News Links for June 2007

City’s power situation may worsen after monsoon
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/Citys_power_situation_may_worsen_after_monsoon_/articleshow/2110283.cms

Ok.. here we go again ... the monsoon has not even started andthe "doomsday" experts have started their propaganda.

Powerless Karachi Residents Protest
http://www2.dw-world.de/southasia/South_Asia/1.224965.1.html
Our "sister" city in Pakistan is having the same "growing pains" ...

KG basin gas may not yield cheap power, say analysts
http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/10234404/KG-basin-gas-may-not-yield-che.html

Govt may not sell Dabhol's LNG unit
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Govt_may_not_sell_Dabhols_LNG_unit/articleshow/2110737.cms

Reliance Energy seeks clarification on contingency reserves
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=166842

Going up in gas
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Editorial/Going_up_in_gas/articleshow/2116212.cms

Resolving Energy Disputes -- There are more efficient processes
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/294531/34/ARTCL/none/none/Resolving-Energy-Disputes----There-are-more-efficient-processes/
A very good article on how protracted litigation eventually results in the consumer paying for much more ..REL are you listening ?? Eventually we consumers are paying for REL's (expensive) lawyers also ...

Promoting CFL: States switch off incandescent bulbs
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/12/stories/2007061204430100.htm

U.S. leads world in wind power growth: DOE report
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/294515/22/ARTCL/none/none/US-leads-world-in-wind-power-growth:-DOE-report/?pc=ENL
The US produces 16% of the World's wind power, followed by Germany,India, Spain and China !

New era in electricity industry starts June 18: NERC
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/294422/22/ARTCL/none/none/New-era-in-electricity-industry-starts-June-18:-NERC/?pc=ENL
Oh, when will that day come .. when utility companies are fined upto Rs. 1 crore per day for failing in reliability standards ...Great article...

Anil Ambani power project gets UP nod
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=50fb9b22-d6b2-4aaf-b9c3-4b5706c7ae6f&&Headline=Anil+Ambani+power+project+gets+UP+nod
So Mayawati has also settled in now .. and its business as usual forthe rest ... :)

RNRL invokes RTI for KG gas details
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/RNRL_invokes_RTI_for_KG_gas_details/articleshow/2124320.cms
Anil Ambani using RTI .. now is his own REL transparent enough ??Naah ...!

Private power transmission plans hang fire
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/Private_power_transmission_plans_hang_fire/articleshow/2124477.cms

Mayawati spells out energy reforms
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1103212
Mayawati jumps on the power bandwagon .. hints at power tariff hike .. . Just as soon as the REL Rosa project got clearance ..coincidence ??? .. Well, somebody has to PAY for all this, right ?? No points for guessing WHO ... it's US, the usual aam aadmi ..

A brand new power tariff policy for Capital
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/17/stories/2007061705730100.htm
DERC seems more straightforward than MERC .. but let's see how they conduct the public hearings ...

REL forms disaster mgmt teams to tackle power cuts during rains
http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=39727
Let's hope this works ... seems to me they read my blog :)

RNRL falls for the charm of black diamond
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070619/asp/business/story_7943029.asp

Suryachakra Power's 3.4-crore share IPO to open Jun 25
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Suryachakra_Power_IPO_to_open_on_Jun_25/articleshow/2131134.cms
Holdings, cross-holdings, JVs, subsidiaries .. in the maze of Corporate ownership .. will transparency ever be possible ?

REL to procure 450 MW of power for Sept-Oct
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/REL_to_procure_450_MW_of_power_for_Sept-Oct/articleshow/2132785.cms

Contract labourers send consumers on power trip
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1104546
Wi-fi appliances for disaster management .. but who will carry out the work ?? .. The white-collared babus in REL's Air-conditioned offices ???

Maharashtra Government drive to curb theft of electricity
http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/21/stories/2007062150940900.htm
Maharashtra CM's Latur district has 60% Distribution Loss .. !

US Senate's Underwhelming Energy Bill
http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=2461
We are not alone .. its the same all over .. big business-houses muscle their way into Govt and make consumers not only pay for this .. but also suffer the environmental consequences..

India's Sensex Rises; Reliance Energy, NTPC Gain on Court Order
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=a22G3aiXtD0w&refer=india

China building more power plants
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/6769743.stm

Gas pipeline for Dabhol delayed again
http://www.business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?leftnm=3&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=287469&tab=r

Maha ready to pay Rs 2.87/unit for Ratnagiri power
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=166955

GAIL to complete Dahej-Uran-Dabhol pipeline by month end
http://www.domain-b.com/companies/companies_g/gail/20070622_complete.htm

VAT relief for Dabhol
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?autono=288792&leftnm=3&subLeft=0&chkFlg=

Dabhol output may go up to 5,000 Mw
http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/jun/22dpc.htm
Fairly comprehensive take on the Dabhol situation ....

