Integrated Power Development Scheme

Context:

As part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, a 50 kWp Solar roof top was inaugurated in Solan, Himachal Pradesh under the Integrated power development scheme of Ministry of Power, Government of India.

Relevance:

GS-III: Industry and Infrastructure (Energy Sources and Infrastructure, Government Schemes and Initiatives)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS)
2. Government efforts towards solar power.
3. Similar Government Schemes
4. Way Forward for India’s Clean Energy?

Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS)

• Ministry of Power, Government of India notified “Integrated Power Development Scheme” (IPDS) in 2014.
• The scheme will help in reduction in AT&C losses; establishment of IT enabled energy accounting / auditing system, improvement in billed energy based on metered consumption and improvement in collection efficiency.
• The Objectives of IPDS are:
  1. 24×7 Power supplies for consumers.
  2. Reduction of AT&C (aggregate technical and commercial) losses.
  3. Providing access to power to all households.
• All Power Distribution Companies (Discoms) are eligible for financial assistance under the scheme.
• Components of the IPDS Scheme are:
  1. Strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in the urban areas.
  2. Metering of distribution transformers / feeders / consumers in the urban areas.
  3. IT enablement of distribution sector and strengthening of distribution network under R-APDRP for 12th and 13th Plans by carrying forward the approved outlay for R-APDRP to IPDS.
  4. Schemes for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and IT enablement of balance urban towns are also included under IPDS. Scope of IT enablement has been extended to all 4041 towns as per Census 2011.
• Underground cabling to include additional demand of States and smart metering solution for performing UDAY States and Solar panels on Govt. buildings with net-metering are also permissible under the scheme.

Government efforts towards solar power.

• India expanded its solar generation capacity 8 times from 2,650 MW in May, 2014 to over 20 GW in January, 2018, and 28.18 GW in March, 2019.
• The government had an initial target of 20 GW of solar capacity by 2022, which was achieved 4 years ahead of schedule.
• In 2015, according to Paris climate deal, India agreed to the target of 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022.

Achievements so far in terms of Clean Energy

• Solar tariffs in India have reduced from Rs. 7.36/kWh in FY15 to Rs. 2.63/kWh in FY20.
• As of December 2020, over 36.69 crore LED bulbs, 1.14 crore LED tube lights and 23 lakh energy-efficient fans have been distributed across the country, saving 47.65 billion kWh per year.
• In the first half of November 2020, India’s power consumption increased 7.8% to 50.15 billion units (BU), indicating an improvement in economic activity.
• Energy generation from thermal sources stood at 472.90 billion units (BU) in April-September 2020.
• India’s rank jumped to 22 in 2019 from 137 in 2014 on World Bank’s Ease of doing business – “Getting Electricity” ranking.
• As of 28th April, 2018, 100% village electrification was achieved under DDUGJY.

Similar Government Schemes

1. Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya): To ensure electrification of all willing households in the country in rural as well as urban areas.
2. Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY): The rural electrification scheme provides for (a) separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders; (b) strengthening and augmentation of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure in rural areas including metering at distribution transformers, feeders and consumers end.
3. GARV (Grameen Vidyutikaran) App: To monitor transparency in implementation of the electrification schemes, Grameen Vidyut Abhiyanta (GVAs) have been appointed by the government to report progress through the GARV app.
4. Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY): For operational and financial turnaround of Discoms.
5. ‘4 Es’ in the Revised Tariff Policy: The 4Es include Electricity for all, Efficiency to ensure affordable tariffs, Environment for a sustainable future, Ease of doing business to attract investments and ensure financial viability.

Way Forward for India’s Clean Energy?

• Clean energy will be a major driver of India’s economic recovery and international competitiveness, and working to leverage India’s domestic innovation ecosystem will bring value to the country and industry.
• Four principles can be considered as a framework for policymakers and other key decision-makers considering programmes to support India’s clean energy future
  • Invest in least-cost-energy solutions,
  • Support resilient and secure energy systems,
  • Prioritize efficiency and competitiveness, and
  • Promote social and environmental equity.
• India needs to identify strategic opportunities for economic recovery in the short, medium, and long terms that can translate challenges posed by the pandemic into clean energy transition opportunities.

-Source: PIB