Friday 15 September 2023

A small beginning for a Big Dream

Context :

Ø India to discuss grid linking with Singapore to trade in green power .. 31 July 2023

Extract :

India and Singapore are accelerating their plans to establish a power grid through an underwater cable passing via the Andaman & Nicobar region. This ambitious project will empower India to export its renewable energy to Singapore. The agreement is anticipated to be signed in the near future.

The cost of renewable energy exported to Singapore through this agreement is expected to be lower than their gas-based electricity.

Additionally, Singapore has a commitment to meet its nationally determined contributions (NDC) under the Paris Agreement. Acquiring renewable energy from India will play a crucial role in accomplishing this target. Both nations engaged in talks regarding this matter during the G20 Energy Ministerial and Clean Energy Ministerial meetings held earlier this month.

Singapore expresses a strong interest in the plan. The Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., a state-owned entity, is currently conducting detailed technical studies on the project.

Previously, Singapore acknowledged the limitations posed by land scarcity and intermittent solar power for expanding renewable energy within the country. They are actively exploring various alternatives, including the possibility of regional power grids like the one proposed with India.

Due to its geographical isolation, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands face distinctive difficulties concerning their power supply. The total generation capacity of the union territory across various islands is approximately 109.45 MW. Out of this capacity, nearly 91% relies on diesel-based generation, while the remaining is sourced from hydro and solar power.

From Economic Times ( Print edition / 31 July 2023 ) :

India has also been in talks with Saudi Arabia and UAE to connect with their power grids to trade renewable energy.

This proposal has been in the works along with Oman, where India could look to make a stop, before taking the connectivity further to the UAE and Saudi Arabia

India has been putting weight on GLOBAL GRID CONNECTIVITY in the G 20 as well

“ Trans-national Grid Connections can enhance energy security “ , Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in a virtual address during the G-20 Energy Minister’s meeting

“ It will enable all of us to meet our Climate Goals, stimulate green investment and create millions of green jobs “ , he said, urging countries to join the green grids initiative “ One Sun, One World, One Grid “, of International Solar Alliance

India achieved its non-fossil fuel targets nine years ahead: PM Modi .. Business Line / 28 July 2023

Extract :

India has achieved its installed electric capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, nine years ahead of the target of 2030. The country has set the bar even higher through updated targets, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Today, India is one of the top 5 countries in the world, in terms of installed renewable energy capacity, he said in his virtual address at the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Minister’s Meeting being held in Chennai. “We have also set a target of attaining Net Zero by 2070,” he added.

MY TAKE :

Ø Power Play : Day or Night .. 28 April 2023

Extract :

Dear Shri R K Singhji,

Congratulations on this initiative. Hopefully this interlinking could :

Ø Help our own grid to get additional power during our “ peak demand “ periods

Ø Get power from Saudi Arabia / UAE at very cheap rates , since their cost of generation is very low due to abundant / cheap / local, oil and gas wells

Ø Help us avoid running our 50+ very old, coal-based power plants which are operating at PLF of less than 50

Ø We can avoid Rs Lakhs of crore of investment in numerous new coal-based plants ( - which projects are finding few takers and no bankers )

Ø We can buy power from SA / UAE during day-times ( periods ) when they offer it at the cheapest rates and store it in GRID-SIZE STORAGE Batteries , for use at night

Ø Help us save crores of rupees worth foreign exchange budgeted for import of coal

Ø By avoiding to produce power which uses fossil fuels, we can reduce local warming / air pollution

Ø SA / UAE have managed to set up SOLAR POWER projects which are selling power at Re 1 / Kwh !

Ø By supplying power to DISCOMS at Re 1.5 / Kwh , their accumulated losses could be wiped out

In this context, I am glad that the Ministry has taken cognizance of my suggestions sent through following 12 E-Mails :

2016 ( 1 ) :