APRIL 20239India's power generation rose at the highest rate in more than three decades in the just ended fiscal year, fueling a steep increase in emissions as output from both coal-fired and renewable plants touched records. A rise in electricity consumption was caused by intense summer heatwaves, a colder-than-normal winter in northern India, and an economic rebound. India was forced to increase output from coal plants and solar farms in an effort to prevent power outages. The fiscal year ending in March 2023 saw an increase in power generation of 11.5 percent to 1,591.11 billion kWh, or units, the highest growth since the year ended in March 1990, according to an examination of daily load data from regulator Grid-India. The data indicated that coal electricity production increased by 12.4 percent, countering a 28.7 percent fall in generation from cleaner gas-fired plants as a global spike in LNG prices discouraged usage. This was the fastest gain in over three decades for fossil fuel plants. It is anticipated that Indian power plants will burn 8 percent more coal in the new fiscal year, which started on April 1st. India is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, and the country's rapid increase in coal-fired output to meet an increase in power demand highlights the difficulties it faces in weaning its economy off carbon while attempting to provide energy security for its approximately 1.4 billion people.The total amount of energy delivered during the most recent fiscal year was 1509.15 billion kWh, an increase of 8.4 percent from the previous year but still 6.69 billion units short of what was needed, the largest shortfall in six years. The data showed that coal-generated electricity increased to 1,162.91 billion kWh, and that coal's contribution to total output increased to 73.1 percent, the highest level since the year ending in March 2019. India's Central Electricity Authority, producing 1 million kWh of electricity from coal results in the production of 975 tonnes of carbon dioxide, compared to 475 tonnes for producing the same amount of electricity from gas. In order to generate the same amount of energy, a lignite plant, often known as brown coal, must emit 1,280 tonnes. Prime Minister's Gati Shakti Master Plan, the power transmission network is expected to grow from 4,25,500 circuit kilometres (its current size as of May 31st, 2020) to 4,54,200 circuit kilometres (ckm) by 202425, adding roughly 28,700 ckm. The Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) network at a voltage level of 220 kV and above has recommended this addition. According to information provided by the Union Minister of Power R.K. Singh in the Lok Sabha, several transmission lines' lengths have changed as a result of a thorough survey. Some of the transmission networks might not be finished until after 20242025. New transmission projects have also been taken into consideration. Hence, the transmission network to be added by 20242025 is roughly 27,000 ckm compared to the planned increase of transmission lines of 28700 ckm. These initiatives are expected to cost roughly Rs. 75,000 crore. The reply said that because these projects involve interstate transmission and are not limited to a single state or UT, it is not practical to estimate costs at the state or UT level. India has a strong National Grid that enables reliable and secure power transfer from resource-rich regions to the nation's major load centres. The transfer of power from surplus and deficit areas and states is possible. To keep pace with the rise in power generation and demand, the national grid's capacity is being increased continuously. As of February 28th, 2023, the Indian transmission network consists of 11,58,875 MVA of substation transformation capacity and 4,68,977 ckm of transmission lines (220kV and above voltage level) (220kV and above voltage level). The National Grid has an interregional capacity of 1,12,250 MW. The nation's transmission capacity is sufficient. Sometimes power outages are reported as a result of limitations in the state-line transmission and distribution networks or budgetary restrictions with select distribution corporations. The transmission projects under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan are anticipated to significantly simplify the transfer of electricity from generation projects while enhancing the nation's power system network's dependability. TATA STEEL ACHIEVES HIGHEST EVER ANNUAL CRUDE STEELPRODUCTIONGOVERNMENT: BUILDING 27,000 CKM OF POWER TRANSMISSION LINES BY 2024-2025INDIA'S POWER GENERATION IS INCREASING AT THE FASTEST RATE IN 33 YEARS, FUELLED BY COALTOP STORIES
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