Energetica India Magazine January-February 2021

NEWS UPDATES Investment in Infra, Railway and Discoms will Boost Electrical Equipment Industry: IEEMA InfineonKicksOffMotorDriveDesignChallenge for Solar Pumps in India Indian Electrical and Electronics Manu- facturers Association (IEEMA) welcomed the Union Budget announced by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sithara- man, as a balanced budget. It focused on India’s infrastructure boost and also emphasised on steps that the govern- ment will take to strengthen the Discoms. In the extremely trying circumstances of Pandemic and lockdown, with significant contraction in the Indian economy as also in the Global economy, the Govern- ment has presented the Union budget, keenly balancing its outlay between so- cial, infrastructure and industrial sector. The Finance Minister had an onerous task to kick start the economy and her emphasis on infrastructure spend re- flects the classical Keynesian model. Reacting on the budget Anil Saboo, Pres- ident – IEEMA, said, “a figure of Rs 3.05 lakh crore will be invested in Discoms for improvement of feeder separation, pre- paid Smart Metering and upgradation of systems. This investment will improve the functioning of Discoms and help in improving their health and viability.” Vijay Karia, Vice President – IEEMA opined, “A record sum of Rs. 1.1 Lakh crore is assigned for Railways, of which Rs. 1.07 Lakh Crore is given for capital expenditure. Project imports Benefit is also being extended to All High-Speed Railway projects, which will boost the electrical equipment sector and bring new opportunities for electrical equip- ment manufacturers. We heartily wel- come this investment in the lifeline of the Nation.” Neeraj Nanda, Vice President – IEEMA mentioned, “The manufacturing industry was severely hit by steep rise in price of commodities, especially Steel. Reduc- tion of Customs duty uniformly to 7.5% on semis, flat, and long products of non-alloy, alloy will provide some relief to the manufacturers.” Yogendra Agarwal, Chairman, Econom - ic & Taxation Committee – IEEMA stat - ed, “The Budget 2021 carries forward the Government’s endeavour to simplify taxation, make tax structure in line with spirit of AatmNirbhar Bharat and exhibits increased confidence in honest taxpay - ers.” Sunil Misra, Director General – IEEMA cited, “Giving consumer the choice of more than one Discom will set into mo- tion competition amongst monopolistic companies, which will boost efficiency and accountability. This will be good for their own health also.” Semiconductors specialist Infineon Technologies has commenced its ‘Infine - on Solar Pump Motor Drive Challenge 2021’ initiative with an aim to encourage affordable and reliable solar powered irrigation systems for farmers – design and manufactured locally. Organized in collaboration with Startup India, AGNIi- housed under Invest India; and in partnership with AvnetIndia, the program invites the industry, SMEs and Startups to participate and compete for the best design in motor drive solution for solar pumps. The enablement of solar pumps across the country will lessen the burden on grid infrastructure, decrease reliance on imported crude and improve farmers’ livelihood. The company said in a statement that, India’s agriculture has been primarily dependent on diesel powered pumps which contribute to rising emmisions and greenhouse gases. Current pump manufacturing produces traditional ir- rigation pumps but microelectronics is still new to this industry. Solar pump manufacturers rely on overseas suppli- ers for drives, hampering build-up of local competence and ecosystem. To reverse the effects, it is integral to build energy efficient and cost effective motor drive solutions for pumps locally. Commenting on the development, Vivek Mahajan, Vice President & Division Head for Industrial Power Control, Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific, said that “de - veloping viable solutions for solar pump motor drives will enable local manufac- turers in India to reduce overall depen- dency on imports. With a complete eco- system in place, India has the potential to become a global lead in the solar pump industry.” He further added, “Besides supporting the Government of India’s countrywide ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Make In India’ & ‘PM-KUSUM’ initiatives, we are making life easier and greener with microelec- tronics from Infineon.” The registrations for the program will be open until March 14, 2021, post which selected registrants will have another month to submit a design concept. 60 energetica INDIA- Jan-Feb_2021