Delays in forest nods electrocuting most power transmission projects

Forest clearance is one of the major impediment in <g data-gr-id="38">timely</g> development of power transmission system in the country, a government panel said on Monday.

"Forest clearance being <g data-gr-id="36">major</g> impediment in <g data-gr-id="37">timely</g> development of transmission systems. Power Ministry may be approached to take up the matter with concerned states to facilitate development of <g data-gr-id="35">much needed</g> transmission system," said a Sub-Committee of Central Advisory Committee (CAC) on Congestion set up power sector regulator CERC. The sub-committee, which was set up by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) in July 2014, has submitted its report in June this year. <g data-gr-id="32">However</g> it was mandated to submit <g data-gr-id="75">report</g> within two months.

The panel headed by former Power Secretary R V Shahi said that the gap between TC (Transmission Capacity) and ATC (Available Transmission Capacity) attributable to states should be found and needs to be communicated to them through appropriate discussions with the states. According to the committee, it is required to mitigate transmission congestion due to <g data-gr-id="45">inadequacy</g> of state network and delay in commissioning of generating unit. 

It also said that the gestation period of transmission being generally shorter than generation, transmission planning needs to be sensitive to dynamic conditions unfolding in regard to generation. It suggested that a mechanism should be institutionalised, by involving consultants to provide <g data-gr-id="31">first hand</g> information in regard to status of implementation of generation and transmission projects in the states.

This mechanism would provide realistic data about gaps in execution so that one could navigate and re-plan. Central Transmission Utility (CTU) should constitute a group for this purpose and conduct meetings every six months to monitor gaps in execution and <g data-gr-id="30">replan</g> accordingly.