MNRE issues draft policy for round-the-clock supply of bundled renewable+coal power
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued a draft policy for the round-the-clock (RTC) supply of power to DISCOMs. This supply would be a mix of renewable and coal-generated power.
The idea is to mitigate intermittency of renewable power. Solar & Wind power not being available round the clock severely limits their use in modern grids.
“The main objective of the scheme is to provide RTC power to the DISCOMs through bundling of RE power with thermal power and to scale up renewable capacity additions. It will also facilitate fulfilment of renewable purchase obligation (RPO) requirement of the obligated entities,” the ministry said. It has also invited comments from the stakeholders by January 16.
Electricity supply down 1.1% in December, 5th straight month of decline
India’s electricity supply fell to 101.92 billion units in December 2019, down from 103.04 billion units in December 2018. This, according to an analysis of the daily load dispatch data by Power System Operation Corp. Ltd.
While the supply declined for a 5th straight month as compared to the previous year, it declined at a slower pace than in November.