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State faces power crunch, says Minister

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: The government on Saturday admitted that there would be power shortage of 2,701 million units by the year 2008-2009.

In a written reply, Energy Minister Surya Narayan Patro told the House that the demand during 2008-2009 was forecast at 19,713 MU, while State-run distribution company projected availability of 17,012 MU.

Private players

He said the government signed agreements with 13 independent power producers (IPPs) to generate 16,120 MW of thermal power while it was eyeing 334.8 MW through small hydro-electric projects.

As many as six PSUs also proposed to generate 15,400 MW. Similarly, three shell companies of Orissa Hydro Power Corporation proposed to set up thermal power projects having capacity of 8,500 MW, the Minister said.

Though the government pinned hopes in IPPs, not a single major project had taken off. Most of the companies were struggling to get adequate land for the projects.

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