Power Budget 2016-17

Dr Haseeb A. Drabu Monday presented second power budget as Minister of Finance in the PDP-BJP government. The budget, delayed by over three months due to death of former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed in January 2016 is for financial year 2016-17.

FinMin Dr Drabu prior to his Budget 2016-17 speech. (Photo: Bilal Bahadur/KL)

1. If there is complete consensus across political parties, government and civil society on any issue it is that the power sector can turn around the fortunes of the government finances, put the state economy on a high and sustainable growth trajectory and make life easier for the people.

2. Not  surprisingly, it has been the stated priority of    all successive governments. Yet, sadly, the power sector continues to be unexploited in terms of generations, archaic in terms of transmission,   inefficient in terms of distribution. The economic costs of this are very high and the financial burden is crippling the state and impairing its capacity to spend for the welfare of the people.

3. Why this is so is a long story; literally and metaphorically much water has flown down the Chenab and other rivers in the last 60 years. And the biggest regret will be that we have not been able to tap that resource for the benefit of our people. This is the simple but stark fact.

4. It is in recognition of the fact that the power sector development holds the key to the fiscal autonomy of the State, that a separate power budget is being presented. The core idea is to be able to address the issues of the sector with a greater clarity and focus, develop a framework and take steps to contain our fiscal deficit.

Twin Deficits: Power&fiscal

5. As I just now stated, in the state budget, we have an unfunded gap of Rs 2,988 crore. The power deficit in financial terms is Rs 3,927 crore. In other word, if the power sector financials are taken care of, the state will not have a budgetary gap. Indeed, it will be a surplus. Speaker Sir, this should give you an idea of the criticality of the power sector to the finances of the state. Even worse is that despite incurring such losses, we are not able to provide adequate quantity and appropriate quality of power to our people.

6. The need to balance the bottom line of the state has to be seen in conjunction with the responsibility and commitment to providing 24×7 quality, reliable and affordable power to all our Domestic, Commercial and Industrial consumers. Our Government is committed to improving the quality of life of its citizens through higher electricity consumption. Our aim is to provide each household access to electricity, round the clock. This is a very challenging task.

Power Position: Demand and supply

7. As of now, the State’s peak demand for power has grown by over 8 per cent during the period from 2011 to 2015. Peak deficit has decreased from 28 per cent in FY12-13 to 23 per cent in FY15-16. High share of hydro in the generation mix combined with outages in transmission and generation sources has led to seasonal variations in power availability situation in the State.

8. The state is energy deficient and has to rely on power purchases from Northern Region Grid to meet its requirements, especially during winters when demand peaks and own generation reduces drastically. As such, there remains a large gap between the requirement and availability of energy.

9. As per the estimates, the total restricted energy availability of power for the year 2014-15 remain to be 13,701 MUs against the unrestricted energy requirement of about 18,000 MUs.

10. As on date, total number 107 villages and 3.56 lac households are un-electrified which are planned to be completely electrified by the end of 2018-19.

11. On bridging this gap, the ‘Power for All’ program is a major step. 24×7 Power for All (24×7 PFA) is a joint initiative of the Government of India and State Government, aiming to achieve 24X7 availability of reliable and quality power to all households, industrial, commercial and all other electricity consuming entities by the end of FY19.

12. Our Government has finalized the PFA Roadmap document in consultation with the Ministry of Power and its agencies like REC, CEA, PFC and BEE, highlighting all-encompassing power sector interventions including generation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy and energy efficiency/DSM measures proposed to be implemented during FY16 to FY19.

13. The Government will continue to support the power sector through targeted capital subsidy schemes aimed at supporting the poor and marginal consumers and elimination of regional disparities in the State. 24X7 ‘Power for All’ Program for the State will be implemented with the active support from the Government of India. An MoU in this regard shall be signed shortly with the Government of India.

POWER PURCHASE, REVENUE

REALISATION & TARIFF

14. Last year, while presenting the Power Budget, I’d drawn the attention of the house to the huge and accumulated gap between the power purchase and actual revenue realization.

