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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gas reserves dwindling, future lies with solar energy: Tripura power min
Agartala: Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath asserted that the future of the northeastern state lies with solar energy as power generation from natural gas-based plants is witnessing a steep decline due to a shortage of supply. He said four of the five gas-based power plants in the state have witnessed a dip in production. He said four of the five gas-based power plants in the state have witnessed a dip in production. Speaking at a programme in Durgachowmuhani in Dhalai district on Monday, he said, "The Palatana power plant , which is supposed to produce 726 MW of power daily, is now producing only 520 MW, while Manarchak power plant is producing 60 MW out of its installed capacity of 100 MW. At RC Nagar plant, NEEPCO is producing 80 MW out of its installed capacity of 135 MW, while Rokhia is producing 80 MW against its installed capacity of 63 MW." Currently, the northeastern state requires an average of 370 MW of power daily, which will go up to 700 MW by 2030. All the gas power plants also send power to neighbouring states. "Power generation is reducing due to a shortage of gas supply to these plants. We have to understand that the gas reserves in the state is dwindling with every passing day," he said. Urging people to embrace solar energy, the minister said the state government has already launched PM Surya Ghar scheme . Nath said the PM Surya Ghar scheme will not only meet the energy demands of a consumer but also turn him or her into "energy seller". "The Tripura Electricity Corporation (TSECL) will buy the excess power, which will be generated on rooftop solar plants. People must grab the opportunity," he said. The minister said the state has taken the initiative to renovate the Gomati hydro-power project in order to generate 15 MW of power in future. The state's lone hydro-power project suffered serious damage in last year's floods. Nath said a plan has been envisaged to set up a pump storage power generation unit in Dhalai district to meet the state's future energy demand. PTI
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Gas reserves dwindling, future lies with solar energy: Tripura power min
Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath asserted that the future of the northeastern state lies with solar energy as power generation from natural gas-based plants is witnessing a steep decline due to a shortage of supply. He said four of the five gas-based power plants in the state have witnessed a dip in production. Speaking at a programme in Durgachowmuhani in Dhalai district on Monday, he said, "The Palatana power plant, which is supposed to produce 726 MW of power daily, is now producing only 520 MW, while Manarchak power plant is producing 60 MW out of its installed capacity of 100 MW. At RC Nagar plant, NEEPCO is producing 80 MW out of its installed capacity of 135 MW, while Rokhia is producing 80 MW against its installed capacity of 63 MW." Currently, the northeastern state requires an average of 370 MW of power daily, which will go up to 700 MW by 2030. All the gas power plants also send power to neighbouring states. "Power generation is reducing due to a shortage of gas supply to these plants. We have to understand that the gas reserves in the state is dwindling with every passing day," he said. Urging people to embrace solar energy, the minister said the state government has already launched PM Surya Ghar scheme. Nath said the PM Surya Ghar scheme will not only meet the energy demands of a consumer but also turn him or her into "energy seller". "The Tripura Electricity Corporation (TSECL) will buy the excess power, which will be generated on rooftop solar plants. People must grab the opportunity," he said. The minister said the state has taken the initiative to renovate the Gomati hydro-power project in order to generate 15 MW of power in future. The state's lone hydro-power project suffered serious damage in last year's floods. Nath said a plan has been envisaged to set up a pump storage power generation unit in Dhalai district to meet the state's future energy demand.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Gas reserves dwindling, future lies with solar energy: Tripura power min
Agartala: Tripura Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath asserted that the future of the northeastern state lies with solar energy as power generation from natural gas-based plants is witnessing a steep decline due to a shortage of supply. He said four of the five gas-based power plants in the state have witnessed a dip in production. Speaking at a programme in Durgachowmuhani in Dhalai district on Monday, he said, "The Palatana power plant, which is supposed to produce 726 MW of power daily, is now producing only 520 MW, while Manarchak power plant is producing 60 MW out of its installed capacity of 100 MW. At RC Nagar plant, NEEPCO is producing 80 MW out of its installed capacity of 135 MW, while Rokhia is producing 80 MW against its installed capacity of 63 MW." Currently, the northeastern state requires an average of 370 MW of power daily, which will go up to 700 MW by 2030. All the gas power plants also send power to neighbouring states. "Power generation is reducing due to a shortage of gas supply to these plants. We have to understand that the gas reserves in the state is dwindling with every passing day," he said. Urging people to embrace solar energy, the minister said the state government has already launched PM Surya Ghar scheme. Nath said the PM Surya Ghar scheme will not only meet the energy demands of a consumer but also turn him or her into "energy seller". "The Tripura Electricity Corporation (TSECL) will buy the excess power, which will be generated on rooftop solar plants. People must grab the opportunity," he said. The minister said the state has taken the initiative to renovate the Gomati hydro-power project in order to generate 15 MW of power in future. The state's lone hydro-power project suffered serious damage in last year's floods. Nath said a plan has been envisaged to set up a pump storage power generation unit in Dhalai district to meet the state's future energy demand.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tripura power corp to go ahead with smart meter installation
