History about the Electricity sector in India

Initially, only sizable towns and cities had significant electrification. The supply to dense urban areas was the main focus. The many providers did not work together or coordinated little. Private plants predominated in the power industry. In Delhi, India, the first diesel power station was built in 1905. This was a personal facility established by a man from England by the name of M/s John Fleming. In accordance with the Indian Electricity Act of 1903’s stipulations, he received a licence. After receiving a licence, this specific company installed a tiny 2 MW diesel set near Lahori Gate in Old Delhi. The same business then changed its name to the Delhi Electric Supply and Traction Company.

Market Size of the electricity sector in India

India, with an installed power capacity of 401.01 GW as of April 30, 2022, is the world’s second-largest consumer and third-largest producer of electricity.

India had 158.12 GW of installed renewable energy capacity as of April 2022, making up 39.43% of the nation’s total installed power capacity. Estimates place the contribution of solar energy at 55.34 GW, followed by that of wind energy at 40.53 GW, biomass energy at 10.68 GW, small hydropower at 4.85 GW, and hydropower at 46.72 GW. In comparison to the first eight months of FY21, the addition of renewable energy capacity was 8.2 GW in the first eight months of FY22.

In FY22, India generated 1,490.27 BU of electricity (from both conventional and renewable sources), a 7.85% increase over the previous fiscal year. On June 9, 2022, the country’s peak power demand was 210.79 GW.

Sector wise electricity consumption

With a 41 percent share, the industrial sector consumed the most energy in India during the fiscal year 2021. With 26 percent, the household sector came in second. Comparatively, traction and railroads accounted for 1% of India’s overall electricity usage.

Top states with highest electricity consumption

Gujarat holds the top spot in terms of installed capacity for generating energy per person, followed by Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra are three states with extensive industrialization. As a result, they also have higher electrical demand than other states. The following conclusions are reached when we compare the total installed electrical generation capacity to the population of the individual states;

Achievements of the electricity sector in India

RAISE IN DEMAND

India, with an installed power capacity of 401.01 GW as of April 30, 2022, is the world’s second-largest consumer and third-largest producer of electricity.

Further encouragement will come from rising electrification, per-capita usage, and population growth. In 2022, it is predicted that power consumption will reach 1,894.7 TWh.

EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES

The government announced the issuance of sovereign green bonds as well as the grant of infrastructure status to energy storage technologies, including grid-scale battery systems, under the Union Budget 2022–23.

The same budget included $2.57 billion (Rs. 19,500 crore) for a PLI programme to increase the production of high-efficiency solar modules.

STRATEGIC SUPPORT

The electricity sector’s 100% FDI permit has increased FDI influx.

It is anticipated that programmes like the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) will increase electricity throughout the nation.

A LARGER INVESTMENT

According to the National Infrastructure Pipeline 2019–25, out of the total anticipated capital expenditure of Rs. 111 lakh crore (US$ 1.4 trillion), energy sector projects accounted for the greatest percentage (24%)

Between April 2000 and March 2022, the electricity sector received $15.89 billion in total FDI.

How to check electricity bill online?

Please be aware that the procedure for paying an electricity bill may differ from one electrical board to the next, but there are a few crucial phases that are always present:

Check out the electrical board’s webpage.
Use your credentials to log in.
Find the “View Bill” option and select it.
Include other information, such as your customer identification number.
If there is a captcha, fill it out and click the “Proceed/Submit” button.

How to make electricity bill payment online at Freecharge?

Launch Freecharge and navigate to the section for charging and paying bills.
Select the “electricity” icon.
Choose your electricity provider like APDCL bill, PSPCL bill, WBSEDCL bill, APEPDCL bill, UGVCL bill, PGVCL bill and input your account ID or customer ID.
At this point, select your preferred payment option by pressing “Continue.” for electricity bill payment online.

What are the payment methods available online on Freecharge to pay electricity bill?

We can pay in any way you like, including UPI, net banking, debit or credit cards, and other payment options for electricity bill payment online.

What are the benefits of paying electricity bill from Freecharge App?

You have the choice to save the specifics of your transaction. This means that each time you pay electricity bill online, you will not need to input your information again. The most recent 128-bit encryption technology ensures complete security for Freecharge. Your credit card information and other data are fully secure. Additionally, you have the option of paying later to complete electricity bill payment online transactions at a later time.

What offers are available to pay electricity bill on Freecharge?

Within 72 hours of the transaction, the customer will receive 5% cashback up to Rs 30 in the form of a Freecharge Gift Instrument. This gift instrument cannot be transferred and must be redeemed within 1095 days of the credit date. This deal is not available to all clients.

Step-by-step guide to pay Electricity bill payment with Freecharge?

Launch the Freecharge app first, then look in the Recharge & Bill Payment section for “Electricity.” To go to the following stage, tap Electricity.
The next step is to locate your electricity provider so you may use Freecharge to pay electricity bill online.
You must now input your Consumer Number (CA) in order to view the amount of your bill after choosing your electrical service provider.
You can verify your information, including the amount of your power bill that needs to be paid and its due date, after entering your CA Number.
You can now move on with making the electricity bill payment online after validating all the information. Any kind of payment that is offered here may be used.

What to do in case of wrong electricity bill?

If the regional power board has not addressed the issue with the incorrect electricity bill. A complaint may be made in consumer court. You could speak with a lawyer about your grievance. Create a customer complaint describing the issue.

Is it necessary to register on Freecharge to make electricity bill payment online?

Yes, in order to pay electricity bills online and make other payments, you must have a Freecharge account.

Can I download the receipt for the electricity bill payment that has been made?

Yes you can download or print the electricity bill payment online receipt for future reference.

Can I download the monthly bill without registration?

No, you need to have a registered user account in order to download the monthly bill.

What can I do in case of electricity supply cut?

To cope with power outages in the summer, keep your home well-ventilated, wear lightweight clothing, and drink enough of water. using batteries, pumps, and lighting powered by solar energy. It will be useful not just in times of power outages but will also lower your electricity costs thus allowing to pay a small amount during electricity bill payment online.

Can I calculate the electricity bill with meter reading?

You can determine how much electricity you have consumed since your last electricity bill payment online after you get your metre reading. To do this, locate your most recent electricity statement and look at the stated reading there. The reading from the previous month will then be deducted from the current reading.