POLICY ON PRIVATE SECTOR
- The stipulation under Section 63 of Electricity Act, 2003 has provided impetus to the participation of private sector in Generation and Transmission Provision.
- Some of the prominent policies which have boosted the private players’ confidence in the sector are : National Electricity Policy; Ultra Mega Power Project Policy; Mega Power Policy; Mega Power Policy, (since withdrawn) Tariff Policy, New Hydro Policy, 2008.
- Captive Power Plants: The Electricity Act, 2003 does away with the requirement of approval/clearance of any authority for setting up a captive generating plant. The new law (as amended) also ensures non-discriminatory open access for transmission of electricity generated from a captive generating plant to the destination of its use, subject to availability of transmission capacity.
- Automatic approval for FDI: Automatic approval (RBI route) for 100 foreign equity is permitted in generation, transmission, and distribution and trading in power sector without any upper ceiling on the quantum of investment.
CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY (CEA)
- The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is a statutory organization constituted under repealed Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 and continued under Electricity Act, 2003.
- It was established as a part time body in the year 1951 and made a full time body in the year 1975.
- As per section 70 (3) of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Authority shall consist of not more than 14 members, including its Chairperson of whom not more than 8 shall be full time Members to be appointed by the Central Government.
- The CEA is headed by a Chairperson who, as the Chief Executive of the Authority, oversees largely the development of Power Sector in the country.
- A secretary, appointed by the Authority with the approval of the Central Government under section 72 of Electricity Act, 2003, assists the Chairperson in the discharge of CEA’s statutory functions.
- Presently, there are six wings namely Planning, Hydro, Thermal, Grid Operation & Distribution, Economic & Commercial and Power System each headed by a Member of the Authority.
PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS
NTPC LIMITED
- NTPC Limited, a Maharatna Company of the Government of India, is the largest power generator in India with comprehensive in-house capabilities in building and operating power projects.
- NTPC has authorized share capital of Rs.10,000 crores and paid up capital is 8245.5 crores. 75% of this is held by the Government of India.
- In the top 250 Global Energy Companies for 2013, NTPC has been ranked No.1 Independent Power Producer in the world.
- NTPC is ranked 384th largest company in the world among ‘Global 2000′ list of companies compiled by Forbes for 2013.
NHPC LIMITED
- NHPC Limited (earlier known as National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd.) is a Schedule “A” Mini-Ratna Enterprise of the Government of India with an authorized share capital of 15,000 crore and an investment base of more than 40,471 crores.
- NHPC was set up in 1975 and has now become the largest organization for hydro power development in India.
- The Company is also listed with the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange.
- NHPC at present has power stations aggregate to 5747 MW of installed capacity in operating and has six protects under construction with total installed capacity of 4050 MW.
POWER GRID CORPORATION (POWERGRID)
- Power Grid Corporation of India Limited was incorporated as October 23, 1989 as a public limited company. POWERGRID is a notified Central Transmission Utility since
- The Corporation, apart from providing transmission systems is also responsible for establishment of Regional & National Power Grids and operates (through POSOCO), a fully owned subsidiary of POWERGRID to facilitate transfer of power within and across the regions.
- It has been conferred with ‘Navratna’ status by Govt. of India in May 2008.
- In September, 2007 the Company entered the Capital Market through an IPO and Follow-on Public Offer issues.
- Presently, public holding in the Company is 42.11% and the balance 89% is held by Govt. of India.
- The company has been receiving highest rating i.e., “Excellent” under MoUs since signing of first MoU in 1993-94.
