Chhattisgarh: Power Resource | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

Introduction

Chhattisgarh boasts a diverse range of energy resources, with coal standing out as a major contributor to its energy mix. In addition to coal, the state harnesses thermal power, hydro power, geothermal power, and renewable sources to meet its energy needs.

Coal as a Primary Energy Source

• The state holds 16% of India's total coal reserves, with an estimated 44,483 million tonnes of coal found across 12 coalfields in Raigarh, Surguja, Koriya, and Korba districts.
• The state is the second-largest producer of coal in India, contributing over 18% to the national production. Most of the coal is of power grade, with major thermal power production by NTPC and CSEB in Korba. A new NTPC plant has also begun operations in Seepat, Bilaspur.
• The state has significant potential for additional power generation, with new capacities of 10,000 MW expected in the future.

Coalfields in India

• Sohagpur Coalfield: This coalfield primarily produces non-coking coal and is part of the Central India Coalfields. It spans the districts of Surguja and Koriya in Chhattisgarh, as well as Shahdol and Umaria in Madhya Pradesh.
• Sonhat Coalfield: Known for both semi-coking and non-coking coal, this coalfield is located in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh. Sonhat is one of India's largest coal reserves, with estimated reserves of 2.67 billion tonnes.
• Jhilimili Coalfield: Producing non-coking coal, Jhilimili Coalfield is also part of the Central India Coalfields, covering the districts of Surguja and Koriya in Chhattisgarh, and Shahdol and Umaria in Madhya Pradesh. The total estimated reserves are 215.31 million tonnes, with about half classified as Grade I. According to the Geological Survey of India, as of 1 January 2004, the total reserves of non-coking coal in Jhilimili Coalfield (up to a depth of 300 meters) were 267.10 million tonnes.
• Chirimiri Coalfield: This coalfield, which produces non-coking coal, is located in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh, within the valley of the Hasdeo River, a tributary of the Mahanadi.
• Bisrampur Coalfield: Another source of non-coking coal, the Bisrampur coal mine has a production capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum and is operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India. It is situated in the Surajpur district.
• Lakhanpur Coalfield: Producing non-coking coal, this coalfield is located in Jharsuguda district.
• Panchbahini Coalfield: Non-coking coal is found in this coalfield.
• Hasdeo-Arand Coalfield: The Hasdeo-Arand coal mines, located in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh, are a network of mines producing 5 million tonnes of non-coking coal annually.
• Sendurgarh Coalfield: This coalfield is known for its production of non-coking coal.
• Korba Coalfield: Located in Korba district, Chhattisgarh, within the basin of the Hasdeo River (a tributary of the Mahanadi), Korba Coalfield produces non-coking coal. According to the Geological Survey of India, as of 1 January 2004, the total reserves in Korba Coalfield were 10,074.77 million tonnes, with 7,732.87 million tonnes up to a depth of 300 meters and 2,341.90 million tonnes at depths between 300 and 600 meters.
• Mand-Raigarh Coalfield: Situated in Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh, this coalfield lies in the valley of the Mand River, a tributary of the Mahanadi. Mand Raigarh Coalfield, along with Korba and Hasdeo-Arand Coalfields, constitutes the South Chhattisgarh Coalfields.
• Tatapani-Ramkola Coalfield: This coalfield, which produces non-coking coal, is located in Surguja district.

Thermal Power

Chhattisgarh, located in Central India, is endowed with vast coal resources, making Korba the Power Capital of the country. NTPC operates a Super Thermal Power Plant in Korba, which consistently runs at 90% Plant Load Factor.

Key Power Stations in Chhattisgarh

• Korba (West) Thermal Power Station: Also known as Hasdeo Thermal Power Station, this coal-based plant has a capacity of 840 MW (4×210 MW). An additional 500 MW (2×250 MW) is being added, referred to as the Korba West Extension Thermal Power Plant. It is located in the Bilaspur district.
• Korba (East) Thermal Power Station: Known as Korba East Thermal Power Station, this is one of the largest thermal power plants in India, located in Jamanipali, Korba. It has a generating capacity of 540 MW.
• Korba Super Thermal Power Station: Situated in Jamanipali, this coal-based thermal power station is operated by NTPC.
• Jindal Megha PP (Private): Located in Tamnar village near Raigarh, the Jindal Tanmar Thermal Power Plant is a coal-based power station operated by Jindal Power Limited, a subsidiary of Jindal Steel and Power. The plant, which sources coal from its captive mines, currently has a capacity of 600 MW.
• LANCO Thermal Power Station: The Lanco Amarkantak Power Plant, located in Pathadi village in Korba district, is a coal-based thermal power project owned and operated by Lanco Infratech, with a current capacity of 300 MW.
• Sipat TPP: The Sipat Super Thermal Power Station, also known as Rajiv Gandhi Super Thermal Power Station, is located in Sipat, Bilaspur district. This coal-based power plant, operated by NTPC, has an installed capacity of 2980 MW. It includes two stages: Stage One with three units of 660 MW each, using super-critical boiler technology, and Stage Two with two units of 500 MW each.

