The Union Minister of Power and Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs launched three new portals in the power sector in New Delhi on August 20, 2024. Speaking at the launch, the Minister emphasized the crucial role of electricity in driving India’s economic growth and highlighted the urgent need for timely completion of ongoing thermal power projects.
The three newly launched portals are:
- Portal for Online monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT)
- Online Portal for Monitoring Survey and Investigation Activities of Hydro Electric Projects and Pumped Storage Projects (JAL VIDYUT DPR) and
- Disaster Resource Inventory for Power Sector (DRIPS) portal
The launch of the three online portals; DRIPS, PROMPT, and JAL VIDYUT DPR is intended to enable transparent, coordinated, and effective working of the power sector in the country.
I. Portal for Online monitoring of Projects – Thermal (PROMPT)
The PROMPT portal is designed to facilitate transparent, coordinated, and effective monitoring of thermal power projects across the country. Developed in collaboration with National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), the portal offers real-time tracking and analysis of project execution, enabling swift identification and resolution of potential issues.
Key features and advantages of PROMPT include:
Real-time tracking and analysis: The portal provides a centralized platform for monitoring all aspects of project execution.
Transparency and accountability: By digitizing the monitoring process, the portal ensures greater transparency in project management.
Resource optimization: The portal supports predictable resource availability, aiding in meeting India’s electricity demand at a reasonable price.
To ensure effective use of the PROMPT portal, hands-on training sessions have been conducted for all project developers.
II. Online Portal for Monitoring Survey and Investigation Activities of Hydro Electric Projects and Pumped Storage Projects (JAL VIDYUT DPR)
The JAL VIDYUT DPR portal is an initiative by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) aimed at bolstering the development of hydropower and pumped storage projects (PSPs) in the country. These projects are critical for providing greater inertia and balancing power to the grid amidst ongoing energy transitions.
Key Highlights of the JAL VIDYUT DPR Portal:
Improved Project Management and Coordination: The portal offers a bird’s-eye view of a project’s development status, ensuring better management and coordination throughout the DPR preparation process.
Significant Projects Under Survey & Investigation: Currently, 11 Hydro Electric projects with a combined capacity of 9 GW and 39 Pumped Storage Projects with a capacity of 57 GW are under Survey & Investigation for the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
Centralized Digital Platform: The JAL VIDYUT DPR portal facilitates seamless communication between developers and appraising agencies, including the Central Water Commission (CWC), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS), and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF&CC).
Enhanced Efficiency and Transparency: By providing real-time tracking and visibility of pending tasks with appraising agencies and developers, it aims to expedite workflows and streamline communication.
Disaster Resource Inventory for Power Sector (DRIPS) Portal
The Disaster Resource Inventory for Power Sector (DRIPS) portal comes in the wake of a series of devastating natural disasters that have ravaged the country in recent years, highlighting the vulnerability of its infrastructure, particularly in coastal regions.
DRIPS serves as a centralized platform for managing the inventory of specific power system equipment and critical supplies. By providing a single point of contact for all designated nodal officers, the portal facilitates rapid identification and deployment of necessary resources in the event of a disaster. This ensures that power disruptions are addressed promptly and efficiently, minimizing the impact on affected areas.
The portal, developed by the CEA, covers all three areas of the power sector: generation, transmission, and distribution. To utilize DRIPS, nodal officers from various entities, including generating companies (GENCOs), transmission companies (TRANSCOs), and distribution companies (DISCOMs), need to register and verify their information. The portal also requires timely updates of spare inventory to ensure its accuracy and relevance.
The success of DRIPS hinges on the active participation of all stakeholders. By promptly updating their resource inventories, utilities can contribute to the effectiveness of the portal and help minimize the impact of disasters on the power sector.
