InfralinePlus June 2016
InfralinePlus June 2016
InfralinePlus June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
The Complete Energy Sector Magazine for Policy and Decision Makers
Game Changer:
India strengthens energy
ties with WEST ASIA
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InfralinePlus
The Complete Energy Sector Magazine for Policy and Decision Makers
June 2016 | Volume 5 | Issue 02
InfralinePlus
Contents
Editors Letter
1
Cover Story 32
Energy hungry India ready to tango with
West Asia
India is intensifying engagement with West
Asian countries in order to boost its energy
security, secure cheaper funding to support
infrastructure boom and expand trade and
economic ties. Remittances from the region
are also critical for India in meeting its
Current Account Deficit (CAD), which poses
vulnerability to the macroeconomic stability
due to heavy dependence on energy imports.
32
India is also soliciting investment from cash-
rich sovereign wealth funds to finance its
infrastructure boom.
2
Power Coal
4 22
News Briefs p4 News Briefs p22
Expert Speak: Umesh Agrawal, Director Energy, In Conversation: Debasish Mishra, Partner, Deloitte
Utilities & Mining, PwC p8 Touche Tohmatsu India LLP p25
Expert Speak: Vijay Kumar Kharbanda, Project Director In Depth: Hike in domestic coal prices to increase cost
and Rajiv Ratna Panda, Head-Technical, SARI/EI/IRADe of power p27
P11 Statistics p30
In Depth: Need to have precision in power demand
forecasts P16
Financial Results: Q4 and Annual results announced
during May 2016 P18
Statistics p20
Topics Covered Topics Covered
Expert Speak/Interview
The Cabinet recently gave ex-post facto ap- of them. It provides for implementation of
proval to a pact between India and Japan for full-fledged diagnosis and/or other available
promoting sustainable and low-carbon ther- and effective measures including Residual
mal power development. The Union Cabinet Life Assessment (RLA) and Conditional As-
chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sessment (CA) study with priorities on, but
granted ex-post facto approval to the MoU be- not limited to the target power stations under
tween India and Japan for promoting sustain- the Pre-Primary Study and the Cooperation.
able, stable and low-carbon thermal power The number of target power station(s)/unit(s)
development in India, a statement said. The will be decided through mutual consulta-
MoU will help India address issues and barri- tion by CEA and JCOAL. It also provides for
ers in this area. The proposal includes under- be addressed through mutual collaboration consideration of justifiability and feasibility of
taking of activities such as update on the cur- by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and individual cases of power development based
rent and future policy trend in Indian power Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL). Both on thermal power generation technologies in
sector with wide coverage from R&M and Life nations will identify issues to be addressed terms of funding from the existing financial
Extension (LE) to new power development in regarding existing and upcoming facilities, instruments and/or other available bilateral
India. It will also identify barriers that could and also operation and maintenance at either financial schemes.
June 2016
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India and Nepal are planning to setting import from India during times of crisis,
up an energy bank so that they can help said Mukesh Raj Kafle, managing director
each other to overcome the problem of of the Nepal Electricity Authority. India is
power shortage. The two countries have agreeable to the concept, but there is no
conducted informal discussions regard- open access to India due to legal complica-
ing the energy bank before, but this is the tions. The proposal is good, but we have
first time that Nepal has made a formal to clear a number of regulatory provisions.
proposal. According to the energy bank We will start to work on it, Khanal quoted
concept, Nepal would export electricity to Indian officials as saying. According to
India during the summer season and im- Nepali officials, it depends on Indias will-
port power from India in the winter when ingness. Nepal has also requested India to
output drops sharply resulting in crippling resume production from the 15 MW Gandak
power shortages. The Power Trade Agree- two countries to establish an energy bank. Powerhouse. The plant was constructed as
ment signed by Nepal and India in 2014 The concept of an energy bank is clear: per the Gandak Agreement. Similarly, Nepal
during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit We export to India when our production has also requested India to build the Birpur
to Kathmandu has opened the way for the exceeds domestic consumption and we Powerhouse as soon as possible.
June 2016
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With an aim to improve its power genera- Ukai Thermal Power Station has total six
tion efficiency, Gujarat government has power generation units two units of 120
decided to completely overhaul its power MW, three units of 200 MW and one unit of
generation technology in state-owned 500 MW power generation capacity. The
power stations in the state. And as part Wanakbori Thermal Power Station, on the
of the plan, Gujarat State Electricity other hand, has total power generation
Corporation Limited (GSECL) is going to capacity of 1,470 MW with total six units
change the turbines of two of its ther- of power generation capacity of 210 MW
mal power units in Ukai of South Gujarat each. Overhauling of the two power gen-
and Wanakbori of Central Gujarat at the eration units will start in December this
cost of around Rs 208 crore. The current year and is likely to be completed within
turbine technology of Ukai and Wanakbori eight to ten months. During this period,
power stations was more than 25 years the unit will witness shut down of around
old and it had outlived its lifespan. And 100 days.
therefore, the Energy and Petrochemi- to overhaul the turbines in the thermal
cals Department had initiated the move power stations. The sources said that the
June 2016
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Nuclear power is the best way for the is now more than 87 per cent complete,
world and the UAE to meet its energy unit 2 is 68 per cent complete, unit 3 is
demands, according to experts. The UAE 47 per cent complete and unit 4 is 29
is fast entering the nuclear world and per cent complete. Overall, construction
by 2020, the countrys nuclear power of units 1 to 4 is now more than 62 per
plant in Barakah will supply around a cent complete.The country, which has
quarter of the emirates electricity needs. a nuclear power plant, moves to a new
Despite events such as Chernobyl and level in terms of science, technology,
Fukushima, more developing countries industry and education, said Rosatom
are opting for nuclear power plants. The State Atomic Energy Corporation director-
UAE started construction on four units general Sergei Kiriyenko.
of 1,400 megawatt each to generate
5,600MW on April 1, 2010, with drilling
work on the site in Barakah, about 53km
from Ruwais in the Western Region. In Corporation (Enec) confirmed that the
April this year, Emirates Nuclear Energy project is progressing steadily, as unit 1
June 2016
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ExpertSpeak
Power sector heading towards
consolidation
Umesh Agrawal, Director Energy, Utilities & Mining, PwC,
share his outlook on the power sector and feels that industry
consolidation, universal access and sustainable growth will
be the key growth drivers.
ing investor sentiment for the sector. as on 31 consolidation there are concerted efforts by
Meanwhile, Government has increased March, a healthy sign many players to reduce the level
the focus on sustainable developments 2016 helping to build a of debt by undertaking various
both in terms of generation of energy whereas strong competitive corporate actions. We have seen
as well as consumption of energy there almost 78.9 sector benefiting may deal announcements in the
by focusing on building a sustainable GW of coal recent past and might see many
all stake-
energy ecosystem. Further, the focus on based genera- more going forward. This industry
making power available to all is really tion capacity is
holders consolidation is a healthy sign helping
a significant step to achieve the objec- in various stages of to build a strong competitive sector
tives set out with the promulgation of completion.While the capacity addition benefiting all stakeholders. Similar
the Electricity Act 2003. has led to a situation of better avail- actions are also visible in the renewable
ability of power, in the short-run, it has energy space as well.
Beginning to see industry created a situation of excess capacity,
consolidation thereby creating stress in the sector. The Making power for all a reality
The Electricity Act, 2003 recom- stress has led to a situation where many The government has set an ambi-
mended a structure for the sector with power plants are ready for dispatch but tious goal of 24x7 power for all by
well-defined goals of de-licensing the there are no off-takers. The financial 2019 which indicates three specific
generation of power and provision for health of the utilities are also playing a aspects of the business, viz. building of
competition in the licensed businesses role in lack of demand even when the adequate generation, transmission and
of Transmission and Distribution. reality is that there are rampant power- distribution capability.
Subsequent regulatory framework along cuts in various part of the country The most ailing area among the
with the National Electricity Policy, except few cities. three is distribution sector. Being a
2005and Tariff Policy, 2006 provided While this has been a short-run licensed business, most of the licensees
guidance towards development of the problem, the nature of the business are state owned utilities with the onus
sector. The prolific growth being wit- which is highly leveraged is already of collection of revenue from the con-
nessed by the nation coupled with the creating trouble for promoters and sumers, which pays for the whole value
June 2016
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chain. Over the years, the discoms feeders / consumers in the urban areas, The transmission network capacity
have significant accumulated losses ensure IT enablement of distribution has also served as a bottleneck for des-
and debts. Inefficiencies of these state sector and strengthening of distribution patch of power. While the integration
owned utilities result in poor upkeep of network for completion of targets laid of the NEWS Grid has been achieved
the equipments and therefore, frequent down under Restructured Accelerated and the transmission capacity building
power cuts and poor power quality. Power Development and Reforms Pro- across the NEW and Southern Grid is
To tackle this, the government has gramme (R-APDRP). The highlight of in progress, it is critical that other bot-
proposed Ujwal DISCOM Assurance these schemes is the provision for inte- tlenecks in transmission are addressed.
Yojana (UDAY), wherein about 75% grated third party Project Monitoring The government achieved addition of
of the debt of the utilities will be Agency which updates the ministry of 28,114 circuit km (ckt km) in trans-
taken over by the state, which will the execution of the projects under- mission network, 27% higher than the
further be funded through non-SLR taken under these schemes. The gov- capacity addition in the previous year.
bonds (SDL) with maturity period of ernment has moved towards achieving The Power Ministry initiated Project
10-15 years. This would reduce the the accelerated target of Rural Electrifi- Green Energy Corridor to connect
interest burden of the utilities and cation by December, 2016. the RE projects to the grid and ensure
permit capacity to make investments evacuation of power. Traditionally,
to ensure efficient operations. erection of transmission line lagged the
In addition to the financial health, The transmission net- construction of a conventional thermal
meeting the goal of power for all will work capacity has also power plant. However, in case of a RE
entail complete rural electrification served as a bottleneck based power plant, the erection and
around the country. The government is commissioning takes significantly less
for despatch of power.
investing significantly in development time as compared to the time required
of Distribution Network in both urban While the integration to draw a transmission line to the plant,
and rural areas. Deendayal Upadhyaya of the NEWS Grid has which delays evacuation of power from 9
Gram Jyoti Yojana intends to separate been achieved and the such plants.
agricultural and non-agricultural
feeders, strengthen and augment sub-
transmission capac- Developing efficient
transmission & distribution infra- ity building across the and sustainable energy
structure in rural areas and achieve NEW and Southern ecosystem
rural electrification from a budget of Grid is in progress, it is The government has made
Rs. 43,033 Crores. Integrated Power environmental commitments towards
Development Scheme (IPDS) intends
critical that other bottle- controlling the emissions as the country
to strengthen sub-transmission and necks in transmission moves towards development. In the
distribution network in the urban areas, are addressed UN Climate Change Conference
metering of distribution transformers / held in Paris, India has proposed
to reduce the emission intensity by
33% to 35% by 2030 from the 2005
level and to create an additional
carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion
tonnes of CO2 equivalent through
afforestation by 2030 as its Intended
Nationally Determined Contribution
(INDC). In order to achieve this on
the long run, the government has
notified Environment (Protection)
Amendment Rule, 2015 to minimize
pollution by reducing Particulate
Matter (PM), SO2, NOx and Mercury,
thereby improving the Ambient
Air Quality (AAQ) in and around
thermal power plants. It requires that
all new coal based thermal power
June 2016
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ExpertSpeak
ExpertSpeak
Need to institutionalize cross border
electricity trade in South Asia
Vijay Kumar Kharbanda,
Project Director and Rajiv
Ratna Panda, Head-Techni-
cal, SARI/EI/IRADe, feel that
the only long-term solu-
tion for balanced growth of
energy sector in South Asia
is the sustained increase in
regional energy cooperation
among these nations.
ExpertSpeak
13
India-Bhutan are taking steps to enhance promoting/facilitating CBET exist in there is a need to have common/coordi-
quantum of Cross Border Electricity some South Asian Countries (SACs) nated set of regulations which facili-
Trade (CBET) in manifold. In coming but are not exhaustive in nature. Cur- tates/addresses the mechanism of cross
future Bangladesh is planning to import rently, South Asian countries are at border interconnection. There is a need
6000-7000 MW from regional grid to different stage of power sector reforms to have common/coordinated set of reg-
meet the power demand. and have different electricity regulatory ulations, policies, and legal framework
Policy/Regulatory Provisions and environment. To enhance CBET within which addresses the mechanism of
Institutional frameworks required for two or more countries in South Asia, interconnection, recognizes the CBET,
June 2016
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ExpertSpeak
14
InDepth
Need to have precision in
power demand forecasts
16
Ministry of Power estimates electricity demand in 2017-22 to be 20% less than original estimate
Power plants currently operate at less than full capacity to cater to a power demand of 140-150 GW
By Team InfralinePlus
Demand forecasting is an attempt to even blackouts, whereas over-forecast- power demand by the end of the 13th
predict future electricity needs, which ing incurs unnecessary costs. Plan period (2017- 2022) as per this
informs future plans for transmission and An Electric Power Survey (EPS) survey was 289 gigawatt (Gw).
electricity generation. There is an urgent is conducted by Central Electricity Current efforts to electrify all
need for precision in the demand fore- Authority (CEA) to forecast year-wise villages and provide uninterrupted
casts. Accurately forecasting electricity Electrical Energy Requirement and electricity for all by 2019, the
demand is crucial to make sure that grid Peak Electric Load at Power Station expected electrification of more
operators plan for adequate generation Bus Bars (utilities only) for all States/ railway lines and the emphasis
and transmission but do not over-procure UTs in India. The 18th Electric Power on usage of electric vehicles for
or over-build, which can lead to over- Survey of India was conducted in transportation are expected to drive
charging electricity customers. An under 2013 which made the forecast for the future electricity demand. Though
estimation could lead to under capacity, 2017-22 period based on the demand present installed power generation
which would result in poor quality of projection for the 12th Five Year Plan capacity of the country is 289 GW,
service including localized brownouts, or period of 2012-17. The estimated power plants operate at less than full
June 2016
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capacity to cater to a power demand of side management with CFL and LED total renewable capacity to 38,000 MW.