Hydro Power

• Gangrel Hydroelectric Project: The Gangrel Dam, also known as the R.S. Sagar Dam, is situated in Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh, across the Mahanadi River. It is the longest dam in Chhattisgarh, providing year-round irrigation, allowing farmers to harvest two crops annually. The dam also generates 10 MW of hydroelectric power.
• Hasdeo Bango Hydroelectric Project: Located on the Hasdeo River, this hydroelectric plant has a capacity of 120 MW. The Hasdeo Bango Dam, situated 42 km upstream of the Hasdeo River at Korba, is a tourist attraction with a large powerhouse. The dam is 555 meters long and has 11 gates, 10 of which are operational. It also features a rock-filled dam and an earthen dam on either side.
• Sikaser Hydroelectric Project: Located on the Pairi River, this project has a total installed capacity of 7 MW.

Geothermal Power

• Chhattisgarh is rich in non-conventional energy sources like geothermal energy. The first geothermal power project in India will be established in Tatapani, Balrampur district, Chhattisgarh. This project will harness underground hot water springs at Tatapani to generate electricity using specialized technology. 
• A memorandum of understanding was signed between NTPC and the Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) for this project. Unlike traditional power plants, geothermal power plants use renewable resources that do not need to be imported. However, initial costs are higher due to exploration expenses and the potential for only a few successful explorations.

Renewable Energy

• Chhattisgarh has a total renewable energy potential of 4,500 MW, encompassing solar (both grid-connected and rooftop), wind, biomass, and small hydro projects. The state plans to add 2,640 MW of capacity by FY 2018-19. 
• Additionally, the state government plans to install solar-powered pump sets for 16,000 agricultural consumers and distribute 3 LED lamps to each of 16 lakh BPL households and up to 5 LED lamps to each of 18 lakh APL households through EESL.

Key Information on Renewable Energy

• CREDA: The Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) is the State Nodal Agency under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (Government of India), responsible for the development, deployment, and promotion of renewable energy in the state.
• Total Installed Capacity: The total installed capacity of power generation in the state is 5,407 MW, with renewable energy-based power plants contributing 279 MW, accounting for over 5% of the state's power generation.
• Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs): The State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC) has mandated RPOs to promote renewable energy. Obligated entities must procure up to 20% of their power consumption from renewable sources by 2020.
• State Industrial Policy: Renewable energy power generation is declared a priority sector under the state industrial policy. The state has announced attractive policies for promoting solar, wind, hydro, and biomass power projects, with a new solar policy to be announced soon.

Factors Contributing to Renewable Energy Success

• Financial Support: State and central financial support is provided for system installation.
• Annual Budget: The state government allocates annual budgetary support for the operation and maintenance of installed systems.
• Organizational Setup: Each plant has an organizational setup to ensure functionality and monitoring through service providers.
• Community Participation: Community involvement from site surveys to project completion encourages a sense of ownership among villagers.
• Need-Based Assessment: System capacity assessments are conducted based on demand, with user readiness to pay charges considered.
• Timely Project Completion: Projects are completed on time, with capacity enhancements made where necessary.

