Difference between revisions of "Energy Situation Uttarakhand, India"

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= Status of the Power Sector =
 
= Status of the Power Sector =
  
Uttarakhand was formed in the year 2000 after the bifurcation of Uttar Pradesh. This separation from Uttar Pradesh catapulted Uttarakhand on an upward growth trajectory. However, the status of an independent state brought in pressures on Uttarakhand in terms of the development and infrastructure needs of the state and the capital Dehradun to meet the increasing economic and political activities. This lead to an increase in the energy demand of the state too but the current power situation does not seem to be meeting it. As per the '''Central Electricity Authority (CEA)''', the anticipated demand of the energy for Uttarakhand for the year 2011-12 is 10480 MU and the available energy is 8363 MU; while the peak demand of the state is 1600 MW and the availability is of 1430 MW.<ref>Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power. load generation Balance Report. 2011-12</ref>
+
Uttarakhand was formed in the year 2000 after the bifurcation of Uttar Pradesh. This separation from Uttar Pradesh propelled Uttarakhand on an upward growth path. However, the status of an independent state brought in pressures on Uttarakhand in terms of the development and infrastructure needs of the state and the capital Dehradun to meet the increasing economic and political activities. This lead to an increase in the energy demand of the state too but the current power situation does not seem to be meeting it. As per the '''Central Electricity Authority (CEA)''', the anticipated demand of the energy for Uttarakhand for the year 2011-12 is 10480 MU and the available energy is 8363 MU; while the peak demand of the state is 1600 MW and the availability is of 1430 MW.<ref>Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power. load generation Balance Report. 2011-12</ref>
  
 
While Uttarakhand has certainly showed signs of growth in the last decade, the growth has not been a homogenous one. The growth process in Uttrakhand has been limited to the plain districts eluding the hilly areas, as most of the manufacturing units are located in the plain <span style="font-family: monospace"></span>districts. 40% of the population of the state still lives below poverty line. Uttarkhand is a unique case of poverty as the state has a very low rate of unemployment and yet the incidence of poverty is very high. This hints towards the low wage and income rate in the state leading<span style="font-family: monospace"></span> to a peculiar problem called 'a problem of the working poor'.Thus there is an ask for meeting the productive employment demands of the rural popultaion in the state.<ref>Mamgain. P.R. Growth, Poverty and Employment in Uttarakhand. Journal of Labour and Development. Volume 13 No. 2 & 1, June 2008 </ref> This can be achieved through an efficient and reliable access to energy for the rural population. Also the development approaches are heavily dependent on the conventional energy sources that worked for the plains, might not prove much effective in the hills due to the associated difficult terrain.
 
While Uttarakhand has certainly showed signs of growth in the last decade, the growth has not been a homogenous one. The growth process in Uttrakhand has been limited to the plain districts eluding the hilly areas, as most of the manufacturing units are located in the plain <span style="font-family: monospace"></span>districts. 40% of the population of the state still lives below poverty line. Uttarkhand is a unique case of poverty as the state has a very low rate of unemployment and yet the incidence of poverty is very high. This hints towards the low wage and income rate in the state leading<span style="font-family: monospace"></span> to a peculiar problem called 'a problem of the working poor'.Thus there is an ask for meeting the productive employment demands of the rural popultaion in the state.<ref>Mamgain. P.R. Growth, Poverty and Employment in Uttarakhand. Journal of Labour and Development. Volume 13 No. 2 & 1, June 2008 </ref> This can be achieved through an efficient and reliable access to energy for the rural population. Also the development approaches are heavily dependent on the conventional energy sources that worked for the plains, might not prove much effective in the hills due to the associated difficult terrain.
  
 +
<br/>
  
 
+
== Energy Capacity ==
== Energy Capacity==
 
  
 
'''Installed Capacity of Uttrakahand Power Utility (in MW)'''<ref name="Ministry of Power as of 31st December 2011">Ministry of Power as of 31st December 2011</ref>:
 
'''Installed Capacity of Uttrakahand Power Utility (in MW)'''<ref name="Ministry of Power as of 31st December 2011">Ministry of Power as of 31st December 2011</ref>:
  
