IndiaCore Presents:
Conference On

INDIAN POWER SECTOR AT CROSS ROADS: Issues & Concerns- Convergence, Reforms & Restructuring
April 19- 20, 2000;
Hotel Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi. INDIA


Organised by IndiaCore.com and Central Board of Irrigation & Power

Main Sponsors- Indian Oil Corporation, IDBI, IDFC


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Overview


IndiaCore and Central Board of Irrigation & Power are pleased to announce that the Conference- INDIAN POWER SECTOR AT CROSS ROADS: Issues & Concerns- Convergence, Reforms & Restructuring held on April 19- 20, 2000 at Hotel Maurya Sheraton, New Delhi was a path breaking Conference on the Indian Power Sector with very senior level participation from the Industry. The Conference offered two days full of informative and innovative conference sessions, and many networking opportunities

ANNOUNCEMENT & OBJECTIVE

Metamorphosis of Power Sector
Structural changes are taking place in the Indian Power Sector.  The overall framework and regulatory environment is going through a significant change after the enactment of the Electricity Regulatory Act 1998.  Under the reforms process being initiated in several states, the ground realities and the power industry structures are changing rapidly not only in India, but also all over the world.  The concept of consumer choice is gaining ground.  In India, power pools, power trading and merchant power plants are a distinct possibility in near future.  Today, an Independent Power Plant being set up on the strength of its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the State Electricity Board (SEB), may find that by the time it is commissioned, its operation is governed by a state level Grid Code and Merit Order Scheduling rather than the PPA. In this changing scenario, new issues are emerging. These are issues that concern all the players and stake holders. What are these issues? How are we going to address them?

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Market Access & Convergence
Technology, Privatization and Market Access are driving the phenomenon of Convergence. Therefore, today, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is not only in a position to provide the backbone for electricity transmission but also for telephony and Internet.  Similarly, a pipeline supplying fuel to a power plant or a railway line providing fuel linkage may also carry optical fibers for Internet. There are also possibilities of using new technologies with electricity distribution system to provide Internet along with electricity.  The result is that a given infrastructure can be shared between different services and different sectors. This has implications on not only risk mitigation and financing of projects but also on regulatory aspects. Perhaps, there are areas that are not yet covered in the existing policy and regulatory environment.

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Regulator: A Powerful Entity 
Over the last eighteen months we have seen the emergence of a new and powerful entity, the regulator.  For the first time in fifty years we have a seemingly neutral referee regulating the sector in the states, at the centre and at inter-state and inter-regional levels.  Most of the states have set up the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).  While there is a question mark on the level of independence that each of these Commissions will have, there is a general progress in the reforms process in the power sector.  Some of the states are moving forward with restructuring corporatization and privatization of the State Electricity Boards (SEBs), which have been in existence as monoliths for the last fifty years. However, attempts to initiate reforms process, have not been successful to the extent desired in every state. Events in Uttar Pradesh reinforce the viewpoint that this process that needs careful handling. Do we have adequate experience in this area and then what are the sensitivities?

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Power Trading: a distinct possibility 
A Power Trading Corporation (PTC) has been set up by the Centre to facilitate trading of power between the regions.  PTC provides the means to Mega Power projects to sell power to more than one state, hence helping them to spread the risks and to attract financing for the project. 

A recent notification by the CERC on tariffs may lead to creation of a market for bulk trading in power at inter-state level.  We already have mature markets at retail levels in some of the developed countries. New issues are likely to emerge in this evolving market

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Radically different environment 
Indian power sector is poised to enter a radically different environment. In this new environment what will be the role of private sector players, the government, the PSUs, the State Electricity Boards (SEBs) and the lenders?  Undoubtedly a change is called for in the mindset and thinking amongst all the players and stakeholders – the government, project developers, investors and lenders.