140-150 GW. lamps and signage for promoting Renewable energy runs at an average
Ministry of Power while prepa- efficiency at the supply side have PLF of 20 per cent during off peak hours
ration of state-specific action plans for already been taken up in the country. and 80 per cent during peak hours. With
providing 24x7 power for all by 2019 In November 2015, Union cabinet surplus installed generation capacity and
discovered the variations in demand approved, Ujwal Discom Assurance low demand, the domestic power plants
projections. The demand was estimated Yojana (UDAY), a scheme to improve are expected to operate at low capacity
at 298 GW on the back of high growth the operation and financial efficiency of of 55-60 per cent in that period, which is
in states at the time of preparation of the State owned Discomssets targets for the international average.
EPS coupled with a low base in previous utilities to cut their transmission losses. In addition to the existing
years led to the over estimations for the The government is also promoting generation capacity of 289 GW, the
13th plan. The demand was growing at energy-efficient agriculture pumps, National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
a reasonable rate till the last three years. fans and air-conditioners through government plans to add 175 GW of
Economic slowdown, its corresponding power distributors. renewable power capacity by 2022
impact on power demand lag in trans- As per 12th Five Year Plan, capacity which means the system will have
mission planning, the weak financial addition of 88,537 MW has been more than adequate generation units
state of state owned power distribution planned from conventional sources to take care of 239 GW requirement.
companies and cyclical correction has led (thermal, hydro and nuclear). Renewable The power generation plants have some
to a decline in demand. After interactions power generation has witnessed extra room to serve more demand if
with various states, ministry realized that unprecedented growth. In the last economy grows better than assumed
the power requirement is lower. financial year solar power and wind growth rate of eight per cent.
Based on estimated annual gross power exceeded its generation target by
domestic product (GDP) growth rate 116 per cent and 38 per cent to taking the For suggestions email at feedback@infraline.com
of eight per cent in the 2017-22 period, 17
during which electricity generation
is expected to grow annually at 7.2
percent , Ministry of Power estimates
countrys electricity demand in the
2017-22 period to be 20% less than
what was originally estimated. The
altered demand projection is 239 Gw
by 2022 from the earlier estimated 289
Gw. The revised projections also take
into account improvements in energy
efficiency and corrections for the slight
overestimation made in the 18th EPS.
Energy intensity, or the units of energy
required to produce one unit of GDP, is
presently recorded at 0.91 by the 12th
Five Year Plan document. A figure of
less than one indicates efficiency.
Power industry is at its spiralling
best of optimized use of energy and
efficiency in all its business segments
namely generation, transmission,
distribution and end-user. In recent
past, supply of coal and gas has also
improved which has contributed to
stagnation of power demand. There are
significant steps in energy saving and
optimization with better technology.
Initiatives such as smart grid, demand-
June 2016
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FinancialResults
NTPC Q4 net dips 7.73% to Rs 2,716.41 crore on low sales PFC Q4 profit slides by 19%, NPAs
increase
Rs 19,229.94 crore in the year ago period.
The company supplied 57.95 billion units of
electricity during the period as compared
to 57.38 billion units in the corresponding
quarter of the previous fiscal. For the entire
2015-16, the company supplied 224.926
BUs as compared to 225.007 BUs in 2014-
State-run power giant NTPC reported 7.73 15. The companys plant load factor (PLF)
per cent drop in its standalone net profit at or proportion of generation capacity utilised
Rs 2,716.41 crore in the March quarter due was 62.28 per cent in 2015-16 as compared
to low demand from discoms resulting in to 64.25 per cent in the year-ago period. Its
sales dip. The companys standalone net average tariff of electricity was Rs 3.18 per
profit in the March quarter last year was Rs unit during the recently concluded fiscal.
2,944.03 crore. Total standalone income The company reported a standalone net
of the company dipped from Rs 19,879.38 profit of Rs 10,242.91 crore in 2015-16 as
crore in th fourth quarter of 2014-15 to Rs compared to Rs 10,290.86 crore in 2014-15. Power Finance Corporation (PFC) posted a
18,560.70 crore during the period under Total income too dipped during the year decline in profit by 19.3% to Rs 1259.6 crore
review. The companys standalone net from Rs 75,337.36 crore in 2014-15 to Rs for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. The
sales of electricity was at Rs 17,990 crore 71,696.07 crore in 2015-16. profit in corresponding quarter in FY15 was
during the quarter under review as against Rs 1560.7 crore. The total income during
the same period increased to Rs 6,787
BHEL Q4 profit drops 60% to Rs 360 crore
crore in Q4FY16 from Rs 6,422.4 crore in
State-run power equipment maker BHELs Q4FY15. On an annual basis, the company
standalone net profit declined 59.5 per cent has posted a net profit of Rs 6113.4 crore
18 to Rs 359.58 crore in the quarter ended for the year ended March 31, 2016 as
March 31, 2016, due to lower income from compared to Rs. 5959.3 crore for the
operations. The company had posted a net year ended March 31, 2015. Total income
profit of Rs 888.35 crore in the correspond- increased by 10% during the same period to
ing quarter of 2014-15. Total income Rs 27564.3 crore in FY16.
from operations fell by 21.5 per cent to
Rs 10,004.77 crore during the January-
March quarter 2015-16 compared to that
of Rs 12,745.19 crore in the same period
of previous fiscal. However, total expenses interest and share of profit of associates of
decreased to Rs 9,883.76 crore, over Rs Rs 1452.38 crore for the year ended March
11,345.53 crore in the year-ago period. On 31, 2015. The board of directors recom-
the consolidated basis, BHEL posted a net mended a final dividend of Rs 0.40 per share
loss of Rs 895.93 crore for the year ended (Face value Rs 2 per share). The company
March 31, 2016. On the consolidated basis, it has an outstanding order book position of Rs
had posted a net profit after taxes, minority 1,10,730 crore at the end of 2015-16.
Some of the Confirmed PartiCiPantS
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Theme: EnErgy
Essar Power Pvt. Ltd
Powergrid Corp. Ltd
GAIL
Singapore International Arbitration Centre
ONGC
National Highway Authority of India
Amarchand MangalDas
American Express
Lanco Infratech Ltd
Dr Surat & Associates
Ideal Legal Translation
StatisticsPower
Tentative Generation Capacity Addition Target for the Year 2016-17
Capacity
State Project Developer Unit Fuel
(MW)
Central Sector
Bihar Nabinagar TPP, NTPC 2 Thermal 250
Bihar Kanti TPS St-II NTPC 4 Thermal 195
Maharashtra Mauda STPP-II NTPC 4 Thermal 660
Chhattisgarh Lara STPP NTPC 1 Thermal 800
Karnataka Kudgi TPP NTPC 1 Thermal 800
Tripura Agartala Gas Based Power Project NEEPCO ST-1 Thermal 25.5
West Bengal Teesta Low Dam-IV NHPC 3 Hydro 40
West Bengal Teesta Low Dam-IV NHPC 4 Hydro 40
Ar Pradesh Kameng NEEPCO 1 Hydro 150
Ar Pradesh Kameng NEEPCO 2 Hydro 150
Ar Pradesh Pare NEEPCO 1 Hydro 55
Ar Pradesh Pare NEEPCO 2 Hydro 55
Tamil Nadu Kudankulam NPP NPC 2 Nuclear 1000
Tamil Nadu PFBR Kalpakkam BHAVINI 1 Nuclear 500
State Sector
Assam Namrup CCGT APGCL GT+ST Thermal 100
Bihar Barauni TPP, BSEB 8 Thermal 250
Gujarat Bhavnagar TPP BECL 1 Thermal 250
Gujarat Bhavnagar TPP BECL 2 Thermal 250
Karnataka Yermarus TPP KPCL 2 Thermal 800
Maharashtra Koradi TPP MSPGCL 10 Thermal 660
Telangana Singreni TPP SCCL 2 Thermal 600
Chhattisgarh Marwa TPS CSPGCL 2 Thermal 500
West Bengal Sagardighi TPS-II WBPDCL 4 Thermal 500
AP Nagarujana Sagar TR APGENCO 1 Hydro 25
AP Nagarujana Sagar TR APGENCO 2 Hydro 25
HP Kashang-I HPPCL 1 Hydro 65
20
HP Sainj HPPCL 1 Hydro 50
HP Sainj HPPCL 2 Hydro 50
Telangana Lower Jurala TSGENCO 5 Hydro 40
Telangana Lower Jurala TSGENCO 6 Hydro 40
Telangana Pulichintala TSGENCO 1 Hydro 30
Telangana Pulichintala TSGENCO 2 Hydro 30
Meghalaya New Umtru MePGCL 1 Hydro 20
Meghalaya New Umtru MePGCL 2 Hydro 20
Private Sector
Chhattisgarh Nawapara TPP TRN 1 Thermal 300
Chhattisgarh Nawapara TPP TRN 2 Thermal 300
Uttar Pradesh Bara TPP Jaypee 2 Thermal 660
Odisha Utkal TPP Ind Barath 2 Thermal 350
Chhattisgarh Ucchpinda TPP RKM 3 Thermal 360
Tamilnadu ITPCL TPP ILFS 2 Thermal 600
Odisha Lanco Babandh TPP Lanco Babandh 1 Thermal 660
Uttar Pradesh Lalitpur TPP LPGCL 3 Thermal 660
Maharashtra Nashik TPP, Ph-I Rattan Power 2 Thermal 270
Maharashtra Nashik TPP, Ph-I Rattan Power 3 Thermal 270
Andhra Pradesh NCC TPP NCC 1 Thermal 660
Andhra Pradesh NCC TPP NCC 2 Thermal 660
Chhattisgarh Binjkote TPP SKS 1 Thermal 300
Chhattisgarh Athena Singhitari TPP Athena Chhattisgarh 1 Thermal 600
West Bengal Haldia TPP India Power 1 Thermal 150
Sikkim Teesta- III (*) Teesta Urja Ltd 1 Hydro 200
Sikkim Teesta- III (*) Teesta Urja Ltd 2 Hydro 200
Sikkim Teesta- III (*) Teesta Urja Ltd 3 Hydro 200
HP Chanju-I IA Energy 1 Hydro 12
HP Chanju-I IA Energy 2 Hydro 12
HP Chanju-I IA Energy 3 Hydro 12
Sikkim Dikchu Sneha Kinetic Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. 1 Hydro 32
Sikkim Dikchu Sneha Kinetic Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. 2 Hydro 32
Sikkim Dikchu Sneha Kinetic Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. 3 Hydro 32
Sikkim Tashiding Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd. 1 Hydro 48.5
Sikkim Tashiding Shiga Energy Pvt. Ltd. 2 Hydro 48.5
All India 16654.5
(*)w.e.f. 6th August, 2015 Teesta Urja Ltd. is a Government of Sikkim enterprise.
June 2016
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Coal Indias price hike makes imported coal cheaper in coastal regions
India Ratings estimates the recent hike in Rs 100 per tonne and Rs 150 per tonne,
prices by Coal India will make imported translating into an increase of around eight
coal at coastal regions cheaper by 5.45% on paise per unit. This comes over and above
an average. A 13% to 19% hike in the base the Rs 300 per tonne increase caused by
prices of lower grade coal by Coal India this the clean energy cess since 2015 and the
week will negatively impact ailing thermal recent increase in royalty to 18% from 14%.
power generators in India and result in a Higher cost may cause many of these plants
shift to imported coal from domestic coal, to shift their consumption to imported coal
especially for the coastal power plants, said from domestic coal. Ind-Ra estimates, ener-
India Ratings and Research. The rating firm gy charge based on domestic coal at Rs 1.66
believes the price hike will squeeze thermal per unit across a sample of power plants
power generators operating margins, on the eastern and western coasts of India,
since they will need to absorb some of the their plant load factors in order to cut which is around the same as the energy
increase in costs. It is of the opinion that losses. Prices of most consumed varieties, charge based on imported coal for coastal
some generators may be forced to reduce G11 to G13 grade will move up between plants due to their proximity to ports.
