BREAKING NEWS
The economic growth of India is likely to upshot the energy requirements and transform the energy market in terms of generation, sources of generation, supplies, transmission, management and pricing. Many of its contemporary policies and strategies aimed at the improvement, optimization and possible maximization of energy production from the renewable sector may need a relook and overhaul. It would also necessitate to emphasize that energy conservation and energy efficiency can make a significant impact. In the whole process harnessing renewable energies will be precondition to minimize and resolve the power crisis in future. These are pertinently going to play exceedingly an important role for augmenting and providing improved access to energy, minimizing the fossil fuels consumption, and to help India follow path of low-carbon imprints by curtailing carbon progression.
Like most of the areas in India, Jammu and Kashmir, Union Territory, the northernmost part of the country is also experiencing energy crisis persistently every year causing widespread furor and resentment among the masses of the two region. To overcome this compliancy government both at center and UT level has to probe ways for mitigating the urgent power crisis which compels the Government to embark upon purchase of power on much higher cost than they ultimately sell to consumer and also bear transmission losses in the process making whole power supply mechanism albatross. To mitigate and avoid reoccurrence of such a situation Government need to probe in more sustainable manner, viable and broad based power sources by harnessing optimally various renewable energy resources within the JKUT.
Scenario of Power in JKUT
Every year power crisis is taking Jammu and Kashmir by unawares and bewilderment. The inquest in everybody’s mind is where are we going off beam? Why and how are we frolicked and tripped off, every now and then despite having vast energy resources? It is astonishing and heartening too to observe that in JKUT power position is comfortable for most of the parts of the year and apparently even there seems to be a surplus. Then, how and why incessant compliancy crops up in power supply and capacity, presumptuous to power crisis. Every dispensation in the J&K notwithstanding with its commitments and vows on National/JKUT platforms/ podia’s is responsible for such a situation which is a cause for its feeble and slackened economic development and backwardness. If appropriate policies are relentlessly adopted J & K would be self-sufficient even turn into a power surplus area. It can meet not only its energy requirements by harnessing abundant renewable energy resources but has immense potentialities to earn enough fiscal resources for the development of other sectors of economy. It is as such obvious that JK, UT is far behind in accomplishment of its own targets in power sector. The scenario is no different to what it prevails at National level. India had committed to have in place 175000 MW of renewable energy capacity with 100000 MW of solar power. However, only 61000 mw of such capacity has actually be installed.
Significantly during last few years there has been considerable hype around solar power achieving grid parity in the country indicating that power companies would be in a position to sell it at a price lower than price or as much as price of conventional sources. Surprisingly, this is not happening but instead subsidies or concessions front loaded did not enable the Government to transpire its own visualized programmes in reality for accomplishment of set targets. Considering the goal of achieving 5 trillion economy, the country needs to expand its energy sector with renewable energy as its cornerstone where in solar power may prove a valuable source to transform the energy sector. However, solar power necessarily cannot be riposte to growing power requirements of the country. The Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory is facing a power crisis as its power projects are generating less electricity than before due to seasonal variation and dry spell. J&K has potential power generation of 16,475 MW, but currently it generates only 3,263 MW of electricity from 21 power projects.
The largest share of energy, 2,009 MW comes from the central sector from seven projects while as about 42.5 MW are generated in private sector through four projects. More than 85% of this comes from hydropower projects, the largest of which is the Baglihar project on the Chenab basin with an installed capacity of 900 MW. Overall, J&K has a requirement of about 2,600 MW of electricity. However, the power supply to the Kashmir division is 1200 MW and to Jammu division is 900 MW.
There is a deficit of about 500 MW. These 1,400 MW are made available from central and state generating agencies. JK UT is supplying about 2100 MW procuring additional 700 MW from the central power grid despite that J&K is unable to meet its energy requirement. J&K is procuring additional electricity between Rs 7.00 to Rs 10 .00 per unit and supplies to consumers for Rs 1.25 per unit to the below-poverty-line consumers and maximum of Rs 4.50 to regular consumers. The fiscal burden on account of purchase of additional power costs to the exchequer is Rs 750 crore monthly which is expected go up to Rs 850 crore per month during the in peak season in J&K.
This year J&K has experienced exceptional dry spell during summer which plummeted power generation across various projects. As reported water flow in the rivers had declined and was very low leading to a descent in power generation. There has been a decline of 25-30 percent in most of the power projects. Baglihar power project which generates about 1,050 MW had reduced generation of 700 MW only by the end of September which by all means is a drastic fall and has severely affected power supply in J&K. The JK UT also suffers enormous transmission losses which include aggregated technical and commercial (AT&C) losses of about 62% previous year and has been curbed and reduced to about 55% present year.