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Compelling reasons for Change 
When viewed in the backdrop of the achievements over the last ten years, this change assumes great significance.  Since 1991, when electricity generation was opened up, till now, private sector came forward with proposals to the extent of 1,70,000 MW to 2,00,000 MW.  So far, however, a miniscule portion of the initial interest level of the order of nearly 13,000 MW has achieved financial closure.  Some project developers are still struggling, while others are already out of the race.  In spite of struggling for nearly 9-10 years, several projects have not achieved financial closure including some of the ‘so called’ fast track projects.  Initially, delays in obtaining governmental clearances were cited as one of the reasons for slow progress.  Lately, however, it is issues of securitization and linkages that have caused delays.  There have been controveries on fuel supply agreements, fuel linkages, captive mining and escrow cover.  There were limitations in the securitization methods such as counter guarantees and escrow. 

In the nineties, one was not able to achieve significant private sector participation in generation capacity addition but perhaps one learnt about the issues.  On the learning curve, one realized that perhaps distribution should have been privatized first so that the utilities will have the revenue streams that can support additional investments and that perhaps one needed an independent regulator to ensure fair play between the investor and the consumer.  With frequent governmental changes between 1994 and 1999, one also felt the need to insulate the sector from political uncertainty as well as interference.  It was this realization and the sweeping changes taking places in the industry structures worldwide that lead to the reforms process as we see it today.  Indeed there are compelling reasons for the Change that we see today.

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Who should attend?
The conference aims at exploring new concepts in financing and securitisation of investments in Indian Power sector.  The conference will have the participation of senior decision makers in the government, private project developers, PSUs, SEBs, distribution and transmission companies, regulators, financial institutions, investors and lenders, consulting firms, equipment suppliers. 

The conference is meant for IPPs, private project developers, SEBs, transmission companies, distribution companies, PSUs, lenders, investors, EPC contractors, equipment suppliers, consultants, law firms.  It will be a unique opportunity for all the players to not only voices their views and concerns but also to reassess their positions in the changing environment.  Also, an opportunity to have a role and have a stay in the shape of things to come.

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TOPICS 

The topics to be discussed in the Conference are as follows: 

-  Policy, Regulatory & Legal issues in the emerging scenario 
-  Financing & Risk Mitigation in financing new capacities 
-  Reforms, SEB Restructuring and Distribution Privatisation 
- Convergence – focus on transmission, distribution and pipelines 
- Power Trading, grid discipline and inter-state and inter-regional transmission 
- Associated Infrastructure: LNG Terminals, Pipelines etc.

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CALL FOR PAPERS 

Full-length papers are invited in English on the subjects mentioned above.  The papers should be prepared in conformity with the guidelines for preparation of papers.  The authors will be informed about the acceptance of paper (s) after its receipt.  The synopsis may be sent in advance. 

It will be understood, as one of the conditions of acceptance of paper that the author (one of the authors in case of multiple authors of the papers) agree to attend the Conference for interaction with the participants by paying the delegate fee as given below.

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GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION OF PAPERS 

The full text of paper (three copies-one original and two photocopies) prepared on Standard Bond Paper (good quality paper) of A4 (210 mm x 297 mm) size, after having been scrutinised and accepted, will be printed as received by the offset process.  Therefore, the text of the paper must conform strictly to the following requirements and be free from errors. 

Top/Bottom Margin  : 25 mm  (Top margin on first page 35 mm) 
Left/Right Margin     : 25 mm 
Typing Area             : 160 mm x 230-mm single space single column 
Total pages              : 8-10 pages (including figures, tables, photographs, etc. if any) 
Font type                  : Helvetica/Times Roman 
Title                         : 14 point BOLD CAPITALS 
Author's name          : 10 point Bold Upper-lower (Do not prefix name with Mr./Ms./Dr./Prof.) 
Affiliation (designation  : 10 point Italics 
organisation and place) 
Main headings         : 10 point BOLD CAPITALS 
Sub headings           : 10 point Bold Upper-lower 
Text                          : 10 point normal 
Print                          : Laser Print or Letter Quality.  Dotmatrix is NOT acceptable. 

The paper title, name(s) of author(s), and affiliation, center justified, should be typed in a space of 50 mm from the top margin on the first page.  The paper should begin with a Synopsis of not more than 200 words describing the aims of the work, methods, results obtained and conclusions.  

