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Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Govt AC temperature guidelines soon: To reduce peak power demand, air conditioning in 20-28°C to become norm
India will soon adopt new standards to cap air conditioner (AC) temperature settings between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius to reduce peak power demand, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal said on Tuesday. The proposed norms, being developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), will cover at least residential ACs and may also include commercial units. 'Air conditioner temperature standards will be introduced very soon for the first time. Under these standards, AC temperatures will be between 20-28 degrees Celsius. In other words, no cooling below 20 degree Celsius and no warming above 28 degree Celsius,' Manohar Lal said. 'Usually people do not sleep in temperatures below 20 degree Celsius. It has even been suggested to keep the minimum at 24 degree Celsius, however keeping people's preferences in mind, 20 degree Celsius will be followed,' he added. Citing recent studies, Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said cooling demand accounts for around 50 gigawatt (GW), or roughly one-fifth of India's peak power demand. 'By increasing the temperature by 1 degree Celsius, we save 6 per cent of electricity. There are 10 crore ACs in India, with 1.5 crore being added each year. New induction (of ACs) is too huge,' he said. #WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar says, 'Regarding air conditioning standards, a new provision is being implemented soon. The temperature standardization for ACs will be set between 20°C to 28°C, meaning we won't be able to cool below… — ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2025 Managing peak power demand during the summer months — when AC load surges — has become a major challenge for India's grid operators, especially during non-solar hours when baseload thermal plants struggle to ramp up. The problem is compounded by limited thermal capacity addition in recent years. In 2024, peak demand of 250 GW was recorded on May 30. This year, favourable weather conditions kept power demand during the month of May in check. However, with temperatures rising in recent days, peak demand touched 242 GW on June 10. A recent study by the University of California, Berkeley's India Energy & Climate Center found that without any policy intervention, room ACs could contribute a whopping 120 GW to India's peak demand by 2030. 'Even with all under-construction generation and storage projects online, power shortages are expected as early as 2026,' the working paper published in March 2025 said. 'India adds 10-15 million new ACs annually, with another 130-150 million expected over the next decade. Between 2019 and 2024 alone, room ACs added an estimated 30-35 GW to peak demand,' the paper said. The study also found that setting strong minimum efficiency standards — especially for 1-star rated appliances — is key to ensuring the market doesn't flood with low-efficiency products, even as higher-tier labels improve. Earlier, BEE has also advocated for setting the default AC temperature at 24 degree Celsius. 'Normal human body temperature is between 36-37 degree Celsius. It is generally observed that in large commercial establishments, such as hotels, AIRPORTS and offices, the AC operating staff try to set the lower temperature (around 18-21 degree Celsius), believing that it indicates a better cooling performance of AC system. However, technically this is not true and the cooling action of compressor is same at other settings also,' according to a document on BEE's website. 'On the other hand, setting the temperature in the range of 18-21 degree Celsius results into a very cool internal ambient conditions, which compels people to wear warm clothing leading to wastage of energy. As per the comfort chart, the temperatures upto 25 degree Celsius are quite comfortable for human body, along with desired humidity and air movement values,' the document said. 'Countries like Japan and the US have already put in regulations for the functioning of air conditioners. Japan introduced a default setting for air conditioners at 28 degrees Celsius. While in US, states like California have enforced limits on lowering the air conditioner beyond 26 degrees Celsius,' it added.
