Some Shades of Power Crisis

The power situation has reached such a pass that a local judge summoned the minister and officials to explain the power crisis recently.

State Government is yet to allocate Rs.8,466 crore for 21 projects to generate 988 MW of electricity over the next five years as per its promise.

An outlay of 1682.23 crores have been proposed for power sector in general and made an  allocation of Rs 71 crore for renewable energy in the state budget presented on February 25, 2011.

Power Crisis Scenario in Bihar

Bihar town erupts into protests over power shortage
Patna, April 23 (IANS) Hundreds of people took to the streets, blockaded roads and attacked government offices in Bihar's Saharsa town Saturday, the fifth day of a shutdown to protest an acute power shortage, police said.
The protesters in Saharsa town, district headquarters of flood-prone Saharsa, about 200 km from here, blockaded roads, burnt tyres and even attacked government vehicles and offices, a police officer said. Former legislator Sanjeev Jha too joined the protest by staging a sit-in, but fainted due to the scorching heat.
'Entire Saharsa remains shut down since Tuesday to protest against the power shortage, but the local and state administration are hardly bothered,' Harideo Prasad Singh, a school teacher, told IANS.
Mohsin Alam, a businessman, said: 'A town like Saharsa is shut down for five days, but the government fails to take any steps.'
In the last few days, such protests have been seen in many parts of the state, including districts of Munger, Patna, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and Gaya.
With the mercury soaring and scarcity of drinking water reported from across the state, the shortage of electricity has added to the people's woes.
On Thursday, people in Munger, Saharsa, Bhagalpur and Patna took to the streets, blocking traffic with burning tyres, and vandalised offices of the Bihar State Electricity Board.
The internationally renowned Buddhist pilgrimage centre of Gaya gets electricity supply for only four to five hours a day.
'People have been protesting, but no relief has come our way,' said Roomi, a Gaya resident.
While Bihar has a daily requirement of 2,200-2,500 MW, it generates hardly 45-50 MW of power. The central government supplies around 750 to 900 MW. The state is facing a power deficit of about 1,000-1,200 MW a day, officials said.
Millions in Bihar are still living in the age of lantern as electricity has become a luxury for people in most parts. Patna is an exception of sorts, but most small towns and district headquarters are severely hit by the power shortage.
Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav has said time and again the power situation cannot improve unless Bihar's own generation and central allocation is increased substantially.  Last month, the issue rocked the Bihar assembly when many legislators, including ruling coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Amerendra Pratap Singh, cautioned the state government that the law and order situation could deteriorate if power supply was not improved.--Indo-Asian Nerws Service 

Bihar for jointly development coal mining, thermal plants Patna, Apr 19 (PTI) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi has said he will discuss with Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda the issue of coal mining along with setting up of thermal power units in both the states.

Modi said he would approach Munda to ensure that mining in coal blocks of Urma Pahadi Tola and Maurya, jointly alloted to Bihar State Mineral Development Corporation (BSMDC) and Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB), are carried out speedily.


Not much headway could be made in the matter of joint mining during the past three to four years due to political instability in Jharkhand, he said after reviewing the mining work in the two coal blocks yesterday.


Modi hoped that global tenders would be floated soon for developing Urma Pahadi Tola coal block and that the Maurya block would also be developed.


The two state governments have set up a joint venture company Jharbihar Colliery Limited for mining in Urma Pahadi Tola coal block, which has an estimated 800 MT coal reserve.


While Jharkhand has a larger share of 487 MT, Bihar has 263 MT share in it, he said.
Jharkhand and Bihar share 60 per cent and 25 per cent of coal reserves, respectively, and Karnapura Energy Limited (KEL) had been appointed as special purpose vehicle for the project.


Modi also urged Jharkhand government to provide 1,174 acres of land and adequate water to facilitate the setting up of two proposed thermal power plants of Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB), which would generate 1,320 MW of power using coal from Maurya block.


Since Jharkhand has the maximum share in both the coal blocks it would have to play the leading role in their development, he added.


The Centre had sanctioned the coal blocks following Bihar''s demand for coal linkage to set up thermal power plants, he added.

Bihar government to float tenders for new power units

PATNA: Bihar government would soon be floating competitive tariff-based tenders for new power plants to meet domestic and commercial requirements.

"We have decided to soon float tenders which will be competitive tariff-based for raising new power units," Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said.

"We have given thrust on giving opportunity to companies which would offer cheapest power. We want to become self-reliant in electricity," he added.

Blaming the Centre for its alleged apathy towards meeting the energy needs of the state, he said, the state had projected the need of 4500 MW against which the Centre allocated not more than 1600 MW - 1700 MW.

However, he added that his government has comprehensive plans to tackle the power problem.

The chief minister claimed several power projects with an investment of Rs one lakh crore were in the pipeline and alleged that the Centre was not providing coal linkages of the proposed power projects.

Kumar has directed the state energy department to purchase transformers to ensure replacement of damaged ones in rural areas within 72 hours and those in urban areas within 24 hours.

