Dehradun: 124th Board Meeting Held Under Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan's Chairmanship

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In a significant development for Uttarakhand's energy sector, the 124th Board meeting was convened under the leadership of Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan at the UPCL Energy Bhawan in Dehradun. The meeting served as a vital platform to discuss various aspects related to power generation, transmission, and distribution projects. Additionally, the meeting focused on the achievements and challenges faced by the energy department, providing insights into future solutions.

Meeting Highlights

During the meeting, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan urged the energy department to expedite ongoing power generation, transmission, and distribution projects. He emphasized the importance of providing reliable and cost-effective electricity to consumers, stressing that all operations must be implemented more efficiently.

To ensure that technical issues regarding different projects are addressed adequately, Bardhan suggested the appointment of a technical member within the board. This addition will help streamline clarifications and studies on various aspects of project execution.

Key Directives Issued

In an effort to increase transparency, Bardhan instructed the presentation of the tariff order passed by the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) during the meeting. Furthermore, he requested that the government be made aware of the increased authorization capital for companies. As part of optimizing operations, he ordered the full stabilization of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system by September 2025.

Moreover, the Chief Secretary pointed out that remote villages still relying on solar energy should receive grid-based electricity supply. This initiative aims to enhance energy accessibility in less connected areas.

Innovative Proposals Approved

One of the significant approvals made during the meeting was the installation of capacitor banks in transformers throughout the state. Over 76,000 capacitor banks will be launched to improve voltage quality, thereby enhancing overall power distribution resilience.

Another notable initiative discussed was the approval to install a 100 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Uttarakhand. This project is expected to bolster the integration of renewable energy sources within the state's energy infrastructure.

Financial Strategies for Project Funding

Bardhan emphasized the need for competitive interest rates from various financial institutions to ensure the availability of funds for these projects at affordable rates. He noted that this financial backing is essential for the successful implementation and sustainability of planned initiatives.

In terms of statistics, the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited highlighted that there has been a consistent increase in revenue collection over the past three years. The ranking of electricity consumers has also improved, alongside a significant reduction in Aggregate Technical & Commercial Losses (AT&C) during the same period.

Conclusion

The meeting showcased a collaborative effort towards enhancing the energy sector in Uttarakhand, involving inputs from various stakeholders, including Principal Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Finance Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, and other independent board directors. Their collective expertise and insights are expected to pave the way for a more efficient energy framework in the state.

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