PNC: Interesting News from Power Sector �Aperiodic (Aniyatkalik): APR 2025 issue Date: 05 May 2025

News Headlines:

• In FY 24-25, RE records higher output rates than THM
• Coal production rises 3.63% in April 2025
• GOI considers allowing 49% foreign stakes in NUC power plants
• Why India needs a dedicated scheme on DRE powered EV charging?
• Why progress of On-line electricity bills in MSEDCL is poor?
• GOM’s New EV policy: Comprehensive & Forward Thinking!!
• In HP Power sector staffers pledge to fight graft & In Maha: ACB Arrested two Engineers for Accepting ₹1.84 Lakh Bribe From Contractor In Panvel
• Amidst rising temps power demand on rise all over country: Maha, DEL, Lucknow, Hyderabad, TN
• Power blackout hits all of Puerto Rico as residents prepare for Easter weekend
• China's Wind, Solar capacity exceeds THM power for first time
• With 585 GW capacity additions, RE accounted for over 90% of total power expansion globally in 2024
• Switzerland Trials Railway Tracks with Solar Panels To Power Train

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Vijay L Sonavane

ME (Elect)

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All info in this PPT is collected from various open sources available on the internet & News papers. Opinions expressed/ remarks, are my own views, which are based on my LIMITED EXPOSURE. You may not agree with my opinion. I respect your views/ opinions

AgroVoltic system

Evening Peak Demd met (GW) & Energy Met (MU); �IEX MCV (Market Cleared Volume) (MU) , MCP (Market Clearing Price) (PSPU)

India achieves 25 GW RE capacity in FY 2024-25 (15/04)

• India has achieved a 25 GW RE capacity addition during FY 2024-25, marking a 35% increase over FY 2023-24 of 18.57 GW.
• TTL Gen capacity addition in FY 24-25 was 33 GW. This trend is a clear sign of the structural shift in India’s energy mix, with REs becoming a central pillar. India’s TTL IC has now reached 475 GW.
• Solar segment contributed significantly to this growth, with capacity additions rising from 15 GW in FY24 to 21 GW in FY25, a 38% increase. With this, India’s TTL installed solar power capacity crossed 100 GW mark during the year.
• On manufacturing side, India’s solar module manufacturing capacity nearly doubled from 38 GW in March 2024 to 74 GW in March 2025. Solar PV cell manufacturing capacity increased from 9 GW to 25 GW.
• India’s first 2 GW ingot-wafer manufacturing facility also commenced production in FY25.
• Under “production linked incentive” scheme for high-efficiency solar PV modules, investments of Rs 410 Bn were made.
• Under tPM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, 1.1 Mn households were covered by March 31, 2025. Central Financial Assistance worth Rs 54.37 Bn was disbursed to 6.98 Lakh beneficiaries under RT solar scheme.
• Under PM-KUSUM scheme, 440,000 standalone solar pumps were installed under Component B, & 260,000 pumps were solarised under Component C during FY25.

In FY 24-25, RE records higher output rates than THM

• India’s NUC, RE, & HYD energy production rates have recorded higher growth compared to coal-based THM power plants in recent years, according to a report.
• THM power registered the slowest growth among all sources, with an increase of only 2.8%. In contrast, NUC power grew by 18.4%, HYD by 10.8%, & RE by 11.4% in FY 2024–25 , says the report by Centre for Research on Energy & Clean Air (CREA).
• The report analysed data from FY 2019–20 to 2024–25 to capture key trends in electricity demand, supply, & coal stock levels amidst rising temps & changing consumption patterns. It noted that the pace of electricity growth has slowed down since the post-pandemic period.
• The analysis also revealed that India begins FY 2025-26 with a surplus coal stock at THM plants of 58.1 MMT (15% higher than the 50.5 MMT at the start of 2024-25). This trend of increasing coal stock has continued over the years, with levels at 36.9 MMT in April 2023 & 25.4 MMT in April 2022. The steady rise indicates a greater emphasis on pre-season stockpiling to reliably meet high power demand.
• The report also highlighted India’s progress in meeting peak electricity demand. In 2024–25, peak power demand met reached 250.1 GW, marking a 4.2% increase over FY 23-24
• On the peak demand day in 2024–25, the share of RE - including solar, wind, & biomass - rose to 15% of TTL GEN , up from 9% in 2023–24. The share of coal & lignite remained steady, with a slight decline from 71% to 70%. NUC & gas-based energy sources maintained their shares at 2% and 4%, respectively.
• The share of HYD however, decreased from 14% in 2023–24 to 9% in 2024–25. This drop was influenced by seasonal reservoir variations, with HYD accounting for 14% in Sept (monsoon) & just 9% in May (pre-monsoon)

Coal production rises 3.63% in April 2025 (02/05)

• India's coal production increased by 3.63% in April 2025, reaching 81.57 MMT, up from 78.71 MMT produced in April 2024. (2.86 MMT more)
• This is basically due to the production from captive/other entities mines which rose to 14.51 MMT in April 2025 .
• Additionally, coal dispatch also saw a steady increase to 86.64 MMT in April 2025, up from 11.46 MMT in April 2024.
• Coal stock held by coal companies experienced a substantial increase, reaching 125.76 MMT as of April 30, 2025, a significant jump from the 102.41 MMT held on 30 April 2024.
• Coal India reported a total coal stock of 105 MMT, showcasing an impressive 22.10% growth over 86.60 MMT as recorded in April 2024

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India considers allowing 49% foreign stakes in NUC power plants (26/04)

• India could allow foreign Cos to take a stake of up to 49% in its NUC power plants, three Govt sources said, as New Delhi draws up plans to open up its most guarded NUC sector to help achieve goals to cut carbon emissions.
• GOI has considered changing its NUC foreign investment framework since 2023. Need to increase NUC capacity has become pressing as India seeks to replace carbon-intensive coal with cleaner sources of energy.
• Investments in sector has potential to spur tariff negotiations with the US,
• In 2008, a civil NUC agreement with the US provided for deals worth many Bns of dollars with US Cos. The Cos, however, have been deterred by the risk of unlimited exposure in the event of any accident and no foreign investment has been allowed in India's NUC plants.
• If the latest proposals go thro’ together with plans to ease NUC liability laws & allow domestic private players into the sector, they could remove the impediments to Govt aims to expand NUC power capacity by 12 times to 100 GW by 2047.
• The sources said any foreign NUC investments would still require prior Govt approval rather than be allowed automatically.