The department anticipates to bring it down to less than 45% in the current financial year which surely adaunting task .Another foremost important reason is loss fiscal resources on account of non- metering, at present about 50% of J&K households have metered systems while almost other 50 % enjoys and uses power without meters which is hampering meter based billing in most of the parts of the UT. It is an overriding factor which affects supplies, revenue collection, system operations, and voltage . Pilferages of electricity due to network of uninsulated wires is another very vital issue confronted by power sector. Since 50% of households are metered only out of 21 lakh households enumerated which a sizable area unmetered which hotspots of all energy issues. Recently Government initiated to installing smart meters and has almost installed about 4 lakh. As an effort to ensure minimal power cuts and maximize supplies installation of smart meters has been initiated but is facing stiff resistance in many rural as well as urban localities. PDD is in the process of upgrading the distribution network which includes Revamping of Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) at a cost of Rs. 5500 crore including metering, installation of AD cables and modern transformers funded 90% central government and 10 per cent through UT. In addition, Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II – Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for 13 GW Renewable Energy Project in Ladakh is also sanctioned. The power transmission line will run through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to Kaithal in Haryana, integrating with the National Grid and integrating Ladakh’s existing grid and 220 kv Alusteng Grid in Ganderbal district of Kashmir through Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line for add-on supplies.
Solar Power Potentials
As JK UT wrangles over to combat the power crisis and to take a leap forward in fighting climate change, it seems to have modulated its priorities to generate hydel power in the process. Since J&K has not been able to harness its hydro- power to its fullest potentials as a consequence owing to growing demand for electricity Jammu and Kashmir Government is probing and exploring to boost solar power generation.
JK UT has solar power potentials of 111050 MW which is the second largest in the country next to Rajasthan with potential of 142310 MWs .In 2022 JK UT was generating 20.73 MWs which has increased to about 40 MWs against an earlier set target of 700MWs in three years starting in 2016 which has been revisited and revised to 500 MWs upto 2030, 1000 MWs in 2040 and 1500 MWs in 2047. Out of the targeted 22 lakh consumers a paltry 1600 households have taken it up, ventured in and installed grid connect solar rooftop plants augmenting about 8.5 MWs of power generation leaving a stark gap between targets and achievements in the sector.
For this purpose, the Government intended to establish the J&K Renewable Energy Corporation instead JKEDA to boost the development of renewable energy resource by utilizing/availing central subsidies and incentives for solar energy which still is awaited. To accomplish the targets government made use of central Government schemes where incentives and subsidies are made available to the perspective installers /consumers for promotion of solar power. This has defeated objectives of idea of supplementing the energy demand and self- consumption by prospective consumers to reduce the grid import and financial burden in long run. Thus, it is evidently clear that the importance of solar energy has been accepted in the J&K for generation of electricity, but unfortunately we have yet to exert efforts on the development of this source of power.
Rooftop Solar Power-Challenges and Way Forward
Knowing that solar power can be a boon for the energy sector as a renewable and alternative source, is associated with daunting challenges upfront which limit our march to scale up our endeavor and progress .The gap in achieving the targets raises serious apprehensions that why despite incentivizing and subsidizing rooftop solar installation, earlier to the extent of 75% and at present to 65%, people are maintain a distance from such virtual freebies .It is surely a matter of concern to ponder upon on the issues of non-acceptability and non-adoption, poor response and poor progress. Some of possible and plausible whys and wherefores which may be a responsible for inapt response by the masses may be:
•Poor awareness of general public in general and level of education in rural areas about solar energy;
• Apprehension and lack of knowledge about solar power generation during cloud cover days, reliability of efficiency and durability of technology, maintenance and other physical parameters. People always question out of lack of awareness like can it work in peak winter, heavy snow, rainfall and cloudy days. Question like what will happen in extreme cold cloudy weather when sunlight is not available indicates poor public outreach by the agency till date.
•lack of outreach and interface between perspective installers and the promoting agency acting as the main impediment in motivating the masses and making them understand nitty-gritties of fast growing technology to bridge the yawning gap between various technical aspects/programs and knowledge about the benefits of the solar power. It is very vital remove the perception divergence and ensure greater acceptability.
•Lack of skill, proper training and capacity in the relevant field to launch successful campaigns and motivate masses. Solar power technology is at a pedestal of fast change observing radical transformation and modernization in efficiency, operation, maintenance, durability, size and compactness of the technology. The tech revolution in solar power has also changed scenario of power generation direct by photovoltaic panels generation of power from indirect sunlight, from a static/fixed panel to flexible sun path panels and much more. All these thing need to be used to bridge the gap between people and perception to use the technology.