{| style="width: 100%" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" border="1"
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{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" style="width: 100%"
 
|-
 
|-
| style="width: 200px" | <p style="text-align: center">'''Total Installed Capacity'''</p>
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| style="width: 200px;  background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204)" | <p style="text-align: center">'''Total Installed Capacity'''</p>
| style="width: 100px" | <p style="text-align: center">'''Thermal'''</p>
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| style="width: 200px;  background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204)" | <p style="text-align: center">'''Thermal'''</p>
| style="width: 100px" | <p style="text-align: center">'''Nuclear'''</p>
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| style="width: 200px;  background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204)" | <p style="text-align: center">'''Nuclear'''</p>
| style="width: 100px" | <p style="text-align: center">'''Hydro'''</p>
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| style="width: 200px;  background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204)" | <p style="text-align: center">'''Hydro'''</p>
| style="width: 100px" | <p style="text-align: center">'''RES*'''</p>
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| style="width: 200px;  background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204)" | <p style="text-align: center">'''RES*'''</p>
 
|-
 
|-
 
| style="width: 200px" | <p style="text-align: center">2453.74</p>
 
| style="width: 200px" | <p style="text-align: center">2453.74</p>
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*RES: Renewable Energy Souces (includes: small hydro, biogas, biomass, waste and wind energy)
 
*RES: Renewable Energy Souces (includes: small hydro, biogas, biomass, waste and wind energy)
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
== Energy Consumption ==
 
== Energy Consumption ==
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Energy, particularly, power consumption in the state of Uttarakhand has grown more than 5 times in the last eight years (2002- 2010). Electricity consumption in the domestic sector of Uttarakhand has been quite substantial and higher than the country’s average, but over the years this proportion has shifted in favor of the industrial sector. In 2001-02 around 45 per cent of the total<br/>electricity consumption was in the domestic sector which dropped to 29 per cent by 2006-07. With the increasing demand from the industrial sector, in 2006-07 almost 40 per cent of the total electricity consumption was by industries (Table 38). The share of<br/>electricity consumption for farming purposes has declined substantially from 14.4 per cent in 2001-02 to 9.9 per cent although the total actual electricity consumption has marginally increased.
 
Energy, particularly, power consumption in the state of Uttarakhand has grown more than 5 times in the last eight years (2002- 2010). Electricity consumption in the domestic sector of Uttarakhand has been quite substantial and higher than the country’s average, but over the years this proportion has shifted in favor of the industrial sector. In 2001-02 around 45 per cent of the total<br/>electricity consumption was in the domestic sector which dropped to 29 per cent by 2006-07. With the increasing demand from the industrial sector, in 2006-07 almost 40 per cent of the total electricity consumption was by industries (Table 38). The share of<br/>electricity consumption for farming purposes has declined substantially from 14.4 per cent in 2001-02 to 9.9 per cent although the total actual electricity consumption has marginally increased.
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
'''Electricity Consumption by different sectors in Uttarakhand<ref name="Indiastat (www.indiastat.com) from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, GOI and Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited">Indiastat (www.indiastat.com) from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, GOI and Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited</ref>:'''
 
'''Electricity Consumption by different sectors in Uttarakhand<ref name="Indiastat (www.indiastat.com) from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, GOI and Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited">Indiastat (www.indiastat.com) from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, GOI and Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited</ref>:'''
  
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Sector
 
Sector
  
|  
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| style="background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204)" |  
 
2001-02
 
2001-02
  
|  
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| style="background-color: rgb(204, 204, 204)" |  
 
2006-07
 
2006-07
  
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*Others include street lighting, water works and traction & railways.
 
*Others include street lighting, water works and traction & railways.
  
 +
<br/>
  
 +
It can be deduced from the table above that the percentage share of electricity consumption has increased only for commercial and industrial sectors. Since both the types of activities are usually concentrated in the urban settlements and industrial areas (plains in case of Uttrakhand), this tells us about the grim picture of the electricity consumption in the hilly rural areas.
  
It can be duduced from the table above that the percentage share of electricity consumption has increased only for commercial and industrial sectors. Since both the types of activities are usually concentrated in the urban settlements and industrial areas (plains in case of Uttrakhand), this tells us about the grim picture of the electricity consumption in the hilly rural areas.
+
<br/>
 
 
 
 
  
 
== Energy Supply ==
 
== Energy Supply ==
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'''Share of Electricity of Uttarakhand: 8936 MU for 2009-10'''<ref name="UERC">UERC</ref>:
 
'''Share of Electricity of Uttarakhand: 8936 MU for 2009-10'''<ref name="UERC">UERC</ref>:
  
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|-
 
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|}
  
 
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<br/>
  
 
As is evident from the table above, the state is able to meet only 52% of its power needs through its own resources. Although, currently, Uttarakhand is an exporter; it plans to become an importer of power in the coming years.
 