The state government has decided to provide Rs 100 crore to the energy department for purchase of transformers in adequate numbers, he said.

Kumar, later, laid the foundation stone for the Rs 613 crore 'Vardhaman Ayur Vigyan Sansthan' at Pawapuri in Nalanda district, the place of lord Mahapari Niravan.

With the proposed International University at Nalanda and medical college and hospital at Pawapuri, Nalanda would once again become the centre of knowledge, Kumar said. 

Replace damaged transformers in 24 hrs: Nitish

Patna, Apr 14 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today directed the energy department to ensure replacement of damaged transformers in rural areas within 72 hours and those in urban areas within 24 hours.The energy department should purchase transformers in such numbers that this time-frame could be maintained, he said after inaugurating 132/33 KV power sub-stations at Ekangarsarai and Nalanda.


The state government would provide Rs 100 crore to the energy department for purchase of transformers in adequate numbers, the chief minister said.Kumar also directed the energy department to work out plans to strengthen transmission system and replace damaged wires in a time frame.


The Chief Minister expressed hope that the state would be self-reliant in power sector by 2014 and said that NDA government has set up power plants with a generation capacity of about 3000 MW since it came to power in 2005.Claiming that several power projects with an investment of Rs one lakh crore were in pipeline, he charged the Centre with not providing coal linkages of the proposed power projects."Whenever we demand coal linkages for the power projects, the Centre talks about giving coal blocks for the same," he said.

Thermal, biomass power plants to come up in Bihar

PATNA: Electricity-starved Bihar is setting up five thermal power plants of 7,000 MW capacity and others based on gas and biomass, say officials adding the sector has attracted private investment worth hundreds of crores of rupees.


"More than anything, Bihar attracted private investment in the power sector till March 31," said an official of the Bihar State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB).


The thermal power plants, of 1,320 MW each, will be set up at Kajra in Lakhisarai, Piparpainti in Bhagalpur, Areraj in East Champaran and one in Banka district. Besides, a plant of 2,640 MW will be set up at Rajauli in Nawada district.


Bihar has the lowest per capita power consumption. Its consumption is 93 units per capita in comparison to the national average of 715 units.


"The proposal for establishing five new thermal power plants has been approved by the government," an official said.


According to official sources, the plant in Lakhisarai is estimated to cost Rs.8,343 crore, Piparpainti Rs.7,374 crore, Areraj Rs.7,300 crore, Banka Rs.7,960 crore and Rajauli power plant Rs.14,800 crore.
SIPB officials said investment proposals to set up gas- and biomass-based power plants in Rohtas, Gaya and Kaimur districts have also been cleared.


Industry Minister Renu Kumari Kushwaha said changing Bihar had attracted private investors.


"Big and small industrialists are showing a keen interest in Bihar after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar initiated measures to develop infrastructure, including power," she said.


After fulfilling the dream of good roads in Bihar in his first term as chief minister, Nitish Kumar now wants to make a difference in the power sector during his second stint.


The government has started pushing major investment projects from January 2006. An official at the chief minister's office said the government was now regularly receiving new investment proposals from industrialists.


"After roads, the power sector is a priority of Nitish Kumar for the development of Bihar," an official in the chief minister's office said.


In view of the shortage of power, Nitish Kumar has also asked top officials to review progress in procuring power from unconventional energy sources.


During the election campaign for the October-November assembly polls last year, Nitish Kumar had promised to light up every village of the power-starved state by 2015.


Millions in Bihar are still living in the lantern age as electricity has become a luxury for people in most parts. Capital Patna is an exception of sorts, but most small towns and district headquarters are badly hit by the power shortage.


Protests against acute power shortage have broken out in Bihar since last month, with reports of hundreds of people blocking roads, ransacking electricity board offices and burning tyres.


While the state has a daily requirement of 2,200-2,500 MW, it produces only 45-50 MW of power. The central government supplies around 750 to 900 MW. The state is facing a power deficit of around 1,000-1,200 MW a day, officials said.


Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav has said time and again the power situation cannot improve unless Bihar's own generation and central allocation is increased substantially.

Rural areas a graveyard of burnt transformers

PATNA: Rural areas in Bihar have been reeling under darkness not only because of power scarcity due to lower supplies from the central sector but also because a large number of transformers across the state are burnt. In fact, Bihar has become a graveyard of burnt transformers.


Replacement of these burnt transformers has become a bone of contention between the state government and Union government.


State agencies are nor replacing or repairing the burnt transformers as they had been installed by central agencies under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY). The state government has taken the stand that it is the responsibility of Centre to replace/repair the transformers .


Regarding delay in replacing the burnt transformers, state energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav said in the recently-concluded budget session of the assembly that he had urged the Union government to take steps in this regard with a suitable direction to PowerGrid Corporation, which has been assigned the job of supplying transformers to Bihar under this project.


