Centre asks western states to ensure capacity tie-ups till FY2035, focus on smart metering and power islanding
New Delhi: The ministry of power on Tuesday asked western region states to plan
capacity tie-ups
in line with the national
resource adequacy framework
up to FY2035 and to expedite installation of pre-paid smart meters in government premises by August 2025.
This was conveyed during the regional conference for western region states held in Mumbai in the presence of Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik, Goa Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, Gujarat Energy Minister Kanubhai Desai, and Madhya Pradesh Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar via video conference. Maharashtra Minister of State for Energy Meghana Sakore Bordikar also participated.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Power, state power secretaries and CMDs of central and state utilities were present.
The Power Secretary, Government of India, stressed the need for timely capacity tie-ups and development of inter- and intra-state
transmission infrastructure
through tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB), regulated tariff mechanism (RTM), budgetary support or asset monetization. He also called for immediate implementation of cybersecurity protocols and preparation of
power islanding
schemes by all states.
Union minister Manohar Lal emphasised the importance of ensuring resource adequacy and planning necessary storage through Pumped Storage Projects and Battery Energy Storage Systems. He said, 'We must enhance nuclear power generation capacity to 100 GW by 2047.' He also underlined the need for special green energy zones to enable progress toward net zero emissions.
Highlighting the financial distress in the power distribution sector, the minister said that high
AT&C losses
, non-cost reflective tariffs, and delays in government dues and subsidies have strained DISCOMs. He urged states to ensure timely subsidy payments and implement
smart metering
infrastructure under the RDSS.
He said Gujarat, Goa and Chhattisgarh have made progress in reducing AT&C losses and added that states must prioritise prepaid smart meter installation in government offices and colonies, aiming for completion by August 2025.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Maharashtra is focusing on improving power reliability and has plans to reduce AT&C losses, and sought central government assistance in restructuring DISCOM debts.
The conference concluded with states requesting continued central government support to further improve the power sector.
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