As is evident from the table above, the state is able to meet only 52% of its power needs through its own resources. Although, currently, Uttarakhand is an exporter; it plans to become an importer of power in the coming years.
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
= Rural Electrification =
 
= Rural Electrification =
  
As per 1991 census, there are 15681 villages in the state of Uttarakhand. As of 31st march 2005, out of these 15681 villages,&nbsp; 13783 have been electrified which amounts to 85% of the total villages.<ref>CEA Data March 2005</ref> Whereas, as per the 2001 census, 50.35% of rural households have been electrified.<ref>http://recindia.nic.in/download/uttaranchal.pdf</ref> Around 96 per cent of the rural villages in Uttarakhand are provided with electricity by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd. UREDA, Micro-Hydel and Kuteer Jyoti connections are also prevalent but in less so in villages.
+
As per 1991 census, there are 15681 villages in the state of Uttarakhand. As of 31st march 2005, out of these 15681 villages, 13783 have been electrified which amounts to 85% of the total villages.<ref>CEA Data March 2005</ref> Whereas, as per the 2001 census, 50.35% of rural households have been electrified.<ref>http://recindia.nic.in/download/uttaranchal.pdf</ref> Around 96 per cent of the rural villages in Uttarakhand are provided with electricity by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd. UREDA, Micro-Hydel and Kuteer Jyoti connections are also prevalent but in less so in villages.
 
 
  
 +
<br/>
  
 
= Constrains and Opportunities =
 
= Constrains and Opportunities =
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<u>Power supply through the grid system to interior villages in mountainous terrain is expensive and challenging due to:</u>
 
<u>Power supply through the grid system to interior villages in mountainous terrain is expensive and challenging due to:</u>
 
 
#poor load characteristics
 
#poor load characteristics
 
#adverse topographical features
 
#adverse topographical features
Line 165: Line 164:
 
#low population density
 
#low population density
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
== Opportunities ==
 
== Opportunities ==
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Though there are problems related to the financial viability of decentralized power generation by the public sector, non-government community efforts have proved to be promising. Poor people, who cannot afford electricity under government schemes, contribute labour and marginal cash as their contribution to their community’s efforts to get access to reliable and cheap electricity.<ref>"Development Strategy for the Hill Districts of Uttarakhand",Mittal.S,Tripathi.G,Sethi.D, Working paper No. 217, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, July 2008</ref>Renewable Energy options (given below) can be particularly effective given the constrains mentioned above.
 
Though there are problems related to the financial viability of decentralized power generation by the public sector, non-government community efforts have proved to be promising. Poor people, who cannot afford electricity under government schemes, contribute labour and marginal cash as their contribution to their community’s efforts to get access to reliable and cheap electricity.<ref>"Development Strategy for the Hill Districts of Uttarakhand",Mittal.S,Tripathi.G,Sethi.D, Working paper No. 217, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, July 2008</ref>Renewable Energy options (given below) can be particularly effective given the constrains mentioned above.
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
=== Hydro Power ===
 
=== Hydro Power ===
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Uttarakhand has got enormous potential for hydropower generation. Apart from its large and medium hydropower potential, which is estimated to be 20,000 megawatts, it also has huge potential for small, mini- and micro- hydropower generation.<ref> http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/CH-8.pdf</ref>Hydropower potential of the state can be harnessed and used for its development.
 
Uttarakhand has got enormous potential for hydropower generation. Apart from its large and medium hydropower potential, which is estimated to be 20,000 megawatts, it also has huge potential for small, mini- and micro- hydropower generation.<ref> http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/CH-8.pdf</ref>Hydropower potential of the state can be harnessed and used for its development.
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
=== Power Through Watermills ===
 
=== Power Through Watermills ===
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As per UREDA estimates, some 15,000 traditional watermills called Gharats exist in partially functioning or defunct condition in the State of Uttarakhand. After upgradation, they hold the potential of providing 5 KW of electricity which can not just light the neighbouring areas; but can also be sued for some productive applications like milling, drying and thrashing of grains or for fibre- processing activities like spinning, dyeing, drying, etc. If these water mill resources are upgraded and amnaged ina planned and organized manner they can be a significant source of cheap power for the rural population of Uttarakhand.
 