• Necessary legal changes are likely to be placed before the cabinet soon & that GOI aims to get the amendments to the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010 & the Atomic Energy Act of 1960 passed in monsoon session of Parliament in July.
• Amendments to Atomic Energy Act would allow GOI to issue licences to private Cos to build, own & operate a plant/mine & manufacture atomic fuel.

GOVERNMENT MONOPOLY:

• Total AI NUC IC is just over 8 GW, 2% of the AI IC
• India seeks to shift away from coal, it is seeking to supplement wind & solar with atomic energy to meet high night-time energy demand.
• Atomic Energy Dept has said foreign Cos. including Westinghouse Electric, GE-Hitachi, Electricite de France & Rosatom are interested in participating in India’s power projects as technology partners, suppliers, contractors & service providers.
• Indian conglomerates, including Reliance INDs, Tata Power, Adani Power, Vedanta Ltd, have also held discussions with GOI to invest about $26 Bn in NUC power sector.

GOI approves record SIX “Hydro Pumped Storage” projects worth 7.5 GW in FY25 (14/04)

• CEA, concurred Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of following 6 Hydro Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) of 7.5 GW during 2024-25, marking a key milestone in India's on-going commitment to developing advanced long term energy storage solutions:
• This is the outcome of collaborative efforts of PSP developers, appraising organisations. A number of steps were taken to resolve the issues & fast track the appraisal process.
• This is a big achievement since inception of new concept of Off-Stream, close loop PSPs. CEA has made the appraisal process transparent through the Portal “Jalvi Store”.
• Further, CEA has made ambitious plan to concur minimum 13 PSPs of about 22 GW during FY 2025-26. Most of these PSPs are targeted to be commissioned in 4 years & latest by 2030
• Hydro PSPs are vital for energy transition, as they allow excess electricity generated during off-peak hours to be stored in the form of water in elevated reservoirs. This stored energy can then be used back during non-solar hours peak demand periods, ensuring a reliable, consistent, a&flexible power supply. making a major contribution to grid reliability & supporting India’s ambitious RE goals.
• For developers & investors, it is a great investment opportunity to develop & invest in a long term assets of more than 70- 80 years.

Green Hydrogen in India: Challenges (28/04)

• With a bold $2.4 Bn push, India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) promises to catapult India into the global clean energy race. But as the US, EU, China, & Gulf nations surge ahead with far larger bets, experts warn that India's modest funding & structural hurdles could leave its ambitions trailing behind.
• According to IND experts, globally, it seems that the US, EU, Gulf nations and China are more aggressive when compared with India.
• The NGHM current outlay is likely to be short by nearly 75% by 2030, if India wishes to compete globally & shall struggle to match China & Gulf in terms of exports, said one of the experts. Although China has a funding allocation of $6.7 Bn, but their H2 production cost is far more competitive when compared with India.
• The expert added that if we compare India’s funding with respect to the other countries or regions it is about 5X lower than the US & 20X lower than Gulf nations combined.
• Another expert noted that in India only some of the DOM green H2 projects were at an advanced stage & have momentum behind them. That is why it is expected that green H2 production would reach just 5 Lakh Tonnes annually by 2030: a tenth of the target we have in place.(target is 5 Million Tonnes)

Govt asks imported coal-based power plants to run at full capacity till June 30 (01/05)

• MOP has directed imported coal-based (ICB) power plants to run at optimum capacity till June 30, 2025, in anticipation of India’s rising power consumption, which hits a high during the summer months, from April to June.
• Earlier, MOP had directed ICB plants to run at full capacity till April 30, which has now been extended till June 30, 2025, as has been the regular practice in the past few years.
• According to National Power Portal, India’s DOM coal based (DCB) power plants with around 194 GW capacity have DOM coal stocks of 53.34 MMT & imported coal stock of 9.75 Lakh MT on April 30, 2025. Their per day consumption is around 2.76 MMT/ day.

Plants capacity

• ICB plants with almost 18 GW capacity & a daily consumption of 1.82 LMT/day has a domestic stock of 36,300 Tonnes & imported stock of 2.34 MMT. Six ICB plants have critical stocks.
• India’s THM coal imports rose to a 10-month high in March 2025 with power sector stocking up supplies for the blistering summer season ahead with peak electricity demand already hitting more than 230 GW.
• The higher import requirement also reflects on GOI’s direction to ICB power plants to run capacities at optimum levels

THDC India synchronises first unit of its 1,000-MW pumped storage project in pump Condenser mode (25/04)

• THDC India on 23/04 synchronisation of the first 250 MW unit of its Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) in pump condenser mode at Tehri in Uttarakhand.
• In pump condenser mode of operation, the turbine is used to generate electricity & simultaneously, as a Condenser or a heat exchanger
• THDC India is constructing a 1,000-MW (4x250 MW) PSP project at Tehri.
• With the completion of this pumped storage project, the Tehri Hydro power complex will have a total installed capacity of 2,400 MW.
• THDC is currently operating 1,000-MW Tehri HPP (HYD power project) & 400-MW Koteshwar HEP.
• Based in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, THDC India is a 75:25% entity of NTPC & Govt of UP

GOI allows extension for commissioning of certain Solar Power projects until Dec 2025 (22/04)

• MNRE has granted a 9-month extension for commissioning of certain solar projects by two Govt agencies (SECI & IREDA), pushing the deadline to the end of Dec 2025 due to multiple challenges.
• MNRE cited limited availability of domestically made PV solar modules, Trans infrastructure issues, & tender-related delays as reasons for extension.
• SECI & IREDA had requested the extension for projects tendered under GOI's CPSU Scheme Phase-II.
• The scheme aims to set up 12 GW Solar projects by these entities, using domestically manufactured Solar PV cells & modules, with financial support from GOI.
• The extension underscores the struggles faced by India's RE sector as India targets at least 500 GW of non-fossil power capacity by 2030, up from 172 GW currently.
• The sector is grappling with several obstacles, including weak demand for tenders, land acquisition challenges, delays in PPAs & project cancellations.
• India also fell short of its earlier goal of adding 175 GW of RE capacity by 2022, with fossil fuels still accounting for more than two-thirds of TTL power generated last year.