Agartala: Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) has confirmed its decision to proceed with the installation of smart/prepaid electricity meters for domestic consumers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This decision has been met with strong opposition from political parties, civil society organisations, and consumer groups across the state. Protesters have criticised BJP's stance on smart meters, pointing out the party's contradictory position in West Bengal, where it opposed the installation of smart meters. Following protests over allegedly inflated electricity bills, the West Bengal govt halted the installation of smart meters for domestic consumers. "The BJP's actions in Tripura contradict their stance in West Bengal," said Jitendra Chaudhury, leader of the opposition. "The West Bengal govt recognised the issues and stopped the installation work," he added. Despite the backlash, TSECL managing director Biswajit Basu defended the decision, stating that the allegations against smart meters are unfounded and that any issues are likely due to human error or local problems. In a related development, TSECL has issued a showcause notice to TDS Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd, a Punjab-based billing agency, after uncovering significant irregularities in Tripura's energy meter billing system. An investigation led by Tripura power minister Ratan Lal Nath revealed large-scale underbilling and potential corruption in Khowai district. The investigation found that meter readers submitted average billing data despite having fully functional meters, leading to financial losses for TSECL. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Basu emphasised the benefits of smart meters, stating, "Smart meters will reduce TSECL's loss burden, improve consumer compliance, and enhance service quality. We've launched a campaign to educate consumers on the advantages of smart meters. The technology is reliable, similar to UPI transactions, which have not reported discrepancies." As the controversy continues, TSECL remains firm in its commitment to modernizing the state's electricity infrastructure.
Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Amid protests against smart meters and ‘exorbitant' bills, Tripura power agency asked to explain ‘consistent underbilling'
Amid statewide protests against smart meters and allegations of exorbitant power bills, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has served a showcause notice to TDS Management Consultants Pvt Ltd, accusing it of submitting average bills for consumers who have functional meters, causing losses to the corporation. In the letter written to the power distribution agency on Tuesday, R K Roy, DGM (Revenue), TSECL, stated that meter readers in the Khowai Electrical subdivision were found to have submitted average consumption data for several consumers who have functional meters capable of recording consumption. The official further stated that the comparative billing data showed 'consistent underbilling, which has caused a direct financial loss to Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL)'. 'This act violates the contractual agreement and demonstrates either gross negligence or deliberate misconduct by your meter readers, specifically of that particular area. As per the agreement, it is required to: Record actual meter readings from functional meters without fail, Avoid average billing unless supported by valid justification ( meter defect/inaccessibility), Ensure no action results in loss of revenue to TSECL,' reads the letter. 'You are hereby directed to show cause within 7 (seven) days from the date of receipt of this notice, stating why penal action should not be taken against you under the provisions of the contract Agreement. In case of failure to provide a satisfactory reply within the stipulated time, appropriate action shall be taken without any further correspondence,' the letter continued. The state has recently witnessed protests by Opposition political parties against the government's decision to install smart electric meters and hike power tariffs. Speaking during a protest, a Congress leader said, 'The power tariff has been hiked without informing the people. We strongly condemn this and demand the withdrawal of the hike. Moreover, they have included a Rs 30 road tax in the name of CNG and PNG. Their party is opposing smart meters in West Bengal, but in Tripura the power minister is in favour of smart meters.' The Trinamool Congress protested in front of Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath's home, demanding that both decisions be withdrawn. 'We will continue our protest till he withdraws these,' a TMC leader said. Raising the same demand, the CPM protested in front of Udaipur Bidyut Bhawan Nath later said that consumers would be able to keep both meters–their current electronic meters and the new smart meters. 'If anyone can prove any fault in smart meters, the government will roll back the decision to install them,' he said. 'There has been an attempt to confuse people. The power tariff and smart meter are two separate things. In the seven years (since 2018), the power tariff was hiked by 24.9 per cent under the BJP government, while the tariff rose by 116.03 per cent in seven years under CPM rule,' the power minister said.