As per UREDA estimates, some 15,000 traditional watermills called Gharats exist in partially functioning or defunct condition in the State of Uttarakhand. After upgradation, they hold the potential of providing 5 KW of electricity which can not just light the neighbouring areas; but can also be sued for some productive applications like milling, drying and thrashing of grains or for fibre- processing activities like spinning, dyeing, drying, etc. If these water mill resources are upgraded and amnaged ina planned and organized manner they can be a significant source of cheap power for the rural population of Uttarakhand.
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
=== Pine Needle Gasification ===
 
=== Pine Needle Gasification ===
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Uttarakhand, being a state located in the Indian Himalayas, is dominated by pine forests. Pine needles, although being used for cooking purposes occasionally, are not a favoured fuel due to the release of nitrogenous compounds during combustion. However, a new process to utilize the pine needles, while avoiding the nitrogenous emissions, has been developed i.e. electricity generation through the gasification of pine needles.
 
Uttarakhand, being a state located in the Indian Himalayas, is dominated by pine forests. Pine needles, although being used for cooking purposes occasionally, are not a favoured fuel due to the release of nitrogenous compounds during combustion. However, a new process to utilize the pine needles, while avoiding the nitrogenous emissions, has been developed i.e. electricity generation through the gasification of pine needles.
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
=== Power for Cooking & Heating ===
 
=== Power for Cooking & Heating ===
Line 195: Line 194:
 
Due to the difficult terrain and inaccessibility of many of the remote areas of the state, providing CNG or LPG is a difficult task. However, the cooking wand water heating requirements can be met through solar cookers and solarw ater heaters respectively. The alternative in the form of the use of improved cooskstoves could also be lucrative to meet the cooking needs in the villages of Uttarakhand. The briquettes of charcoal which is a residue of the pine needle gasification process can be used for cooking purposes.
 
Due to the difficult terrain and inaccessibility of many of the remote areas of the state, providing CNG or LPG is a difficult task. However, the cooking wand water heating requirements can be met through solar cookers and solarw ater heaters respectively. The alternative in the form of the use of improved cooskstoves could also be lucrative to meet the cooking needs in the villages of Uttarakhand. The briquettes of charcoal which is a residue of the pine needle gasification process can be used for cooking purposes.
  
 
+
<br/>
  
 
= Policy Framework, Laws & Regulations =
 
= Policy Framework, Laws & Regulations =
  
*[http://www.windpro.org/Sector/State%20Government%20Policies%20issued%20by%20IREDA17.pdf Uttarakhand State Government Policy for harnessing renewable energy sources][http://www.windpro.org/Sector/State%20Government%20Policies%20issued%20by%20IREDA17.pdf 2008]
+
*[http://www.windpro.org/Sector/State Government Policies issued by IREDA17.pdf Uttarakhand State Government Policy for harnessing renewable energy sources][http://www.windpro.org/Sector/State Government Policies issued by IREDA17.pdf 2008]
*[http://www.uerc.gov.in/Rules%20and%20regulation/UERCRegulations/Regulations2010/English%20Regulations%202010/UERC%20%28Compliance%20of%20Renewable%20Purchase%20Obligation%29%20Regulations,%202010.pdf UERC (Compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation) Regulations, 2010]
+
*[http://www.uerc.gov.in/Rules and regulation/UERCRegulations/Regulations2010/English Regulations 2010/UERC (Compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation) Regulations, 2010.pdf UERC (Compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation) Regulations, 2010]
 
+
*[http://www.uerc.gov.in/Draft documents/2012/Amendment _ RPO Reg 2012.pdf Proposed amendment (2012) to UERC (Compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation) Regulations, 2010]
*[http://www.uerc.gov.in/Draft%20documents/2012/Amendment%20_%20RPO%20Reg%202012.pdf Proposed amendment (2012) to UERC (Compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligation) Regulations, 2010]
 
 
 
  
 +
<br/>
  
 
= Institutions Involved =
 
= Institutions Involved =
  
*[http://ureda.uk.gov.in/ Uttarakhand Renewable Energy development Agency (URDEA)]: is the state nodal agency for RE programmes. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small">Energy</span></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small">Conservation and DDG projects under RGGVY, implemention of various renewable energy programmes by involving local panchayat,&nbsp; District</span></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small">administration etc.</span></span> are its key areas of work.
+
*[http://ureda.uk.gov.in/ Uttarakhand Renewable Energy development Agency (URDEA)]: is the state nodal agency for RE programmes. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small">Energy</span></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small">Conservation and DDG projects under RGGVY, implemention of various renewable energy programmes by involving local panchayat, District</span></span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size: small">administration etc.</span></span> are its key areas of work.
 
