The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Thrust will be on power generation in 11th Plan’

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Saturday, Jan 05, 2008
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Karnataka

‘Thrust will be on power generation in 11th Plan’

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: The country is set to take a big stride in power generation with projection of 78,000 MW power-generating capacity addition during the 11th Plan, Union Minister for Power Sushil Kumar Shinde said here on Friday.

Mr. Shinde was addressing a gathering at the foundation-stone laying ceremony of the 200 kV sub-station being built by PowerGrid Corporation at Amona in north Goa.

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, Power Minister Alex Sequeira and Minister for Health Services Vishwajit Rane were present.

Mr. Shinde recalled that the last three Plans plans put together had added a capacity of 54,000 MW of power, but it was not enough.

Big change

The scene was poised for a big change with orders having been placed for 60,000 MW of the 78,000 MW projected in the 11th Plan and the rest expected to be finalised by March this year. Chairman and managing director of PowerGrid Corporation of India R.P. Singh said the capacity of the national grid for power transmission network was sought to be increased from 17,000 MW to 37,000 MW by the end of the 11th Plan.

Responding to the Chief Minister’s plea, Mr. Shinde promised liberal Central help to the State to mitigate its power problems.

Programme

He promised to allot a full-fledged underground power cable network for the State under Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme. Mr. Shinde said, “We will recommend Goa’s case forcefully before the Planning Commission and see that it is done because Goa is an international tourist destination.”

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