Why India needs a dedicated scheme on Distributed-Renewable Energy (DRE): powered EV charging

• Decarbonising road transport, which accounts for almost 12% of India’s energy related emissions & is a major source of urban air pollution, remains a critical challenge. Rapid adoption of EVs a is promising solution, but the true potential of EVs cannot be realised unless they are powered by clean Energy.
• Under the EV30@30 campaign, India aims to reach a 30% Vehicle sales share for EVs by 2030. It is estimated that achieving this target will result in an additional electricity demand of 15-30 TWH with a substantial rise in peak demand.
• Meeting this demand thro’ grid-based power, more than 75% of which is currently generated thro’ coal & gas—will produce additional emissions of 11–22 MtCO2 per annum, thereby undermining ENV benefits of EVs & overloading Indian Power Grid .
• Charging EVs thro’ RE, especially DRE, can be instrumental in reducing emissions by minimising the reliance on grid-based electricity. In this by 2030 , around 10 to 20 GW of RE capacity dedicated to EV-charging infrastructure will be needed to meet the additional electricity demand accompanying the achievement of EV 30@30 target
• By providing additional subsidies for installations, GOI can boost EV adoption, encourage entrepreneurial spirit & foster inclusive growth.

• By generating power closer to consumption points, reduces T&D losses & alleviates grid congestion. DRE can play a key role in meeting the anticipated rise in daytime peak demand caused by charging activity.
• Forlarge-scale adoption of DRE-powered EV charging, looking into its financial viability is crucial. While high upfront costs of DRE installations remain a barrier for many stakeholders, it still emerges as a potential alternative to grid-powered EV charging
• To harness the potential of DRE for EV charging, MNRE can bring in a targeted scheme that pushes for DRE-based EV-charging infrastructure.
• Additional subsidies could be considered for rural areas, where the grid infrastructure is often weak & unreliable. DRE based charging can be leveraged to expand the EV-charging infrastructure along highways
• MNRE can also look into incentivising R&C consumers to install DRE-powered EV-charging facilities. This could include subsidies for integrating DRE solutions such as rooftop-solar systems with the EV-charging points at Carports or Commercial parking facilities. Further, tax benefits can be considered for installing personal DRE systems for EV charging.
• The proposed scheme for DRE-powered EV charging, can serve as a catalyst for Energy transition.

GOM signs MOU with Russia's ROSATOM to develop Thorium-based Small Modular Reactor (12/04)

• GOM has signed a MOU with Russia's State-owned Co. ROSATOM to develop a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) based on thorium fuel
• This is perhaps the first time a State Govt will be venturing into the arena of NUC energy, which has otherwise been exclusively under the control of the Dept. of Atomic Energy (GOI)
• MOU was signed in presence of CM Fadnavis between MAHAGENCO & ROSATOM's for SMR with Thorium Fuel' initiative.
• Main objective of MOU is to jointly develop a Thorium reactor in Maha, commercialise Thorium reactors as per safety standards of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) & establish an assembly line for Thorium reactors under 'Make in Maha' initiative.
• Maha Institution for Transformation (MITRA) will provide strategic support for the joint development.
• "A joint working group will be formed to facilitate coordination & research for this project.
• Currently, India has no operational reactor working on Thorium.

Why progress of On-line electricity bills in MSEDCL is poor? (15/04)

• On-line billing “GO GREEN” Yojana started in 2018 (paperless online billing thro’ email, SMS messages etc.). Aim was to help “paperless/ cashless systems.
• In 7 years out of over 3 CR consumers only 5.02 Lakh consumers have registered in the scheme (1.7% percolation in 7 years)
• Pune zone: 2.08 Lakh, Konkan 1.83 Lakh, Nagpur: 0.63 Lakh, A’bad: 0.55 Lakh
• MSEDCL was offering a rebate of Rs 10/ per bill. From Jan 2025, for those who have registered under the scheme will get upfront benefit of Rs 120/- instead of Rs 10/Month
• Mr Vivek Velankar of Sajag Nagrik Manch opined that
• “People are afraid of the system as they do not have a physical proof on bill payment in case MSEDCL staff comes of disconnection, particularly when the “mobile holder is not at Home”. They cannot show the proof & there is danger of forced disconnection by staff.”
• ENERGY Expert Ashok Pendse expressed that
• “In Rural Maha there are issues of Communication Network, frequent power failures, so digital billing & payment is difficult. Moreover the rebate of Rs 10/ month is very less (about one unit price). The consumers believe on printed bills only because of the threat of disconnection of supply as there is visible proof of bill payment to show. “
• Slow progress with online electricity bills in MSEDCL could be due to a combination of factors: meter reading challenges, frequent system updates, technical glitches, or prioritization of essential services.(Revenue collection, supply continuity may be priority for staff & not “GO GREEN” initiative)

Tata Power solarises 230 critical public infrastructure across Maha (19/04)

• Tata Power has accelerated Maha’s “Green Energy Transition” by solarizing over 230 critical public infrastructure sites across Maha
• The installations, totalling approx. 107 MW RE capacity, include 100 Hospitals (3.6 MW), 64 Schools (2 MW), & 72 Govt & institutional buildings (100 MW) distributed across key districts.
• Solarisation of critical public facilities is in line with Tata Power’s commitment to Clean Energy Transition & a community-focused approach to sustainability. TPC is reducing energy costs, increasing energy reliability, & supporting a decrease in carbon emissions across Maha.
• Tata Power has achieved more than 1.5 Lakh solar installations nationally, confirming its leadership as India’s No. 1 RT solar provider. Its total installed RT capacity is nearly 3 GW.
• Tata Power Solar-roof business operates in 700+ cities, offering consumers up to 80% savings on electricity bills & a 25-year warranty on solar modules.

Suzlon secures 100.8 MW Wind energy project from Sunsure Energy in JATH, Maha (18/04)

• Suzlon is stepping up efforts to accelerate RE adoption among large corporations thro’ IPPs, supporting India’s clean energy transition
• In a significant development, Suzlon has secured a 100.8 MW EPC wind power order from Sunsure Energy, marking Sunsure’s maiden entry into wind energy.
• The project will be executed in the Jath area, Sangali Dist, Maha. As part of the agreement, Suzlon will supply 48 advanced S120 Wind Turbine Generators (WTGs) with Hybrid Lattice Towers (HLT), each with a capacity of 2.1 MW.
• Suzlon will also handle the supply of turbines, installation, erection, & commissioning of the project, and will provide comprehensive O&M services after commissioning.
• This project will enhance Sunsure Energy’s RE portfolio & contribute to its goal of delivering RTC power to customers in Maha.

