The power sector in any country plays a major role in the economic development of the nation. When it comes to India, the power sector comprises nuclear, thermal and hydroelectric power.
Power plants are generally responsible for generation of electric energy and demand for workforce is this sector never ends. Even, it grows day after day as well.
When taking power as a stream of education, it encompasses, subjects pertaining to electrical sciences like generation of power, its transmission, distribution, etc.
Electrical sciences: It is an area of science and engineering that deals with the study of electricity and different phenomena pertaining to electricity, electrical systems and electrical devices.
As, electrical sciences is a wide area starting from design and development of home appliances to installation and commission of plants for generation of electricity, it is regarded as a lively arena of engineering.
When talking about the employment opportunities in this sector, a wide range of opportunities are available.
History of Power Sector in India
In India, generation of power is something that commenced at the end of the 19th century and it began with the commissioning of a plant in Darjeeling.
Before Indian freedom, electricity distribution was limited only to urban areas. Then, after Indian freedom, the Ministry of Power was given the responsibility of electrical energy in the nation.
The country presently consumes nearly 3.4% of world-wide power and the yearly requirement has increasing at the rate of nearly 3.6% for the last 3 decades.
In the year 2003-04, the government of India established nearly 50,000 MW initiatives spread over 16 states in the nation.
This encompasses 162 hydroelectric projects. As per the report that was created in the year 2006-07, it was found that the demand of 35.5% and 25.87% was shown by the industrial and domestic sector respectively.
The electricity generation capacity that is installed in the nation has grown from 1400 MW in 1947 to nearly 228721.73 MW until September 2013.
This number encompasses renewable energy, nuclear based power plants, thermal and hydro power sources.
Generation of power
To meet the growing requirements of the economy, it is found that the power generation capacity should be increased until the requirements are rightly met. With this thing in mind, Ultra Mega Power Projects were developed.
These are large projects and it is estimated that power shortages in the nation will be substantially brought down by these projects.
With a view to facilitate the development of few projects like these, the Central Government has taken initiatives and the Tata Power plant at Mundra is an excellent example for the same.
Opportunities: Most of the organizations need trained professionals for taking care of the daily electricity requirements.
Any candidate with a degree or even a diploma in any branch of engineering or science that is connected to power can find job opportunities based on their experience, competency and qualification.
Professionals from power and electrical fields are always in demand.
Public Sector:
The following core electrical and power companies in India hire professionals with electrical background:
- Damodar Valley Corporation
- Tehri Hydro Development Corporation
- Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam
- NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Private Limited
- Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited
- National Thermal Power Corporation
On the basis of their experience, strength, ability, qualification and proficiency, candidates can find job opportunities on different positions ranging from an electrical fitter to a manager.
Also, they can get a pay on the basis of their qualification and experience.
Research and Development:
After completion of Bachelor of Engineering/Technology, Master of Engineering/Technology and Ph.D, candidates with interest towards research opportunities in power sector, can look for job positions in research organizations for different positions like junior research or senior research fellowship, research scientists, research assistants, scientists, etc.
Some of the research centres in which candidates can find appropriate job positions include:
- The Energy and Resource Institute
- National Power Training Institutes operating in New Delhi, Durgapur, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Badarpur and Neyveli
- Central Power Research Institute
- Central Water and Power Research Station
Government organizations and Navratnas:
Power sector is considered to be lively and interesting sector when it comes to employment opportunities mainly because of the fact that suitable candidates can find government jobs.
Also, jobs are available all through the year and the recruitment processes for different posts are announced by the following government organization for appropriate positions:
- National Thermal Power Corporation
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
- Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
- Bharat Electronics Limited
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
- Indian Railways
When talking about Maharathna companies in India, they look for candidates for positions like Executive Trainees and Graduate Engineer Trainees. Neyveli Lignite Corporation is a Navratna company that recruits appropriate talents.
Defence:
Candidates with qualification in this field and interested in serving the nation can find job opportunities in any wing of defence like Military Engineering Services, Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
Opportunities are available for both male and female candidates in the form of Permanent and Short Service Commissions respectively.
Private Sector:
Candidates with appropriate qualification in this field always look for employment opportunities in private sector.
This is mainly because of the lucrative pay packages offered in private sector and to be more specific the Multi National Companies offer attractive pay packages for candidates with appropriate qualification.
Here is the list of MNCs recruiting candidates:
- Air Creations India
- Advanced Power Tech
- Reliance Power
- Reliance Energy
- Cairn India Limited
- JP Hydro Power
Education and Administration:
Candidates with electrical engineering and related degree and interested in teaching must complete their PG and Ph. D, after which they can find opportunities in positions like professor, associate professor and assistant professor.
Taking up NET Examination in appropriate branch will help candidates in finding their dream teaching position in the top universities and institutions in India.
Aviation sector:
When it comes to aviation sector, candidates with appropriate qualification in power/electricity are appointed as Junior Executives, electrical manager or electrical engineering.
On the basis of the experience and qualification of candidates, they can get attractive pay packages in this sector.
Nature of power sector:
This is a broad niche and it encompasses different disciplines like those mentioned below:
- Power and Water Resources Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Power System Engineering
- Power Engineering
Formal education:
Candidates interested in this field can get formal education through engineering and polytechnic institutions.
For details about admission procedure and eligibility criteria, candidates can visit the website of appropriate institutions.
Further studies and training:
Once a candidate completes formal education either at diploma or degree level, he/she can undergo special training.
For instance, taking up training programs from Hydro Power Training Institute and National Power Training Institute can improve the job prospects of candidates to a great extent.
When it comes to higher education, PG Courses and integrated Ph.D courses are offered by Central Funded Technical Institutions, Central Universities, National Institute of Technologies and Indian Institute of Technologies.
Applications are called for by these institutions separately for higher education courses. So, keeping themselves updated through local dailies and other newspapers can be of great help to candidates with interest towards further education in power sector.
Different types of degrees, diplomas and certificate courses are offered with the approval of All India Council for Technical Education or University Grants Commission on full-time basis by many institutions in India.
There are also some professional organizations that offer certificate, diploma and other courses approved by the Indian government for the purpose of ensuring employability of candidates.
Other institutions:
Candidates with in-service motto, regardless of their background can look for associate membership with any of the following professional organizations for fulfilling their career goals:
- Institute of Engineering India
- Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers
These organizations provide fellowships/memberships and the graduations offered by these institutions are equivalent to the courses offered by AICTE approved colleges and institutions in India.
On successful completion of degree courses offered by these institutions, candidates become eligible to appear in examinations conducted by the PSUs, Central Government and Union Public Service Commission.
Salary and remuneration: There is no particular limit in the power sector when talking about the position a candidate can reach after joining at an entry-level position.
A fresh technician can start his career in this field with Rs.15000-Rs.45000 per month and fresh graduate engineers are offered minimum Rs.3 to maximum 6-8 lakhs per annum.
In public sector MNCs, experienced candidates from IITs and other reputed institutions can earn minimum Rs.8 to Maximum Rs. 20 lakhs per annum.
Even, candidates taking up teaching as their career in this field can get attractive pay packages that will be in par with the UGC scales and furthermore, the individual can get the chance to learn and continue higher education and research as well.
