NITI Ayog CEO for banning fuel-based generator sets

There is need to ban the use of fossil fuel-based generator sets (gensets) to check pollution, and introduce efficiency in power sector, said Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday.

"You need to prohibit use and sale of gensets, including captive, which are using petrol, diesel, kerosene, pet coke and furnace oil for power supply. This is polluting the environment and brings inefficiency in the power sector. Whether we like it or not, if the government does not do it, six months down the line, courts will do that," Kant said addressing an inaugural session of 21st India Power Forum 2018 here.

Kant further noted that, if the government bans gensets, the distribution system would be required to ensure round-the-clock power supply, and said "we need to do heavy penalty for load shedding. This requires a series of tough measures."

In the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, consumers will be able to switch service providers in the electricity sector, like they do for telecom services.

Stressing on clean energy, he said “the future lies in battery and storage. The cost of battery, which today is at $276 per Kwh, is likely to come down to $70 Kwh in the next four to five years. This means, the cost of an electric car will be almost at par with combustion petrol cars."