•Lack of appropriate manpower and human resource in the field to achieve the set targets by creating awareness and eradicating their apprehension ensure hassle free adoption of solar power technology. Experts and professional in the field need to be highly proficient, assuring and ensuring the individual beneficiaries with greater satisfaction pros and con of the solar power along benefits in reducing energy consumption bills and contribute in ensuring green tomorrow.
•Due consideration need to be given to economically weaker sections to encourage them to adopt the technology for the long term benefit over and above the incentives. Realistic survey need to be conducted consistent biometric data to assess possibilities and limitation of adoption of technology at household level and accordingly effectuate innovation and modulation where ever needed.
•Incorporate and make installation of solar power generation obligatory in building permission for construction and to obtain permission for services. Connection need to be provided subject to prior installation and functioning of solar rooftop power.
•Establish Jammu and Kashmir Renewable Energy Development Department in place of JKEDA, as a full-fledged department to take various renewable energy programmes, modernization, diversification and transformations including solar power in a mission mode along with extensive research and development by skilled manpower in the relevant fields of renewable energy.
•Take a few project in Government sector for demonstration purposes to motivate and gain confidence of people focusing on demonstrable benefits accruing out of adoption of the technology.
•Solar beneficiaries are generally left at the mercy of solar vendors who are there purposefully for business with least knowledge about specifications and requirements of installation at each site. This is posing a herculean challenge in adoption of the technology as they often complaint about efficiency and maintenance of the system
Bottomline
Solar power revolution is a need of the hour both for the people and the governments. For the people, it is bound to reduce overall electricity tariff up to 50 % and give them a sense of belongingness through actively participating in the program for checking climate change. They should also realize that every year ,the tariff of electricity is soaring and eats a significant portion of their earnings. With the inclusion of each household and generation of each unit, solar power is going to make a viable difference as a sustainable source energy and resilience to the climate change. Thus, solar power harnessing requires a concerted campaign to succeed in establishing sustainable and innovative energy solutions which provide economy to and individual and can make a positive impact on the environment.
Email:------------------.hamwani24@gmail.com
The economic growth of India is likely to upshot the energy requirements and transform the energy market in terms of generation, sources of generation, supplies, transmission, management and pricing. Many of its contemporary policies and strategies aimed at the improvement, optimization and possible maximization of energy production from the renewable sector may need a relook and overhaul. It would also necessitate to emphasize that energy conservation and energy efficiency can make a significant impact. In the whole process harnessing renewable energies will be precondition to minimize and resolve the power crisis in future. These are pertinently going to play exceedingly an important role for augmenting and providing improved access to energy, minimizing the fossil fuels consumption, and to help India follow path of low-carbon imprints by curtailing carbon progression.
Like most of the areas in India, Jammu and Kashmir, Union Territory, the northernmost part of the country is also experiencing energy crisis persistently every year causing widespread furor and resentment among the masses of the two region. To overcome this compliancy government both at center and UT level has to probe ways for mitigating the urgent power crisis which compels the Government to embark upon purchase of power on much higher cost than they ultimately sell to consumer and also bear transmission losses in the process making whole power supply mechanism albatross. To mitigate and avoid reoccurrence of such a situation Government need to probe in more sustainable manner, viable and broad based power sources by harnessing optimally various renewable energy resources within the JKUT.
Scenario of Power in JKUT
Every year power crisis is taking Jammu and Kashmir by unawares and bewilderment. The inquest in everybody’s mind is where are we going off beam? Why and how are we frolicked and tripped off, every now and then despite having vast energy resources? It is astonishing and heartening too to observe that in JKUT power position is comfortable for most of the parts of the year and apparently even there seems to be a surplus. Then, how and why incessant compliancy crops up in power supply and capacity, presumptuous to power crisis. Every dispensation in the J&K notwithstanding with its commitments and vows on National/JKUT platforms/ podia’s is responsible for such a situation which is a cause for its feeble and slackened economic development and backwardness. If appropriate policies are relentlessly adopted J & K would be self-sufficient even turn into a power surplus area. It can meet not only its energy requirements by harnessing abundant renewable energy resources but has immense potentialities to earn enough fiscal resources for the development of other sectors of economy. It is as such obvious that JK, UT is far behind in accomplishment of its own targets in power sector. The scenario is no different to what it prevails at National level. India had committed to have in place 175000 MW of renewable energy capacity with 100000 MW of solar power. However, only 61000 mw of such capacity has actually be installed.