Avaada Group signs MOU with GOM to set up 3,650 MW Pumped Storage projects (30/04)

• Avaada Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GOM’s Water Resources Dept. to develop two major Pumped Storage Hydro Projects with a combined capacity of 3,650 MW in Maha
• Avaada, an integrated energy enterprise, will develop
• 2.4 GW Pawana Falyan &
• 1.2 GW Sirsala pumped storage projects

with a cumulative investment of INR 15,100 CR These projects are expected to generate over 3,800 direct employment opportunities.

• These pumped storage initiatives will play a critical role in strengthening Maha’s energy security by enabling RTC RE power, supporting grid balancing, & ensuring the seamless integration of clean energy into Maha’s power mix.
• GOM assured that it will ensure complete support to developers to fast-track these transformational projects. (off late it is much needed for private entrepreneurs)

Hindalco commissions Rs 5Bn EV component facility in Maha (29/04)

• Hindalco Industries Ltd, a subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group, has commissioned an EV component manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, Maha. The facility was reportedly built with a CAPEX of Rs 5 Bn, & is spread over 5 acres in an IND park. It marks Hindalco’ss entry into EV component production, specifically focusing on lightweight AL batteries.
• The plant has an initial annual production capacity of 80,000 units, with future plans to scale this up to 160,000 units. Moreover, the facility has already delivered 10,000 aluminium battery enclosures for Mahindra’s BE 6 & XEV 9e electric SUVs, with over 3,000 Mahindra EVs equipped with these AL batteries already being operational.
• In Sept 2024, Aditya Birla Renewables, the RE arm of Aditya Birla Group, raised Rs 25 Bn thro’ a private placement of 2.5 Mn unsecured, listed, rated, redeemable non-convertible debentures with a face value of Rs 100,000.

GOM’s New EV policy: Comprehensive & Forward Thinking (01/05)

• GOM’s new policy on Evs, positions Maha as a National leader in sustainable mobility. Subsidies will be provided on purchase of EVs to boost their use to help bring down air pollution.
• This policy, will be valid till 2030 & Rs 1,993 CR will be earmarked for the sector.

Under the policy:

• Registration fee will be waived on all EVs
• 100% Waiver of Toll for 4-WH EV & buses using Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Atal Setu, Samruddhi Mahamarg
• Toll will only be 50% for these EVs plying on State & National highways
• Electric 2&3 WH & private 4-WH, ST Corporation & private Buses as well as transport undertakings under civic bodies will be given 10% concession on purchase as against its original cost.
• Moreover, electric goods-carrying 3- & 4_WH, electric tractors will be given a concession of 15% as against their original cost.
• There will be charging facilities on National Highways at a distance of 25 km

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Guj Govt slashes EV tax from 6% to 1% till Mar 2026 to “boost GUJ’s Green mobility” (21/04)

• In a decisive move to revive flagging EV sales, Guj Govt has slashed the RTO tax on EVs from 6% to just 1%, offering significant financial relief to buyers & aiming to accelerate GUJ's green mobility mission.
• The 5% tax exemption, applicable till Mar 31, 2026, is expected to benefit EV owners by ₹30,000 to ₹1 lakh, depending on the cost of vehicle.
• Previously, purchasing an EV priced at ₹10 lakh meant paying ₹60,000 in tax. Now, buyers will pay only ₹10,000—saving a flat ₹50,000. This tax reduction comes at a critical time when EV sales had plummeted by nearly 50% following discontinuation of GUJ Govt subsidies, a year ago.
• As per new regulation, tax relief will be granted only to those who register their vehicles online thro’ Vahan 4.0 portal, ensuring transparency & streamlining the registration process.
• While the earlier subsidy of ₹25,000 for 2 WH & ₹1.5 lakh for 4-WHs under ₹15 lakh was instrumental in boosting EV adoption, removal of that support saw sales nosedive. The new tax structure is expected to reverse that trend.

1,359 MW Solar Power gen projects completed, over 2 lakh farmers now get day time power supply: Maha CM (25/04)

• Solar power gen projects with a capacity of 1,359 MW were completed in Maha, due to which 2.14 Lakh farmers started getting daytime power supply, announced CM Fadnavis.
• At present, other famers get electricity for AG pumps in two shifts, day & night,
• Under MSKVY 2.0, work is in progress on Solar Gen projects with a capacity of 15,284 MW in Maha. This is the largest decentralised Solar power gen project in the world. The target completion date is 30 Sept 2026
• The scheme was launched in April 2023. After that, work is underway rapidly to make 40,000 acres of land available for solar power gen projects, issue tenders for solar power gen projects, issue work orders to private developers,& strengthen electricity grid to efficiently deliver Solar power to AG pumps. This scheme will involve a private investment of about Rs 65,000 CR.
• In MSKVY 2.0, electricity will be available to MSEDCL at an AVG cost of Rs 3 PU. This will result in a significant reduction in the subsidy to be given by GOM to provide free electricity to AG pumps. It will also be possible to remove the burden of cross-subsidy on IND. Overall, this is a game-changer scheme for AG & IND sectors.
• Under this scheme, solar power projects will be set up at various places in the state, & all AG feeders will be run on solar energy during day time.

(kindly note: Achievement is 1359 MW (8.9%: fast pace ??) in 2 years & target completion date is 30 Sept 2026)

MSEDCL may loose Rs. 75,000 CR arrears from AG consumers (Loksatta Head line News 28/04)

• Without any written orders from GOM for last 3 Quarters MSEDCL has issued ZERO energy bills to AG Consumers without mentioning about “previous arrears”. Since there is no mention about earlier arrears, in the Bills, as per prevailing Act & Regulations it would be difficult to show such arrears in AG Energy bills, again now.
• MSEDCL’s arrears from consumers as on 1^st Jan 2025 was over Rs 98,000 CRs in which AG arrears was about Rs 75,000 CR. MSEDCL is in financial crunch as such GOM has declared the waving of (subsidy) existing AG bills. GOM has clearly mentioned that Govt is waving of the current bill & there is no mention about arrears. So not mentioning the previous AG arrears in AG bills is the responsibility of MSEDCL.
• MSEDCL arrears with AG consumers as on 31 March 2023 was RS 53,322 CR. Since this amount is not mentioned in Bills during these two years, as per existing law MSEDCL will not be able to suddenly mention it again. So this is a loss to MSEDCL (Rs 53,222 CR + Int for two years). (Will somebody be held responsible?)
• MSEDCL officials have not shown these arrears in last 3 quarter bills. So are in legal trap as per Section 56(2) of EA 2003
• In 2023, Mahayuti Govt in declared waving of electricity bills upto 7.5 HP connections. Accordingly MSEDCL might not have sent bills for consumers with earlier arrears, (probably under oral instructions from ..??). Now Energy Dept. says that there was no such “directive in writing” from GOM, which means Govt is not responsible for this loss.

