Centre is planning to bridge power demand-supply gap

New Delhi: Union Power Minister M Veerappa Moily in the Rajya Sabha on Monday said in order to bridge the demand and supply gap of power, the Central government would take numerous steps including monitoring the progress of on-going generation projects and import of coal by utilities. “The steps include rigorous monitoring of capacity addition of the on-going generation projects and thrust on import of coal by utilities to meet the shortfall in fuel supplies to thermal power stations from indigenous sources,” Moily said.

“The development of ultra mega power projects of 4,000 mega watt (MW) capacity each to reap benefits of economies of scale, advance planning of generation capacity addition for 12th Five-Year plan, augmentation of domestic manufacturing capacity of power equipment through joint ventures,” he said that these are some of the steps which are being taken by the government. In order to optimally utilise power and reduce losses in transmission and distribution, the government is working towards strengthening of inter-state and inter-regional transmission capacity for optimum utilisation of available power.

Moily said steps are being taken for strengthening of sub -transmission and distribution network as a major step towards loss reduction. On being asked whether the Centre has decided to acquire overseas coal mines for thermal power projects, Moily said as per information state-run Coal India has decided to acquire coal resources abroad. International Coal Ventures Limited (ICVL), a special purpose vehicle, has been set up by the government, which would work for acquisition of coal assets or mines in overseas territories.DP