Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal has strongly advocated the need for India to adopt smart grids and concepts to improve energy access for ensuring that power reaches all in the country.
He asked policymakers and stakeholders to work towards efficient networks to ensure 24X7 affordable energy to every citizen.
“Smart grids and smart meters are the first step for India to become a smart country. Our government invite the partnership of all stakeholders, power utilities and policymakers to participate to make power 24X7 supply of affordable electricity to every person in the country. In doing so, smart grids are extremely important to reach to the last man on the bottom of the pyramid,” the minister said.
"Do it smart to do it right. Every dimension of human existence can be transformed with quality power and energy. Smart grids and smart meters are the first step for India to become a smart country," Goyal said at the India Smart Grid Week 2016, organised by India Smart Grid Forum.
"Smart grids are extremely important to reach to the last man on the bottom of the pyramid. Hence, we need to have innovative solutions that are cost effective, technology- enabled and giving equal opportunity to all. Both technology and quality are non-negotiable for us," he added.
The goal is to have smart meters in every establishment and home in India, he said.
"This means business opportunity to install 250 million smart meters in the country in next three and half year. We want the smart meters to be priced at Rs 999 or below. For us figure 9 is extremely important as we targeted to make LEDs at Rs 99, we today buy it at much below Rs 99," the minister added.
The minister also encouraged mobile companies, who are equipped with the potential to reach up to the last mile, to step forward and invest in the power sector. He stressed the importance of innovative financing models and contracts that would be a win-win for all the stake holders.
“We are inspired by your mission of installing 250 million smart meters in India as this would unleash a revolution like the mobile revolution in our country. It would also help in transforming the lives of over a billion people of the country,” said Reji Kumar Pillai, President, India Smart Grid Forum.
“Despite the efforts made by the concerned authorities, over 200 million people in India have no access to electricity and most regions experience frequent power cuts. Hence, smart grids are crucial, especially to the government’s key projects that include 24* 7 power, smart cities, 175 KW renewable energy,electric vehicles, and others,” he added.
BW Reporters
The author is Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld
_20240527192124_original_image_21.webp)