What is the issue as per prevailing Act?

• Section 56(2) of EA, 2003, limits the recovery of electricity dues from a consumer to a period of two years from when the sum first became due, unless the licensee has continuously shown the sum as recoverable as arrears of charges for electricity supply. This limitation period applies to any sum due from a consumer under Section 56, which deals with disconnection of supply for default in payment.

Limitation Period:

• The two-year limitation period starts from the date the electricity charges became "first due," which typically means after the bill is issued & the payment due date has passed.

Recovery of Dues:

• A licensee cannot recover electricity dues from a consumer if the two-year period has expired, unless the sum has been consistently shown as arrears.

Exception:

• The limitation period does not apply if the licensee continues to show the sum as recoverable as arrears of electricity charges. (which is the lapse in this matter)

Disconnection of Supply:

• Section 56 also deals with the disconnection of electricity supply for default in payment. The two-year limitation period applies to the recovery of dues that lead to disconnection under Section 56.

In essence, Section 56(2) protects consumers from being pursued for electricity dues that are more than two years old, unless the licensee can demonstrate that the dues have been continuously & consistently shown as arrearsin consumer bills , according to SCC Online.

In Himachal Pradesh Power sector staffers pledge to fight graft (25/04)

• Joint Action Committee (JAC) of HPSEBL Employees, Engineers & Pensioners observed anti-corruption day at the Board HQ in Shimla on the birth anniversary of Late Er Vimal Negi.
• The employees took a pledge to fight corruption by ensuring transparency & Honesty in their official work. They also decided to observe April 24 as anti-corruption day every year.
• Late Er Shri Negi, was a Chief Engineer with “HP Power Corporation Ltd”. He was found dead a while back, & inquiry is going on into the reasons behind his death.
• JAC office-bearers claimed that Negi was facing a problem of organised corruption, a hostile working Environment, & extreme Workplace Harassment.
• They demanded that the accused in FIR related to Negi’s death be dismissed under Article 311 of the Indian Constitution, & also criminal proceedings be initiated against them.
• The office-bearers further emphasised that corruption was a grave issue that not only hampers the development of society but also weakens the economy & moral values. “It causes financial loss, damages employee morale & reputation, & tarnishes the image of Dept. in the eyes of the public,” they said.
• They stressed that it was now crucial to raise voice against growing corruption in workplaces, or else many employees may face the tragic fate of Er. Negi.

And In Maha: ACB Arrested two MSEDCL Engineers for Accepting ₹1.84 Lakh Bribe From Contractor In Panvel (26/04)

• Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Navi Mumbai arrested two engineers from MSEDCL’s Bhingari office in Panvel on 25/04 for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1.84 Lakh from a Civil contractor. The arrested individuals have been identified as Sandeep Annasaheb Daware (45) DYEE, & Prathamesh Navchandra Chougule (35), JE
• The complainant, Maharugdra Shelke, is a civil contractor representing Palkar Firm, which was assigned two civil projects by MSEDCL’s Panvel Bhigari office. Mr.Shelke had received payment for one of the projects in March, but the bill for the second project was still pending.
• According to Mr.Shelke, MSEDCL Engineers Chougule & Daware informed him that they would conduct a site visit & approve the second bill. However, they demanded a bribe of Rs 92,000 each — totaling Rs 1.84 lakh — for processing both bills. Following this demand, Mr Shelke filed a written complaint with Navi Mumbai ACB.
• “Upon verification, we found that both engineers had indeed solicited the bribe. Acting on the complaint, we set up a trap & nabbed the engineers,” a police officer from Navi Mumbai ACB unit said.
• The operation was led by Dy. SP Nitin Dalvi, Navi Mumbai ACB Unit. During the operation, both Engineers, Chougule & Daware were caught red-handed accepting Rs 1.84 Lakh from Mr Shelke. Subsequently, an offence was registered against the two at the Panvel City Police Station under the Prevention of Corruption Act, & both were taken into custody.

(Its sad but true that we are not able to curb corruption. India ranks 96 out of 180 countries in Corruption Perceptions Index 2024. in 2014 India ranked 85 out of 175 countries. In 2024, Denmark topped the list of being the least-corrupt nation, followed by Finland & Singapor)

Talwandi Sabo Power sets up 500 Ton/day biomass unit in Punjab (28/04)

• Vedanta has launched Punjab’s largest torrified biomass plant near its Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL) facility in Mansa. This innovative plant will turn AG stubble into high-grade bio-pellets, offering an eco-friendly alternative to coal while tackling air pollution caused by stubble burning.

Innovative solution to air pollution:

• TSPL’s new biomass plant is a major step in fighting stubble burning, which generates significant seasonal air pollution across North India. With a capacity of 500 tonnes/day, the facility uses crop stubble to create torrefied bio-pellets, which have a higher energy density & are carbon-neutral. This initiative will help TSPL reduce coal use by 5% daily.
• The plan is expected to significantly improve air quality & contribute to Punjab’s clean energy transition.
• Also, TSPL’s stubble management campaign supports farmers by offering a remunerative alternative to burning crop residue. TSPL plans to co-fire 450 tons of torrefied biomass daily, reducing its carbon footprint & promoting sustainable practices. This collaborative innovation is essential for improving air quality across Punjab & neighbouring states & will help mitigate Punjab’s stubble-burning problem.
• This project showcases how IND, sustainable innovation, & regulatory support can work together to drive ENV change.

