New Delhi: The government is working to remove problems in the power distribution sector and for this a policy and regulatory framework for distribution companies (discom) is in the offing, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. While asserting that consumers should be able to choose their power supplier as per performance like any other retail commodity, the PM said that work is on to free distribution sector of entry barriers and licencing for distribution and supply. "Efforts are underway for prepaid smart meter, feeder separation and system upgradation," he said.
Addressing a webinar for consultation towards effective implementation of Budget 2021 provisions in power and renewable energy sector, the PM said that the government treats power as a separate sector not as part of the industry sector. "This innate importance of power is the reason for the government's intense focus on making power available to everyone," said Modi.
The Prime Minister said that energy sector plays a big role in the progress of the country and contributes to both ease of living and ease of doing business. The webinar is an indication of the trust between the government and private sectors and an attempt to find ways for quick implementation of the Budget announcement for the sector, said Modi.
The Prime Minister said that the government's approach for the sector has been holistic and four mantras have guided the approach — Reach, Reinforce, Reform and Renewable energy. For reach, last mile connectivity is needed. This reach needs to be reinforced by installation capacity, and for that reforms are needed. Along with all this renewable energy is the demand of the time, said the Prime Minister.
Elaborating further, the Prime Minister said that for reach, the government is focused on reaching every village and every household. With regard to capacity reinforcement, India has become a power surplus country from power deficit country. In recent years, India has added 139 GW capacity and reached the goal of one nation-one grid-one frequency. Reforms like UDAY scheme with issue of Rs 2,32,000 crore rupees worth bond were undertaken to improve financial and operational efficiencies. For monetising the assets of the Powergrid, Infrastructure Investment Trust –InvIT was established which will soon be open for investors.
The Prime Minister pointed out that renewable energy capacity has been enhanced two and half time in the last six years. "Solar energy capacity increased by 15 times. This year's Budget has shown unprecedented commitment towards investment in infrastructure. This is evident in Mission Hydrogen, domestic manufacturing of solar cells and massive capital infusion in Renewable Energy Sector," said the PM.
Referring to the PLI scheme, the Prime Minister said that high efficiency Solar PV module are now part of PLI scheme and the government is committed to invest Rs 4,500 crore in to the scheme. He hoped for a massive response to the scheme. Under the PLI scheme, 10,000 MW capacity integrated solar PV manufacturing plants will be operationalised with estimated investment of Rs 14,000 crore. This is likely to increase demand for locally produced materials like EVA, solar glass, backsheet, junction box. "We want to see our companies becoming global manufacturing champions, not just to fulfil local demands," said the Prime Minister.
The Government has indicated commitment of additional capital infusion worth 1000 crore in Solar Energy Corporation of India to promote investment in Renewable Energy sector. Similarly, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency will get additional 1500 crore rupees worth investment.
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