In the review meeting of the Energy Department, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav gave instructions to promote solar energy, smart meters and drone based patrolling. Renewable energy capacity in the state has reached 33 percent and rural electrification works have gained momentum.
Bhopal. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, in the review meeting of the Energy Department held in the Ministry on May 22, gave instructions to rapidly increase the use of solar energy in the state. He said that solar energy should be encouraged at every level along with traditional energy sources. The Chief Minister laid special emphasis on providing solar pumps to farmers and solar equipment to domestic consumers from villages to cities. He also appreciated the technological innovations being made by the Energy Department.
35 percent reduction in power line tripping due to drone patrolling
Officials told in the meeting that the use of drone based patrolling has proved successful in the last two and a half years. This has reduced the incidents of tripping in power lines by 35 percent. Top patrolling of about 10 thousand 220 KV towers has been done successfully. At present, about 23 thousand towers of 400 and 132 KV are being monitored with drone technology.
Electricity improvement work using new technology in many cities including Bhopal-Indore
Energy Department has started innovation of insulated work platforms in Bhopal, Jabalpur, Indore and Damoh. With this, linemen are able to work safely on live power lines through wear hand and hot line stick technology. Last year, 257 operations were successfully performed using such technology. Operation simulator is also being set up for training of operational staff and trainee engineers.
Record performance in power generation and transmission in Madhya Pradesh
It was told in the meeting that Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company has continuously performed better. On January 14, supply of 19 thousand 895 MW electricity was successfully completed in the state, which is a record so far. The transmission company’s loss was only 2.60 percent, while transmission availability was recorded at 99.52 percent.
Consumers get big relief in Samadhan Yojana
Under the Samadhan Yojana 2025-26, consumers were given exemption in surcharge on payment of delayed electricity bills. Total liabilities of Rs 1,970 crore were resolved under this scheme. Surcharge worth Rs 473 crore was waived off to consumers. The government says that this has brought relief to millions of consumers.
Rapid expansion of smart meters and prepaid metering
The three electricity distribution companies of the state have so far installed more than 40 lakh smart meters. Under the prepaid metering scheme in government offices, more than 47 thousand meters are being operated in prepaid mode. 139 percent physical progress has been achieved in this project.
Renewable energy capacity increased in Madhya Pradesh
The share of renewable energy is continuously increasing in the state. Its share in the total power capacity was 25 percent in March 2024, which will increase to 33 percent by March 2026. While two years ago, 5,690 MW energy was being generated from renewable sources, now it has increased to 8,608 MW. The biggest contribution in this is 5,376 MW solar energy. Apart from this, 3,232 MW electricity is being produced from wind energy and other renewable sources.
Cyber security and power infrastructure get big budget
A grant of Rs 13.61 crore has been received to strengthen the cyber security of the State Load Despatch Centre. At the same time, 10,752 km long optical ground wire line has been established in the state through Power System Development Fund. For this, a grant of Rs 146 crore has been received from the Central Government.
Electrification campaign intensified in tribal areas
Under the Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Excellence Campaign, electricity has been provided to the homes of more than 63 thousand tribal families. Under the Prime Minister’s Tribal Justice Campaign (PM JANMAN), more than 28 thousand houses of Baiga, Sahariya and Bhariya communities have been electrified.
Focus on increasing agricultural feeder and HT line capacity
The Energy Department has completed the work of 374 feeders under agricultural feeder segmentation. Also, about 18 thousand works have been completed to increase the HT line capacity.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav’s major instructions to the Energy Department
The Chief Minister instructed the officials in the meeting that the use of solar energy should be increased at every level and the work of providing electricity to all the villages should be completed expeditiously. He stressed on maintaining improvement in electricity bill collection and cash collection, reducing financial losses in the Energy Department and continuously implementing power saving measures.
The Chief Minister also gave instructions to take forward the process of pilot project under ‘One Nation One Grid’ in Jabalpur and to make preparations keeping in mind the future energy needs. He congratulated the officers and employees of Madhya Pradesh Electricity Generation Company on being profitable.