Amaravati (AP) to be world's first fully RE-powered city (21/04)

• Amaravati is set to make history by aiming to become world’s first city powered entirely by RE. The planned greenfield city is being developed as a modern, sustainable ‘people’s capital’, with a goal to generate 2,700 MW clean energy from solar, wind, & HEP sources.
• Ambitious project is part of CM Naidu’s vision, with an estimated cost of Rs 65,000 CR, will span 217 Sq Kms along the banks of Krishna River. The wider AP Capital Region covers around 8,352 sq km.
• Located between Vijayawada & Guntur, Amaravati is set to become a model of innovation in eco-friendly urban design. The 2,700 MW power capacity target would eliminate the need for fossil fuels & place Amaravati at the forefront of environmentally responsible city planning.
• By 2050, Amaravati is projected to need 2.7 GW electricity. At least 30% of this will be sourced from RE like solar & wind. Solar energy will be a key focus, with mandatory RT solar systems required on at least one-third of all roofs in Govt housing projects. These conditions have been made part of the building approval process,
• All major building projects, including Govt housing in Amaravati Govt Complex, will adhere to green building standards, ensuring energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprint, &optimal resource utilisation.

• City's public transport system, including Amaravati Metro & electric buses, will also run on RE. Widespread infrastructure will be developed for EV charging across both public & Govt sectors. Additionally, solar panels will be explored for installation in public spaces such as parks, walkways, & bus stops.
• Town planners have already set up 415 kW of RT solar systems in 16 Anganwadis, 14 e-health centres, 13 public schools,& a multi-faith funeral facility.
• “All Govt Comm buildings will be mandated to install solar panels & adopt net metering,” “A district cooling system is being planned for Govt complexes to optimise energy use and reduce cooling demands.”
• With AP experiencing the highest number of heat wave days in South India & temps reaching up to 47.7 degrees Celsius in 2024, efficient cooling systems are essential. Cooling needs include those for AC, refrigeration, transport, & IND purposes
• AP expects its peak power demand to rise by 57%, reaching 19.9 GW by 2029. To address cooling requirements in a sustainable way, the AP Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) signed a PPP with Tabreed in 2019. This agreement aims to set up a 20,000 refrigeration tonnes (RT) District Cooling System for the Govt complex in Amaravati.
• Under this agreement, Tabreed will design the system to reduce electricity demand for cooling key buildings like the High Court & Secretariats by 50%.
• District Cooling technology helps reduce the need for separate cooling systems in individual buildings, thereby lowering overall power consumption & carbon emission

(No target completion date. It may prove to be another Jumala like Smart city project. To think BIG is good but we also need to work fast otherwise it will be “Mungerilal ke Hasin Sapne”)

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Maha demand crosses 30,000 MW

• On April 22, 2025, Maha experienced a peak power demand of 30,921 MW.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Mumbai's Demand: Mumbai's peak electricity demand surpassed 4,000 MW, reaching 4,055 MW.
• MSEDCL Demand: MSEDCL, which supplies power to Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, & rest of the state, recorded a peak power consumption of 26,867 MW. This was the second highest this season, following the peak of 27,126 MW on March 13.

Delhi's power demand peaks at 6,015 MW, �on Apr 28, highest in last three years

• Delhi’s Peak power demand pushed by the hot weather, crossed 6,000 MW for the first time this season on Monday 28/04 at 3.30 pm -- the highest on April 28 in last 3 years. Earlier, the highest peak demand on April 28 was 6,050 MW in 2022.
• The peak demand on April 28 in 2024 & 2023 was 4,994 MW & 4,428 MW.
• The max temp in Delhi reached 40.4 degrees Celsius on 28/04.
• BSES discoms -- BRPL & BYPL -- successfully met the demand of 2590 MW & 1290 MW in their Dist. areas. TPDDL successfully met the peak demand of 1,817 MW in its Dist. area of North Delhi, which is the highest in the season so far.
• More than 2,100 MW of green power is playing play an important role in ensuring a smooth supply in Delhi during summer months.
• SLDC said, “after clocking a record power demand of 8,656 MW in 2024, Delhi's peak power demand during summers of 2025 may clock the 9,000 MW for the first time”.
• DEL power discoms are geared up to ensure a reliable supply to meet the demand, by making arrangements for power procurement

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Power blues for Lucknow residents amid soaring temps, increased demand (26/04)

• Despite promises of rapid upgrades, the work under RDSS to replace old, dangling wires with modern armoured cables continues to be sluggish. The project, now in its 2^nd phase of implementation, is forcing routine shutdowns across 7 to 10 localities in Lucknow every day.
• Amid soaring temp & increased power demand in Lucknow, residents continue to face frequent outages despite repeated promises over past 5 years by different Ministers to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.
• This year, UP Govt has spent ₹400 CR under Revamped Dist Sector Scheme (RDSS) to upgrade the power infrastructure, but power cuts persist across Lucknow, much like previous years.
• These power cuts, which often stretch from 4-8 hours, are frequently carried out without prior notice, leaving residents unprepared, especially during peak daytime heat.
• In the past week alone, Demd in Lucknow surged by 400 MW, with Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) reporting a demand of 1,564 MW on 24/04. According to officials, this figure may climb to 2,000 MW in coming days.
• While residents are facing short but increasingly frequent outages, the feeder system design is also contributing to larger-scale power disruptions. Each feeder connects 10 to 15 DTs, & when maintenance or faults occur in a single transformer, the entire cluster area must be shut down to ensure workers’ safety. As a result, even minor issues are now affecting more households than before.
• “We are witnessing more than 5 power cuts during the daytime,” said Vishal Srivastava, a resident of Hardoi Road

Power Demand On The Rise In GHMC’s Urban Circles Telangana (25/04)

• Hyderabad: With soaring temps in Hyderabad, power utility TGSPDCL is bracing up to meet the rising electricity demand in urban GHMC areas. It plans to meet the rising demand, with an increased focus on infrastructure development.
• The power utility expects power demand during the summer will surpass 5,000 MW, compared to peak power demand of 4,352 MW recorded on May 6 2024, reflecting a growth of approximately 15.87% Y-O-Y
• Power demand had already reached 4,136 MW on April 23, 2025 with a power consumption of 88.25 MU, compared to 3,745 MW on 23 Apr 2024, which saw 79.84 MU consumed.
• On April 24, 2025, 4170 MW power demand was registered at4 pm, compared to 3,747 MW on 24 Apr 2024
• Electricity demand within the GHMC is growing rapidly, with an annual increase exceeding 30% in some areas. The Cyber City circle, which covers the Gachibowli, Ibrahimbagh, & Kondapur divisions, recorded a 31.75% increase in power demand last year.
• Banjara Hills circle saw a 22.62% increase, & Medchal circle, which includes Medchal, Kukatpally, & Jeedimetla divisions, registered a 20.24 % increase in power demand last year.
• To handle the increased power demand & ensure a quality power supply, TGSPDCL has upgraded the DT network. This includes the installation of additional Power Transformers & DTRs

TN's max Electricity Demd likely to grow by 6% (24/04)

• Tamil Nadu's max demand for electricity, for FY 26, is expected to be 22,150 MW, 6% higher than FY 25's peak demand, Minister for Electricity, V Senthil Balaji informed the Assembly.
• TN’s all-time max demand was 20,830 MW as on May 2, 2024 & max per day consumption recorded was 454.32 MU, as on April 30, 2024.
• Chennai has met a MD of 4,769 MW & max per day consumption of 101.755 MU on May 31, 2024.
• In order to address global challenges such as ENV sustainability, TN aims to derive 50% of its total energy consumption from RE sources by 2030 & achieve a reduction of its carbon emissions by 70% by the year 2030.
• TN possesses significant RE resources: solar power, wind energy, & other notable resources. Furthermore, TN ranks third in India for overall RE capacity & 2^nd in wind energy, the minister added.