TNEB lines up 2,500 MW projects
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/27/stories/2007062702342300.htm

Cleco Power to pay $2 million penalty for violations
http://uaelp.pennnet.com/display_article/295157/22/ARTCL/none/none/Cleco-Power-to-pay-$2-million-penalty-for-violations/?pc=ENL
We should start penalising eletric utilities here too. Look at this .. Cleco Power was penalised US$2 Million as it violated the code of conduct (read:Regulations) wherein its employees of one department were "shared" !!

Remember, we have been asking REL to "separate its accounts of all its electricity business" .. well THIS is the reason why. Also, the US Regulator has stated that this penalty amount may NOT BE COLLECTED from the consumers ! Shame on MERC ...

Ambani vs Ambani: SC stay on sea link bids
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=24681
REL continues to cause more delays - just to fuel its own business interests .. fair enough as far as a business venture goes ..But what about the benefit of the public .. as far as REL is concerned .. the public can take a "walk" .. literally .. and the sea-link project be damned !Typical ...

Reliance Energy's subsidiary raises Rs 20 bn debt
http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/newsPopup.php?fileR=20070627072853126&dir=2007/06/27&secID=livenews

Anil Ambani meets AP CM, discusses various projects
http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=42218

Go to the police, if you get a dodgy bill, says Patil
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print.aspx?Id=672f309f-c03d-4ff7-9aeb-2ef7d794a729#
Now you can make a Police complaint for an inflated bijlee bill !! Its happening .. its slowly happening ... the change will come ...

Govt targets 80,000 MW renewable energy capacity
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/29/stories/2007062951681000.htm

Shinde worried over shortage of turbines for power generation
http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/28/stories/2007062854671700.htm

Sunil Khanna quits Reliance Bluemagic
http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2007/newsfullstory.php?id=1183134520
Not that it affects us directly...but whatever is happening at REL seems to eventually affect tariff .. especially in the absence of separation of accounts .. till then I guess, we need to keep abreast of the developments ... :)

Should we pay "Reliability Charges" ???

If the lights go out .. please DO NOT pay Reliability Charges if they have been levied in your electricity bills !!

I am inferring this from MERC's reply, given to me, under RTI.

You are aware that in the Multi-Year Tariff Orders, MERC has introduced a new charge called "Reliability Charge" as an additional tariff rate over and above the normal rate of electricity, for all consumers across Mumbai.

These Charges are at different rates for each supplier. For example, for different categories...

- BEST levies 38 and 157 paise per unit
- REL levies 29, 74 and 109 paise per unit
- TPC levies 21, 121, 166, 186 and 221 paise per unit
- While MahaVitaran levies something called ASC, but no "Reliability Charges".

The public has been informed that this Reliability Charge is levied by electric companies to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and hence we have to pay more as these companies need to make arrangements for standby/expensive power, etc., etc. - in order to NOT impose any load shedding.

The important question that arises is .. in case the supply is "interrupted" ... i.e. the lights go out .. Do we STILL pay the Reliability Charges ??

I posed this to MERC under RTI, of course, else they do not respond (my letter No. MERC/016 dated 22.5.2007) and in question no. 13, I asked for minutes of the meetings and discussion papers related to the issue of introduction of "Reliability Charges" - the concept, etc.

I received a reply No. MERC/ADM/172/Right to Infor. Act/1220 dated 7.6.2007, mentioning that this "Reliability Charge" is not a new concept and that this has been done earlier by MERC in the matter of an MSEB order dated 10.1.2002.

Since I had asked for documentary proof, I was given a hard copy of the relevant pages of that Order (which is also available on the MERC website at www.mercindia.org.in).

Read what the Order states, and make your own inference.

MERC Order dated 10.1.2002 in Case No. 1 of 2001, in Section 30.2.1 on "Reliability Charge - Application" - at page 177

Para 2 states:
"The intent of introduction of such charge as a component of tariff is to collect revenue from the consumers, who do receive uninterrupted (reliable) power supply."

Para 4 states:
"The MSEB will impose an additional charge of 25 paise per kWh, as a component of tariff to these consumers and ensure that they get uninterrupted power supply.

In any billing cycle, if there is any interruption in power supply from the MSEB system to these consumers, this Reliability Charge shall not be levied.

For the purpose of determination of uninterrupted power supply for the billing cycle, the planned interruptions (such as days covering staggered load programme of the MSEB for industrial consumers) shall be excluded."

Ok, so as "I" understand it:
# The Reliability Charge is to be paid for uninterrupted supply.
# In case supply is interrupted for any reason (other than a planned Load-shedding schedule), this charge is NOT payable.

Now, go figure it out yourself !

If anyone has any doubts, please feel free to contact me .. or better still .. ask MERC (under RTI) for copies of my RTI application and their own reply (details are given above).

Go ahead .. this is all public domain .... ;)

CNN IBN bows to REL pressure ?? Link yanked !!

This link:http://www.ibnlive.com/videos/41036/week-2-roys-still-powerless.html was a program aired by CNN IBN (Part 2 of 4, I am given to understand).

Apparently, after the 2nd episode, CNN IBN "apologised" to Anil Ambani (I don't know how far this is true...) and therefore episodes 3 & 4 were not aired.