*[http://www.uerc.gov.in/ Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC)][http://www.uerc.gov.in/ :] promotes generation of electricity from RE by providing connectivity to the grid and setting measures for sale of electricity and fixing the percentage of RE generated electricity in the total electricity supply by a dsitributor.
 
*[http://www.uerc.gov.in/ Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC)][http://www.uerc.gov.in/ :] promotes generation of electricity from RE by providing connectivity to the grid and setting measures for sale of electricity and fixing the percentage of RE generated electricity in the total electricity supply by a dsitributor.
 
*[http://www.upcl.org/index.html Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL)]: is the state power distribution utility. UPCL executes the Power purchase Agreement (PPA) with the power generating company, be it through RE, cogeneration or conventional sources.
 
*[http://www.upcl.org/index.html Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL)]: is the state power distribution utility. UPCL executes the Power purchase Agreement (PPA) with the power generating company, be it through RE, cogeneration or conventional sources.
 +
 +
<br/>
 +
 +
= Further Information =
 +
 +
*[[India_Energy_Situation|India Energy Situation]]
  
  
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[[Category:India]]
 
[[Category:India]]
[[Category:Country_Situation]]
+
[[Category:Grid]]
[[Category:Uttarakhand]]
 

Latest revision as of 13:25, 23 September 2014

Status of the Power Sector

Uttarakhand was formed in the year 2000 after the bifurcation of Uttar Pradesh. This separation from Uttar Pradesh propelled Uttarakhand on an upward growth path. However, the status of an independent state brought in pressures on Uttarakhand in terms of the development and infrastructure needs of the state and the capital Dehradun to meet the increasing economic and political activities. This lead to an increase in the energy demand of the state too but the current power situation does not seem to be meeting it. As per the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the anticipated demand of the energy for Uttarakhand for the year 2011-12 is 10480 MU and the available energy is 8363 MU; while the peak demand of the state is 1600 MW and the availability is of 1430 MW.[1]

While Uttarakhand has certainly showed signs of growth in the last decade, the growth has not been a homogenous one. The growth process in Uttrakhand has been limited to the plain districts eluding the hilly areas, as most of the manufacturing units are located in the plain districts. 40% of the population of the state still lives below poverty line. Uttarkhand is a unique case of poverty as the state has a very low rate of unemployment and yet the incidence of poverty is very high. This hints towards the low wage and income rate in the state leading to a peculiar problem called 'a problem of the working poor'.Thus there is an ask for meeting the productive employment demands of the rural popultaion in the state.[2] This can be achieved through an efficient and reliable access to energy for the rural population. Also the development approaches are heavily dependent on the conventional energy sources that worked for the plains, might not prove much effective in the hills due to the associated difficult terrain.


Energy Capacity

Installed Capacity of Uttrakahand Power Utility (in MW)[3]:

Total Installed Capacity

Thermal

Nuclear

Hydro

RES*

2453.74

330.61

22.28

1956.18

144.67

  • RES: Renewable Energy Souces (includes: small hydro, biogas, biomass, waste and wind energy)


Energy Consumption

Energy, particularly, power consumption in the state of Uttarakhand has grown more than 5 times in the last eight years (2002- 2010). Electricity consumption in the domestic sector of Uttarakhand has been quite substantial and higher than the country’s average, but over the years this proportion has shifted in favor of the industrial sector. In 2001-02 around 45 per cent of the total
electricity consumption was in the domestic sector which dropped to 29 per cent by 2006-07. With the increasing demand from the industrial sector, in 2006-07 almost 40 per cent of the total electricity consumption was by industries (Table 38). The share of
electricity consumption for farming purposes has declined substantially from 14.4 per cent in 2001-02 to 9.9 per cent although the total actual electricity consumption has marginally increased.


Electricity Consumption by different sectors in Uttarakhand[4]:

Sector

2001-02

2006-07

Domestic

44.7%

29%

Commercial

11.4%

15%

Industrial

21.4%

40.4%

Agriculture

14.4%

9.9%

Others*

8.2%

5.7%


2229.09 MW
3885.96 MW
  • Others include street lighting, water works and traction & railways.


It can be deduced from the table above that the percentage share of electricity consumption has increased only for commercial and industrial sectors. Since both the types of activities are usually concentrated in the urban settlements and industrial areas (plains in case of Uttrakhand), this tells us about the grim picture of the electricity consumption in the hilly rural areas.


