Govt Gearing-Up For Next Phase Of Energy Sector Reforms: Pralhad Joshi

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Sep 1 (KNN) The government is in the final stages of drafting a comprehensive framework for the next phase of energy sector reforms to include nuclear energy, storage systems, bioenergy, and green hydrogen initiatives.

Outlining the scope of upcoming measures, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said that amendments to key nuclear energy laws were under consideration to enable private sector participation, according to Business Standard.

Committees formed by the Department of Atomic Energy have submitted recommendations on changes to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act.

These are currently under review. The proposed reforms are expected to open avenues for private firms to design, build, and operate nuclear power plants in collaboration with government agencies.

On energy storage, the minister said that the bidding process for 10 GWh of capacity under the Advanced Chemistry Cell-Production Linked Incentive (ACC-PLI) scheme is in the final stages of preparation.

The scheme aims to support grid-scale stationary energy storage solutions.

Additionally, the government has released a national framework for developing energy storage systems, announced waivers on interstate transmission charges for renewable energy projects with storage, and approved viability gap funding for about 43 GWh of battery energy storage capacity.

Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), guidelines have been issued for pilot projects focused on innovative production methods and decentralised applications, such as cooking and heating.

The government will soon invite proposals under this scheme.

Joshi also highlighted the ministry's initiatives to address the intermittency of renewable energy.

Thirteen Renewable Energy Management Centres (REMCs) have been established for forecasting and real-time monitoring of green energy, while dispatch centres continue to balance supply with hydropower and thermal sources.

In the wind energy sector, the Centre is working with states to accelerate land allocation for projects. Where government land is limited, states have been encouraged to facilitate private land acquisition with fair compensation.

Wind-rich states including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh have been asked to reserve high-potential sites for wind or hybrid projects to ensure strategic utilisation.

The minister further noted that work is progressing on a new bioenergy scheme with a broader scope, alongside the finalisation of India's third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), to be presented at COP30 in November.

(KNN Bureau)

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