CREDA – Chhattisgarh State Renewable Energy Development Agency

• CREDA, established on 25th May 2001 under the Department of Energy, Government of Chhattisgarh, focuses on implementing schemes related to Renewable Energy sources and Energy Conservation activities.
• Registered under the Society Act 1973, CREDA operates under the Energy Department, Govt. of Chhattisgarh.
• Designated as the State Nodal Agency by the State Govt., CREDA's primary role is the development and promotion of non-conventional & renewable energy sources.
• Implements various schemes like National Programme on Bio-gas Development, Solar Thermal, Solar Photo Voltaic, Remote Village Electrification, and Biomass Gasifier, sponsored by the Ministry of Non-Conventional & Renewable Energy Sources (MNRE), Government of India.
• Recognized as the State Designated Agency (SDA) by the Government of Chhattisgarh to oversee and enforce the Energy Conservation Act-2001 provisions and execute related schemes within the state.
• Given the responsibility of promoting energy efficiency, developing energy conservation projects, and facilitating renewable energy growth within Chhattisgarh State.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements

• Since its inception, CREDA has been actively involved in promoting Renewable Energy within rural areas, focusing on stand-alone devices and power generation projects from renewable and eco-friendly sources.
• Implemented projects in various sectors to harness renewable energy, contributing significantly to sustainable energy practices.
• Established a professional organizational structure with sufficient financial and human resources to effectively carry out its mandate.
• Conducted extensive human resource development initiatives, creating a conducive and modern work environment for its employees.

Energy Policy of Chhattisgarh

Rural Electrification

• To ensure that every village and hamlet in Chhattisgarh has access to electricity, the state government is prioritizing the strengthening of the transmission and distribution network to achieve a per capita electricity consumption level in line with the national average.

Energy for Agriculture

• Recognizing the significance of agriculture in Chhattisgarh's economic growth and considering the low irrigation levels, the government will focus on providing power for agricultural pump sets.

Energy for Industries

• To boost industrial growth in the state, ensuring that industries receive reliable power at competitive rates is crucial. 
• The government aims to make quality power accessible to industries at reasonable prices to attract new investments. Special measures will be taken to revive closed industries.

Captive Power Plants

• With the aim of establishing Chhattisgarh as a 'Power Hub', the government will support power generation through captive power plants. 
• Permission will be readily granted for setting up such plants, and owners will be allowed to sell power to related entities. However, selling power to third parties within the state will not be permitted.

Generation

• There is a significant potential for coal-based power projects in the State due to the ample availability of coal and water resources. Moreover, the State shows promise for power generation from non-conventional sources like hydel projects.

Power Sector Reforms

• State Electricity Regulatory Commission: A distinct State Electricity Regulatory Commission has been established to oversee and regulate the electricity sector, which will be enforced efficiently.
• Rationalization of Tariffs: Existing electricity tariffs will be restructured to ensure fairness and viability within the power sector.
• Compensation for Losses: If any State policy aimed at fulfilling social objectives leads to financial losses for the State Electricity Board, the State Government will compensate for these losses by budgetary provisions.
• Reduction of Line Losses: To minimize losses in transmission and distribution, comprehensive metering across all levels of T&D will be implemented. This will enable effective energy audits and ensure accountability.
• Prevention of Energy Theft: Complete metering of all consumers is crucial to combat energy theft. This initiative will be executed in phases due to its extensive nature. Stringent measures will be taken, including surprise inspections by enforcement teams and severe legal actions against offenders. Informants of energy theft will be rewarded, and legal actions will involve judicial officers as necessary.
• Efforts should be maximized to enhance the efficiency of CSEB by learning from the reform experiences of other states and tailoring strategies to local conditions.
• Private investment and involvement should be promoted in the transmission sector to encourage growth.
• Urgent reforms are necessary in the distribution sector. Initially, some regions' distribution responsibilities should be delegated to private entities.

Development of Non-Conventional Energy

• The state possesses significant potential for energy generation through sources like solar, biomass, bio-gas, and hydel power. These resources play a crucial role in environmental conservation.
• The State Government should promote the establishment of power plants utilizing non-conventional energy sources.

Energy Conservation and Demand-Side Management

• Given the high cost of energy generation, it is imperative not only to prevent energy misuse but also to conserve energy through demand-side management.
• The government should implement effective measures to raise awareness about energy-efficient appliances such as agricultural pump sets and energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Consumer Satisfaction

• A structured mechanism will be put in place to address consumer complaints promptly and efficiently.
• Complaints from various consumer segments such as agriculture, industry, domestic, and others will be handled within specified time limits.
• Electricity billing procedures will be simplified for consumer convenience and clarity.
• This simplification aims to make it easier for consumers to understand their bills accurately.
• The State Government will collaborate with banks and IT services to enhance the energy bill payment process.
• Consumers will have improved access to convenient payment methods through technological advancements.