All India Power Engineers Federation ( AIPEF) demanded that the climate change
criterion should not be made the sole basis for shutting down or retiring the
state thermal unit capacity.

AIPEF in its executive meeting held on Sunday discussed the problems faced by the power sector particularly shutting down of thermal units and proposals regarding smart metering and consumer the choice to pave way for the complete prioritization of the power sector.
The meeting was chaired by Shailendra Dubey and addressed by Padamjit Singh Chief  Patron,, Rathnakar Rao  Secretary-General, Ashok Rao and other state constituents office bearers.
Padamjit Singh said that the integration of existing thermal units with the target of renewable energy capacity addition needs to be further studied in view of the enhanced target of 450 GW renewable capacity by 2030 and the commitment of India to achieve 40% capacity through renewable sources. Until and unless the revised study is carried out and completed,  based on the higher target,
 no further action for shutting down state thermal units should be taken, on the basis of the climate change norms. Since the country is well within the renewable capacity target of 40%, the climate change criterion should not be made the sole basis for shutting down or retiring the state thermal unit capacity.
The government must declare a time-bound action plan for enhancing the utilization of hydropower capacity and pumped storage power capacity presently lying unutilized.

 Shailendra Dubey termed  the energy sector proposals in the Union Budget as
 ‘anti-people’ and aimed at benefitting big industrial houses and  the
Federation would firmly oppose such a move. The proposals regarding smart metering and consumer choice should be kept on hold and more so because
electricity being a concurrent subject on such matters, the central  government cannot make proposals as if it is a central subject and these issues should be under a concurrent provision wherein the state has equal jurisdiction.
There was wrong the conception that introducing consumer choice and
competition would benefit consumers with lower energy costs.

V K Gupta Spokesperson said that there is a clear provision for 1 MW and
above consumers to select the supplier of their choice anywhere in the
country through open access. The cross-subsidy surcharge was introduced
to protect the incumbent Discom from financial loss. So, even when under
the existing act practically it has not succeeded. The government should examine that when consumer choice has not succeeded for 1 MW and above cases,
how it can be expected to succeed when extended to other consumers below 1 MW.
Ashok Rao said that the old thermal power stations provide the cheapest source of electricity. After these plants are shut, the power distribution companies
 would be compelled to procure costly electricity from private producers and
pass on the increased tariff burden to the consumers.

It was also decided that all employees  across India plan will be on protesting
 against the Budget proposals and in support of Bihar states Engineers Association  General Secretary suspension due to demonstration against privatization on January 27. on Tuesday.