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Indus treaty: More storage for projects in first stages, no change in others, says Govt
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal said Tuesday that India will plan more water storage for hydro projects in J&K that are still in the initial stages, but no changes will be made for projects already in the pipeline. At a media briefing, the Minister said, 'Where Indus Waters Treaty is concerned, no changes will be made for projects that are in the pipeline, because the technical details have been finalised. There are some projects that are in the initial stages, for which we can plan more water storage and electricity generation.' Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the government put in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, which restricts hydroelectric projects in the Indus river basin from including any significant water storage capacity. Now, the government is likely to increase storage capacity for new projects. Currently, there are four hydro projects in J&K that have been concurred by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the country's apex power planning body, but are yet to be taken up for construction. These include New Ganderbal (93 MW) on the Sindh Nallah, Kirthai-II (930 MW) and Sawalkot (1,856 MW) on the Chenab, and Uri-I Stage-II (240 MW) on the Jhelum. As of April, all these projects are planned as run-of-the-river, with three including limited pondage capacity. The CEA is also exploring the Bursar storage-based hydro project (800 MW) on the Marusudar river, a tributary of the Chenab, which is currently under the survey and investigation (S&I) stage. Two more run-of-the-river projects – Dulhasti Stage-II (260 MW) and Kirthai I (390 MW) – are also under examination. According to the CEA, J&K has a balance potential of nine more hydro projects, with a cumulative capacity of 1,088 MW. Out of these, two are planned with storage – Gangbal (48 MW) and Wardwan Bursar (255 MW) – and the remaining are all run-of-the-river projects. Earlier, The Indian Express had reported that the Centre was looking to fast-track four hydroelectric projects on the Chenab – Pakal Dul (1,000 MW), Ratle (850 MW), Kiru (624 MW), and Kwar (540 MW). Pakal Dul is the first storage-based hydro project being built in J&K. Once completed, it will have a live storage capacity of nearly 109 million cubic metres (mcm) and is expected to be commissioned by September 2026, according to the CEA. At the briefing, Manohar Lal also said the country's power sector faced cyberattacks in 'large numbers' during Operation Sindoor, all of which were countered by installed firewalls. 'During Operation Sindoor, (power sector) systems were attacked in large numbers. However, we countered each attack, hence there were no losses.' Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal said heavy malicious traffic was detected and addressed by firewalls. The Minister said, 'Cybersecurity is being strengthened for all projects, be it generation, transmission or distribution. Even imported items used in projects are being scrutinised, because anyone can attempt cyberattacks.' Aggam Walia is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, reporting on power, renewables, and mining. His work unpacks intricate ties between corporations, government, and policy, often relying on documents sourced via the RTI Act. Off the beat, he enjoys running through Delhi's parks and forests, walking to places, and cooking pasta. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Your AC's minimum temperature may not go below 20 degrees C if govt has its way. Here's why
If the government of India pushes through a new energy-saving regulation, your air conditioner's thermostat may soon refuse to go below 20 degrees Celsius no matter how hot the weather gets. According to Bloomberg, the government is working with appliance manufacturers to standardise the operating temperature range of air conditioners to ensure that the minimum temperature is not set below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), a shift from the current settings that often allow temperatures as low as 16 degrees Celsius. 'Temperatures would be set in the range of 20C-28C,' power minister Manohar Lal told reporters at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. 'This would be done for ACs at homes, hotels and even in cars.' The plan, although at an initial stage, reflects the government's focus on boosting energy efficiency as electricity consumption soars. In recent years, demand has outpaced generation capacity, leaving parts of the country without power during the sweltering summer months of April through June, the news agency reported. Air conditioners account for about 50 gigawatts, or one-fifth, of the maximum load, said Pankaj Agarwal, the ministry's top bureaucrat. The math behind the move is compelling: every single-degree increase in AC temperature can reduce energy consumption by around 6%. If the minimum is raised to 20 degrees Celsius nationwide, officials estimate it could save up to 3 gigawatts of peak demand, Agarwal said, citing studies. A study by the University of California, Berkeley, said that tightening energy efficiency standards for cooling could save 60 gigawatts in India's peak electricity demand by 2035, avoiding 7.5 trillion rupees ($88 billion) of new generation and grid infrastructure. India, which has around 100 million air conditioning units in use and adds about 15 million more every year, is confronting a growing electricity shortfall. Last summer, demand surged to a record 250 gigawatts. This year, it's expected to rise another 8%, although May's unseasonal rains temporarily eased the pressure. 'Even if the peak requirement reaches the estimated 270 gigawatts, we are fully prepared to meet it,' Lal said. Separately, the minister said that the government is working on a plan to invite companies to build 30 gigawatt-hour battery storage projects to widen the use of renewable energy and reduce the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tehri variable speed PSP's first unit of 250 MW begins commercial operations