15. While there has definitely been a gradual increase in recovery since 1996-97, from Rs 54.33cr to Rs1937.27cr, but it has not matched the increase in the cost of power purchase.The total power purchase liability on this account ending 03/2016 was about Rs. 7000.00 crore, adding the surcharge burden of about Rs. 1260.00 crore per annum (at an average interest burden of about 18%),

16. I had announced debt restructuring by raising market borrowings for about Rs 7,000 crores in the form of power bonds to clear off our accumulated power liabilities. During the course of the year, Ministry of Power’s announced ‘UDAY (UjjwalDiscom Assurance Yojana) Scheme with a similar intent.

17. As provided for under the Scheme, an MOU was signed by Power Development Department with Govt. of India for raising of loan of Rs. 3537.55 crore, out of which Rs. 2140.00 has been lifted and Rs. 1397.55 crore is to be lifted during current financial year. The balance power purchase liability shall be restructuredby the State Government by issuing Bon Once the entire liability is so restructured, there would be a net saving of about Rs 700 cr on account of reduced interest/surcharge burden.

18. State Govt. to ensure that DISCOM improve their operational efficiencies, particularly reduce AT&C losses and cost of power procurement as per the agreed trajectory.

19. It is time to recognise that the losses incurred by the state every year on account of the difference between the purchase of power and the receipts from sale of power have two components. First, is the systemic inefficiency arising from poor infrastructure and organization. Second, is the implicit and hidden subsidy which is open ended and not even targeted.

20. Revenue realization is to be seen in the context of the T&D losses, tariff orders passed by the J&KSERC, subsidies allowed by the J&K SERC, the billing and the collection efficiency.

21. To put it into indicative numbers, the average cost of supply is Rs 7.72 per unit. This includes the approved losses of 42.26 per cent. The average sale per unit is Rs 3.64 per unit. At the approved tariff the average gap comes to Rs. 4.18 per unit. This Rs 4.18 “loss” per unit, or 54 per cent of the cost price per unit comprises of an operational inefficiencies and a component of implicit subsidy which is neither directed nor targeted.

22. In other words, the reasons for this large and widening gap between power purchase bill and the revenue realization include low tariffs, High T&D losses, Faulty meters, Un-controlled and un-accounted consumption of power beyond the agreemented load by the consumers, unregistered connections, non-realization of revenue from non-camp temporary installations of Security Forces, Migrant Camps, public lighting by the Municipal Corporations/ Committees and Government offices.

23. A broad indicator of the operational inefficiency is that magnitude of AT&C losses which is to the tune of 59 per cent in FY15-16. Abnormally high proportion of unmetered consumption is the primary cause for high AT&C losses in the State.

24. To deal with this issue, JKPDD has planned for 100 per cent metering for reduction in commercial losses. In addition to the commercial losses, technical losses in the systems are also very much on the higher side due to old/ overloaded lines and poor HT: LT ratio. The investment plan laid out by JKPDD is aimed towards reducing the HT:LT ratio which in turn would help in reduction of technical losses. JKPDD Investment plans, especially in the distribution and sub transmission sector are targeted towards bringing AT&C loss to 15% by FY19-20. This is possible only through wide ramging power reforms.

Power Sector Reforms

1. Unbundling:

25. The Government in September, 2012, ordered for unbundling of JKPDD and setting up of one transmission company, two distribution companies (one each for Jammu and Kashmir divisions) and one trading company with the function of a holding company

26. Accordingly, four companies viz. a. Jammu & Kashmir State Power Transmission Company Limited b. Jammu & Kashmir State Power Trading Company Limited c. Jammu Power Distribution Company Limited d. Kashmir Power Distribution Company Limited have been set up.

27. However, unbundling continues to be a work-in progress as the newly formed companies are yet to take charge of their respective functions. Unbundling will ensure transparency and efficiencies in operation; reduce the costs with concomitant gains to the consumers. The Government is committed to taking the process of unbundling of the Department further without prejudicing the service conditions of any of the employees.

1. Distribution Reforms:

28. In terms of distribution reforms, the following schemes are presently underway at various stages of implementation in Jammu & Kashmir:

Rural Electrification Schemes:

RGGVY and DDUGJY: JKPDD’s plans for extending the distribution network to rural areas are mainly covered through works proposed under the RGGVY and DDUGJY schemes of Government of India. Out of the 6,337 villages in the State, 98.3% i.e. 6,231 villages have been electrified while 1.7% i.e. 108 villages are still un-electrified which are covered and sanctioned under DDUGY and RGGVY.

