Question : Competitive Power Prices

(a) whether the Government has formed a high level group to make recommendations for changing the structure and system of power sale and purchase in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard;

(c) whether the Government proposes to make power prices competitive across the country in various States;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard;

(e) the number of electricity connections provided under various schemes across the country, State/UT-wise including Bulandshahr and Balangir district of Uttar Pradesh and Odisha respectively; and

(f) the other steps being taken by the Government for self reliance and growth of power sector in the country?

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) & (b) : Ministry of Power, Government of India, has formed a high level group to study the present system of power purchase and sale under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) including power trading. The group will also explore the system of power markets globally and make recommendations for changing the structure and system of power purchase and sale in the country including reforms needed to encourage investments, efficiency and competitiveness in power markets.


(c) & (d) : As per the provision of Electricity Act, 2003, Ministry of Power has already issued Competitive Bidding Guidelines for long term, medium term and short term power procurement by Distribution Licensees. As mandated in Tariff Policy, all future power procurement by Distribution Licensees in states to be done through tariff based competitive bidding only. In order to further optimize the cost of power procurement by state distribution licensees, a mechanism of national load merit order for inter-state generating stations has also been introduced.


(e) : Since launch of the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana – Saubhagya on 11.10.2017, about 2.628 crore willing un-electrified households were electrified up to 31.03.2019 across the country including 1,35,881 households of Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh and 1,83, 744 households of Balangir district, Odisha. The State/UT-wise details are given at Annexure-I.


(f) : The various steps taken by Central Government for self reliance and growth of power sector in the country are given at Annexure-II.


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