RE Evacuation Study Tour by CBIP and IGEF-SO

Following the success of the first study tour cum capacity building programme on RE Evacuation and Data Communications Infrastructure held in May 2017, the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF-SO) and the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) organised the second study tour from 8th March to 10 March 2018 for Indian stakeholders and professionals from the Power Sector in South Asian Region. 60 officials drawn from state transmission utilities, state and regional load dispatch centres, state electricity generating companies and electricity regulatory authorities from 10 states: SPDC Telangana, HPGCL, KPTCL, APTRANSCO, MPTCL, GRIDCO, UPPTCL, GETCO, MSEDCL, HPPCL, MERC, Mahagenco together with private players like Tata Power, academic institutions like PEC Chandigarh and leading Central Power Sector Agencies like POWERGRID, POSOCO, CERC, IREDA participated in the tour. This second study tour cum capacity building programme also included representatives from neighbouring countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal in addition to representatives from German Development Bank (KfW) and Government power sector agencies. The objectives of the three-day study tour were to provide the STUs and other stakeholders an opportunity to share their experiences / success stories and discuss the challenges faced by the grid operators at the working level.

The study tour commenced with the inaugural workshop on 8 March in Madurai which comprised lectures and presentations from guest speakers followed by a Q&A session. Mr. Anil Kumar Bellary, Co-Director, IGEF-SO welcomed the speakers and delegates from different parts of the country and from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. Mr. Bellary highlighted the major objectives of the Study Tour and introduced the two special guests of honour: Mr. N.S. Sodha, Former Executive Director- POWERGRID who was with the delegation throughout the Study Tour and Mr. V. Suresh, General Manager POSOCO along with the other speakers. Since the inaugural event coincided with the International Women’s Day, as a special gesture, all women delegates were greeted with a bouquet of flowers.

The speakers in their presentations covered a wide range of topics on RE growth in the country and its implications to grid security and stability. The study tour also focused on showcasing best practices and latest technologies in the field of renewable energy in India. Visits to Adani solar plant and Suzlon wind farm in Tamil Nadu were planned with live demonstration of SCADA systems and power flows at STUs. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. I B Srivastava from CBIP.

IN