Micro-grid can be defined as a small network of electricity users with a local source of supply that is usually attached to a centralised national grid but is able to function independently. From India's context, rural micro-grid is a small electricity network implemented at a village level with its own generation unit.

Globally, 20 per cent of the total generated energy is used for lighting purposes alone. Experts are of the opinion that the said number has to be revoked considering the challenges arising from climate change issues.

The takeover of the financial liabilities of the power distribution companies (discoms) by the state governments has brought in huge benefits to the cost structure of the discoms.

Out of 18,452 un-electrified villages, 11,931 villages have been electrified as on January 30, 2017 under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). This was stated by Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Public utilities have played a significant role in India´s growth story. Be it garnering wealth for the nation, ensuring planned development, contributing to public exchequer, working towards sustainability and social empowerment or initialising corporate governance, they have always been in the forefront. Here, we look at the power sector PSUs and their contribution to the country.

A total of 171 remote tribal villages in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh will be electrified with solar rooftops, MM Nayak, CMD of AP Electricity Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) has said.

In January 2017, India’s coal imports declined by 22 per cent to 14 million tonnes because of lukewarm demand from power generating stations. Coal India Limited, which accounts for 80 per cent of domestic coal production, has posted its worst ever financial results for H1-FY17 as revenues declined even as expenses rose. At the same time, PLF of thermal power stations continues to be near all-time lows of under 60 per cent.

Chasing a stiff 2022 target of 40 GW, India´s rooftop solar industry is finally coming into its own. Registering a phenomenal growth of 113 per cent over the past one year, the country´s rooftop solar capacity has recently crossed the 1 GW mark, a milestone that should inspire the industry to give a much-needed impetus to this nascent segment and set the pace for unprecedented capacity additions in the years to come

Excerpts from the Minister of State (I/C) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal´s speeches at SWITCH 2016 conference in Vadodara on October 7, 2016.