New Delhi: A three-day exhibition and conference organized by the Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA), titled ‘BID 2024,’ which stands for ‘BuildELEC, IntelELECT & DistribuELEC-2024,’ was inaugurated by Union Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister R.K. Singh at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai on 16 January.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister R.K. Singh stated that India is the fastest-growing large economy, and this has been possible because of the electricity sector.
“Without electricity, there is no industrialization, and the demand for electricity is growing in the country. Hence, there is a huge market for manufacturers in the electricity sector,” stated R.K. Singh.
He further stated that the shares of all power sector companies have gone up, and in our country, there are no pending bills for gencos (power generation companies). “All the legacy dues have also been almost cleared off,” he said. With these points, the Power Minister urged stakeholders in the electricity sector to lead and grow. Furthermore, there has been a 65% increase in the transmission network in the last nine years.
R.K. Singh said that AT&C losses of discoms have decreased from ~27% in 2014 to ~15% in 2023 and will further decrease to ~12%. “We are also moving in the direction of smart prepaid meters for all customers,” he added. Speaking about distribution companies, the Union Power Minister said the present policy assigns every distribution licensee the responsibility to tie up different installed capacities to ensure power adequacy, allowing them to meet the demand of the areas under them. A committee headed by the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority will assess their performance, and defaulters are liable to be penalized. “No distribution licensee can shed their responsibility because of high prices at the electricity exchange and will be penalized for failing to provide power due to a shortage of supply in the licensed area.” The Union Power Minister also mentioned that more capacity is being installed at a rapid pace so that more Power Producers and Suppliers (PPS) can come forward, ensuring the general public receives a 24×7 electricity supply. The Union Minister said that the availability of power in rural areas has increased from 12 hours in 2015 to 20.6 hours, and in urban areas, it has increased to 23.8 hours.
R.K. Singh also mentioned that more renewable energy manufacturing capacity is being installed. He stated that within a couple of years, the entire value chain of the renewable electricity sector, starting from polysilicon to photovoltaic modules, will be made in India. The country will also be a leader in green hydrogen, further added the Union Power and Renewable Energy Minister.
Speaking about hydel power, the Union Power Minister said 18,000 MW hydel power capacity is presently under construction. He urged stakeholders to work for hydel power storage and immersible pumps as there is a capacity of 40,000 MW Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs) at various stages of clearance. He also urged that hydel power components should be manufactured in India and not imported.
The Union Power Minister also informed that the peak demand has gone up from 136 MW in 2014 to 243 MW in 2023, thereby registering about an 80% growth, while the installed power generation capacity has gone up by almost 70%, from 249 GW to 426 GW in the same timeline.
The Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy also presented certificates of appreciation to the top 7 Startups from the Electraverse Sparks Competition 2024. R.K. Singh also toured the exhibition stalls. The President of IEEMA Hamza Arsiwala and Deputy General of IEEMA Charu Mathur were present on the occasion.
“Distribuelec” showcases hi-tech electrical equipment used in power distribution, encompassing products, technologies, and services from 11KV to 33KV in traditional electrical equipment like transformers, cables, capacitors, switchgears, meters, insulators, conductors, and new-age technologies in distribution automation & control systems, energy efficiency, demand response, advanced metering, communications technologies, cybersecurity, electrical fire safety, and more.
“Buildelec” showcases electrical systems for buildings comprising H3O, i.e., Homes, Hospitals, Hotels, and Offices.
The 6th edition of the “Intelect Conference” on the theme “Transformative Journey – Reliable, Sustainable and Safer Prosumer Ecosystem” will be held concurrently with Distribuelec and Buildelec exhibitions on 17th and 18th January 2024. The focused sessions of the conference are on Energy Systems Integration, Resilient Prosumer Infrastructure, and New Dimensions to Modern Infrastructure & Panel Discussions on Advanced Technologies for DISCOM Modernization, and CEOs Session on Carbon Footprint & NetZe.
This year, the host utility for the event is Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL).
IEEMA is the apex association of manufacturers of electrical, industrial electronics, and allied equipment in India. Founded in 1948, IEEMA is the first ISO-certified industry association encompassing the complete value chain in power generation, transmission, and distribution equipment, including new and renewable energy.