Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Nov 17, 2006
ePaper
Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, Nov 17, 2006 ePaper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Industry & Economy
-
Power States - Tamil Nadu TNEB seeks allocation of captive coal blocks Our Bureau
On power reforms, the State Government has sought the continuance of the TNEB in its present form for another year.
Chennai , Nov. 16 The State Government has sought the Centre's permission to plan its own schedule for reforms at the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). In a speech delivered by the Electricity Minister, Mr Arcot N. Veeraswami, at the power ministers' conference in New Delhi today, a copy of which was released to the media, he asked for allocation of captive coal blocks to the TNEB. The Minister also sought clarification on entering into agreement with private players to procure and sell power and the Centre's assistance to evacuate the power to States that need it. On power reforms, the State Government has sought the continuance of the TNEB in its present form for another year. Under the Electricity Act 2003, the State Electricity Boards have to separate their transmission functions and the State Load Despatch Centre functions by forming separate companies. But clubbing the boards that are performing well with the poor performers is not the right approach. Individual electricity boards should be permitted to plan their schedule of reforms without any deadline or methodology prescribed, he said. Tamil Nadu is one of the few States self-sufficient in power and the TNEB, with its integrated power generation, transmission and distribution, is one of the best performing electricity boards in the country. Tamil Nadu's total generating capacity is 10,098 MW with an additional 6,641 MW proposed under the 11th Plan. Private investors have evinced interest in developing over 30,000 MW of coastal thermal power plants, Mr Veeraswami, said. Can the TNEB enter into an agreement with private power producers to procure and sell power, he asked. The Union Power Ministry should help the State transmit the surplus power to the needy regions and enable Tamil Nadu set up high voltage transmission systems, he said. The TNEB needs about 15 million tonnes of coal annually to fuel its four thermal power stations. But Coal India supplies about 13 mt and the board imports the balance. TNEB needs to acquire a captive coal mine as a long-term solution and to meet its growing needs. The State Government asked for allocation of a mine block at Nuagaon, in Talcher, Orissa. This would help economical transportation of coal from Paradip Port. However, the Union Government has allocated a block in Chhattisgarh to be jointly explored by the TNEB and the Maharashtra State Mining Corporation Ltd. This would cause logistics problem, he said.
More Stories on : Power | Coal | Tamil Nadu
Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page
|
Stories in this Section |
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2006, The
Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu Business Line
|