The National Power Committee (NPC) is poised to welcome increased engagement from renewable energy (RE) firms as the high-level body explores solutions to challenges linked to the rising integration of solar and wind power within the transmission grid.
The NPC serves as the foremost authority responsible for executing policies established by the Power Ministry, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The committee is chaired by the CEA Chairperson.
In a recent meeting, Deepak Kumar, the Member Secretary of the Western Region Power Committee (WRPC), emphasized the necessity for expanding the membership of regional power committees (RPCs) to incorporate more RE stakeholders and key industry players. He pointed out that while the recent inclusion of Adani Green and Inox Green in the western region is a positive step, representation is still insufficient in light of the expanding RE capacity.
Kumar further recommended that state distribution companies, which are currently included on a temporary basis, should receive permanent membership to ensure continuity, especially as meetings are increasingly held online. Additionally, he suggested that state power-holding companies should be included to reflect their burgeoning responsibilities.
Ghanshyam Prasad, the NPC Chairperson, noted that ongoing initiatives over the last few years to enhance the NPC’s role and objectives have made substantial progress. While RPC meetings address regional matters, the increasing scale of the national grid—particularly with the integration of renewable energy—demands a more comprehensive and unified approach at the national level, he added.
Prasad also highlighted the necessity for any strategies adopted for the national grid to be consistently implemented across all states and regions.
During the last meeting, the committee discussed proposed amendments to the roles and functions of the NPC. They reached two significant conclusions: first, the NPC Secretariat will be responsible for preparing and issuing the National Energy Account (NEA) for inter-regional and international energy transactions. Second, decisions made by the NPC will be considered recognized by respective RPCs, GRID-India, and the Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL) for execution.
Another approved amendment allows for the formation of sub-committees, task forces, and standing committees as deemed necessary for the NPC’s efficient operation. The panel may also establish groups or committees of distinguished experts to provide counsel on specific issues.
Following these deliberations, the committee endorsed the draft order and its operational rules, which will be submitted to the Power Ministry for further review and approval.