Kerala to get 1st Energy Storage project (12/04)

• In a bid to integrate RE & address peak hour power shortages, Kerala's first grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) project is being established at 220 kV S/S in Mylatti.
• The 125 MW/500 MWh BESS facility, implemented KSEB in partnership with SECI, will also be among the largest in India.
• MOP approved Rs 135 CR under the viability gap funding (VGF) scheme for the project, which is being executed by M/S JSW Neo Energy Ltd.
• Mylatti project will allow the storage of surplus solar energy during off-peak hours & its release during peak demand, enabling better grid stability & reducing dependence on costly PP
• Once operational, the system can provide up to 4 hours of stored energy daily, marking a significant innovation in Kerala's power infrastructure.
• While the scheduled timeline for commissioning is 18 months, KSEB offered an early commissioning incentive of Rs 8.4 CR to ensure the BESS is operational before next year's summer peak.
• The project will operate on a PPP model, without any upfront investment by KSEB or Kerala govt. Instead, the developer will receive fixed monthly capacity storage charges over a 12-year period. The cost-effective model is expected to avoid a CAPEX of nearly Rs 750 CR.

Power blackout hits all of Puerto Rico as residents prepare for Easter weekend (17/04)

• SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: A power blackout hit all of Puerto Rico on 16/04 as the heavily Catholic U.S. territory prepared to celebrate the Easter weekend.
• All 1.4 Mn clients were affected, Hugo Sorrentini, spokesman for Luma Energy, which oversees the T&D of power, told by late Wednesday night (16/04), crews had restored power to nearly 100,000 clients, or about 7%, although the number was expected to fluctuate.
• Hotels were near full capacity, with thousands of tourists celebrating Easter vacations on the island. Tourism officials rushed to reassure them that many hotels & other businesses were operating with generators.
• Meanwhile, at least 328,000 clients were without water supply.
• "It is unacceptable that we have a failure of this magnitude in the transmission of the electrical system," said Gov. Jenniffer González, who cut short her weeklong vacation & flew back to Puerto Rico on Wednesday night (16/04)

• Officials said 90% of clients would likely have electricity 48 to 72 hours after the blackout occurred.
• It was not immediately clear what caused the shutdown, the latest in a string of major blackouts on the island in recent years.
• Thousands of Puerto Ricans were fuming over the latest outage, with many renewing their calls that the Govt cancel the contract with “Luma & Genera PR”, which oversees power Gen on the island.
• "This is a total disaster," said Orlando Huertas, 68, as he sipped a drink with a friend at a street side bar & criticized the Govt for not doing enough to tackle the chronic outages.
• Dozens of people were forced to walk on an overpass next to the rails of rapid transit system that serves the capital, San Juan, while scores of businesses including the biggest mall in the Caribbean were forced to close.
• Professional baseball & basketball games were cancelled as the hum of generators & smell of smoke filled the air. Traffic became snarled as police officers were deployed to busy intersections.

China's Wind, Solar capacity exceeds THM power for first time, (26/04)

• SINGAPORE (Reuters) - China's wind & solar power gen capacity surged to 1,482 GW by end of March 25 (AI RE IC is 220.1 GW: ( just 15% of RE IC of China)), exceeding fossil fuel-based THM capacity for the first time in its history, China's Energy Regulator said:
• Though China is one of the few of countries still commissioning new carbon-intensive coal-fired power, it has embarked on a rapid RE power program, with new installations reaching record levels in recent years.
• It set a goal to raise wind & solar capacity to 1,200 GW by 2030, & met the target, six years early last year. Campaigners have urged Beijing to double the target.
• In China, Grid access always remains a problem. While the share of RE capacity in China's power mix has risen, its share of power gen has not increased accordingly, with grid firms still prioritising electricity supplied by fossil fuel plants.

• National Energy Administration said that wind & solar accounted for 22.5% of electricity delivered to consumers in Q1 of CY 2025, even though they make up more than half of total installed capacity.
• Researchers with French investment group Natixis said this year that waning overseas demand for China's turbines & panels, driven in part by rising protectionism, had encouraged it to "front-load" new RE capacity at home, even though its grids were not yet equipped to receive it. As a consequence, much of its wind & solar energy has been going to waste.
• Though China has pledged to reduce its dependence on coal, the country started building another 99.5 GW coal-fired power capacity in 2024. It says new coal-fired projects will provide "base load" support for RE, which partly rely on intermittent sources of energy.
• China is the world's biggest Co2 emitter, & owns the largest fleet of coal-burning power plants in the world. It has promised to reduce coal consumption over the 2026-2030 period, & aims to bring CO2 emissions to a peak before the end of the decade.

US gas-fired power Gen fell to near 3-year low on (13/04) Sunday

• U.S. electricity gen from gas-fired power plants fell to a near three-year low on Sunday 13/04/25 as mild spring weather kept demand for both heating & cooling low & as RE Sources produced more power
• Gas-fired gen on Sunday fell to 2.875 Mn MWH, the lowest level since falling to 2.712 Mn MWH on April 23, 2022, according to data from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
• That low amount of gas-fired generation came as RE sources such as wind, Solar & Hydro supplied about 34% of US's power needs so far this week.
• Gas, meanwhile, has only supplied about 30% of the US's power so far this week according to data from EIA
• Looking ahead, EIA projected gas' share of power gen will slide to 40% in 2025 & 2026 from 42% in 2024, while the % of RE gen will rise to 25% in 2025 & 27% in 2026 from 23% in 2024.

