Rs.112 Crore sanctioned for R&D in Power sector

Government approves the proposal for continuation of R&D schemes in the Power Sector with an outlay of ₹112 crore

Transmission and Distribution losses incurred in Electrical networks due to heat losses and billing inefficiencies. The cost of power generation depends on various factors including the type of Generation, Capital cost, Finance costs, Cost of fuel, Operation and Maintenance (O&M) costs and employees & administrative costs. 

The “Report on Performance of Power Utilities‟ published by Power Finance Corporation (PFC), the cost of Power to Distribution Utilities increased from ₹4.21 / KWh in the year 2017-18 to  ₹4.73 / KWh in the year 2019-20, in which time, the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Losses reduced from 21.50 percent  to 20.93 percent.

The Government is promoting Research and Development (R&D) for the Indian Power Sector through Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) and various R&D schemes. 

Recently, the government also approved the proposal for continuation of R&D schemes in the Power Sector to be implemented through CPRI with an outlay of ₹112 crore.

A Standing Committee on R&D (SCRD) in Power Sector has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority to identify and prioritise important strategic areas of R&D, which are to be implemented under “R&D” schemes. 

The SCRD identifies leading Researchers and Domain Experts in diverse areas of Power Sector and engage them in the Research Schemes.

Technical Committees in specific fields of power, namely, Thermal Generation, Hydro Generation, Transmission and Grid, Distribution & Energy Conservation, have also been constituted to assist the SCRD in evaluating R&D proposals and monitoring of the R&D projects till successful completion. The committees have representation from Academia, Industry, Utilities and Policy making bodies.

Further, Research projects from eminent Institutions across India like IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, NIT Meghalaya, NIT Silchar, CMET Thrissur, CPRI, have been supported on various thrust areas pertaining to Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Clean Energy and Renewables.

This information was given by Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy  R.K Singh in a written reply to Lok Sabha .