June 2016
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NewsBriefs
| Coal National National
Forest ministry seeks bar on 417 coal blocks Coal India hopes to win orders
from Bangladesh
International
Of the 835 coal blocks surveyed, the envi- 15 metres of protected area. It has asked started dwindling with surplus stock at
ronment ministrys Forest Survey of India that protection of waterways be limited power plants, Coal India has started
(FSI) has found that mining would have to to first order streams and not the larger exploring export opportunities, hoping
be partly restricted in 417 to safeguard the streams and rivers. to enter Bangladesh with the upcoming
Maitree super-critical thermal project
Coal India to cut down on production as demand falls there. A team recently visited Bangla-
desh and is likely to table its report
Lack of demand and huge inventories have soon. State-owned power generator
forced Coal India to cut production growth NTPC is developing a 1,320-Mw thermal
plan drastically this summer. According to power project in Khulna, Bangladesh,
figures released recently, both production in partnership with Bangladesh Power
and off-take grew by approximately 4 per Development Board (BPDB). A company,
cent in May, compared to the same period Bangladesh India Friendship Power 23
last year. For the April-May period, off-take Company, with a 50:50 ownership ratio
(sales volume) grew by less than 1 million has already been floated in this endea-
tonne (mt) and production remained flat at vour. NTPC, together with BPDB, will
82 mt. When compared against the target, select the lowest bidder. This puts Coal
production in the April-May period was 93 India in direct competition with Chinese
per cent of the planned volume and off-take maintaining 4 mt of higher inventory when and Indonesian coal suppliers. Signing
was 86-per-cent of projected sales. As compared to the corresponding period last of Financial Services Authority will
against targeted sales of 102 mt, the miner year. Though the power utilities have diluted depend on the price quoted by lowest
sold a total of 88 mt. Though having diluted 6.23 mt coal stock, they are still having bidder and as such there will not be any
the pithead stock by 5 mt to 52 mt during more coal than the prescribed 21 days preference for any particular company
the last two months, the company is still requirement. or country, an NTPC official said.
The Ministry of Coal has released Rs auctions were initiated after the CAG
210.33 crore as upfront payment to had, in a report tabled in Parliament in
states towards auction of coal blocks. 2012, pegged the notional loss to the
The amount is for coal bearing host national exchequer at Rs 1.86 lakh crore
states of Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, on account of improper allocation of coal
Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. Odisha mines done by the UPA government. The
has the highest share in the payment first round of coal auctions is likely to
among states at Rs 144.14 crore for fetch the Odisha government a revenue
auction of Talabira-I, Talabira-II & of Rs 45,630 crore. The projected amount
III and the Utkal D&E coal blocks.The would accrue to the state government by
amount has accrued from 14 coal blocks way of e-auction proceeds, royalty fees
that have gone under the hammer in and fixed reserve price. So far, nine coal
these five states. Auction of coal blocks blocks from the state have been put to
is expected to mop up Rs 3.45 lakh crore auctions. All blocks have been earmarked
to the national exchequer. Coal block for the power sector.
June 2016
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Japans export bank agrees $3.4-billion loan for Indonesian coal station
The Japan Bank for International Coopera- delayed as dozens of landowners refused
tion (JBIC) agreed on a $3.4 billion loan for to give up their paddy fields for the power
the controversial Batang coal power project, plant. Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI)
after years of delay. .JBIC will contribute - a joint venture set up by Indonesian coal
just over $2 billion to the loan to fund the miner PT Adaro Energy Tbk and Japans
2,000 megawatt coal-fired power plant Itochu Corp and Electric Power Develop-
in Central Java. Other Japanese banks ment Co (J-Power) - is building and operat-
including Sumitomo Mitsui, Mizuho and ing the project. Japan is one of the few
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi are also joining industrialized economies that still promotes
the loan, JBIC. Financial close of the loan coal heavily, including technology to reduces
for the coal-powered station was delayed carbon emissions from the worlds dirtiest
two months, just one of many hitches for fossil fuel. Critics say the reductions are too
the project. Indonesias Supreme Court had government to take over the remaining land small to justify the expense, especially as
earlier thrown out a landholders lawsuit on for the project. Construction was meant renewable energy sources become cheaper.
technical grounds, paving the way for the to begin in 2012, but has been repeatedly
June 2015
www.InfralinePlus.com
InConversation
Low PLF of power plants
bad for consumers
India is heavily dependent on coal to meet fast-growing electricity
requirement of its economy. But there is a growing urgency to
limit emissions because of global warming concern, which could
in turn constrain Indias flexibility to use its vast coal reserves for
electricity generation. Clean coal technologies are a possible
solution. But the question is how far can India depend on them?
Meanwhile, mindful of rising concern over emission-intensity of
coal, India is ramping up capacity in renewable power and it
has also chalked up ambitious plans for nuclear generation as
an alternative option. Will these remedies work for India? In an
interview to Infraline Plus, Debasish Mishra, Partner, Deloitte
Touche Tohmatsu India LLP, fields questions relating to the future
roadmap of the Indian electricity sector. Excerpts:
Debasish Mishra, Partner, Deloitte Touche
Tohmatsu India LLP
25
With international public opinion as environmental protection
turning against burning of coal, objective is concerned? ity law and the massive capital cost
how can India make use of its Washed coal definitely helps in involved in LWR plants, the whole
vast coal reserves? Do you think reducing pollution as it reduces the program has been a non-starter. For
technology can come to the volume of coal transported over longer the next 20 years, nuclear power is
rescue? distances. It reduces operation & unlikely to replace coal based thermal
India will continue to use coal to maintenance (O&M) cost in thermal capacity in the base load.
meet the requirement of base load plant. It also reduces ash handling-
of electricity in the next couple related costs. How credible is the option of
of decades. As the government is setting up power plants in
determined to have Power for All Can nuclear plants replace coastal areas based on imported
target that would ensure 24X7 power. coal-fired generating stations as coal for meeting countrys fast-
This is not going to be possible without base-load source of electricity growing electricity requirement
availing coal based thermal generation. and if so, to what extent, given given the history of volatility in
As committed in COP21, while India the difference in their cost international coal market?
will make a huge push towards energy economics? In certain geographies such as South
efficiency and renewable energy and India has mastered the PHWR technol- and West, imported coal based coastal
make sure by 2030 at least 40 per cent ogy. But the real strategic objective of thermal plants are competitive vis--vis
power comes from non-fossil fuel India in nuclear power is to reach the those using domestic coal transported
sources, still the predominant source third stage of development by using from coal bearing regions of East and
of power will remain coal. Technology Thorium, which is available in plenty Central India. International commodity
would definitely help in reducing level in India. But for that the country must prices will always be volatile and will
of emission from coal plants. have enough quantity of enriched ura- be drain on our foreign exchange. Given
nium, which is only possible by having the new governments push to increase
How effective will be the large LWR power plants. Given the domestic coal production, it is unlikely
strategy of using washed coal concerns that the major LWR players that there will be many more coastal
in power generation so far have around Indias nuclear liabil- plants coming up in next few years.
June 2015
www.InfralinePlus.com
InConversation
Can India meet the target of At least 10 per cent power sourced due to unavailability of gas at the right
producing 1.5 billion tonne of from Natural gas based power plant price. Government has launched a
coal by 2019-20 without allowing is very much essential for any power programme to partially utilise the gas
private players entry into system, given the ramp up and ram power generation capacity. Until long
commercial coal mining? down flexibility that it provides like term availability of gas at prices around
Based on Coal Indias stellar perfor- hydro power. Unfortunately, low avail- 6 dollar per MMBTU is confirmed, it
mance, there has been robust increase ability of natural gas in the country and is unlikely that investors are going to
in coal production in last two years. hitherto prevailing high LNG prices invest in gas based power project in In-
Government has set Coal India a have been a big hindrance for the sec- dia, which would be rather unfortunate.
target of 1 billion tons and the rest of tor in India. Today we have 24 GW of
the players another 500 MT (public gas based power projects either com- What is your take on low plant
sector entities 250 MT and private pletely stranded or partially utilised load factor (PLF) of coal-based
sector captive miners 250 MT). As power plants? Is it good from
long as the country is producing more Today we have a situa- consumers perspective?
coal than the domestic requirement, tion where 55 MT coal Low PLF can never be good for the
the overall target achievement should IPP, for their lenders, DISCOMs
not matter. Today we have a situa-
is not lifted from mines. and even the consumers. When any
tion where 55 MT coal is not lifted But the government is infrastructure asset is created and paid
from mines. But the government is ready with coal blocks by the users, it should be used till the
ready with coal blocks for bidding by for bidding by commer- technical limits for giving consumers
commercial miners. Given the nega- best value for money. Power plants
tive outlook of the commodity in the
cial miners. Given the with PPA running at low PLF is bad
global market, there may not be many negative outlook of the for DISCOMs and consumers, as they
26 takers for these blocks even if they are commodity in the glob- would already be paying full fixed cost.
put to bid. al market, there may
How far will governments
What do you think of the
not be many takers for initiatives like Make in India
prospect of natural gas/LNG these blocks even if and Digital India boost demand
replacing coal in electricity they are put to bid. for electricity in coming days?
generation? Given that, is there any need
for reassessment of Indias
electricity requirement in
coming years?
In the last five years, India has seen
massive capacity addition (more than
10 per cent CAGR per year) and a
demand slowdown due to industrial
slowdown. This has resulted in the
country having stranded power projects
and many power plants running at
low PLF. More realistic projection of
demand is definitely required. Modi
government has been determined to
increase share of manufacturing in the
GDP and programmes like Make in In-
dia, Industrial corridors, etc, are geared
towards that. If they succeed, it would
be big positive for the demand growth
in electricity sector.
InDepth
Hike in domestic coal prices
to increase cost of power
27
Thermal plants, especially coastal, to see a shift to imported coal from domestic coal
While the overall price hike is 6.2%, the effect on regulated sector would be around 8%
By Team InfralinePlus
Despite several measures adopted both December 2015 raised the royalty from was likely to shoot up Coal Indias
at policy and regulatory level post last 14% to 18.5% for funding the district average notified coal price by around
budget (2015-16), the power sector is mineral fund (DMF) and the National 20 per cent. Couple of months later, the
still plagued by weak health of power Mineral Exploration Trust (NEMT). In inevitable has happened.
distribution companies, fuel-related the Union Budget 2016-17 announce- Coal India Limited (CIL) issued a
issues and transmission constraints ments, clean energy cess on coal has notification on May 29, 2016 revising
and will continue to do at least in short been renamed as Clean Environment the prices of pit head run of mine
to medium term. Post Union Budget Cess and the cess amount has been (ROM) prices of all grades of non-
2015-16 announcements, lot of changes doubled from INR 200 per tonne to coking coal effective from midnight
have taken place in the Indian coal INR 400 per tonne. It was expected that of May 30, 2016. On average, prices
sector. The central government in increased cess proposed in the Budget of coal sold through the fuel supply
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
InDepth
(MT) of coal, out of which that sold through million tonnes (MT) of coal, out of
which that sold through the FSA route
the FSA route accounted for 447.72 MT. The accounted for 447.72 MT. The price
price hike will fetch the company additional hike will fetch the company addi-
revenue of about INR 3,234 crore this year. tional revenue of about INR 3,234
crore this year. CIL has also reduced
CIL has also reduced the premium it charged the premium it charged the non-reg-
the non-regulated sector to 20% from 35% ulated sector to 20% from 35%. Coal
accounts for more than 60 percent of
Indias power generation capacity and
more than 75 percent of the nations
electricity production.
For Coal India, the price hike comes
at a time its average realisation per
tonne is going down because of the
lack of demand, especially from power
plants, which are flush with coal with
an all-India average stock of 22 days
as on May 26. However, consumers
of coal will be facing the heat of coal
price hikes for the third consecutive
time in the last six months, since before
the revision of coal prices in by CIL
board, there were increases in royalty
and clean energy cess.
StatisticsCoal
Indonesian Coal Prices - HBA - FY 2015 - 2016
HPB MARKER (kcal/kg GAR) (USD/Ton)
HBA 6322
Gunung Prima Pinang Indominco Melawan Enviro- Jorong
Month kcal/kg Ecocoal
Bayan I Coal Coal IM East Coal coal J-1
(USD/ton)
May-15 61.08 65.36 66.72 60.27 50.14 49.55 47.18 37.96 34.88
Jun-15 59.59 63.75 65.21 58.91 48.94 48.48 46.23 37.19 34.19
Aug-15 59.14 63.26 64.75 58.5 48.58 48.15 45.94 36.96 33.99
Sep-15 58.21 62.25 63.81 57.65 47.82 47.48 45.35 36.48 33.56
Oct-15 57.39 61.36 62.98 56.91 47.16 46.89 44.83 36.06 33.19
Nov-15 54.43 58.16 59.98 54.21 44.77 44.76 42.95 34.54 31.83
30
Dec-15 53.51 57.16 59.04 53.37 44.02 44.1 42.36 34.07 31.41
Jan-16 53.2 56.82 58.73 53.09 43.77 43.88 42.16 33.91 31.27
Feb-16 50.92 54.36 56.42 51.01 41.93 42.24 40.71 32.73 30.23
Mar-16 51.62 55.11 57.13 51.65 42.5 42.74 41.16 33.09 30.55
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
CoverStory
Energy hungry India ready to
tango with West Asia
32
By Team InfralinePlus
India is intensifying engagement with Meanwhile, the trilateral transport being developed by China in Pakistan.
West Asian countries in order to boost and transit agreement signed by India, India has promised to invest over $20
its energy security, secure cheaper Afghanistan and Iran recently and the billion in urea, petrochemical, phar-
funding to support infrastructure boom proposed Chabahar port promises to maceutical, IT and rail projects in the
and expand trade and economic ties. open up a new possibility for India Chabahar Special Economic Zone
Remittances from the region are also to gain access to mineral and energy provided gas is made available at $1.5
critical for India in meeting its Current resources in Afghanistan, Iran and per mmbtu price. For its part, Iran has
Account Deficit (CAD), which poses Central Asian countries. Besides, the offered gas at $2.5 per mmbtu for fer-
vulnerability to the macroeconomic new route will also give a big boost tiliser and petrochemical projects.
stability due to heavy dependence on to Indias international trade as the Kazakhstan in Central Asia has huge
energy imports. India is also soliciting country will not have to depend on deposits of uranium. As India ramps
investment from cash-rich sovereign Pakistan for transit facility. India has up its nuclear power generation, it will
wealth funds to finance its infrastruc- been asked to build Irans Chabahar need to import uranium. Kazakhstan
ture boom. port which could rival the Gwadar port can meet Indias uranium requirement.