Significantly during last few years there has been considerable hype around solar power achieving grid parity in the country indicating that power companies would be in a position to sell it at a price lower than price or as much as price of conventional sources. Surprisingly, this is not happening but instead subsidies or concessions front loaded did not enable the Government to transpire its own visualized programmes in reality for accomplishment of set targets. Considering the goal of achieving 5 trillion economy, the country needs to expand its energy sector with renewable energy as its cornerstone where in solar power may prove a valuable source to transform the energy sector. However, solar power necessarily cannot be riposte to growing power requirements of the country. The Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory is facing a power crisis as its power projects are generating less electricity than before due to seasonal variation and dry spell. J&K has potential power generation of 16,475 MW, but currently it generates only 3,263 MW of electricity from 21 power projects.
The largest share of energy, 2,009 MW comes from the central sector from seven projects while as about 42.5 MW are generated in private sector through four projects. More than 85% of this comes from hydropower projects, the largest of which is the Baglihar project on the Chenab basin with an installed capacity of 900 MW. Overall, J&K has a requirement of about 2,600 MW of electricity. However, the power supply to the Kashmir division is 1200 MW and to Jammu division is 900 MW.
There is a deficit of about 500 MW. These 1,400 MW are made available from central and state generating agencies. JK UT is supplying about 2100 MW procuring additional 700 MW from the central power grid despite that J&K is unable to meet its energy requirement. J&K is procuring additional electricity between Rs 7.00 to Rs 10 .00 per unit and supplies to consumers for Rs 1.25 per unit to the below-poverty-line consumers and maximum of Rs 4.50 to regular consumers. The fiscal burden on account of purchase of additional power costs to the exchequer is Rs 750 crore monthly which is expected go up to Rs 850 crore per month during the in peak season in J&K.
This year J&K has experienced exceptional dry spell during summer which plummeted power generation across various projects. As reported water flow in the rivers had declined and was very low leading to a descent in power generation. There has been a decline of 25-30 percent in most of the power projects. Baglihar power project which generates about 1,050 MW had reduced generation of 700 MW only by the end of September which by all means is a drastic fall and has severely affected power supply in J&K. The JK UT also suffers enormous transmission losses which include aggregated technical and commercial (AT&C) losses of about 62% previous year and has been curbed and reduced to about 55% present year.
The department anticipates to bring it down to less than 45% in the current financial year which surely adaunting task .Another foremost important reason is loss fiscal resources on account of non- metering, at present about 50% of J&K households have metered systems while almost other 50 % enjoys and uses power without meters which is hampering meter based billing in most of the parts of the UT. It is an overriding factor which affects supplies, revenue collection, system operations, and voltage . Pilferages of electricity due to network of uninsulated wires is another very vital issue confronted by power sector. Since 50% of households are metered only out of 21 lakh households enumerated which a sizable area unmetered which hotspots of all energy issues. Recently Government initiated to installing smart meters and has almost installed about 4 lakh. As an effort to ensure minimal power cuts and maximize supplies installation of smart meters has been initiated but is facing stiff resistance in many rural as well as urban localities. PDD is in the process of upgrading the distribution network which includes Revamping of Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) at a cost of Rs. 5500 crore including metering, installation of AD cables and modern transformers funded 90% central government and 10 per cent through UT. In addition, Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II – Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for 13 GW Renewable Energy Project in Ladakh is also sanctioned. The power transmission line will run through Himachal Pradesh and Punjab to Kaithal in Haryana, integrating with the National Grid and integrating Ladakh’s existing grid and 220 kv Alusteng Grid in Ganderbal district of Kashmir through Leh-Alusteng-Srinagar line for add-on supplies.
Solar Power Potentials
As JK UT wrangles over to combat the power crisis and to take a leap forward in fighting climate change, it seems to have modulated its priorities to generate hydel power in the process. Since J&K has not been able to harness its hydro- power to its fullest potentials as a consequence owing to growing demand for electricity Jammu and Kashmir Government is probing and exploring to boost solar power generation.
JK UT has solar power potentials of 111050 MW which is the second largest in the country next to Rajasthan with potential of 142310 MWs .In 2022 JK UT was generating 20.73 MWs which has increased to about 40 MWs against an earlier set target of 700MWs in three years starting in 2016 which has been revisited and revised to 500 MWs upto 2030, 1000 MWs in 2040 and 1500 MWs in 2047. Out of the targeted 22 lakh consumers a paltry 1600 households have taken it up, ventured in and installed grid connect solar rooftop plants augmenting about 8.5 MWs of power generation leaving a stark gap between targets and achievements in the sector.
