Question : INTER CONNECTIVITY OF POWER GRIDS

(a) whether all the power grids in the country are inter-connected with the mission of `One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency` and if so, the details thereof along with the main deliverables of the mission including their power generation potentials and current productivity;

(b) the net losses incurred by Power Grid Corporation of India pertaining to transmission and distribution during the last three years and the current year and efforts undertaken to minimize the losses; and

(c) the progress made by the Government towards amendments in the Electricity Act, 2003 along with the details of proposed amendments therein?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) : Yes, Madam.

On 31st December 2013, Southern Region was synchronously connected to the other regional power grids with the commissioning of 765 kV Raichur – Solapur Transmission Circuit – I thereby achieving `ONE NATION – ONE GRID – ONE FREQUENCY. The link was further strengthened with the commissioning of 2nd Circuit of 765 kV Raichur-Solapur Transmission line on 30th June, 2014. Synchronisation of all regional grids helped in optimal utilization of scarce natural resources by transfer of Power between regions. Further, this has paved way for establishment of vibrant electricity market facilitating trading of power across regions.

(b) : PGCIL is mainly constructing the Inter State Transmission System (ISTS). The average all India ISTS transmission loss for 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 (till16th Feb., 2015) was 3.73%, 3.51%, 3.28% and 3.47% respectively. PGCIL follows the best operation and maintenance practices to keep the transmission line losses to the minimum.

(c) : The Union Cabinet has approved the proposals for amendment in Electricity Act, 2003 on 10th December, 2014 as contained in the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014 has been introduced in the Parliament (Lok Sabha) on 19.12.2014. The amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003 have been proposed broadly covering areas like Grid Security, Open Access, Separation of Carriage and Content in distribution sector, rationalization or tariff determination process and performance oversight of Regulatory Commission etc.