June 2016
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CoverStory
doing business in the country and Indias in the energy-sector to one of deeper India-Saudi Arabia Ministerial Energy
key efforts to simplify and rationalise partnership focusing on investment Dialogue.
existing rules and relax the foreign direct and joint ventures in petrochemical Both leaders emphasised the impor-
investment norms in key areas, including complexes, and cooperation in joint tance of continued promotion of scien-
railways, defence and insurance. exploration in India, Saudi Arabia and tific and technological collaboration,
Inviting Saudi Arabia to be a in third countries. including in the areas of renewable
partner in Indias growth story, the The two sides also agreed to energy, including solar, Information
Indian side encouraged Saudi Aramco, focus on areas of training and human and Communication technology, space
SABIC and other Saudi companies resources development and coop- technology, sustainable development,
to invest in the infrastructure sector eration in research and development arid agriculture, desert ecology, urban
in India and to participate in projects in the energy sector. In this regard, development, healthcare and bio-tech-
creating mega industrial manufac- the two leaders expressed the need for nology. The two sides further agreed to
turing corridors, smart cities as well regular meetings under the umbrella of collaborate on areas of food security.
as the Digital India and Start up India
programmes. The Saudi side expressed Qatar
its interest in investing in infrastructure The bilateral trade be- The bilateral trade between India and
development in India, especially in tween India and Qatar is Qatar is estimated at $15 billion dollar
priority areas such as railways, roads, estimated at $15 billion in 2014-15. While India exported goods
ports, and shipping. The Saudi side dollar in 2014-15. While worth 1 billion dollar, its imports were
welcomed interest of Indian side in India exported goods from the country were valued at 14.6
investing in the Kingdom, especially worth 1 billion dollar, its billion dollar. During Indian Prime
taking advantage of the competitive imports were from the Ministers recent visit to Qatar, the two
investment opportunities offered by the sides agreed to further expand economic
Saudi economic and industrial cities.
country were valued at cooperation while expressing satisfac-
34
Keeping in view the importance
14.6 billion dollar. During tion at the LNG trade. Specifically, the
of energy security as a key pillar of Indian Prime Ministers two sides agreed to focus on enhancing
the strategic partnership, the two recent visit to Qatar, cooperation in energy, covering the areas
sides expressed satisfaction at their the two sides agreed of training and human resources devel-
growing bilateral trade in the energy to further expand eco- opment and cooperation in research and
sector, acknowledging Saudi Arabia nomic cooperation while development and through promotion of
as the largest supplier of crude oil expressing satisfaction joint ventures in petrochemical complex-
to India. The two leaders agreed to at the LNG trade es and cooperation in joint exploration in
transform the buyer-seller relationship India and other countries.
The Indian side highlighted the
interest of its energy companies to
pursue opportunities of mutual interest
in Qatar, with Qatar Petroleum and
other companies, in order to jointly
explore new fields as well development
of discovered oil and gas assets and
exploit the existing resources of natural
gas and crude oil in Qatar.
The Indian side invited Qatar
to invest in Indias exploration and
production sector by bidding for the
exploration blocks in India under the
new Hydrocarbon Exploration and
Licensing Policy and Discovered
Small Fields Policy. The Indian side
also invited Qatar to participate in the
second phase of the strategic reserves
storage facility being created in India.
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
UAE
UAE is the only GCC member with
whom India has trade surplus. In
2014-15, India exported merchandise
worth $33 billion while its imports
were valued at $26 billion. During the
recent visit of the crown prince of Abu
Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, to New Delhi, a number
of pacts were signed by the two sides
to expand economic cooperation. The
Indian side highlighted the major initia-
tives taken by it to improve the ease of
doing business in the country. Indias
key efforts to simplify and rationalise
existing rules and relax foreign direct
investment caps in key areas, including
railways, defense, and insurance were
also noted. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi invited the UAE to be a partner
in Indias growth story, and to partici- intention of the Abu Dhabi National
pate in projects creating mega indus- UAE is the only GCC Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Indian
trial manufacturing corridors, including member with whom In- Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd.
the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor dia has trade surplus. In (ISPRL) to sign a Memorandum of 35
as well as the Digital India and Start up 2014-15, India exported Understanding on the Establishment of
India programs. merchandise worth $33 a Strategic Petroleum Reserve in India,
The two sides discussed their plans and agreed to conclude negotiations in
billion while its imports
for infrastructure development. The the near future.
Indian side highlighted the expe-
were valued at $26 bil- The two sides said they looked
rience and expertise its companies
lion. During the recent forward to increased cooperation in
had acquired in infrastructure devel- visit of the crown prince the crude oil sector, including through
opment, including in power generation of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh training, and human resources devel-
and transmission, civil construction, Mohammed bin Zayed opment. The Indian side conveyed
railways and metros, hospitals, airports, Al Nahyan, to New Delhi, the keen interest of its oil companies
housing and roads. It conveyed the a number of pacts were in forming joint ventures with and
interest of Indian companies to be a signed by the two sides offering equity participation to UAE
partner in the infrastructure projects to expand economic co- companies, as well as in seeking
being undertaken by the UAE in prepa- operation participation in prospective exploration
ration for the World EXPO, which will rounds in the UAE and in opportunities
be held in Dubai in 2020, as well as in investors in infrastructure projects in for joint exploration in third countries.
the UAEs development plans. India. The two sides described these The two countries agreed to
The UAE noted its interest in developments as important steps expand their collaboration in
investing in infrastructure development towards reaching the 75 billion dollar renewable energy and in international
in India, especially in priority areas target for UAE investments in Indias negotiations on climate change,
such as railways, roads, ports, and infrastructure development plans. under the United Nations Framework
shipping. The two leaders welcomed Recognizing that energy is a central Convention on Climate Change. They
the opening of DP Worlds new smart pillar of the economic relationship, also agreed to continue to extend
port Nhava Sheva in Mumba and the the two leaders expressed satisfaction strong support to the International
signing of a framework Memorandum at their growing bilateral trade in the Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
of Understanding between the UAE energy sector, noting that the UAE is They welcomed the signing of a
and India which will serve to facilitate one of the largest suppliers of crude General Framework Arrangement for
and expand the participation of Emirati oil to India. They welcomed the Cooperation in Renewable Energy,
June 2016
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CoverStory
which will lead to deeper exchanges in Its reach could extend to the depths of the International North-South Trade
these areas. the Central Asian countries. Corridor (INSTC) and bring India
The successful implementation of closer to the Eurasian Economic Union
Iran the Chahbahar project may re-energise (EAEU), which includes Armenia,
India has struggled to maintain its Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and
trade ties with Iran in recent years India has offered to Russia. India has already set up a joint
due to western sanctions imposed on invest more than $20 study group to explore the possibility
that country. India-Iran bilateral trade of signing an FTA with the EAEU.
was valued at $13 billion in 2014-15.
billion in fertiliser, phar- Moreover, India and Pakistan will
While India exported goods worth 4 maceutical petrochemi- be joining the Shanghai Cooperation
billion dollar, its imports were valued cal, IT and rail projects Organisation (SCO) this year. Iran
at $8.9 billion. India has offered to in- in the Chabahar special is also expected to join soon. These
vest more than $20 billion in fertiliser, economic zone (SEZ) of political and geo-economic develop-
pharmaceutical petrochemical, IT and the Persian Gulf country ments may force Pakistan to have a
rail projects in the Chabahar special provided natural gas is fresh look at its trade and transit policy
economic zone (SEZ) of the Persian provided at a competi- towards India.
Gulf country provided natural gas is Pakistan may be forced to consider
provided at a competitive price of 1.5
tive price of 1.5 dollar allowing Indian goods to pass through
dollar per mmbtu. per mmbtu. its territory to benefit from volumes
India took its first step towards
unlocking the investment potential India eyes Irans energy resources
for its companies in Iran when the
PM visited that country in May. A
36 trilateral transport and transit cor-
ridor agreement was also signed by
Afghanistan, India and Iran to allow
Indian goods access to the Central
Asian countries market without using
Pakistans territory. Commenting on
the signing of the historic agreement,
Indian PM said, The agreement on the
establishment of a Trilateral Transport
and Transit Corridor can alter the
course of history of this region. It
is a new foundation of convergence
between our three nations.
The corridor would spur unhindered
flow of commerce throughout the
region. Inflow of capital and tech- Over Rs 1 lakh crore investment can happen in Chabahar free trade zone
nology could lead to new industrial Iran, Gadkari said, has cheap natural gas and power that Indian firms are
infrastructure in Chabahar. This would keen to tap to build a 0.5-million tonne aluminium smelter plant as well as
include gas based fertiliser plants, pet- urea manufacturing units.
rochemicals, pharmaceuticals and IT. Nalco will set up the aluminium smelter while private and co-operative fer-
The key arteries of the corridor would tiliser firms are keen to build urea plants provided they get gas at less than
pass through the Chabahar port of Iran. USD 2 per mmBtu.
Its very location, on the mouth of Gulf India Ports Global Pvt, a joint venture of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and
of Oman, is of great strategic signifi- the Kandla Port Trust, will invest USD 85 million in developing two container
cance. Afghanistan will get an assured, berths
effective, and a friendly route to trade India recently submitted a reworked master development plan for Irans
with the rest of the world. The arc of Farsi natural gas block. The block is estimated to have reserves of up to
economic benefit from this agreement 21.68 trillion cu. ft (tcf), with recoverable reserves of around 12.8 tcf.
would extend beyond our three nations.
June 2016
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Afghanistans mineral
resources
Nitin Gadkari, Minister, Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Impoverished Afghanistan is a min-
eral rich country. The US Geological
that would be crucial to making some Survey has verified previous Soviet
of these infrastructure projects viable.
The recent pact be- finds. Afghanistan may hold 60 million
To make the Chahbahar port less tween India and Iran to tonne of copper, 2.2 billion tonne of 37
attractive, Islamabad may also allow build Chabahar port in iron ore, and 1.4 million tonne of rare
extension of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Iran has the potential to earth elements such as lanthanum,
Transit and Trade Agreement (APTTA) alter the dynamics of Af- cerium and neodymium, in addition to
to India, feel experts. Initial work is aluminium, gold, silver, zinc, mercury,
ghanistans geopolitics.
already underway on extending the and lithium. Rare earth deposits in
agreement formally to Tajikistan. Once
The pact will add new Helmand province alone are valued at
the APTTA is expanded to include players to the game and 89 billion dollar.
Central Asia and India, this small initial construct a compelling Total Afghan mineral wealth is esti-
project could become a serious eco- economic dimension mated at $1-3 trillion according to the
nomic force of integration, add experts. U.S. Geological Survey. Such mineral
also help India to expand its options in deposits have remained untapped
Chahbahar initiative well- Central Asia. due to the lack of connectivity to a
timed Experts also say that the recent major economy, among other factors.
The Chahbahar project has been under pact between India and Iran to build No more, with new connectivity to
discussion for years. However, it was Chabahar port in Iran has the potential India. Afghanistan might be able
the Modi government that put its to alter the dynamics of Afghanistans to jump-start the engine of modern
political weight behind the project. geopolitics. The pact will add new economic growth and move beyond
However, the success of projects will players to the game and construct a poppy cultivation. Also, a successful
critically depend on economic integra- compelling economic dimension. It corridor further enforces Afghanistan
tion of the region. Analysts say that also has the potential for a new security as a transit route for oil and natural
the Chahbahar initiative is well-timed. paradigm to bring about a geopolitical gas exports from Central Asia to the
After removal of sanctions, Iran is shift in the region. The development Arabian Sea.
now looking to expand business ties. of Chabahar port and the connecting
Moreover, Indian energy companies transport-and-trade corridor has Skepticism over
are open to purchasing more Iranian the potential for India to unlock the involvement in Afghanistan
oil, making swap deals and investing untapped energy and mineral riches of Afghanistan has been the graveyard
in Iranian oil fields where they have Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, of superpowers. Can India and Iran
already made discoveries. This will say experts. succeed where the Britain, the US
June 2016
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CoverStory
and Russia have miserably failed? the one the West has successfully used of Pakistans territorial borders. A pact
Perhaps yes, say experts. They cite to keep the oil-rich West Asia stable, of such magnitude among Pakistans
economics, connectivity, and security said another expert. The Indian road bordering states, aimed at excluding
as key factors working to the ad- to Afghanistan leads through Iran. In Pakistan, is an enormous indictment of
vantage of India and Iran. An expert event of internal chaos in Afghanistan, Pakistans policies with its neighbours
explained that the British, Soviet, and India and Iran will be required to and a sharp reminder of its isolation in
American campaigns were military collaborate closely in bringing about the region. But Pakistani losses extend
interventions of occupation, with peace. This makes the two coun- beyond the symbolic to the tangible.
hardly any direct economic benefit tries with civilisational links newest The advantage Pakistan enjoyed due to
for Afghanistan. strategic partners in The Great Game, its geography has been minimised and
The Chabahar corridor is not an with a direct stake in long-term peace will perhaps be eliminated over time,
intervention. This corridor unleashes and prosperity, said one geopolitical say experts.
