Centre to focus on N-E hydro-power
The Union power ministry has embarked upon an ambitious plan to tap hydro potential in the eastern region by improving inter-regional transmission links and power transmission to other states.
Union power minister Suresh Prabhu said that the major reasons for inadequate, erratic and irregular power supply was inadequate power generation capacity as well as "lack of optimum utilisation of the existing generation capacity".
Prabhu admitted that investments in and growth of transmission, sub-transmission and distribution systems had not matched the increase in generating capacity. This is why there are constraints in power evacuation from generating stations. He said the problem was severe in the eastern region.
Prabhu also said 90 per cent grant was available from the Centre to improve the quality of power transmission from northeastern states. He said a national grid was being set up to enable transfer of power from power-surplus regions to deficit regions. This would enable optimal development and utilisation of coal and hydro resources in the overall interest of the nation.
Prabhu said the continuously rising commercial losses of state electricity boards had touched Rs 26,000 crore last year. The inability of the state electricity boards to pay has been the basic reason for poor private investment, "both domestic and foreign".
Prabhu said a basin-wise ranking study would be done for all the balance hydro sites. This is being done with a view to identify those hydro projects which can be taken up first so that hydro-power development is taken up in an appropriate sequence.
Prabhu said the ranking studies would help to ascertain the status of all the power projects in the country. He said special priority was being given to the Northeast where the hydro-potential was "massive". When it was pointed out that most hydro projects in the region were stuck up for want of proper environmental clearance and population displacement studies, he said the power ministry was having extensive discussions with the state governments of the Northeast and was in the process of signing joint agreements.
Prabhu said the Centre had agreed to earmark Rs150 crore under the regional load despatch and communication centre which would help in evacuating power from the Northeast.
Prabhu said efforts were on to build an adequate power infrastructure in the Northeast. He said the power ministry would attach top-most priority to environmental issues before commissioning projects.
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