Now this link is also pulled off !!!

Interestingly, recent newspaper reports have it that the Turner Group (CNN) has tied up with Rel Comm for providing media streams on Reliance Mobile.

Coincidence??

To be fair .. CNN IBN, IBN7, etc. were already available on Reliance handsets.

It seems that "BUSINESS" took precedence over "NEWS" for CNN IBN too .. the latest to join the casualty list .. after TOI ... but then, that's my opinion ;)

Draft CEA Regulations - Public Response needed

Here is a Link for the Draft Safety Regulations put out by the Central Electricity Authority:
http://www.cea.nic.in/e&c/regulations/draft_regulations/public%20notice.htm

The last date for public response is July 6th, 2007.

On the lighter side ...

This day may not be far when this actually happens .. with Reliance getting into each and every aspect of our lives ...

Read this fun piece here...
http://shivanathan.rediffiland.com/scripts/xanadu_diary_view.php?postId=1181121155

New's Links - 8th June

Lanco-Globeleq, four others extend bid bond validity
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=165816

RGPPL mulls buying gas from RIL for Dabhol power plant
http://news.andhrajyothy.com/dotNews/dotNews-readNews.aspx?newsId=6392

MSEB users to pay more
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1100392

Petronet to supply gas to RGPPL
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=165620

JBIC loan for Maharashtra power
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/04/stories/2007060401321500.htm
So now the approved interest rate should be 1.3%, right ?

HC dismisses REL's plea over sea link project
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Oil_Gas/HC_dismisses_RELs_plea_over_sea_link_project/articleshow/2098252.cms
An ADAG bid .. disqualified for not having enough "cash profit" .. Oh boy .. look for a Tariff hike, guys !!

Peak power shortfall is likely to go to 700MW in 2008 and hit 900-1,000MW in 2009
http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/06002050/Supplier-gets-rap-on-knuckles.html
Another article .. sounds like REL propaganda. Also, factually incorrect. It says that Tata generates 2300 MW (actually it is 1777MW) and REL generates 800 MW (actually its 500MW) .. well, so much for responsible journalism ...

Petronet losing $70,000 a day on gas pipeline delay
http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/petronet-losing-3670000daygas-pipeline-delay/284561

REL, Tata Power all set to end dispute, share site
http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/07002312/REL-Tata-Power-all-set-to-end.html
Methinks that REL being asked to "shift" its Gas power plant .. is not really a slap for REL .. maybe its a blessing in disguise .. they may not have the Gas to power the plant anyway .. looks stage-managed to me ! Also, the reporter makes the same mistake on Tata's and REL's power generation capacity...

Maharashtra may bear extra tariff, discount in VAT for Ratnagiripower
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=166378
Sure, go ahead .. burden the consumer .. who else will pay ...

NTPC to infuse Rs 500 cr in Dabhol
http://www.ndtvprofit.com/homepage/storybusinessnew.asp?id=38761&template=&cache=6/7/2007%2011:11:42%20PM
Strange, why two separate Press Releases were made ... see below

GAIL to pump in Rs 500 cr in Dabhol
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/GAIL_to_pump_in_Rs_500_cr_in_Dabhol/articleshow/2105080.cms
And surprisingly, this one did not mention that NTPC too had put in 500 cr.. see above

It rained last night in Mumbai Suburbs ...

It was more than just a pre-monsoon drizzle. It was a reasonably heavy downpour - accompanied by the usual thunder and lightning .. and the sweet aroma of wet mud :)

However, this also brought on the fear of what happened to us in Mumbai on that fateful 26/7 day in 2005.

I don't know if REL is equipped to handle another disaster like that.

See this link

http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2217/stories/20050826005501000.htm

that appeared at that time - just as a reminder of how flat REL fell on its nose.

With the kind of obsence tariffs that they have taken from us since October 2006, by jove, if they mess up this time .. they will really have to pay dearly...

The Rs. 100 cr so graciously announced by Anil Ambani (in the article) ...was not from his own pocket .. WE consumers paid for it .. so now we'd like to see us getting our money's worth.

Just two days back there was a sub-station trip at Poisar which plunged a few parts of Borivili/Kandivili into darkness for nearly two hours - 8.15 pm to11.00 pm. Without the rains if this is the situation .. what can we expect when it rains??

If we have even ONE hour of power outage anywhere in Mumbai suburbs on account of any silly reason ascribed to the rains, REL top brass should FORFEIT their salaries and commissions ...

How's that Mr. Anil Ambani .. ready to put your money where your mouth is ??

Today's News Links 1.6.2007

REL hunts for miner in Indonesia
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=165467

Reliance Bluemagic gets DTH licence
For the current article, click here:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=e246271a-5fd9-4a91-bbe4-d3036b53752c&&Headline=Reliance+Bluemagic+gets+DTH+licence

Surprisingly, no mention of the fact that the Bluemagic License belongs to Reliance Energy !! See these links:
http://www.efytimes.com/efytimes/fullnews.asp?edid=5020&magid=
http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/sep/sep101.htm