Energy Supply

Share of Electricity of Uttarakhand: 8936 MU for 2009-10[5]:

State Generation

4081

Central Share

3391

Others

1464


As is evident from the table above, the state is able to meet only 52% of its power needs through its own resources. Although, currently, Uttarakhand is an exporter; it plans to become an importer of power in the coming years.


Rural Electrification

As per 1991 census, there are 15681 villages in the state of Uttarakhand. As of 31st march 2005, out of these 15681 villages, 13783 have been electrified which amounts to 85% of the total villages.[6] Whereas, as per the 2001 census, 50.35% of rural households have been electrified.[7] Around 96 per cent of the rural villages in Uttarakhand are provided with electricity by Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd. UREDA, Micro-Hydel and Kuteer Jyoti connections are also prevalent but in less so in villages.


Constrains and Opportunities

Constrains

Power supply through the grid system to interior villages in mountainous terrain is expensive and challenging due to:

  1. poor load characteristics
  2. adverse topographical features
  3. harsh weather conditions
  4. scattered households
  5. low population density


Opportunities

Though there are problems related to the financial viability of decentralized power generation by the public sector, non-government community efforts have proved to be promising. Poor people, who cannot afford electricity under government schemes, contribute labour and marginal cash as their contribution to their community’s efforts to get access to reliable and cheap electricity.[8]Renewable Energy options (given below) can be particularly effective given the constrains mentioned above.


Hydro Power

Uttarakhand has got enormous potential for hydropower generation. Apart from its large and medium hydropower potential, which is estimated to be 20,000 megawatts, it also has huge potential for small, mini- and micro- hydropower generation.[9]Hydropower potential of the state can be harnessed and used for its development.


Power Through Watermills

As per UREDA estimates, some 15,000 traditional watermills called Gharats exist in partially functioning or defunct condition in the State of Uttarakhand. After upgradation, they hold the potential of providing 5 KW of electricity which can not just light the neighbouring areas; but can also be sued for some productive applications like milling, drying and thrashing of grains or for fibre- processing activities like spinning, dyeing, drying, etc. If these water mill resources are upgraded and amnaged ina planned and organized manner they can be a significant source of cheap power for the rural population of Uttarakhand.


Pine Needle Gasification

Uttarakhand, being a state located in the Indian Himalayas, is dominated by pine forests. Pine needles, although being used for cooking purposes occasionally, are not a favoured fuel due to the release of nitrogenous compounds during combustion. However, a new process to utilize the pine needles, while avoiding the nitrogenous emissions, has been developed i.e. electricity generation through the gasification of pine needles.


Power for Cooking & Heating

Due to the difficult terrain and inaccessibility of many of the remote areas of the state, providing CNG or LPG is a difficult task. However, the cooking wand water heating requirements can be met through solar cookers and solarw ater heaters respectively. The alternative in the form of the use of improved cooskstoves could also be lucrative to meet the cooking needs in the villages of Uttarakhand. The briquettes of charcoal which is a residue of the pine needle gasification process can be used for cooking purposes.


Policy Framework, Laws & Regulations


Institutions Involved

  • Uttarakhand Renewable Energy development Agency (URDEA): is the state nodal agency for RE programmes. EnergyConservation and DDG projects under RGGVY, implemention of various renewable energy programmes by involving local panchayat, Districtadministration etc. are its key areas of work.
  • Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC): promotes generation of electricity from RE by providing connectivity to the grid and setting measures for sale of electricity and fixing the percentage of RE generated electricity in the total electricity supply by a dsitributor.
  • Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL): is the state power distribution utility. UPCL executes the Power purchase Agreement (PPA) with the power generating company, be it through RE, cogeneration or conventional sources.


Further Information


References

  1. Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power. load generation Balance Report. 2011-12
  2. Mamgain. P.R. Growth, Poverty and Employment in Uttarakhand. Journal of Labour and Development. Volume 13 No. 2 & 1, June 2008
  3. Ministry of Power as of 31st December 2011
  4. Indiastat (www.indiastat.com) from Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, GOI and Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited
  5. UERC
  6. CEA Data March 2005
  7. http://recindia.nic.in/download/uttaranchal.pdf
  8. "Development Strategy for the Hill Districts of Uttarakhand",Mittal.S,Tripathi.G,Sethi.D, Working paper No. 217, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, July 2008
  9. http://moef.nic.in/downloads/public-information/CH-8.pdf