Inaugurating a national seminar on theme ‘Major issues and challenges in the power sector,’ organised by the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) to commemorate its 23rd Foundation Day on Thursday, Energy Minister Sushant Singh as chief guest highlighted the role of the State Government in the development of the power sector.
He observed that the State Government and the OERC must work in tandem for the availability of continuous and cheap power to the consumers.
Chairman of Central Electricity Regulatory Commission Pradeep Kumar Pujari said power tariff should be rational.
He said the CERC is bringing out many regulations and the SERCs should adopt these with State specific amendments.
Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma said efforts are on to provide cheap and quality power to the consumers. He stated that State and Central Governments are investing heavily in the sector through different schemes.
He informed that since 2012 the State Government had pumped Rs 20,000 crore in the power sector, Rs10,000 crore of this amount was in generation and transmission and the remaining in distribution.
As a result of this, the system was able to meet peak demand of 5,000 MW today as compared to 2,000 MW in 1996. OERC Chairman Upendra Nath Behera delivered the welcome address and pointed out that the OERC issued tariff orders without fail for past 23 years on time. He also praised the role of the officers and staffs of the commission who are qualified and experienced enough to tackle all challenges. Sanjay Banga of Tata Power Delhi DISCOMs discussed about best practices in the Discoms. Chief Operating Officer, PGCIl Dr Subir Sen stated that the smart grid is the grid of the future. Adviser and former MD Power System Operation Corporation SK Soonee spoke on the evolution of Indian grid system and the importance of power market.