economic opportunities that did not analyst. Second, they add, Pakistan loses
exist in the past and it offers Afghan- The undeclared but principal its stranglehold over the land-locked
istan the most tangible prospect to paradigm-breaking impact of this Afghanistan. After the Soviet with-
build a modern economy. The past gov- deal is on Pakistan. India, Iran, and drawal, Pakistan managed near
ernments in Kabul lacked credibility Afghanistan constitute over 95 percent absolute control over Afghanistan
among masses as they were dependent through Taliban. As the Americas
on foreign aid. The Chabahar corridor Afghan campaign began, Pakistani lev-
They believe that the tax generated eraged its supply lines passing through
from mining and mineral exports
is not an intervention. Karachi port to increase its closeness
could facilitate a resourceful and This corridor unleashes with the US.
strong government in Kabul that can economic opportunities Finally, compared to Chabahar, the
38 assert authority across the country. Job that did not exist in alternative ChinaPakistan Economic
creation from economic activity would the past and it offers Corridor looks lop-sided. This cor-
increase peoples stakes in peace and Afghanistan the most ridor links the restive Chinese west,
stability. This potentially offers a sus- the autonomous Xinjiang region
tainable model that had been missing in
tangible prospect and autonomous Tibet region, to the
the past superpower-led expeditions in to build a modern Pakistani port of Gwadar in the equally
Afghanistan. economy. The past restive Balochistan province. The
Thanks to land connectivity, India governments in Kabul economic complementarities are obvi-
and Iran will be able to play a far lacked credibility ously missing, giving rise to question
bigger role in Afghanistan by sup- among masses as they as to who will benefit from the infra-
porting democratic forces. Mineral structure, add experts.
wealth can reduce the cost of such
were dependent on
support. The model can be similar to foreign aid
For suggestions email at feedback@infraline.com
June 2016
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The government has created four categories PM. We want to clear the smoke in the daily
of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distributor- lives of poor women who still have to use
ship to more effectively cater to the varying unhealthy fuels for cooking... make clean
needs of consumers in urban, rural areas cooking fuel available to entire population by
with urban infrastructure - also known as 2018, oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.
rurban, rural and geographically inaccessible Pradhan said plan to meet additional demand
areas. Simultaneously, the oil ministry has of LPG has been put in place and work on all
also started the process of appointing 10,000 the verticals is going on simultaneously to
dealerships under a unified guideline to ex- avoid any lag. There are 27 crore registered
pand the network to meet increased demand LPG consumers, of which 16.7 crore are ac-
for the clean fuel expected from Ujjwala - the tive. This covers nearly 60% of the population.
scheme to provide free connections to five The government expects about 3 crore new
crore poor households in the next three years. consumers from the APL (above poverty line)
We have been able to change the oil minis- man in the last two years. We achieved it households to join the list in addition to the 5
trys orientation from corporates to common with the support and encouragement of the crore Ujjwala consumers in the non-BPL.
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
ONGC Videsh Ltd has announced in Russia. The field, which has recoverable
completion of acquisition of 15 per cent reserves of 2.5 billion barrels, will give
stake in Russias second biggest oil field of OVL 3.3 million tonnes per annum of oil
Vankor from Rosneft for $1.268 billion, its production. OVL said that the deal to
fourth biggest acquisition. The overseas acquire stake in Vankor was signed by
arm of state-owned Oil and Natural its Managing Director & CEO Narendra K
Gas Corp (ONGC) said the acquisition Verma and Rosneft head Igor Sechin in
of 15 per cent stake in JSC Vankorneft early September last year. Further to that,
-- a company organised under the law of Rosneft agreed to sell another 11 per cent
Russian Federation, which is the owner stake in Vankor to OVL. Details of this deal
of Vankor Field and North Vankor licence are yet to be finalised. The acquisition
-- was completed recently. Rosneft, the strengthens OVLs presence in Russia and
national oil company of Russia continues is consistent with stated strategic objective
to hold the remaining 85 per cent shares Vankor oil and gas condensate field in of adding high quality international assets
of JSC Vankorneft, the developer of the Turukhansky district of Krasnoyak Territory to its existing E&P portfolio.
June 2016
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Growth in natural gas demand will slow to an as production shrinks in Europe and U.S. gas
average 1.5 percent a year globally through production hovers around flat next year as
2021, as stagnation in Europe and uncer- lower gas prices cut into investment. Longer
tainty about Chinese consumption offsets term, the U.S. shale industry is expect to help
robust growth in India, the International drive recovery in production to reach 100 bil-
Energy Agency (IEA) said. After growth of lion cubic metres (bcm) by 2021, or one-third
2.5 percent over the last six years, gas is of the global supply rise over the period. The
facing competition from renewable energy IEA puts forward prices of shipping U.S. LNG
and cheap coal, meaning the global gas to Europe below those of oil-linked Russian
market will remain over supplied. In Europe, gas or hub prices, creating a stark change
Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom will Growth will be led by India, at an average of in Gazproms operating environment, it said.
be challenged by the prospect of a glut of 6 percent per year, while Chinese demand Although its exports to Europe are locked in
liquefied natural gas (LNG) as export capacity is likely to recover, spurred by a switch from via take-or-pay contracts, the IEA estimates
rises 45 percent by 2021, even as demand coal to gas-fired power generation, the IEA Gazprom needs to win an additional 15 to 20
drops in key markets in Japan and Korea. said. However, new supplies are also limited bcm to hang on to its market share last year.
June 2016
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ExpertSpeak
India needs storage facilities
for natural gas
Mohd Arif, Oil and Gas Analyst, Infraline Energy, throws
light on the need and urgency to set up gas storage facilities
in India and discuses various options that can be considered
in this regard.
a gas-based economy. Natural gas is establish facilities are and short term flexibility, management
majorly used by City Gas Distribution natural required to be of ramp gas and better maintenance
(CGD) companies and industries such gas established on a management of production plants and
as, Fertilizer, Power, Petrochemicals/ storage pipelines.
priority basis
LPG, among others. Natural gas is facilities Currently, India does not have any
made available to various industries in India. In natural gas storage facility, which
via domestic gas and imported LNG. addition, natural cannot be undermined in coming
Domestic gas consumption by gas storage facilities future, as the share of natural gas in
five major sectors stood at 63.99 carries huge potential to provide long Indias energy mix will increase in
subsequent years.
Natural Gas Demand vs Consumption (March 2016) in
Natural Gas Demand vs Consumption
mmscmd
(March 2016) in mmscmd
Natural Gas storage facilities:
Sectoral demand Total Consumption (Domestic gas +RLNG) An Overview
(2015-16) There are four major types of natural
gas storage facilities such as, under-
33.29 ground gas storage, LNG storage
tanks, gas holders and line packs.
41.96
Underground gas storage is further
189 37.29
113
classified into depleted fields, aquifers
17.39 1.32
39 25
72 0.72 and salt caverns. There are more than
8
600 underground natural gas storage
facilities in the world with 450 deplet-
ed reservoirs, 80 deep aquifers and 70
salt caverns with a working capacity
of more than 300 BCM. Depleted
field is the most common type of gas
storage facility and is comparatively
Source: Working Group report XIII Annual Plan
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
easy to develop. The cost to develop extracting salts with the help of water.
a depleted reservoir lies between Multiple factors such as withdrawal
$176.6 million to $247.2 million per rate, working volume, injection
BCM of working gas capacity. period, development duration and There are four major
Aquifers are natural water res- location are to be considered for the types of natural gas
ervoirs where natural gas can be establishment of underground gas
stored, with additional dehydration storage facility. In addition volu- storage facilities
43
process on extraction. Salt caverns are metric efficiency of natural gas can be such as, underground
formed from existing salt deposits, increased by 600 times if it is being gas storage, LNG
which can be used to store gas after stored in liquefied form at -162C.
storage tanks, gas
Table 1: Status of Natural Gas storage facilities around the holders and line
world as on 2015 packs. Underground
Country/Region Active gas storage Working Capacity gas storage is further
facilities (BCM) classified into depleted
U.S. (Lower 48 States) 385 131.9
fields, aquifers and
Germany 51 25
France 16 13
salt caverns. There
Rest of EU-28 86 71.27 are more than 600
Russia 26 >72 underground natural
Ukraine 12 32 gas storage facilities in
Turkey 3 2.86 the world
Source: Gazprom, EIA, Eurogas and Naftogaz Europe
ExpertSpeak
Table 4: Locations along with in North Gujarat and for salt caverns,
possible storage type Storage facilities require Bikaner can emerge as a potential loca-
pipelines for injection, tion. However, for deep aquifers, Kota
Location Possible Storage
Type
withdrawal and distribu- and Bhubaneswar could be potential
tion of natural gas. The sites. In addition, North Western part
of Rajasthan, Aravalli ranges and some
North Gujarat Depleted Reservoir importance of pipeline
part of Eastern Ghats holds a potential
Bikaner Salt Cavern
infrastructure can be for underground gas storage. However,
highlighted by the non where underground facilities are not
Devgarh Deep Aquifer utilization of existing feasible, LNG storage and gas hold-
Kota Deep Aquifer strategic petroleum re- ers can be used as potential storage of
serves (SPR). Mangalore natural gas.
Katni Deep Aquifer and Padur are still under Hurdles on the highway
Bhubaneswar Deep Aquifer construction of pipeline Storage facilities require pipelines for
infrastructure in order to injection, withdrawal and distribution
Bijapur Deep Aquifer transport crude oil of natural gas. The importance of pipe-
line infrastructure can be highlighted
by the non utilization of existing strate-
gic petroleum reserves (SPR). Manga-
lore and Padur are still under construc-
tion of pipeline infrastructure in order
to transport crude oil. To utilize the
storage facility, it is essential to have a 45
well established pipeline infrastructure.
Currently, Indias existing natural gas
pipeline network consists of 17,421
kilometer of gas pipelines majorly
in Gujarat, Maharashtra and U.P. On
the other hand, states such as West
Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
and Odisha are deprived of sufficient
gas pipeline infrastructure, creating a
strong regional imbalance.
ExpertSpeak
Event Focus
Infraline Conducts National Pipeline
Integrity Management Forum
47
by Team InfralinePlus
If oil and gas represent the lifeblood programs becomes more crucial than from the industry to discuss the current
of Indias energy, transportation and ever before. and future perspectives of pipeline
manufacturing sectors, then the oil and Growing safety and environmental integrity management which is the
gas pipeline system can be considered concerns regarding pipeline man- need of the hour.
the blood vessels. This network has agement have led to new regulations The event witnessed a gathering of
evolved and expanded over several and stricter requirements for pipeline leading pipeline operators and oil and
decades to meet the growing energy operators to demonstrate and document gas companies like GAIL, ONGC,
needs of Indian consumers and its their facilitys safe operations. GSPL, EIL, etc. along with key
increasing age is a cause for concern Considering the importance of the policy makers from the ministries and
among pipeline owners and operators. issue, InfralineEnergy, in association innovative technology providers who
Added to this is the fact that many with Engineers India Limited (EIL) highlighted and showcased some very
pipeline systems run through high- as the Knowledge Partner, orga- efficient technologies and solutions
consequence areas, such as fragile nized the National Pipeline Integrity for PIM. The speakers focused on the
ecosystems and well-populated Management Forum on 25th May needs and challenges of the PIM along
communities, and the need for routine 2016, in New Delhi. This forum was a with the adoption of new technologies
pipeline inspection and maintenance ladder to connect multiple stakeholders such as MTM, ILI etc. The importance
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
Event Focus
Mr. K.K Tandon, Director-Technical, Bhotika Pipeline Services Co. Pvt. Ltd.
Pipeline pigging is required at various stages during the life cycle of a pipeline. Pipeline pigging
requirements have to be duly considered at the design & construction stage of the pipeline.
During construction stage pigging is done to remove debris, conducting hydro testing etc.
During operating stage pigging is done to remove condensate, to apply inhibitors etc. and during
inspection stage, pigging is done to check the physical damage.
Pipeline can be non piggable if there is no provision for launchers/receivers, less 3D bends, low
flow conditions, very high flow rates and reduced bore mainline valves and check valves.
40% of existing pipelines are non piggable.
Inline inspection tools and technologies like External Corrosion Direct Assessment (ECDA), Internal Corrosion Direct
Assessment (ICDA), Stress Corrosion Cracking Direct Assessment (SCCDA), Guided Wave Inspection Technology,
Project Specific Inline Inspection Tools and Magnetic Tomography Method are used for integrity assessment of non
piggable pipelines.
Tele Test system based on Long Range Ultrasonic Testing (LRUT), this system is suitable for short length of pipelines
(200 m) and it is generally used in Rail crossing and road crossing areas. HPCL use this system and TWI (U.K.) is the
original inventor.
Mr. Sanjiv Malhotra, Executive Director & Head- Business Development, KSS Petron Pvt. Ltd
Challenges pertaining to large diameter pipeline are: ROW, not enough contractors, site condi-
tions, government support, commercial reasons etc.
India is having pipelines of up to 48 inches in diameter; however, 50-70 inches diameter can come
up in future.
Pipeline infrastructure is not adequate in India.
Pipelines face many social and developmental challenges and thus, there is a need for capacity
building and for this it is imperative to have the support of the local bodies
Radical thinking, incumbency free ROW, security, mass education program, revise commercial conditions, government
support and innovative techniques are some of the way forward.
Mr. Chanchal Dasgupta, Application Marketing Manager, Borouge (India) Pvt. Ltd.
For 3LPE/PP coating of steel pipes, there are few major international standards but every client
develops their own specific standard as per their project specifications. In some cases, these
standards may not be optimal due to lack of understanding of the terminology, test method,
polymer properties or due to inclusion of raw materials.