With 585 GW capacity additions, RE accounted for over 90% of total power expansion globally in 2024.

• Abu Dhabi, UAE: “Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025” released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) shows a massive increase in RE power capacity during 2024, reaching 4,448 GW. The 585 GW addition last year indicates a 92.5% share of total capacity expansion, & a record rate of annual growth (15.1%).
• Although 2024 marks yet another benchmark in RE capacity & growth, progress still falls short of the 11.2 TW needed to align with global goal to triple installed RE capacity by 2030. To reach this goal, RE capacity must now expand by 16.6 % annually until 2030.
• In addition, progress yet again reflects significant geographic disparities. As in previous years, most of the increase occurred in Asia, with the greatest share being contributed by China: almost 64% of global added capacity – while Central America & the Caribbean contributed the least at only 3.2%. The G7 & G20 countries respectively accounted for 14.3% & 90.3% of new capacity in 2024.
• Continuous growth of REs is an evidence that REs are economically viable & readily deployable. “With economic competitiveness & energy security being increasingly a major global concern today, expanding RE capacity at speed equals tapping into business opportunities & addressing energy security quickly & sustainably
• The shift to clean energy must be faster & fairer – with all countries given the chance to fully benefit from cheap, clean RE power.

• Solar & wind energy continued to expand the most, jointly accounting for 96.6% of all net RE additions in 2024. Over three-quarters of the capacity expansion was in solar energy which increased by 32.2%, reaching 1 865 GW, followed by wind energy which grew by 11.1%.
• Large net decommissioning of non-renewable power in some regions has contributed to the upward trend of Renewables capacity.

Technology highlights:

• Solar: Solar PV increased by 451.9 GW last year. China alone added 278 GW to total expansion, followed by India (24.5 GW).
• Hydropower (excluding pumped storage hydropower): capacity reached 1 283 GW, demonstrating a notable rebound from 2023, driven by China. Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nepal Pakistan, Tanzania, & Viet Nam added more than 0.5 GW each.
• Wind: wind energy expansion declined slightly, to a total of 1 133 GW capacity by the end of 2024. Expansion was once again dominated by China & the US.
• Bioenergy: expansion rebounded in 2024, with an increase of 4.6 G capacity compared to an increase of 3.0 GW in 2023. The growth was driven by China and France with 1.3 GW of additions each.
• Geothermal: geothermal energy increased by 0.4 GW overall, led by New Zealand, followed by Indonesia, Türkiye, & the US.
• Off-grid electricity (excluding Eurasia, Europe & North America): capacity expansion nearly tripled, growing by 1.7 GW to reach 14.3 GW. Growth was dominated by off-grid solar energy which reached 6.3 GW by 2024.

UK power grid could face lowest ever demand this summer, operator says (16/04)

• LONDON: Britain's National Grid said it expects low demand for electricity this summer as small-scale renewables output increases & warned there could be times when there is more gen than needed.
• In its summer outlook report, National Grid said peak Trans system Demd for high summer (June-August) was forecast at 33.7 GW & summer minimum at 17 GW.
• The increase in Dist. connected generation (DRE), for example wind & solar PV, has contributed to this downward trend in demand," the grid operator said in the report.
• Summer electricity demand from the grid has been falling over the past few years due in part to a rapid increase in the amount of Solar power gen on people’s homes & factory roofs.
• However, increased RE output can create challenges as solar & wind output is variable.
• "As a result, we may need to take more actions to curtail gen & possibly instruct inflexible generators to reduce their output in order to balance the system," the report added.

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• Lower overall electricity demand, along with increased RE generation, means there is less need for gas-fired electricity gen.
• Total UK gas demand for this summer is forecast at 35.7 Bn cubic meters, slightly lower than last summer.
• National Grid said it expects to see similar gas supply & demand patterns to last summer, with Demd only around 30% lower than the winter peak.
• However, National Grid said its expects one of the highest volumes of maint. on the Gas Transmission system to date this summer.
• The grid operator also forecasts that there will be 1.8 bcm of gas demand for storage sites, compared to demand of 2.5 bcm last summer.
• The amount of gas which will be injected into gas storage sites this summer will depend on the level of stock at the end of winter.
• Gas is traditionally stored during summer months to be used during winter when demand & prices are higher. However the closure of Britain's largest gas storage site Rough means less gas can be stored.
• Last year, the most significant injection into storage was when the Interconnector UK pipeline to continental Europe closed for annual maint during the summer. National Grid expects a similar trend this summer.

Switzerland Trials �Railway Tracks with Solar Panels To Power Trains (01/05)

• A solar technology start-up “Sun-Ways” in Switzerland is hoping to exploit the open space between railway tracks to produce sustainable energy by placing solar panels. Under a Rs 6.04 CR (585,000 Swiss francs) pilot project, 48 solar panels have been placed on a 100-metre portion of railway tracks in Buttes, a small village in Western Switzerland.
• The technology has been developed by Sun-Ways after its founder, Joseph Scuderi, first had the idea in 2020 while waiting for a train. After receiving a green light from the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), the startup deployed the solar panels on the railway line, currently being operated by the transN.
• "We installed solar panels as we would on the roof of a house," Mr Scuderi told Swissinfo, adding that getting this far "has been a miracle".
• Notably, the project was initially rejected by FOT in 2023 over concerns that the solar panels could affect the safety of trains & related maintenance efforts. However, Sun-Ways consulted experts to conduct an independent study on the proposal to prove that the specialised solar panels would not interfere with the active railway.
• While solar panels are usually permanently fixed, Sun-Ways has developed a proprietary technology where the panels can be removed whenever required so that the track maintenance team can perform its job. Swiss track maintenance company Scheuchzer can place & remove nearly 1,000 square metres of solar panels in just a few hours.

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How is Solar power used?

• As per the company, PV current produced by the solar panels could be used in three ways. In the first scenario, the energy could be "re-injected" to power the railway infrastructure (switches, signals, stations) while in second instance, the current can be fed into the electricity network of the nearest local GRD (Dist Network Operator).
• However, Sun-Ways claims that re-injecting the current into the traction energy network that powers the locomotives is the best way to extract the full benefits of the pilot program. Sun-Ways says the approx 5,320 Kms of the Swiss rail network could generate one billion kWh of solar power per year, which is enough to fulfil the consumption demand of 300,000 households.
• Sun-Ways says it has already received interest from countries such as China & the US while collaborating on similar projects in South Korea, Spain & Romania.

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