Plant load factors of power plants averaging around 65 per cent is a positive development and attracts investment from companies, said Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy. 

Speaking at KPMG's Annual Energy Conclave ENRich 2015, Goyal said, "People want to come to a country where power plants' plant load factors are hovering around 65 per cent. It means we can ramp up generation by 40 per cent to meet their demand." 

Goyal added that the improvement in the power sector has helped raise India's ease of doing business ranking. Further, the Minister said he has urged states to provide power connections to industries within 15 days of receiving an application.

On solar power tariffs that are coming down Goyal said, "With AAA rated companies such as NTPC and Solar Energy Corporation of India becoming solar power procurers, counter-party risk in the sector has been mitigated. Developers need not depend on the ability of the distribution utility (discom) to procure their power." 

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