During the 12th Plan period, the fund layout for RGGVY is Rs. 101.28 crores for 25 un-electrified villages has been approved. Further, the State has proposed electrification of remaining villages under DDUGJY scheme covering 83 un-electrified villages with a fund layout of about Rs. 619.67 Crs. The project is to be implemented by 2017-18.

Urban Electrification Schemes:

Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and R-APDRP. Under R-APDRP, 30 towns (19–Kashmir & 11–Jammu) have been identified as project areas in J&K state with a population of above 10,000 as per 2001 census. GoI has sanctioned Rs 191.25 crores for part-A and Rs 1,665.27 crores for part-B under the R-APDRP scheme on 90:10 funding. The state share shall be funded through State Capex Budget.

The DPR for SCADA / DMS for Jammu and Srinagar cities has been approved by GoI at an estimated cost of Rs. 52.89 crores. For execution of Part-B of the program, 2 cities and 28 towns have been divided into nine clusters, four in Jammu Division and five in Kashmir Division. The ground level implementation in the key cities has already commenced and shall be completed during the year 2016.

This will lead to significant improvement in quality of power in these towns, besides, helping in reduction in T&D and AT&C losses. The IPDS scheme covers 86 Statutory Towns under 12 circles. Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) totaling Rs.450.39 Crores covering 12 circles have been formulated and scrutinized at a revised cost of Rs. 444.50 Crores. The project is to be implemented by 2017-18.

PMRRP 2015

29. The Government has approved an amount of about Rs 11400 cr under the Prime Minister’s Relief and Reconstruction Programme for the Power sector in the State. PMRRP–2015 aims to strengthen Generation, Transmission and Distribution network with Advanced Technology Interventions including, constructionof Smart Grids at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Rangreth, Katra and Bari-Brahamana. Rs 2000 cr have been provided under the PMRRP for Preparation of DPRs and implementation / execution of Small Hydel Projectsprojects. Similarly, Rs 4153 have been provided as the State equity towards PakalDul and other Hydro Electric Projects. Under augmentation of distribution system Rs 3790 cr have been earmarked for Capital Cities, 4 Industrial Estates at Khanmoh, Lassipora, Samba and Kathua, Tourist Destinations, Heritage Sites and Important Places of Pilgrimage. Action Plan has been submitted to the Government of India and the projects will kick start soon.

All these measures outline above will reduce the 4.54 per unit gap by around Rs 2 per unit.

For the remaining part I am outlining a tariff plan.

Rationalization of Tariff structure

30. The last tariff hike in the state was in the FY 2013-14 when it was raised by 8.5 per cent. Prior to that, in FY 11-12 it was increased by 15 per cent and in FY 12-13 by 19 per cent. The State Govt. has not increased any tariff for the last two years, while the average cost of supply grew at about 7%.

31. Reasonable degree of tariff hike from time to time is required to meet the operating costs and serve the economy with reliable power. The Govt. is taking steps to move towards tariff rationalization, identify the barriers in moving towards tariff rationalization and suitable ways to achieve tariff rationalization Key measures in achieving these would be:
32. i) By introducing efficient tariff design.
33. ii) By including” Time of Day, rate structure”

iii)    Byadministrative interventions, system improvement, consumer metering

1. iv) By considering measures to reduce reactive energy.

32. For Financial year 2016-17, tariff petition has already been filed with State Electricity Regulatory Authority envisaging the proposals on above lines. Without passing inefficiencies of the system to any category of consumer in the state, the JKPDD department in its tariff petition before JKSERC has proposed to recover the prudent cost of supply from various categories of consumer as under:-
33. By bringing the high end categories like State/Central Government Department, Public Street Lighting, Public Water Works at par with the prudent cost of supply. The corresponding budgetary provisions shall be provided to respective departments.
34. By giving a reasonable tariff hike to the consumer categories like Domestic, Non-Domestic, Agriculture and Industrial and without any tariff shock to these categories. The remaining cost up to the prudent level is proposed be claimed as direct subsidy from the concerned department for the respective categories.
35. Accordingly the department filed tariff petition before the SERC for 13.5% hike in all categories except hike in State/Central, Public Street Lighting and Public Water Works (LT & HT) to equal prudent cost of supply.

