India’s energy landscape will see a drastic change only if there is an enhanced focus on developing a robust pipeline network, creation of suitable infrastructure and adequate support in terms of favourable policies being introduced at an accelerated pace writes DR. RC MANSUKHANI.

NTPC Ltd’s very first unit at Singrauli in Uttar Pradesh has achieved the highest plant load factor (PLF) of 100.24 per cent among all thermal units in the country between April 2020 to December 2020, data published by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) showed.

Union Minister for Coal & Mines, Pralhad Joshi has said that the National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) will invest around Rs. 300 billion crores by the financial year 2027-28 on expansion and diversification.

The country’s largest iron ore producing company, the National Mineral Development Corp. (NMDC) Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mineral Exploration Corp. Ltd (MECL) to collaborate and conduct exploration in mutually agreed projects for iron ore, gold, coal, diamond and other minerals across various states.

The construction and mining equipment business of India’s equipment, procurement and construction (EPC) to defence conglomerate, Larsen & Toubro, has secured multiple orders for supply of 90 units of Komatsu Mining Equipment from Coal India Ltd (CIL) subsidiaries, leading infra companies engaged with the coal sector and customers from the cement and iron ore sectors.

In the months to come, India can undoubtedly pick a few lessons from China and with appropriate improvisations lead the way to making policy changes that bring in a radical change in the ease of doing business as well as supplying its domestic needs and international demands. By DR. POORNIMA ADVANI

Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Anil Kumar Jain has indicated that as per the discussion report and recommendations made by a high-level committee, the ministry was likely to announce new mining reforms in the next few weeks.

Siemens Energy has announced that it will discontinue the support for the development of new coal- fired power plants but will continue to offer bridging technologies like gas-fired plants and components for efficient combined heat and power (CHP), waste heat and biomass co-firing projects as also continue its CO2-reducing service and solutions business.

Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi has said states will garner a total revenue of Rs 66.56 bn annually from the success of the nation’s first-ever commercial mining auction.