5 lakhs on interest payable on loans for purchase of EVs.
• Customs Duty exemptions on parts exclusively used in EVs (e-drive assembly, on-board charger, e-compressor and charging gun.)
III. Ministry of Power has also notified "Charging Infrastructure for Electric vehicles-Guidelines and Standard" on 01.10.2019.
(c) : Ministry of Power has made significant strides in ensuring electricity access to all the citizens of the country:
(i) Under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana Scheme (DDUGJY), all villages have been electrified. Also, under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) Scheme, All the States (except Chhattisgarh) declared 100% saturation in household electrification as on 31.03.2019.
(ii) Indian Electricity is operating at single transmission grid basis. As on Oct’2019, the transmission lines (220 kV and above) of 4,19,395Ckm, transformation capacity (220 kV and above) of 9,32,643 MVA in substations and 99,050 MW of Inter-regional (IR) capacity is catering to the peak demand of about 183 GW.
(iii) In order to facilitate power evacuation from Renewable Energy Projects, Government has initiated a programme for development of Green Energy Corridors (GEC).
(iv) UDAY scheme has been launched by Central Government for improving operational and financial efficiency of DISCOMs.
(v) Operational efficiency in generation, transmission and distribution are enhanced progressively in cost plus tariff regime through performance based regulation mandated in the Tariff Policy.
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