34. To ensure transparent accounting, bring efficiencies in the system and to appropriately target subsidies to various categories of consumers, covering the gap between the prudent cost of supply and the tariff proposed for various categories of consumers who are presently below the prudent level, the Government proposes to build in and provide direct subsidy to the customer through the JKPDD.

35. This would ensure that the JKPDD graduates to a more transparent accounting system and the consumers, especially the vulnerable and marginal, are insulated from sudden impact of tariff hikes from time to time. For the current Year I propose to provide a subsidy of Rs. 1728.37 crore on this account.

36. The State Government under the Power Amnesty Scheme announced last year provided waiver of 100% surcharge on electricity charges with the stipulation that the domestic consumers make the outstanding payment by or before 31^st March, 2016. However, the Government has received numerous representations that a substantial number of domestic consumers for various reasons could not avail the benefits of the Amnesty Scheme by or before 31^st March, 2016. To facilitate such consumers enabling them to avail the benefits of the Amnesty Scheme, I propose to enhance the time limit for availing benefits under the Power Amnesty Scheme up to 31^st December, 2016. It is hoped that all power consumers would have settled their outstanding by that date and in future would pay the electricity bills in time.

Generation

37. The long run objective of the government is the development of the states considerable hydro potential. The state’s own installed generation capacity is 1,419.37 MW comprising of 1,110 MW of Hydro Power Stations based, 198 MW thermal (Gas turbine) and 110.96 MW of SHPs.

38. The state owned plants contribute to 45% of the total energy requirement. Allocations from CGS contribute to the majority (53%) of the power supply and remaining (2.0%) is sourced from private sector projects. JKSDPC has drawn up a roadmap for systematic capacity addition in the 12th/13th Plan which is anticipated to make the state energy surplus by utilizing its large hydel potential. However timely DPR approvals/clearances, contracting, works monitoring would be key to ensuring timely commissioning of the proposed projects.

39. During the last FY, BHEP- II 450-MW was commissioned and has been inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister. BHEP-I witnessed an all-time high record generation of 2953.37 MUs against Design Energy of 2536.07 Mus. LJHP also witnessed  increase in generation to 661.236 Mus which is the highest generation figure since its takeover by JKSPDC from JKPDD in the year 1998-99.

40. The tunnel of Wangath link canal was successfully completed, tested and commissioned during 2015-16, paving way for operation of 3rd unit of 3×35 MW USHP-II. The damaged spillway and spill channel of the project has also been repaired. Major components of 9 MW Dah & 9 MW Hanu in Ladakh region have been completed during F.Y. 2015-16 and the project is expected to be completed ending F.Y. 2016-17. Further, 330 MW Kishanganga shall also be commissioned during financial year 2016-17 giving the State its 12% share from the total generation.

State Hydel Policy

40. With the objective of attracting private investment in the development of hydropower projects, the state government framed the State Hydel Policy 2003. To make the policy more investor friendly, new state hydel policy was announced in July, 2011 replacing with State Hydel Policy, 2003. Ten number of projects with an aggregate capacity of 110.5 MW were awarded to various Independent Power Producers (IPPs) through competitive bidding, out of which four projects with aggregate capacity of 42.5 MW have been constructed and are operational while remaining are at different stages of implementation. The Government would be removing the impediments to the investments by the IPPs in small hydel by bringing in a more investor friendly policy soon.

Repair Maintenance & Upgradation

(RMU) Plan

41. The machines of the old power houses have outlived their useful life and need repair and renovation. A program for taking up Renovation & Modernization of seven HEPs at a cost of Rs. 208.96 crores was approved by the State Government. Loan assistance of Rs. 133.95 crores has been tied up with Power Finance Corporation out of which Rs. 32.93 crores has already been availed. Further, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has also approved subsidy support of Rs.32.94 crores in respect of six HEPs.

42. Works on these projects have already been started. After full completion of R&M works there will be increase in annual generation from these HEPs. Likely increase in annual energy generation as worked out by CEA during its appraisal report after R&M of four main HEPs namely, LJHP, Chenani-I, USHP-I and Ganderbal is 192 MU. RMU will ensure that these old power stations operate for additional period without any major overhauling requirements.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

43. The desirability of energy efficiency in its supply and use can’t be over-emphasized. It is said – energy saved is energy generated. To provide a comprehensive framework for maximizing energy efficiency, the J&K Energy Conservation Act, was enacted in 2011. This Act envisaged, inter alia, setting up of a Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to aid and advise on promotion of energy conservation, basing its advice on international experience and latest research in the field of energy conservation. The Act also provides for listing energy intensive industries and setting up benchmarks for energy conservation for these through use of both incentives as well as penalties.

