World Bank to soon release Indian power sector review report

At a time when the country's power sector is facing tough times, the World Bank will soon come out with an elaborate sectoral review report listing out challenges as well as initiatives to improve current scenario.

The report would have extensive review of Electricity Act implementation, performance and governance of various power utilities, including distribution companies (discoms).

An official said the report is expected to be released early next year after incorporating comments and feedback from various ministries and departments.

Work on the report has been going for over two years and a panel of experts including those from government as well as the private sector was also constituted, according to the official.

The growth of Indian power sector is crucial for the overall economic prosperity and the country is expected to see a generation capacity addition of more than 80,000 MW in the current Five Year Plan (2012-17).

Even though India's current generation capacity is over 2,00,000 MW, many of the projects are struggling amid acute coal and gas shortages apart from poor financial health of distribution companies (discoms).

Earlier this month, a World Bank report said that India is poised to become a global leader in the development of solar power and cited the success of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission Phase 1 (JNNSM).

"In a span of three years, India has taken a significant step forward in implementing its green growth agenda by increasing its installed capacity of solar power from around 30 MW to more than 2,000 MW," it had said