New Delhi: THDC India Limited (THDCIL) announced the commencement of the commercial operation declaration (COD) process of the first 250 megawatt (MW) unit of the 1,000 MW Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant (PSP) at Tehri in Uttarakhand. According to the company, the Tehri PSP is the largest of its kind developed by any Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and the first variable speed PSP in the country. The COD process of the unit was virtually addressed by Union Minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal. The event was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power; Akash Tripathi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power; Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), NTPC; and senior officials of THDCIL. 'The successful operation of the first unit of India's first Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant at Tehri is not just a technological achievement by THDCIL, but a bold stride towards India's energy self-reliance. The project will significantly strengthen our grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy. Variable speed technology allows us to manage power flow with precision,' the minister said. Pankaj Agarwal said, 'The Variable Speed Pumped Storage Plant at Tehri is a path-breaking development that significantly strengthens our grid flexibility. It plays a pivotal role in our mission to integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy and transition towards a cleaner, more reliable energy ecosystem.' NTPC CMD Gurdeep Singh said, 'This milestone reflects the high-end engineering capabilities of Indian PSUs in the hydropower sector. It sets a powerful precedent for future PSP developments across the nation.' R.K. Vishnoi, CMD, THDCIL, said, 'Once fully operational, this project will elevate the Tehri Hydro Power Complex's capacity to 2,400 MW, making it India's largest Hydropower Complex. This project will be instrumental in converting off-peak surplus energy into peaking power, enhancing grid resilience and supporting round-the-clock power availability.' The 250 MW variable speed unit and its associated power electronics have been supplied by GE Vernova, which is also part of the project consortium alongside Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) and other stakeholders. The project is designed to provide flexible peaking power and critical grid balancing support, enabling management of intermittent renewable energy generation. The commissioning event also saw the participation of L.P. Joshi, Executive Director (Tehri Complex), and other senior officials from THDCIL and GE Vernova
Mint
23-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Centre asks states to tie up for power procurement, develop transmission infra to meet rising demand
New Delhi: Union minister for power Manohar Lal on Friday stressed the need for resource adequacy and tie-ups for power procurement to meet increasing demand. Addressing the regional conference for the South, he said that states, while meeting their resource adequacy plan should also work on having an adequate power generation mix including addition of nuclear generation capacity, said the ministry. The statement gains significance as power purchase agreements for over 40GW of renewable power projects are unsigned. He also asked urged to accelerate the development of inter-state transmission networks, including Right of Way (RoW) issues. Right of way refers to the legal right for passage over of use of the land owned by some other individual or entity. He asked states for adoption of guidelines issued by the Union government in this regard. The minister noted that that states should promote renewable energy coupled with storage solutions so as to have energy reliability and to collectively meet India's international climate commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Addressing the conference, Pankaj Agarwal, secretary, Union ministry of power, reiterated the need to meet future power demand by ensuring necessary power generation capacity tie-ups as per the resource adequacy plan for up to FY2035. He said that it is also imperative to make necessary arrangements for development of inter-state and intra-state transmission capacities through various financing models available including Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB), Regulated Tariff Mechanism (RTM), budgetary support or monetization of existing assets. The secretary also said that states should make all efforts for securing the power sector infrastructure, including the transmission grid and distribution systems, against cyber security concerns and should implement necessary cyber security protocols for the same, he added. Growth in the transmission network is also important to integrate the growing renewable energy capacity in the country, more so when the government aims to achieve 500GW of non-fossil capacity in the country by 2030. An investment of ₹ 10 trillion would be required in the power transmission space by 2030 as the government aims to add battery storage capacity along with expanding transmission network. According to the National Electricity Plan for transmission released by the CEA in October last year, a cumulative investment of ₹ 9.15 trillion would be required in the transmission sector to achieve 500GW clean energy capacity and add the required storage capacity to ensure steady power supply. Data from CEA, showed that about 8,830 circuit kilometres (ckm) of transmission lines were added in FY25 across the country, 37.8% lower than 14,203 ckm in the previous fiscal.