44. To take energy conservation activities forward in a holistic manner, an MoU was entered into by the J&K PDD, BEE and Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), a Government of India undertaking in June, 2015 when the Union Power Minister visited Srinagar. This MoU is for capacity building of J&K PDD and the objective is to undertake Demand Supply Management (DSM) measures after conducting comprehensive studies on load and preparation of a DSM Action Plan. So far under this MoU, DSM cells have been constituted in Survey Divisions of Jammu and   30 engineers from various wings of JKPDD were deputed to the National Power Training Institute (NPTI) for training of trainers program conducted by the NPTI. DSM Regulations have already been notified by JKSERC. EESL has deputed consultant under manpower support to JKPDD. EESL is hiring agency for JKPDD for survey, load research and analysis so that a comprehensive DSM plan is formulated and implemented in the State in the next two years.

45. As a concrete first step towards promoting energy efficiency culture across the state, our Government has decided to launch UnnatJyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) programme to be implemented across the State in collaboration with EESL. UJALA seeks to promote high quality LED lighting in the domestic sector by overcoming the high initial/ entry cost barrier. DELP will enable sale of LED bulbs from designated places at a cost that is much less than the per unit market price of Rs.400-500 as replacements of Incandescent Lamps (ICLs) and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).

46. The focus of this new initiative will be to make common citizen aware of the benefits of energy efficiency measures. The Government through EESL,will provide 5 LED lamps of 9W each to every registered consumer at a highly subsidized rate of Rs 20 per lamp (.ie. Rs 100 for a pack of 5 lamps). At the request of consumer, more than 5 LEDs will also be made available at a cost of around Rs. 100 each, which is much less than the obtaining price in the open market. The distribution of 80 lakh LED bulbs in the state will help reduce peak demand in the State by about 250 MW and will save energy consumption by 260 mKWh translating into an annual saving of about Rs 130 cr. I’m making a provision of Rs 64 cr in the Budget for the current year towards the subsidy on this account.

47. I’m happy to announce that the Street lights in two Municipal Corporations of Jammu and Srinagar and other Municipalities across the state would be replaced in a phased manner with energy efficient smart LED lights with full metering and dedicated feeders/phase wires. Efforts would be made to outsource the O&M through EESL or a similar agency on an annuity based model. I’m making a provision of Rs 80 cr in the Budget for the current year.

48. EESL will also undertake energy audit of government offices and implement use of energy efficient LED lighting in all government buildings across the State in the next two years.

Training and Human Resource Management

49. In the new reforms framework ushered in the State, it is particularly important that the Power sector has access to properly trained human resource. Therefore, concerted action is required to be taken for augmenting training infrastructure so that adequate well-trained human resource is made available as per the need of the sector. Efforts are also required to be made so that personnel of power sector become more cost-conscious and consumer-friendly.

50. As a first concrete step in this direction, in the power budget for the Year 2014-15, the Government announced setting up a dedicated institution under the name, Chenab Power Management and Training Institute.I’d also stated in my power budget speech, “Creation of posts of personnel of different categories, based on standard norms for assets under management, would be done.” I’m happy to inform that steps have been taken to operationalize the Chenab Power Management and Training Institute.

51. I’m happy to inform that for expeditious implementation of flagship programmes/centrally sponsored schemes in the Power Sector, the Government has created two dedicated project wings, one for Jammu & one for Kashmirwith creation of 187 posts in various categories. In addition to these two wings, one project management unit has also been created at the Secretariat level. Action is being taken to promote officers in different categories to man these posts.

52. Similarly, for the Chenab Power Management and Training Institute, the basic infrastructure at Baglihar village which had come up during construction of Stage-I of Baglihar HEP, has been suitably modified to meet the requirements of the training institute, and the matter is being pursued with the Central Institute of Rural Electrification (CIRE) Hyderabad, REC, Government of India and Ministry of Power to sign the MoU and kick start the initiative. Once operational, this will go a long way in providing the much needed impetus to the training needs of the power sector.

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