Everyone is reluctant to change an existing standard.
Criteria for selection of coatings include temperature, transport, storage, Installation and
handling.
Some of the errors in representation can be minimized by mentioning that whether the values are maximum or minimum,
avoiding generating more errors in correcting typo errors etc.
It is better to specify the target properties of the coating and leave the Melt Flow Rate (MFR) selection to the raw material
manufacturer. Most of the international specifications do not specify MFI values.
June 2016
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Event Focus
3LPP coating is recommended for up to 110 C design temperature in onshore and up to 140 C design temperature for
offshore pipelines.
Methods for impact strength include Charpy, Izod, Brittleness temperature and falling weight.
Mr. Atiq Khan, Deputy Manager- Corporate Strategy & Business Development,
Engineers India Limited
Pipeline Integrity Management System (PIMS) life cycle includes making policies and strategies,
forming methodologies, collecting data, using software systems and tools, analyzing and finally
conducting inspection at regular intervals.
In internet of things, pipelines have network connectivity which allows them to send and receive
data so that pipeline integrity can be enhanced.
Installed operational hardware and software in pipelines, results in a reduction of risk and helps in
improving networks overall reliability.
Systems such as SCADA, GIS among others are valuable for pipeline integrity resulting in improved life cycle.
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
51
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
Event Focus
Summary
Key outcomes
The event concluded at a very posi-
tive note and with a clear vision to
Pipeline companies and utilities are aware of the new requirements, and
strengthen the countrys pipeline
a wide range of levels of integrity management related improvements infrastructure. This requires technol-
have been made or are contemplated to help them ensure regulatory ogy advancement; skill set develop-
compliance, increase safety of operations, and improve system reli- ment and policy support from the
ability. regulators and the local bodies. Proper
pipeline integrity management is vital
Pipeline operators are moving away from prescriptive approaches to to every operators profitability and
pipeline design and operation, to risk management as the safest and regulatory compliance. The systematic
most cost effective means of maintaining and improving safety levels in and streamlined PIM approach can
help operators achieve environmental
pipelines.
compliance and make the best use of
Intelligent Technology is Essential for Modern Integrity Management their integrity management budget,
regardless of their pipeline systems
Pipeline companies have at their disposal a host of monitoring tools,
location, age or size.
techniques and methodologies to record data and analyze pipeline While technology in this area is
systems for integrity threats, such as internal and external corrosion, evolving, it has developed to the
accidental strikes upon the line during excavation by third parties, man- point that it is not practical to wait
for additional major improvements to
ufacturing or construction defects, and acts of nature such as storm
come along. Now is the time to start
damage or earthquakes. building strategy for the automation
52 Some PIM systems focus attention on a single problem at a specific to support the next generation of
location in the pipeline, rather than taking a more global look at the integrity.
As the pipeline industry continues
integrity of the entire system. As a result, some areas of the pipeline
to evolve, so will new regulations,
may not be adequately inspected or treated. This can eventually lead operational processes, and man-
to pipeline ruptures that damage the companys reputation and cost agement practices to keep up with the
much more in repairs, cleanup and fines levied by regulatory agencies. latest technologies. Organizations that
capitalize on progressive ideas and
Automation of the management process is becoming a foundational technological advancements will see
requirement for many utilities that are actively creating systems to themselves move to the forefront of
accommodate the next level of integrity management. the pipeline industry.
FinancialResults
IOC net profit at record Rs 10,399 crore in 2015-16 ONGC posts Rs 4,416 crore Q4 net
profit
profit in 2015-16 was almost double of Rs
5,273.03 crore net profit in the previous fiscal,
company Chairman B Ashok said. Refineries
processed a record 56.2 million tons of
crude oil 2015-16, up from 53.6 million tons
in the previous year while fuel sales soared
6 per cent to record 72.7 million tons. IOC
maintained its leadership position with 45.5
per cent market share. Petrochemical sales
Indian Oil Corp (IOC) reported a record were up 2 per cent to 2.538 million tons.
net profit of Rs 10,399 crore in 2015-16 to Turnover, however, dipped 11.4 per cent to Rs State-owned explorer Oil and Natural Gas
become nations second most profitable 450,738 crore on back of drop in oil prices. Corp. Ltd (ONGC) reported a 12.2% jump
PSU, even as it posted an 80 per cent drop in The profit was aided by sharp drop in revenue in net profit for the three months ended
March quarter earnings because of inventory loss or under-recoveries on sale of LPG and March to Rs.4,416 crore, partly due to
losses. Net profit of Rs 10,399.03 crore in kerosene because of crash in international an accounting provision resulting from a
fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 was second oil prices. Under-recoveries dropped from Rs rebound in oil prices. The company wrote
only to Oil and Natural Gas Corps Rs 16,004 39,758 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 7,757 crore in back part of the impairment charge it had
crore net profit in 2015-16 fiscal. IOC net 2015-16. made previously made when oil prices
HPCL Q4 net profit drops 28% to Rs 1,553 crore were lower. ONGC reported revenue of
Rs.16,424 crore in the fourth quarter of
State-run Hindustan Petroleum Corpora- FY2016, a 24.3% contraction from a year
tion Ltd (HPCL) reported a 28% drop in its ago. ONGC chairman D.K. Sarraf said the
March quarter net profit on provisioning for company had in the fiscal third quarter
rise in rentals and foreign exchange losses. taken an impairment charge of Rs.3,994
The company also announced investing Rs crore because of an oil price slump. The 53
26,000 crore in expanding its Mumbai and rise in oil prices led to a revision of the
Vizag refineries. Net profit of Rs 1,552.94 figure and the recognition of Rs.752 crore
crore in January-March 2016 was 28.18% in the profit statement. In addition, the
lower than Rs 2,162.39 crore in the same decision to develop the Krishna Godavari
period a year ago. The profit was lower as basin assets required recognising Rs.1,585
the company provisioned Rs 215 crore for tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2014-15 crore in income, reversing a provision
rise in lease rental by the Delhi government, financial year. Surana said HPCL will invest made earlier when the company had held
HPCL Chairman and Managing Director M Rs 18,000 crore in raising Vizag refinery the view that developing the field was
K Surana said. Also, there was a foreign capacity from 8.33 million tonnes to 15 mil- un-viable, ONGCs director (finance) A.K.
exchange loss of Rs 203 crore in the quarter. lion tonnes. It will invest another Rs 8,200 Srinivasan said. In the full fiscal year, net
Another Rs 81 crore was set aside as provi- crore in raising Mumbai refinery capacity to profit declined 9.8% to Rs.16,004 crore.
sions towards arbitration on cost of LPG 9.5 million tonnes from current 6.5 million ONGC reported a total dividend of 170%
cylinders. Crude oil processing was higher at tonnes. Also, HPCL is raising capacity of for the year. It produced 26 million tonnes
4.7 million tonnes from 4.45 million tonnes its joint venture Bhatinda refinery from 9 of crude oil in 2015-16, same as a year ago
in the previous year. Fuel sales also soared million tonnes to 11.25 million tonnes by and 22.5 billion cubic metres of gas, 4%
to 9.05 million tonnes from 8.19 million February/March 2017, he said. lower than its output last year.
State-owned Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd at 0.54 million tons. The company earned
(BPCL) reported a 10.6 percent drop in its USD 6.59 on turning every barrel of crude oil
March quarter net profit on back of slump in into fuel in 2015-16 as opposed to a gross
oil prices. Net profit in January-March quarter refining margin of USD 3.62 a barrel in the
fell to Rs 2,549.08 crore from Rs 2,852.89 previous fiscal. It got fully compensated for
crore in the same period a year ago. Sales the loss it makes on selling domestic cooking
were down to Rs 44,197.09 crore in the fourth gas LPG and PDS kerosene at subsidised
quarter of 2015-16 fiscal from Rs 51,346.12 rates. It received Rs 1,598.49 crore from the
crore, a year-ago. The company turned 6.22 government as fuel subsidy and another Rs
million tons of crude oil into fuel, up from 6.11 Fuel sales also rose to 9.78 million tons from 198.01 crore as dole from upstream firms like
million tons in the fourth quarter of 2014-15. 8.69 million tons. Exports were however flat ONGC.
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
April*
LPG category 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16*
2015 2016 Growth (%)
1. PSU Sales :
LPG-Packed Domestic 14,411.60 16,040.40 17,182.50 1,305.90 1,392.30 6.6
LPG-Packed Non-Domestic 1,073.60 1,051.00 1,464.00 100.5 130.2 29.6
LPG-Bulk 245.7 315.7 316.4 23.3 30.4 30.6
Auto LPG 194.3 163.8 170.8 13.8 13.2 -4.6
Sub-Total (PSU Sales) 15,925.20 17,570.90 19,133.70 1,443.50 1,566.10 8.5
2. Direct Private Imports 368.5 429.2 417.3 36.2 34.8 -3.8
Total (1+2) 16,293.60 18,000.00 19,551.00 1,479.70 1,600.80 8.2
* Provisional
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
Products 1-April
(A) Sensitive Products
LPG 1601
SKO 516
Sub total 2117
(B) Major Decontrolled Products
MS 1996
HSD 6774
Naphtha 1184
ATF 556
LDO 34
Lubricants & Greases 253
FO & LSHS 626
Bitumen 622
Sub total 12043
(C ) Other Minor Decontrolled Products
Petroleum coke 1555
Others 530
55
Sub total 2086
All Product total 16245
NOTE :
i) All figures are provisional
ii) The source of information includes Oil Companies, DGCIS & Major
consumers.
iii) The consumption estimates represent market demand and is aggregate of :
(a) sales by oil Companies in domestic market , and
(b) consumption through direct imports by private parties.
While data for company sales are actual, that of private direct import are
estimated, which may undergo change on receipt of actual data.
The renewable energy capacity addition is the Assocham-EY paper pointed out that
likely to reach 72 per cent of its peak demand against the peak electricity demand of 29,975
by 2022 in Tamil Nadu, says a report. Tamil MW, the projected installed capacity of the RE
Nadu has done a tremendous development resources would be 21,508 MW. The other
when it comes to adding capacity of renew- progressive states in the area of RE are Gujarat
able energy (RE), which is projected to reach and Rajasthan. But the interest is still limited
even 72 per cent of its peak demand by 2022, to a few states.., Assocham Secretary General
according to a joint Assocham-EY paper. At D S Rawat said. Gauging the conventional
present, the state has an installed capacity of capacity addition growth between 2014 and
over 8,300 MW of non-conventional energy 2022, it is clearly seen that Tamil Nadu is add-
which is about 40 per cent of the total capacity the 40 per cent ratio of the installed capacity, ing capacity beyond its demand. This beckons
installed, including the conventional sources of the RE sources supply just about 14 per cent of for a robust market mechanism to accom-
thermal and hydro. However, the problem re- the states peak demand, thanks to inadequate modate RE power within the state and also
mains about a huge gap between the installed infrastructure to evacuate the power to the explore market mechanism to trade its power
RE capacity and its actual generation. Against grid and the natural limitations. All the same, to the RE deficit states, the paper suggested.
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority said he was aiming to receive bids of around
(DEWA) has launched the worlds largest 8 cents. The facility will be completed either
concentrated solar power (CSP) project in late 2020 or early 2021, depending on
which will generate 1000MW of power when the contract. An advantage of CSP is that
completed. Located within the Mohammed thermal heat, which is used to produce elec-
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the new tricity, can be stored easily. This is makes
project will include five facilities. DEWA has possible to produce electricity after sunset,
launched a tender for international consul- said Al Tayer. The plant will have several
tants to submit a proposal for advisory ser- thousand heliostats located around a tower
vices for the first 200MW plant. The tender which will receive the radiation reflected by
for the consultant is expected to be awarded the heliostats. The heat-transfer fluid is then
in three months, confirmed DEWA managing following three months, he added. We will used to power the steam turbine to generate
director and chief executive officer Saeed decide the winner based on the lowest bid, electricity, he explained. The overall project
Mohammed Al Tayer. The next tender for he said. While current rates for CSP stand at will be developed in a build and operate
the main developer will be floated after the around 15 cents per kilowatt hour, Al Tayer model for a duration of 25 years.
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
InConversation
We are not for competitive
bidding in wind projects
Encouraged by the enthusiastic industry response to tariff-based competi-
tive bidding regime in the solar sector, the Union Power Ministry considers
introducing a similar dispensation for wind power projects too. However,
wind power industry does not seem to be prepared for the proposed
policy change. DV Giri, Secretary General, Indian Wind Turbine Manufac-
tures Association, says solar and wind are two different ball games. What
has worked in solar may not be replicated in wind. Giri shares industry
concerns about tariff bidding regime with InfralinePlus. Excerpts
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InDepth
Financing woes may cast
shadow on Indias solar target
62
By Team InfralinePlus
India is banking on its solar power power, problems still continue in other land at an affordable price. According
programme to bring down the carbon in- areas including financing, land acqui- to industry estimate, for developing
tensity of the economy by 33-35 per cent sition and power evacuation. Solar 1,000-1,500 MW solar capacity, 4,000
by 2030 from 2005 level. In that context, power target set by the government is 6,000 acre of land is required. But
the target of adding 1 lakh MW solar aggressive. To make it achievable and today such huge tracts of land are
capacity assumes critical significance. functional, issues like ease of doing available at remote locations only.
