Chapter-Five : Energy
V. ENERGY
5.1 POWER
5.1.1 Programme of the Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources Departments
Electricity is one of the vital infrastructure inputs for the socio-economic development of any nation. It is a critical key for accelerating economic growth, generation of employment, elimination of poverty and an essential input for human development. The power sector in West Bengal is predominantly thermal in view of the easy and cheaper availability of coal and in the overall; the State has an adverse hydel : thermal power mix 3:97. The last five years have marked a remarkable turn-around in performance of the State-owned power utilities that dominate the sectoral business scenario in the State.
Energy
Generation
The following Projects with a total capacity of 4150 MW in the Annual Plan 2008-09 are :
Bakreswar TPP / 1 X 600 MWSagardighi TPP / 2 X 600 MW
Santaldihi TPP / 1 X 250 MW
DPL ( Extension Unit – 7A) / 1 X 300 MW
DPL (Extension Unit – 8) / 1 X 600 MW
Katwa Green Field Power Project / 2 X 600 MW
Transmission and Distribution
During the Annual Plan 2008-09 period WBSEDCL will take up schemes under phase-I (continuing) and phase-II (new schemes) to strengthen transmission system. WBSEDCL will undertake APDRP schemes in connection with their distribution projects. DPL will take up Renovation and Modernisation of T & D system under Annual Plan 2008-09.
System Improvement Schemes under RIDF
The works of System Improvement Scheme have almost been completed under RIDF by the WBSEB. The works of RIDF-VI, VII, VIII are nearly in completion. The works of RIDF-XI are going on.
Renovation and Modernization (R & M)
DPL has a programme during Annual Plan 2008-09 period of R & M of Unit No. VI of DPL.
Rural Electification (RE)
Under RGGVY we have almost completed mouza electrification as per the guidelines and it is expected to achieve the target within 2007-08. Simultaneously, the deptt. has sent DPRs for Intensification Programme (Phase-II) under RGGVY to Ministry of Power, Government of India almost a year back. Immediate after receipt of the sanction in this context, schemes under Phase-II will be taken up for implementation and during 2008-09 the tasks will continue.
An amount of Rs104207.00 Lakh has been proposed under ‘Power’ for the Annual Plan 2008-09.
5.2 NON-CONVENTIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY
5.2.1 Programme of the Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources Departments
Renewable Emergency Development Programme
Significant ground has been broken in the renewable energy sector in West Bengal. Renewable Energy Development Agency is the State's nodal agency for implementation of technology demonstration projects in the State. Such programmes will be carried forward. Village and community electrification projects in this segment, undertaken by WBREDA, have benefited a large number of remote villages in the Sundarbans, parts of West Midnapore and Bankura and char areas of Malda and Murshidabad. These areas have geographical barriers that preclude the availability of grid power in the near future. These programmes have comprised :-
Solar Photovoltaic power
More than 100,000 households in rural Bengal now use solar home-lighting systems - the highest among any State in the country. These solar powered mini grids provide quality power for about six hours daily and have significantly impacted the village economy in the Sundarbans region. Solar street lights in jetty ghats facilitate river crossings at night - solar energy has enhanced the quality of life of people in the Sundarbans. At Koylapara in the Sundarbans a 120 kW solar plant provides power to around 400 households.
Power from Biomass Gasification
WBREDA has developed expertise in gasifier power plants for community and captive use. Gasifier power plants using woody biomass of 500 kW capacities are operational in 3 Sundarbans islands and provide electricity to around 10,000 households. These projects have resulted in our learning how to manage energy plantations and have lead to projects for ‘ Village Energy Security ‘ in forest villages.
Another pioneering effort has been power generation through gasification of rice husk that has been adopted by as many as 62 rice mills with a combined capacity of 22 MW. This has replaced diesel-based power generation in these mills that apart from being three times more expensive, is also more polluting. An important spin-off is the earning of 'carbon credits' by these projects for effective emission reductions.
Wind Power
Wind power projects installed by WBREDA at Frazerganj and Sagar Island have generated around 2MW.
Micro Hydel Plants
WBREDA has installed 10kW to 50kW micro hydel plants that use water resources of small 'jhoras' for community electrification projects in remote hamlets in Darjeeling hills. Community participation in the management of these assets and revenue collection through Beneficiary Committees will facilitate their operations on a sustainable basis.
Tidal Power
The country's first Tidal Power plant has been recently cleared for WBREDA implementation - this will generate around 4 MW upon completion.
An amount of Rs. 1100.00 Lakh has been proposed for the Annual Plan 2008-09 under ‘Non-Conventional Sources of Energy’.
5.3 INTEGRATED RURAL ENERGY PROGRAMME
5.3.1 Programme of the Power and Non-Conventional Energy Sources Departments
INTEGRATED RURAL ENERGY PLANNING (IREP) PROGRAMME
The programme includes formation of selected block level energy plans and catering energy need of the selected blocks through both conventional and non-conventional energy sources. During the last financial year, WBREDA has carried out a survey work on the activities so far done under IREP.
In the selected IREP Blocks, WBREDA has started formulation of some new projects which will benefit the local people in respect of catering of their energy need. The matter has also been taken up with MNRE, Govt. of India. However, all the projects have been designed keeping in view the long-term sustainability. In some cases, the IREP projects have been dovetailed with the normal non-conventional energy activities to get a better result.
The list of the IREP Blocks are mentioned below :-
District / Name of the BlocksSouth 24-Parganas / Patharpratima, Kultali, Gosaba, Sandeshkali-I, Sandeshkali-II,
Bankura / Taldangra, Chhatna
Birbhum / Lovpur
Murshidabad / Hariharpara, Sagardighi
Jalpaiguri / Rajgang, Kumargram
Uttar Dinajpur / Raigang, Kaliagang
Cooch Behar / Sitalkuchi, Inhata-I
Purba Medinipore / Ramnagar-I
Paschim Medinipore / Narayangar, Noyagram
Darjeeling / Gorubathan, Khoribari – Phansibewa
Burdwan / Ketugram-I, Ketugram-II
Nadia / Tehata-II, Karimpur-II
Howrah / Amta-II
Purulia / Santuri, Bundwan
Malda / English Bazar
The proposed plan outlay under ‘Integrated Rural Energy Programme’ during 2008-09 is Rs. 56.00 lakh.
An amount of Rs.105363.00 lakh has been proposed for ‘Energy’ during 2008-09.
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