The Hindu Business Line : `Power sector needs $100 b in 11th Plan'

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New Delhi Jan 21 The power sector is in need of investments to the tune of $100 billion for beefing up generation capacity and the augmentation of the accompanying transmission and distribution networks during the 11th Plan period, a senior Government official said.

"Of the total amount, about $50 billion would be needed only for raising the generation capacity, while the rest would be needed for transmission, distribution and related activities," Power Secretary Mr R.V. Shahi said at an industry event.

He said that nearly $30 billion would be required to ramp up the country's transmission capacity, while $20 billion would be needed for the rural electrification programme and the distribution sector. A major chunk of the proposed generation capacity addition of 68,000 MW during the next Plan period would come from new coal-based stations.

A major chunk of the proposed generation capacity addition of 68,000 MW during the next Plan period would come from new coal-based stations, besides fresh capacity to the tune of 10,000 MW through non-conventional sources and 6,000-7,000 MW through captive power plants.

Two ultra mega power projects are already on stream and the Government hopes to award the proposed Krishnapatnam UMPP in Andhra Pradesh by March this year and another one in Jharkhand by June, Mr Shahi said.

"Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are also in the pipeline."

He added four more UMPPs would be awarded before December 2007.

Mr Shahi also said that the Government might restructure the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana and the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme to speed up rural electrification.

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