MAITHON (JHARKHAND): A 4,000 MW ultra mega power project will be set up in Jharkhand, Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Minister for Power, said here on Wednesday.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of Maithon Power Limited (MPL), the proposed 4,000 MW ultra mega project was the ninth in the series in the country.

"There were only five when I took over as the Minister", Mr. Shinde said. Later, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu joined in, he added.

Mr. Shinde said that a team would soon be sent to select a suitable site in Jharkhand where the plant would be set up. He also mentioned that it was up to the State governments to approach the Power Ministry for more such projects.

Mr. Shinde said that there had been a power shortfall in the Tenth Plan to the tune of 6,000 MW. The target was 42,000 MW but the country had achieved 36,000 MW, he said.

The stress was now on hydel power to meet future power requirements.

MPL, a joint venture of Tata Power Company Ltd. and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), will set up a 1,000 MW project. The project to be commissioned by 2010 will cater to the power deficit northern and western States and the needs of DVC.

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