But India could well miss the target if it business, grid suitability, encour- Cost of acquiring land has gone four
does not get its act together soon. agement to domestic equipment manu- times after coming into force of the
While the Centre has approved a facturers and remunerative tariffs are new Land Acquisition Act, which is
new debt recast scheme for restruc- needed, said Tantra Narayan Thakur, going to limit land availability for solar
turing and repricing of outstanding a former PTC India chairman and man- projects to remote areas. But setting up
loans of power distribution companies aging director who is now operating as solar projects in such areas could throw
(Discoms) to improve liquidity in the an independent consultant. up new power evacuation challenges.
state power sector, a key bottleneck A key hurdle to implementing mega The NDA government has approved
to encouraging consumption of solar solar projects is the availability of a proposal for setting up 25 solar parks,
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
each with a capacity of 500 MW and sheets, majority of public sector banks liability mismatch risks, the rating
above, and ultra mega solar power have done huge provisioning against agency said.
projects in various parts of the country bad loans in the third quarter and as a Large investors such as pension
where large chunks of land can be result, taken a hit on their bottom-lines. funds, provident funds and insurance
spared for this purpose. These parks The process is not yet over. So, raising companies have significant corpuses but
will be able to accommodate over equity from market may not be easy regulations allow them to invest only
20,000 MW of solar power projects. for these banks as private investors in high-rated debt. The government
However, finding land for such projects are unlikely to take exposure to them. has yet to come up with a proposal
in areas where connectivity is already Rating agencies have warned that they for debt funding beyond the banking
in place may not be easy. If these parks may start downgrading public sector system. The government increased
are developed in remote areas, they banks if convincing recapitalisation solar mission target from 20,000 MW
are likely to get delayed due to lack plans are not brought forth soon. to 1 lakh MW in 2014. As a first step
of basic infrastructure facilities like According to Crisil, a credit rating towards achieving this target, close to 7,
roads, rails, power availability, telecom agency, solar and wind sectors need 000 of state and National Solar Mission
networks, etc, which would make Rs 3 lakh crore over next five years. projects were allocated in 2015. Of this
transportation of equipment, machinery Of this, about 70 per cent, or Rs 2 lakh 7,000 MW, 1,200 MW was allocated
and other materials to project sites dif- crore will have to be funded through under the NSM, while 5,900 MW was
ficult. That would in turn raise project debt. But banks are not in a position to allocated by states such as Telangana
cost, making power expensive. lend so much money given their low and Tamil Nadu.
appetite for renewable power projects. The solar market in India almost
Financing issues The ability of banks to fund longer- doubled to 2,000 MW in 2015 as
Public sector banks, which together tenure debt with attractive interest rates compared to 800 MW in 2014. In
account for 70 per cent of lending, have is also constrained because of asset- 2015, the southern states of Tamil
burnt their fingers by financing power Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh 63
and other infrastructure projects and are emerged as the fastest-growing
The government has
now reeling under bad loans. The plans markets, overtaking Gujarat and Raja-
unveiled by the government for recapi-
promised to infuse Rs sthan. Tariff for solar projects is falling
talisation of banks do not offer much
70,000 crore in public as a trend. Tariff of less than Rs 5 a
hope of improvement in these banks sector banks in five unit is the new normal. In the first two
health. The government has promised to years. However, Fitch rounds of NSM second phase bids in
infuse Rs 70,000 crore in public sector Rating agency has in November and Dec 2015, lowest offer
banks in five years. However, Fitch Rat- a recent update said was Rs 4.63 a unit.
ing agency has in a recent update said that these banks need However, tariff for solar power
that these banks need more than 140 bil- more than 140 billion projects still remain much higher
lion dollar if they are to be recapitalised dollar if they are to compared to conventional generating
in a meaningful manner. be recapitalised in a stations. For example, the delivered cost
Following directive from the meaningful manner of power generated from the mega solar
Reserve Bank to clean up balance projects which will be commissioned in
AP and Rajasthan is in the range of Rs
8.4 a unit based on the power purchase
agreement (PPA) signed in 2015, which
is expensive compared to the power
available from grid.
Although there is hope that this
cost will decline to Rs 7.3 a unit in
coming days due to fall in equipment
cost as supply chains become more
effective and competition picks
up, that would still be much higher
compared to conventional plants. So,
the goal of grid parity for solar power
may remain elusive.
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
InDepth
Transmission bottlenecks
The milestone of 5,000 MW has
already been reached in solar power
and capacity is expected to cross 9,000
MW by the end of 2015-16. Capacity is
projected to further rise to 20,000 MW
by the end of 2016-17, far ahead of the
2022 deadline envisaged initially under
the NSM. However, existing transmis-
sion infrastructure is ill-equipped to ab-
sorb such bulk solar capacities. Further,
80 per cent of this new capacity will
be added by southern states of Tamil
Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and
Karnataka where grid curtailment can like the rest of the world, India will need
be as high as 15 per cent. Out of a total 1,485MW to leave the comfort of almost com-
In contrast, Germany, which of capacity allotted by pletely relying on steady power sources
meets almost 7.5 per cent of its power states during October such as coal and nuclear and develop
requirement from solar energy, has a 2011-September 2014, a smart energy infrastructure, says
robust grid infrastructure and its gas- nearly 50 per cent proj- Bridge to India, a consultancy firm
fired plants help it in balancing the grid. focused on solar sector. Indias peak
ects with 680 MW ca-
So, it is clear that a lot more needs to be power requirement will also slowly
done on the transmission infrastructure
pacity missed their com- move to the day time as we grow and
fund if the target of adding 1 lakh MW
missioning schedule of develop and cooling will play an ever
64 December 2015. Out of
solar capacity is to be achieved. more important role. In the meantime,
this 680MW, nearly 10 measures such as dynamic pricing and
Project delays add to per cent projects remain time of the day tariffs can help, it adds.
concern stalled, according to So, despite initial success and over-
Another important concern is the rising industry sources whelming investors response, it is not
number of project delays in the solar going to be easy for India to achieve the
sector. Out of a total 1,485MW of ca- Skepticism about suitability target of adding 1 lakh MW, let alone run
pacity allotted by states during October of solar power in India these plants at optimum capacity. But the
2011-September 2014, nearly 50 per Meanwhile, in a reflection of growing situation is tricky for India as the success
cent projects with 680 MW capacity scepticism about solar power, questions of its emission reduction plan hinges on
missed their commissioning sched- are also being raised about suitability solar capacity addition programme.
ule of December 2015. Out of this of this electricity for meeting Indias Although Indian solar market has
680MW, nearly 10 per cent projects power requirement given that genera- seen aggressive bidding in recent years,
remain stalled, according to industry tion from solar plants falls drastically in with tariffs coming down to as low as
sources. The high percentage of proj- the evening when power demand shoots Rs 4.63 a unit, industry experts feel
ects getting delayed does not inspire up. But proponents of solar do not that this trend is not sustainable. They
confidence that 1 lakh MW capacity find much merit in this argument and argue that investors need attractive
will be added by 2022. underline the significance of solar plants returns on equity which may become
India currently lacks long term in meeting season peak power demand. difficult to generate if tariff keeps falling
policy clarity which remains a key They say that hydel plants, which are at this rate. Anyway, most of the solar
challenge for such mega projects. currently used to provide relief from projects are being funded by foreign
While central and state governments peak hour power shortage, achieve financial institutions like Germanys
have offered incentives to attract peak generation during monsoon while Kfw and Japans SoftBank. They may
investment into solar power, there Indias seasonal peak comes during exit the Indian market if solar projects
is no clarity if such policies will be summer when solar plants generate most here become unviable due to aggressive
continued beyond the specified period. As intermittent sources of power bidding, experts warn.
That would act as a limiting factor for become cheaper and diversification for
the growth of large-scale solar projects. energy security becomes a necessity, For suggestions email at feedback@infraline.com
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
FinancialResults
Suzlon Q4 loss narrows to Rs 270.55 crore on lower expenses Jain Irrigation Q4 net profit drops 22
percent
of Rs.9157.69 crore a year ago. Full-
year income from operations fell 52% to
Rs.9508.45 crore. The previous year num-
bers include performance of Senvion SE,
which the company sold last year. Annual
Wind turbine maker Suzlon Energy Ltd sales volume at Suzlon Wind rose 149%
said that its consolidated loss in the quar- to 1,131 MW and market share during the
ter ended 31 March narrowed to Rs.270.55 fiscal rose to 26% from 19% a year earlier.
crore as against a loss of Rs.1212.06 crore Globally, the demand for renewables is Leading micro-irrigation company Jain
in the year-ago period, helped by lower growing with a record 64 GW installation Irrigation reported 22 per cent fall in its
expenses and faster execution of projects. and an investment of $329 billion during standalone net profit at Rs 64.4 crore in
Revenue, however, fell about 34% to calendar year 2015. The demand for clean, the fourth quarter of the 2015-16 fiscal on
Rs.3,244.93 crore from Rs.4,908.83 crore sustainable and affordable power will poor sales. The company had posted net
a year earlier. Total expenses fell 43.7% to continue especially in emerging markets, profit of Rs 82.6 crore in the same quarter
Rs.2972.50 crore as the company lowered chairman and managing director Tulsi of the previous fiscal. Domestic business
its fixed costs. The company had in April Tanti said. The companys full-year order de-grew by 7.4 per cent. Exports revenue
merged its subsidiaries SE Blades Ltd, SE book stood at 1,243 MW and is valued at continued to show negative growth and
Electricals Ltd and Suzlon Wind Interna- Rs.7,989 crore. Consolidated net debt, de-grew by 10.7 per cent, Jain Irrigation
tional Ltd with itself to optimize working excluding foreign currency convertible said. The companys total revenue declined
capital and reduce costs. For the full-year, bonds (FCCB), had come down to Rs.8,452 to Rs 1,480 crore in the January-March
Suzlon reported a consolidated net profit crore in 2015-16 from Rs.14,570 crore in quarter of the 2015-16 fiscal, as against
of Rs.482.59 crore compared with a loss 2014-15. Rs 1,610 crore in the year-ago period. The
revenue from its micro irrigation, pipes
Indosolar posts net loss of Rs 29.77 crore for Q4 and food segments remained lower during
the fourth quarter of last fiscal ended 65
Solar cell maker Indosolar Ltd reported March 31. Domestic sales were also down
a loss of Rs 29.77 crore for the March due to severe drought. However, its solar
quarter. The company had posted a net business grew more than 48 per cent in
profit of Rs 80.91 lakh in the quarter the said period. For the full 2015-16 fiscal,
ended on March 31, 2015. The solar the company reported a consolidated net
industry has witnessed turmoil owing to profit of Rs 88.27 crore as against Rs 55.4
significant downturn in global market due companys total income operations in the crore in the previous year. Total income
to structural over supply situation, the March quarter was Rs 99.5 crore com- increased marginally to Rs 6,455.9 crore
company said. However, the company said pared to Rs 147.63 crore in same period from Rs 6,314.6 crore. The company has
the domestic market has been showing last year. Its total income in fiscal 2015- manufacturing plants at 28 locations
an upturn lately due to the government 16 was Rs 257.68 crore compared to Rs across the globe. It manufactures micro-
initiatives to enhance solar power genera- 295.97 crore in the previous financial year. irrigation systems, PVC pipes, HDPE pipes,
tion capacity in the country. The company The company reported a loss of Rs 141.27 plastic sheets, agro-processed products,
expects to operate at the significant level crore for the fiscal 2015-16. renewable energy solutions, among others.
of capacity at least till July, 2016. The
StatisticsRenewableEnergy
1) Programme/ Scheme wise Physical Progress in 2016-17 3. Commissioning Status of
(& during the month of April, 2016) Grid Connected Solar Power
Programme/ Scheme wise Physical Progress in 2016-17 Projects (as on 30-04-16)
(& during the month of April, 2016)
Total commis-
Cumulative Sr. sioned capac-
Sector FY- 2016-17 Achievements (as State/UT
No. ity till 30-04-16
on 30.04.2016) (MW)
Target Achievement
I. GRID-INTERACTIVE POWER (CAPACITIES IN MW) 1 Andhra Pradesh 792.966
Wind Power 4000.00 .45 26867.11 2 Arunachal Pradesh 0.265
Solar Power 12000.00 235.00 6997.85
3 Bihar 5.1
Small Hydro Power 250.00 1.50 4275.45
BioPower (Biomass & Gasification 4 Chhattisgarh 93.58
400.00 0.00 4831.33
and Bagasse Cogeneration) 5 Gujarat 1119.173
Waste to Power 10.00 0.00 115.08
6 Haryana 15.387
Total 16660.00 236.95.05 43086.82
II. OFF-GRID/ CAPTIVE POWER (CAPACITIES IN MWEQ) 7 Jharkhand 16.186
Waste to Energy 15.00 0.00 160.16 8 Karnataka 145.462
Biomass(non-bagasse) 9 Kerala 13.045
60.00 0.00 651.91
Cogeneration
Biomass Gasifiers 2.00 0.00 18.15 10 Madhya Pradesh 776.37
- Rural 11 Maharashtra 385.756
- Industrial 8.00 0.00 164.24
Aero-Genrators/Hybrid systems 0.30 0.00 2.69 12 Odisha 66.92
SPV Systems 100.00 0.00 313.88 13 Punjab 405.063
66
Water mills/micro hydel 1.00 0.00 18.71
14 Rajasthan 1285.932
Total 186.30 0.00 1329.74
III. OTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS 15 Tamil Nadu 1061.82
Family Biogas Plants (in Lakhs) 1.10 0.00 48.55 16 Telangana 527.843
Source: MNRE 17 Tripura 5
18 Uttar Pradesh 143.495
2) REC Trading Volume and Price for February 2016 19 Uttarakhand 41.145
Through IEX 20 West Bengal 7.772
Buy Cleared Cleared No. Of 21 Andaman & 5.1
Sell Bids Month of
REC Type Bids Volume Price Partici- Nicobar
Auction
(REC) (REC) (REC) (INR/REC) pants
22 Delhi 14.28
OffBeat
Surging crude prices spell
trouble for airlines
Indias domestic air traffic market posted the fastest growth in the world for
the 13th consecutive month in April
The Union Budget 2015-16 a mixed blessing for the aviation sector
68
By Team InfralinePlus
Aviation companies have been on a roll So far, airlines have been able to 2014 and passenger demand growth re-
because of the drastic fall in interna- pass on the fuel cost increase to pas- mains robust, India aviation companies
tional crude oil prices since June 2014. sengers because of the strong growth should start bracing for tough times
However, after hitting their lowest in air traffic. But there is a limit to it. ahead given the cyclical nature of the
level this January, oil prices are surging If airlines keep on increasing ticket industry, say analysts.
