NPCIL, NTPC, Electricity - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: 1.1 bn

Explanation:
Half a billion people have gained access to electricity in India since 2000, almost doubling the country's electrification rate, according to the World Energy Access report released on Dec 6, 2017 by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

This "remarkable" growth puts India on course to achieving access to electricity for all in the early 2020s, the report added.

The number of people without access to electricity fell to 1.1 billion in 2016 from 1.7 billion in 2000.

It is on track to decline to 674 million by 2030, with India reaching universal access well before then. Since 2012, more than 100 million people per year have gained electricity access, an acceleration from the rate of 62 million people per year seen between 2000 and 2012.

Our analysis in the World Energy Outlook confirms that India is emerging as a major driving force in global energy trends, with all modern fuels and technologies playing a part.

Half a billion people have gained access to electricity in India since 2000, almost doubling the country's electrification rate.
This remarkable growth puts India on course to achieving access to electricity for all in the early 2020s - a colossal achievement.

Rate of Electrification: Know More

• Coal has fuelled about 75% of the new electricity access since 2000, with renewable sources accounting for around 20%, according to the report.
• However, 239 million people remained without electricity access in 2016, about a quarter of the worldwide total.
• The report added that India is expected to reach universal electricity access in the early-2020s. Progress has also been made on clean cooking, although 830 million people in India still lack access.
• There are clear indications however that government policy efforts targeting LPG have begun to take hold.
• The share of the population relying primarily on biomass for cooking fell to 59% in 2015 from 66% in 2011.
• By 2030, the promotion of LPG and improved biomass cookstoves by the government means that more than 300 million people gain access to clean cooking facilities, but still more than one-in-three people remain without

ANSWER: zero

Explanation:
The government of India aims to bring down to “zero” thermal coal imports of power PSUs like NTPC in the current fiscal, a move that would reduce the country’s import bill by around INR 17,000 crore.

The government would also slowly convince the private companies operating in the power space to totally stop the import of thermal fossil fuel.

The company would want that coal import by these plants (of public sector companies) should be brought down to zero and slowly they would convince the private sector there is no need to import coal.

The government will also convince upon the private companies in the power sector to source coal through domestic sources as it is more reliable and prone to less price variations.

The move is likely to substantially bring down the country’s import bill. India will save around Rs 17,000 crore on import bill.

The Coal Ministry will make available to the power public sector units (PSUs) the supply of thermal coal through domestic sources in sufficient amount which would prompt the companies to not resort to import of fossil fuel.

ANSWER: NTPC

Explanation:
State-run NTPC has crossed the milestone of 50 GW power generation capacity which will help the country realise the goal of power for all.

NTPC has crossed 50,000 MW of installed power generation capacity which marks another milestone towards 24X7 power for all.

According to a company statement, with commissioning of 500 MW unit at Unchahar in Uttar Pradesh, the total installed capacity of NTPC has increased to 50,498 MW.

In FY17, NTPC's annual generation topped 250 BU (billion units). The company also commenced coal mining at Pakri Barwadih.

Besides, it commissioned the first high efficiency 800 MW unit at Kudgi and has steadily added to its renewable portfolio.

It is the third-largest power company in terms of coal based power generation capacity, second in Plant Load Factor, third in machine availability and seventh in terms of electricity generation.

NTPC is among the top 20 coal based power generating companies globally.

NTPC has 19 coal-based, seven gas-based, 10 solar PV, one hydro and nine subsidiaries/joint venture power stations.

The company has capacity of over 21,000 MW under implementation at 23 locations across the country, including 4300 MW being undertaken by joint ventures and subsidiary companies.

ANSWER: Kayamkulam, Kerala

Explanation:
The NTPC Ltd in the second week of March 2017 installed India’s largest floating solar photo voltaic plant.

This was at the Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Plant (RGCCPP) Kayamkulam in Kerala.

The 100 kWp floating solar photo voltaic plant is the largest of its kind in India as on date.

This floating platform has been indigenously developed by the NETRA (NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance) in partnership with Central Institute of Plastic Engineering & Technology (CIPET), Chennai.

The system was installed by Swelect Energy Systems Ltd, Chennai with the help from NETRA and NTPC Kayamkulam station in a short span of 22 days.

Floating solar photo voltaic plant systems are fast emerging as an alternative to conventional ground mounted photo voltaic systems, which are land intensive.

These have various benefits like conserving water through the reduction of evaporation, increased generation due to cooling effect on the panels and reduced installation time.

Installation potential of such type of systems in India is huge due to the abundance of water bodies.

The potential is approximately 800 MWp in various reservoirs in existing stations.

Due to availability of abundant water bodies, this type of system has a great potential in RGCCPP, Kerala.

NTPC: Know More

• NTPC is India’s largest energy conglomerate with origins planted way back in 1975.
• It aims to accelerate power development in India.
• Since then, it has established itself as the dominant power major with the presence in the entire value chain of the power generation business.
• From fossil fuels, it has forayed into generating electricity via hydro, nuclear and renewable energy sources.
• This foray will play a major role in lowering its carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

ANSWER: Anand Kumar Gupta

Explanation:
Anand Kumar Gupta has taken over the charge as director commercial at NTPC.

As director commercial, he will be responsible for the activities relating to commercial, international and domestic business development and consultancy business of NTPC.

Gupta (56 years) is graduate in electrical engineering from Moti Lal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad.

He has a career spanning over 36 years of contribution in the company in various positions including those of executive director – incharge of commercial and executive director (Engineering).

He has a career spanning over 36 years of outstanding contribution in the Company in various positions including those of Executive Director - incharge of Commercial and Executive Director (Engineering).

He also headed Business Development Department of NTPC and plant operations and maintenance at station.

Gupta made major contributions in development of international business for NTPC.

He was responsible for evolving commercial strategies for changing business scenario, development of new projects and improving plant operations.

As Director (Commercial), he will be responsible for the activities relating to Commercial, International and Domestic Business development and Consultancy business of NTPC.

NTPC Ltd has informed BSE that in pursuance of Article 41 of the Articles of Association of NTPC Limited, Ministry of Power vide its Office Order dated February 03.

As part of his post, he will be responsible for the activities relating to Commercial, International and Domestic Business development and Consultancy business of NTPC.

NTPC: Know More

• Type: PSU
• Public company
• Traded as: BSE: 532555; NSE: NTPC; BSE SENSEX Constituent; CNX Nifty Constituent
• Industry: Electric Utility
• Founded: 1975
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• CMD: Gurdeep Singh
• Products: electrical power; natural gas
• Services: Electricity generation and distribution, natural gas exploration, production, transportation and distribution

ANSWER: Vidyut Pravah

Explanation:
Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy launched mobile app Vidyut Pravah- Electricity, Price Availability and Highlights

• Mobile application provides highlights of power availability in the country on real time basis
• Web/Mobile application provides a wealth of information relating to current demand met, surplus power available and prices in the Power Exchange
• UI ensures that visualisation of power availability and prices at overall country level and at State/UT level is facilitated.
• The Web application can be accessed through vidyutpravah.in.

ANSWER: 3.6%

Explanation:
India achieved lowest ever power deficit of 3.6 per cent and highest ever increase in power capacity addition of 22,566 Mega Watts.

ANSWER: West Bengal

Explanation:
IISCO plant is situated in Burnpur, West Bengal.