Type the headings, subheadings and paragraphs aligned with the left-hand margin.  Both-side justified text is preferred.  Use double space between paragraphs, and between section headings/subheadings and paragraphs.  Do not number paragraphs, but number section and subsectional headings except synopsis, in conformity with established convention. 

An IBM compatible computer floppy (size 31/2") in conformity with the above is also required to be sent.  The floppy should be prepared by using Word Perfect 5.1 or Word Star or MS Word (Suitable for Windows). 

Figures should be drawn in black Indian ink on translucent paper or acetate material (Gateway Tissue) with lettering of appropriate size using stencils.  The figures should be placed nearest to the first reference in the text.  Photographs on glossy paper may be included, if absolutely necessary.

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CUT OFF DATE 

For Submission of full-length paper is 31st March 2000.

CALL FOR ADVERTISEMENTS 

A limited space for insertion of advertisement of various organisations in the Proceeding Volume is being provided.  The interested organisations are required to send the advertisement material, i.e. Art Work/Negative/Positive for Color or Black & White Advertisement alongwith payment as detailed below: 
                                                US$       Rs. 
 Top Cover Page                          600       14,500/-  
 Second and Third Cover Page        350        7,000/- 
 First Opening Page                       250        6,000/- 
 Full Page (22 cm x 15 cm)             200        5,000/- 

For printing in Color, 25% extra per color will be chargeable. The advertisers get a highly targetted and focussed exposure not only during the conference but also later due to distribution of proceedings through IndiaCore and CBIP and due to its long shelf life and reference value.

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DATE AND VENUE 

The Conference will be held from 19-20 April 2000 at New Delhi, INDIA.  The Venue will be Hotel Maurya Sheraton, Sardar Patel Marg, New Delhi, INDIA

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REGISTRATION 

The participants desirous of participating in the Conference or contributing the paper are required to pay the undermentioned Registration Fee. 

Registration fee per Delegates     Rs. 7000/-     (US $ 350) 
(50% Special concession will be given for the participants from SEBs and Government Departments) 

The payment of registration fee should be made by Bank Draft in favour of "Central Board of Irrigation and Power" and payable at New Delhi along with the registration form. 

Spot registration facilities will be available to a limited extent.  
The registration fee includes registration kit, one copy of proceedings, working lunch and tea only.  The delegates shall have to make their own arrangements for boarding, lodging and transport.

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 

The Conference provides an effective opportunity for sponsoring companies to promote their product/service to a focussed audience besides networking with the participants who include senior decision makers and engineers from the industry, the government and the utilities during Tea/Coffee and Lunch intervals.

Sponsors will be allowed to have delegates exempted from payment of registration fee, presentation/display of their products during the Conference. For various Sponsorship options please contact us at info@indiacore.com

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FOR EXHIBITORS

A trade exhibition is also being organised along with the Conference in the form of table top display. This provides an opportunity to the organisations for displaying the models, testing equipments, literature, brochures and posters etc., related to power with a view to promote your products.  There are limited display opportunities. Further details could be had from the Organisers.

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ABOUT DELHI 

The capital city of modern India has behind it centuries of history, which has enriched its culture. Broad tree-lined avenues and vistas suddenly give in to narrow alleys of cobblestones - taking you to an age of kings, princes, valour and bravery.  Small shops huddled together, groan under the burden of age; small "dhabas" (roadside restaurants) selling freshly prepared delicacies; a wonderful collection of curious, handicrafts, jewels and jwellery.  All within a few meters of fast-food restaurants serving everything from pizzas and hamburgers to colas and lemonades; glitzy shopping plazas; air-conditioned designer boutiques.  This reflects the true spirit of New Delhi.  Delhi is one of the world's best shopping centres.  From handicrafts and antiques to all modern utilities — Delhi's shopping centres offer you everything under the sun. 

Delhi has all the modern facilities for hosting Conferences.  It has a number of good hotels, which offer the better of the two Worlds- International luxury combined with Oriental hospitality.

 

 

Sponsored By

Indian Oil Corporation
IDBI
IDFC

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