62,000MW power generation capacity to be added by 2012:Brahma

BS Reporter / New Delhi September 10, 2009

Expressing concerns over the fuel shortages, particularly coal, the government today said it is hopeful that power generation capacity addition would cross 62,000 MW by March 2012.

"We are optimistic, we would be crossing 62,000 MW mark as far as power generation capacity addition is concerned by March 2012," Power Secretary Harishankar Brahma said while addressing India Electricity 2009.

A total of 78,577 MW power generation capacity addition has been targetted under the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12).

Pointing out the short supply of fuel, particularly coal, Brahma said, "The future growth (of power generation capacity) would be dependent on coal supplies followed by natural gas. It would be difficult to achieve our required capacity addition target in the absence of assured fuel supplies."

About short supplies of gas, he said, "About five million standard cubic meter gas per day (MMSCMD) is required for generating 1,000 MW. We have requested the government to give us around 40 MMSCMD of gas which would be sufficient to generate 8,000 MW and then we can meet the 11th Plan target also."