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Shinde promises adequate power to Rajasthan

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Union Energy Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Tuesday sought cooperation of the States in enhancing power production in the country. The political parties should come together on issues of national importance to meet the targeted growth rate of 10 per cent, he said after laying the foundation of the 195 MW seventh unit of the Kota Super Thermal Power Station (KSPTS) at Kota in Rajasthan.

The energy sector would play a major role in fulfilling Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's ambition of taking the country's growth rate to 10 per cent in the near future, Mr. Shinde said. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Minister of State for Energy Rajendra Singh Kheevsar and other members of the State Cabinet were among those present.

Responding to a request from Ms. Raje, Mr. Shinde said the Centre would ensure adequate power to Rajasthan during the coming rabi season. He appreciated the good plant load factor (PLF) in the power projects in Rajasthan and said the State's requests for clearances in setting up new projects would be considered at the earliest.

The State's demand for installing a nuclear power station in Banswara and for allocation of coal blocs for captive coal mining from the collieries also would be referred to the respective Ministries, Mr. Shinde said. Many foreign firms were keen to put up nuclear power plants in the country, he observed.

Ms. Raje said the power situation in the State had improved a bit though the supply was possible only for six hours daily now instead of the eight hours supply earlier. Talking about the plans for future on the power generation front, she said projects leading to an additional capacity of 1525 MW were under construction in the State.

Chairman and Managing Director of Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam N.S.Choudhary, welcoming the guests, said the State at present had an installed capacity of 2569 MW.

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