In News:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India’s power sector losses run into double digits while developed countries have managed to keep it to single digit.
• He was speaking at the closing function of the 'Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047' event.

What’s in Today’s Article:

• Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047
• News Summary

Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047

• Ministry of Power and New & Renewable Energy, celebrated “Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047” initiative of the Government of India.
• It was celebrated under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav from 25th to 30th July 2022 across the Nation in association with all Power CPSEs and State DISCOMs.
• The event showcased the achievements in Power and Renewable Energy Sectors.
• It also showcased the vision of India in these sectors for 2047 when India completes 100 years of Independence.

News Summary                                                            

• Prime Minister Modi participated in the Grand Finale marking the culmination of Ujjwal Bharat, Ujjwal Bhavishya – Power @2047 through video conferencing.

Key highlights of the speech made by PM

• Urged State governments to clear power sector companies' dues
  • PM Modi asked the State governments to clear power sector companies' dues which are estimated at around ₹2.5 lakh crore.
  • He highlighted that the State governments are yet to clear subsidy commitments amounting to ₹75,000 crore to power companies.
• Highlighted achievements in power sector
  • The Prime Minister said that during the last eight years, about 1,70,000 MW of electricity generation capacity has been added.
  • He also added that India is among the top 4-5 countries of the world in terms of installed solar capacity and also has one of the world's largest solar plants.

Key initiatives launched by PM

• Foundation stone of many projects laid
  • 735 MW Nokh solar project in Rajasthan,
  • Green Hydrogen Mobility Project (for vehicles) in Leh
  • Kawas Green Hydrogen Blending with Natural Gas project in Gujarat.
  • He inaugurated the 100 MW Ramagundam Floating Solar Project in Telangana and the 92 MW Kayamkulam Floating Solar Project in Kerala.
• National Solar rooftop portal launched
  • The estimated capacity under the national solar rooftop program is 4000 MW.
  • This portal will enable online tracking of the process of installation of rooftop solar plants.
  • It will track the process starting from registering the applications to release of subsidy in residential consumers’ bank accounts after installation and inspection of the plant.
• Launched the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme
  • With an outlay of over Rs 3 lakh crore over a period of five years from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26, the scheme aims to provide financial assistance to DISCOMs for modernization and strengthening of distribution infrastructure.
  • It also aims to reduce the AT&C losses to pan-India levels of 12% to 15% and ACS-ARR gap to zero by 2024-25.
    • AT&C loss is the sum total of technical and commercial losses and shortage due to non-realization of billed amount.
    • ACS-ARR gap is the gap between average cost of supply (ACS) and average revenue realised (ARR)
  • The scheme aims to achieve this target by improving the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of all state-sector DISCOMs and power departments.