Govt forms panel for monitoring progress of under-implementation thermal power projects

New Delhi: The Ministry of Power has formed an independent panel — a Thermal Project Monitoring Group (TPMG) — headed by the Member (Thermal) of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) for assessing the progress of under-implementation thermal power projects of both public and private sector. “Hon’ble Minister of Power and NRE has approved the proposal for constitution of an Independent Thermal Project Monitoring Group (TPMG) to conduct site inspections and provide assessment of each site of the Thermal Power Project under implementation by a Central/State utility and IPPs (Independent Power Producers),” said a notification floated by the ministry dated April 2.

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Apart from being headed by the CEA Member (Thermal), the group will comprise of a Chief Engineer or above-level officer from the CEA and six retired senior officers of CEA or NTPC or DVC. Two Deputy Director-level officers of the CEA will assist the group.

The move comes as the government has recently announced its ambitious plan to install 93,380 MW of new coal-based thermal power generation capacity by 2031-32. Of the total, 26,380 MW is already under construction, 11,960 MW has been bid out and 19,050 MW is under clearance. According to official figures, 31,000 MW is at an advanced implementation stage and the construction of 17,000 MW is expected to commence soon.

What would Thermal Project Monitoring Group do?

The group will undertake site visits of all the thermal power projects of the Central and state sectors as well as independent power producers, which are under implementation. They would conduct site inspection of the project areas to oversee the first-hand progress made by the project proponents and based on their assessment, they would submit a progress report to the TPMG.

The group would compare the progress report with the progress being reported by the project proponents directly to the CEA. Based on these reports, the CEA will submit a realistic position about the progress of the projects under implementation.

The TPMG would identify any challenges or obstacles encountered during the implementation phase and evaluate the effectiveness of the mitigation strategies employed by the project proponents.

The members are also expected to submit a progress review report within seven working days after a site visit, and thereafter the TPMG after every visit would apprise the progress and timelines of the site of the thermal power projects under implementation to the Ministry of Power.

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