Civil nuclear liability regime, slow decision making also impacted negotiations between NPC & Areva

The 9,900-Mw Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra is caught in a cobweb of mandatory legislative requirements due to the civil nuclear liability regime, slow decision-making, a surge in cost due to the weak rupee and more safety applications.

Local bodies to play key role in fund use for development projects

The Mumbai power ministry has issued guidelines on the local area development fund (LADF) of central hydro-electric projects, in order to meet the infrastructure and development needs of local population.

Forum of Regulators has stressed need for invoking existing regulations of imposing non-compliance charge

Faced with the prospect of state distribution utilities not complying with renewable power obligation (RPO), Forum of Regulators (FOR), a representative body of Central and state regulators, has called for amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, empowering regulators to impose penalty for non- compliance. FOR has also stressed the need for invoking the existing regulations of imposing non-compliance charge.

Essential exercise before entering into the final commercial contract

Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric of the US have entered into an early contract to carry out a preliminary safety analysis for the proposed plant at Mithi Virdi in Gujarat.

Wants states to submit quarterly reports to IBM

The Ministry of Mines, in a bid to further step up joint efforts to curb illegal mining, has asked state governments to regularly share information with it on the measures taken by them. Besides, the ministry at its recent meeting with the mineral rich states, also asked them to maintain a database giving details of a slew of actions initiated by them in this regard.

The ministry envisages aggregate transmission and commercial losses coming to below 15% by 2017

The Union power ministry proposes to establish a National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM) by 2014, on the lines of the National Mission for Electric Mobility launched recently by the ministry of heavy industries.

In the case of net metering, renewable energy plants with battery can supply the consumer load in the event of a grid failure

Power supply from renewable energy sources to consumers will soon be metered, with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) formulating the draft Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Amendment Regulations, 2013.

Regulations would be applicable for all Grid Interactive Renewable Energy Plants seeking connectivity with grid at 415 V & below voltage levels

Now the power supply to consumers from the renewable energy sources will be metered. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has formulated the draft Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Amendment Regulations, 2013.

Opposed to the provisions of Land Acquisition bill, to hold talks with Cidco on Friday

People affected by the Navi Mumbai international airport insist they be allotted developed land as compensation, not cash as the land acquisition Bill, recently cleared by Parliament, suggests.

Key NGOs withdrew from anti Jaitapur agitation

The Maharashtra government and the Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) have received a much-needed respite after the main non-government organisation opposing the proposed 9,900-Mw nuclear project at Jaitapur, Janhit Seva Samiti, ended its agitation.