again, threatening to spoil airlines prices, they could end up hurting pas- I do not see rising oil prices
party. Oil marketing companies have senger demand, say analysts. impacting profitability of airlines in
hiked the price of aviation turbine fuel the current financial year as domestic
(ATF) by a steep 9.2 per cent effective Coping strategy in a high fuel passenger demand is strong. But it
June 1. Since fuel accounts for up to price scenario is time for airlines to think of inno-
40-45 per cent of Indian airlines oper- Though oil prices are still far below the vative ways to manage the impact of
ating costs, there is pressure on airlines levels of above 100 dollar per barrel rising fuel price and not to sit on their
to pass on the increase to passengers. they reached before crashing in June haunches, says Rajiv Chib, director,
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
OffBeat
mated at 750 million dollar. rise to some improvement in revenue policies focused on ease of doing
Meanwhile, the government has per available seat kilometre (RASK)- business and enhanced push for
reduced budgetary allocation to the cost per available seat kilometer regional and global connectivity are
civil aviation ministry by 17 per cent (CASK) spread, it adds. extremely positive.
to Rs 4,417 crore. Out of this, state run With rising competition, the credit On the other hand, Brent crude has
airlines will be given Rs 2,065 crore rating agency further says, a strategy risen to nearly 50 dollar per barrel from
as grant, less than half of Rs 4,300 revisit by the airlines is necessary to the lowest level of 27.88 dollar per
crore that they had demanded from the maintain market position, possibly by barrel on January 20, registering 85 per
government. Before the crash of June offering differentiated services, better cent increase. World Bank data show
2014, high oil prices had haemorrhaged connectivity and competitive pricing. that the price of Brent crude averaged
finances of airlines, many of them got However, it adds that the prospects of at 47.1 dollar per barrel in May, sharply
back into the black in 2015-16. the Indian aviation industry in the near up from 42.3 dollar per barrel in April.
An analyst said that the actual to medium term are largely dependent Data show that global ATF price on
impact of excise duty hike will be on the movement in the crude oil prices June 3 was 59.1 dollar per barrel, 12.7
much higher, since sales tax is cal- and foreign exchange besides reform per cent higher compared to a month
culated over and above excise duty. measures. However, underpinned by ago, though still 23.8 per cent lower
State-level sales tax rates could be the improving operating performance, from a year ago.
anywhere between 4 per cent and 30 Indian Oil Corporation has raised
per cent. Airlines have been pleading It is clear that the ATF price by 20 per cent since March
for rationalisation of sales tax rates. Ad aviation industry is not 10 to align it with the international
valorem sales tax rates could have cas- factoring in a sharp rise market. The applicable ATF price, which
cading impact on the price of jet fuel. was 38,785.46 per kilolitre on March
However, excise duty on ATF for
in ATF price in 2016-17, 10, has been hiked to Rs 46,729.48 per
supply to scheduled commuter airlines a scenario that now kilolitre with effect from June 1. It is
70
from regional connectivity scheme looks too optimistic clear that the aviation industry is not
airports will remain unchanged. Riding given the surge in factoring in a sharp rise in ATF price in
high on strong air traffic growth, oil prices in recent 2016-17, a scenario that now looks too
airlines so far have been able to pass on months. The way crude optimistic given the surge in oil prices
increase in the fuel cost to passengers. in recent months. The way crude prices
However, passenger demand could get
prices have surged have surged in recent months, projec-
impacted if ticket prices rise too much. in recent months, tions on average ATF price in 2016 may
Shares of all three listed airlines projections on average prove quite off the mark.
Jet Airways (India) Ltd, InterGlobe ATF price in 2016 may Therefore, the industry needs to
Aviation Ltd (IndiGo) and SpiceJet prove quite off the mark pull up its socks and start preparing
Ltdfell after the Finance Min- for a high ATF price scenario. In
ister announced excise duty hike on the balance sheets of Indian carriers are other words, they must come out with
ATF. According to International Air expected to improve in FY2017. ideas as to how they can minimise the
Transport Association (IATA), airlines A recent FICCI-KPMG report says impact of surging fuel price on their
fuel bill will fall to 127 billion in 2016, that steps taken to revive and opera- bottomlines. Otherwise, the industry
which will represent less than 20 per tionalise around 160 airports in India, could find itself in a situation similar
cent of their total operating costs, for if chosen carefully, will improve air to what prevailed in 2013. ATF price
the first time since 2004. connectivity to regional and remote had reached the high of Rs 75,031
IATA has projected average price of areas. Public-Private Partnerships per kilolitre in September 2013 on
55.4 dollar per barrel this year, and 45 (PPP) in the sector will get substantial the back of rising crude oil prices
dollar per for the Brent crude oil price. support from the state in terms of and depreciating rupee. If CAD goes
Meanwhile, credit rating agency ICRA financing, concessional land allotment, out of control because of a spike in
says the airlines are providing deep dis- tax holidays and other incentives. crude oil price, rupee may come under
counts by utilising the buffer provided The report further states that the pressure, potentially forcing oil com-
by lower fuel prices, and maintaining National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP panies to go for a sharp hike in jet fuel
healthy passenger load factor (PLF). 2016) is likely to provide a significant price, say analysts.
The current scenario of comparatively fillip to the industry. The various
steady yields and lower costs has given fiscal and monetary incentives, liberal For suggestions email at feedback@infraline.com
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
Indias renewable energy sector has been growing number of jurisdictions contract-
ranked third in the Renewable Energy ing utility-scale renewable energy through
Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) competitive auction processes, renewable
with China at second and the US on energy is increasingly proving its mettle
top. The so-called emerging markets against conventional energy genera-
now represent half the countries in the tion. The index ranks 40 markets on the
40-strong index, including four African attractiveness of their renewable energy
markets featuring in the top 30. Just a investment and deployment opportuni-
decade ago, only China and India were ties, based on a number of macro, energy
attractive enough to compete with more market and technology-specific indicators.
developed markets for investment, EY said The methodology has been refreshed in
in the report. While the top three countries the May edition to reflect greater focus
maintained their ranking, Chile, Brazil latest ranking. Indias position is thanks on energy imperative, policy stability and
and Mexico climbed higher in the index to the strong focus of the government on routes to market.
to be ranked in the top 10 at the fourth, renewable energy as well as timely imple-
sixth and seventh, respectively. Germany mentation of renewable energy projects.
at fifth and France at eighth fell in the The report also suggests that with the
Timely pass-through of hike in power costs on account of coal price rise remains critical for discoms: ICRA
procurement, the ability of the distribution the balance 40%. This translates into about
companies to pass on such variation to the 6 paise per unit increase in power procure-
consumers through timely tariff adjustment ment cost for utilities on an all India basis,
under fuel and power purchase cost adjust- said Sabyasachi Majumdar, senior vice
ment framework remains important from president at ICRA Ratings. Assuming an 71
their cash flow perspective, feels ICRA. average aggregate technical and commer-
ICRA estimates that the recent domestic cial loss of around 25%, we estimate the
coal price hike would result in an increase impact on cost of power supply and retail
in cost of thermal generation by 9-10 paise tariffs at around 8 paisa per unit or a 1.4%
per unit. Coal based generators have an tariff hike, Majumdar. Coal India issued a
automatic pass through of fuel costs and it notification on May 29, 2016 revising prices
accounts for about 60% of the total power of pit head run of mine prices of all grades
Coal price hike announced by Coal India is procured by utilities. The rest would be a of non-coking coal effective from midnight
likely to result in 6 paise per unit rise in cost partial pass-through by independent power of May 30, 2016. The price of thermal grade
of power procurement by distribution com- producers with competitively bid power supplied to power sector has been increased
panies. Following increase in cost of power purchase agreements which account for by about 15-18%.
India ranks fifth in the world in renewable activity, as the governments ambitious
energy (RE) job creation, with 416,000 RE targets are translated into concrete
employed in the sector during 2015. In the policy frameworks, Irena said. Central
world, 8.1 million persons are employed in and state auctions for solar photovoltaics
the clean energy space. China tops the list (PV), for instance, have resulted in
with 3.5 million, followed by Brazil with installation of 1.9 gigawatt (Gw) in 2015
918,000. According to the International and an impressive pipeline of 23 Gw.
Renewable Energy Agencys (Irena) Solar PV employs an estimated 103,000
Annual Review 2016, there was a five per this trend to continue as the business people in grid-connected (31,000 jobs)
cent increase over a year before in the case for renewables strengthens and as and off-grid applications (72,000 jobs)
sector, with new jobs being created even countries move to achieve their climate With increasing domestic demand, local
as employment in the broader energy targets agreed in (the) Paris (agreement), companies are utilising their production
sector falls. This increase is being driven said Adnan Z Amin, director-general of capabilities and several foreign companies
by declining RE technology costs and Irena. In this country, solar and wind are interested in investments, it said.
enabling policy frameworks. We expect energy markets have seen substantial
June 2016
www.InfralinePlus.com
People in News
S K Sharma takes charge as NPCIL CMD Cairn India MD and CEO Mayank
Ashar resigns
of nuclear power reactors. Sharma has
been appointed to the post for a period
of five years. Sharma completed his BE
(Electronics) degree from the Maulana Azad
National Institute of Technology (MANIT),
Bhopal in 1980 and graduated from the 24th
batch of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Training School in 1981. He started his
career at Rajasthan Atomic Power Station.
He has held several key positions in Indian
nuclear power stations, including that of Cairn India, the petroleum exploration
site director at Rawatbhata Rajasthan site, arm of London-listed Vedanta Resources
before assuming the position of Director announced its managing director (MD) and
Eminent scientist S K Sharma has (Operations) in 2015. He has also worked chief executive officer (CEO) Mayank Ashar
taken charge as the Chairman and in a key position for improving the safety had resigned for personal reasons with
Managing Director (CMD) of Nuclear and reliability of nuclear power stations effect from June 5, 2016. The company
Power Corporation of India Limited across the world in association with an has named chief financial officer (CFO)
(NPCIL). NPCIL is responsible for design, international team of nuclear experts in Sudhir Mathur as the interim CEO the
construction, commissioning and operation World Association of Nuclear Operators. fourth change of guard since Vedanta
completed Cairns acquisition in December
Indraprastha Gas Ltd appoints E S Ranganathan as Managing Director 2011. Mathur will continue to work closely
with the leadership team managing the
Ltd, the sole retailer of CNG to automobiles business under the guidance of the board,
and piped cooking gas to households in the the company said. Ashars two-year term
72 national capital. Ranganathan replaced was to expire later this year. His resigna-
Narendra Kumar, who has returned back to tion comes a few days after Cairn India
the companys parent firm, GAIL India Ltd. extended the repayment period for its
Ranganathan, an instrumentation and con- $1.25-billion loan to a group company by
trol engineer possessing and an MBA with two years but at a higher interest rate.
specialisation in Marketing, has taken over Cairn India had last month reported a
the new assignment, the company said in a historic loss of Rs 10,948 crore for the
statement. Before joining the current assign- fourth quarter ended March as fall in crude
ment, he was posted as Executive Director in oil prices pulled down performance. It
GAIL. IGL is a joint venture of GAIL (India) also undertook an impairment of Rs 11,674
Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL) crore for the financial year ended March.
E S Ranganathan has been appointed as the with government of Delhi holding a 5 per Ashar took over as MD and CEO in Novem-
new Managing Director of Indraprastha Gas cent equity stake. ber 2014 from the then acting CEO, Mathur.
Before that, P Elango had served as interim
B K Panda appointed Coal Mines Provident Fund Commissioner CEO from August 2012 to May 2014. The
company said Ashar will provide transition
Senior bureaucrat B K Panda has been support to Mathur through June 30. The
appointed as Commissioner of Coal Mines board expresses its appreciation for Ashars
Provident Fund Organisation based in contribution during his association with the
Dhanbad. Panda is a 1988 batch officer company. Under Ashars leadership, Cairn
of Indian Ordnance Factory Service. The India has delivered a resilient performance
Appointments Committee of Cabinet has in a challenging business environment,
approved appointment of Panda to the the company said. Cairn India chairman
post for five years, an order issued by Navin Agarwal said Ashar had a positive
Department of Personnel and Training said. stint at Cairn. He leaves Cairn India in the
The Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation hands of a strong leadership team. Cairn
provides social and financial security to India shares the countrys vision for energy
thousands of employees working in coal security and I am sure Mathur and the
industry. team will continue to strongly pursue the
organisations goal, he said.
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