For this purpose, the Government intended to establish the J&K Renewable Energy Corporation instead JKEDA to boost the development of renewable energy resource by utilizing/availing central subsidies and incentives for solar energy which still is awaited. To accomplish the targets government made use of central Government schemes where incentives and subsidies are made available to the perspective installers /consumers for promotion of solar power. This has defeated objectives of idea of supplementing the energy demand and self- consumption by prospective consumers to reduce the grid import and financial burden in long run. Thus, it is evidently clear that the importance of solar energy has been accepted in the J&K for generation of electricity, but unfortunately we have yet to exert efforts on the development of this source of power.
Rooftop Solar Power-Challenges and Way Forward
Knowing that solar power can be a boon for the energy sector as a renewable and alternative source, is associated with daunting challenges upfront which limit our march to scale up our endeavor and progress .The gap in achieving the targets raises serious apprehensions that why despite incentivizing and subsidizing rooftop solar installation, earlier to the extent of 75% and at present to 65%, people are maintain a distance from such virtual freebies .It is surely a matter of concern to ponder upon on the issues of non-acceptability and non-adoption, poor response and poor progress. Some of possible and plausible whys and wherefores which may be a responsible for inapt response by the masses may be:
•Poor awareness of general public in general and level of education in rural areas about solar energy;
• Apprehension and lack of knowledge about solar power generation during cloud cover days, reliability of efficiency and durability of technology, maintenance and other physical parameters. People always question out of lack of awareness like can it work in peak winter, heavy snow, rainfall and cloudy days. Question like what will happen in extreme cold cloudy weather when sunlight is not available indicates poor public outreach by the agency till date.
•lack of outreach and interface between perspective installers and the promoting agency acting as the main impediment in motivating the masses and making them understand nitty-gritties of fast growing technology to bridge the yawning gap between various technical aspects/programs and knowledge about the benefits of the solar power. It is very vital remove the perception divergence and ensure greater acceptability.
•Lack of skill, proper training and capacity in the relevant field to launch successful campaigns and motivate masses. Solar power technology is at a pedestal of fast change observing radical transformation and modernization in efficiency, operation, maintenance, durability, size and compactness of the technology. The tech revolution in solar power has also changed scenario of power generation direct by photovoltaic panels generation of power from indirect sunlight, from a static/fixed panel to flexible sun path panels and much more. All these thing need to be used to bridge the gap between people and perception to use the technology.
•Lack of appropriate manpower and human resource in the field to achieve the set targets by creating awareness and eradicating their apprehension ensure hassle free adoption of solar power technology. Experts and professional in the field need to be highly proficient, assuring and ensuring the individual beneficiaries with greater satisfaction pros and con of the solar power along benefits in reducing energy consumption bills and contribute in ensuring green tomorrow.
•Due consideration need to be given to economically weaker sections to encourage them to adopt the technology for the long term benefit over and above the incentives. Realistic survey need to be conducted consistent biometric data to assess possibilities and limitation of adoption of technology at household level and accordingly effectuate innovation and modulation where ever needed.
•Incorporate and make installation of solar power generation obligatory in building permission for construction and to obtain permission for services. Connection need to be provided subject to prior installation and functioning of solar rooftop power.
•Establish Jammu and Kashmir Renewable Energy Development Department in place of JKEDA, as a full-fledged department to take various renewable energy programmes, modernization, diversification and transformations including solar power in a mission mode along with extensive research and development by skilled manpower in the relevant fields of renewable energy.
•Take a few project in Government sector for demonstration purposes to motivate and gain confidence of people focusing on demonstrable benefits accruing out of adoption of the technology.
•Solar beneficiaries are generally left at the mercy of solar vendors who are there purposefully for business with least knowledge about specifications and requirements of installation at each site. This is posing a herculean challenge in adoption of the technology as they often complaint about efficiency and maintenance of the system
Bottomline
Solar power revolution is a need of the hour both for the people and the governments. For the people, it is bound to reduce overall electricity tariff up to 50 % and give them a sense of belongingness through actively participating in the program for checking climate change. They should also realize that every year ,the tariff of electricity is soaring and eats a significant portion of their earnings. With the inclusion of each household and generation of each unit, solar power is going to make a viable difference as a sustainable source energy and resilience to the climate change. Thus, solar power harnessing requires a concerted campaign to succeed in establishing sustainable and innovative energy solutions which provide economy to and individual and can make a positive impact on the environment.
Email:------------------.hamwani24@gmail.com
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