He said the Bihar State Electricity Board is not supposed to supply transformers under this project. CM Nitish Kumar has already urged the PM as well as the Union power minister to rectify the faulty rules in the existing RGGVY. Bihar has already urged the Centre to install high-capacity transformers to avoid frequent burning.

Brief report on the status programmes of Bihar's Energy Department:            Rural Electrification - As per the Govt. of India programme for electrification of all villages by 2009, in the State of Bihar schemes for village electrification are being carried out under different programmes.    Electrification of 2,600 villages in the districts of Vaishali and Muzaffarpur under the Minimum Needs Programme on the occasion of the 2,600 Birth Anniversary of Lord Mahavir.     Under the Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana 340 virgin villages are being electrified and rehabilitation of electricity system is being done in 210 villages. In each of these villages one Dalit Basti is to be provided by electricity connections.     To take up cent percent of the electrification in the State, the State Govt. has entered into a quadripartite agreement with Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), BSEB and the GOl power sector undertakings of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL) and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). This programme is being implemented under the GOl scheme for “Electrification of one lakh villages and one crore households”. The funding for this scheme is being made by REC as grant and loan components. The central undertakings are implementing the rural e1ectrification works in the 36 districts, with NHPC taking up works in West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Darbhanga, Samastipur and Madhubani. The remaining  districts are being taken up by PGCIL.    Transmission - Different schemes/activities have been taken up to improve transmission of electrical energy. To improve the transmission system in the State with particular reference to North Bihar, transmission scheme has been taken up under the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana. Presently the scheme is estimated at Rs.365 crores. Under this scheme, 18 grid sub-stations and 1100 km. transmission lines (22 lines) are to be erected. The State Govt. has made a quadripartite agreement with the MOP, BSEB & PGCIL for implementation of this scheme. It is to be implemented in 18 months. The scheme is implemented by PGCIL.     To improve the transmission system for transfer of power from South Bihar to North Bihar, a 132 KV cable line transmission system is being implemented through the Mahatma Gandhi Setu at Patna. The estimated cost of this scheme is Rs. 40 crores. It is to be implemented in 18 months. The scheme is implemented by PGCIL.    In the second phase of the improvement of transmission system, it has been proposed to the Planning Commission for transmission schemes of South Bihar under funding of Rastriya Sam Vikas Yojna. The estimated cost for this scheme is Rs. 597 crores.   Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme - Under the APDRP scheme, the electric supply and distribution system in different districts is being strengthened and upgraded. Presently works of the scheme has been taken up in 11 districts. The estimated cost for this is Rs. 758 crores. Under this scheme, works of conductor replacement, transformer capacity enhancement, metering at all levels of the distribution system and consumers have been taken up. This scheme is to be implemented in 18 months by PGCIL. The project for Munger district has been sanctioned by Govt. of India. However, the financial allocation has not been made. Generation: BSEB - The programme for renovation and modernization of the power generating units at Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station and Barauni Thermal Power Station has been posed to the Govt. of India under the Rastriya Sam Vikas Yojna. The estimated cost of the project report for both the thermal power stations is Rs. 643 crores. The Muzaffarpur Thermal Power Station of BSEB has been under consideration for transfer on long term lease basis to NTPC. The decision in this regard has not yet been taken. A project for combined cycle gas-based thermal power station has been posed to the Govt. of India for funding under Rastriya Sam Vikas Yojna. The capacity plan in the first stage is 400-450 MW. The estimated cost for this project would be around Rs. 1100-1200 crores. The Gas Authority of India is extending the HBJ Gas Pipeline of Bombay off-shore to Haldia. This pipeline is to pass through Bihar from Mohania-Sasaram-Dehri-Gaya route. The NTPC has been entrusted the work of preparation of DPR.     BHPC - The BHPC has obtained sanction for implementation of 17 Small Hydroelectric Project Schemes under funding from NABARD. The estimated cost of these schemes is Rs. 98 crores out of which the funding by NABARD will be Rs. 60.15 crores and the balance will come as grant by the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources. Presently, work order has been placed and work has been taken up for the following projects: (i)     Triveni     (3 MW)     -     Rs. 13.9 Crores (ii)     Jainagra     (1 MW)     -     Rs. 5.31 Crores (iii)     Nasriganj     (1 MW)     -     Rs. 5.68 Crores (iv)     Dhelabagh     (1 MW)     -     Rs. 6.70 Crores BHPC is implementing a 1 MW hydel project at Agnoor at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.97 crores. This project is in an advance stage of completion. The Kataiya hydel power station (19.2 MW) of BSEB has been transferred to BHPC in 2003. Presently BHPC has been making generation of 5~6 MW from this power station. There is proposal to take up R&M works.    Non-Conventional Energy Sources - BREDA has been implementing programme of non-conventional energy sources for schemes are bio-gas development, SPV systems of Lanterns/Home lighting systems/street lighting systems, and wind mills. Under the Border Area Development Programme, BREDA has implemented a scheme of solar street lighting system in 40 villages along the International Border in the Border.