December 02, 2008
OERC pulls up government for delay in small hydro projects
Kalinga times recently reported that passing an order on a petition filed by the developers of small hydro electric projects of under 25 MW capacity who were facing difficulties in implementation of their projects due to bureaucratic delays, the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission has directed the state government to take proactive and transparent steps for the smooth development of renewable energy in the state.
The commission said that in consonance with the National electricity Policy and the Electricity Act, 2003 to promote production and use of green and clean power, the OERC had fixed a target procurement of 3% from renewable energy sources of the total power purchased in 2007 or2008. This would go up by 0.5% each year till it reached 5% in the year 2011 or 2012. However this was unlikely to happen as there is practically negligible production of renewable power in the state.
The Commission said that this general lack of enthusiasm on the part of government agencies and bureaucratic hurdles was a great dampener upon renewable energy development and stifling all efforts in the procurement of such energy. It added that feasibility reports and DPRs must be carefully scrutinized, it, however, said that the inordinate delay in such scrutiny and the practice of keeping such reports without any action and response for years together was inexplicable and cannot be countenanced.
OERC said that “Care and caution cannot be the excuse for gross carelessness and inaction. Government must take steps to lay down clearance, schedules and time lines with a clear framework within which such clearances will be given in an open and transparent manner. Whilst many states have surged ahead with the development of renewables, the State of Odisha is badly lagging behind, despite the huge potential available not only in small hydel but also in wind and solar sources.”
The Commission further directed that there should be effective coordination between Water Resources Department and Energy Department for hassle free and speedy clearance of the pending DPRs in overall interest of the state and sittings of the State Technical Committee be held at regular intervals so that quick decision may be taken on the sub standard and incomplete project reports.
The Commission also directed the state Government to finalize expeditiously the guidelines for development of small hydro power projects.
