Discuss various measures that are required for the long term resilience of the power sector. Explain (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 3 years
KEY POINTS
· India witnessed significant power shortages stemming from the low inventory of coal at the power plants.
· After seven months, we are back to square one as reports of coal-shortage induced power outages across states continue to pour in.
· As economic activity resumed after the Covid-induced lockdowns, the demand-supply mismatch for commodities such as coal widened globally, leading to a surge in prices.
· The Ministry of Power has taken a host of measures to alleviate the crisis. This includes giving directions to ensure maximum production of coal at captive mines, rationing of coal to non-power sectors.
· Create an enabling ecosystem to ensure power plants work efficiently. India has about 200 GW of coal-based generation capacity which accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the total electricity generated in the country.
· Enable discoms to undertake smart assessment and management of demand. We have advanced tools for medium- and short-term demand forecasting.
· empower electricity regulators to help bring down discom losses. Despite two decades of sectoral reforms, the aggregate losses of discoms stand at 21 per cent (2019-20).
· Increasing climatic and geopolitical uncertainties underscore the need to become more efficient in the way we generate, distribute and consume energy.
