Consolidated efforts must to achieve 11th plan target: Sushilkumar Shinde

PRIVATE SECTOR TOLD TO ENSURE ANOTHER 4000-5000MW CAPACITY ADDITION DURING 2009-10 

Continuing his efforts to give impetus to the capacity addition programme, Union Power Minister, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, today held discussions with the independent power project developers. Setting the agenda for the meeting he said that private producers must ensure another 4000-5000 MW capacity addition during this fiscal including 900 MW by the end of August. The private sector is expected to add capacity of 6125 MW in the current fiscal of which 2019 MW has already been commissioned. Reaffirming his commitment to resolve all issues creating hindrances in the progress of power sector, Shri Shinde called upon the private sector to join hands with the government to fulfill the dream of Power for All by 2012. 

After taking stock of the status of projects being implemented by independent power producers in the 11th plan, Shri Shinde said that his ministry is regularly monitoring the progress of capacity addition programme at all units, public as well as private. He told the independent producers to set up a five member committee which can take up with the Power Ministry the issues related to private sector on a regular basis so that issues can be resolved. 

The Minister also urged the private sector to make more efforts to enhance the availability of skilled manpower by adopting ITIs in the locality of their plant. This, he said, will not only create job opportunities for the young and upcoming but will also address the problem of shortage of manpower. 

About 18 major independent power producers attended the meeting. Secretary (Power), Shri H.S. Brahma, Special Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Dr. S.P. Seth, Chairman CEA, Shri Rakesh Nath, other senior officials from Ministry of Power as well as CMDs of PFC, Powergrid and REC were also present. 

During the interactions, Shri H.S. Brahma informed that issues of enhancing exposure norms and ECB norms have already been taken up with the Prime Minister and the RBI. 

Some of the independent power producers raised issues such as coal linkages, transmission, fuel transportation and coordination with state governments and sought the intervention of the Power Ministry. 

The meeting concluded with the following decisions: 

• Coal Ministry will be requested to expedite linkage of FSA –Expedite grant for prospective licence and allow tapering coal linkages in the short term. 

• Ministry of Petroleum would be approached to give more gas from KG basin to power sector. 

• Mega certificate issue to be addressed soon. 

• Powergrid to do aggressive planning for North-East, Chhattisgarh and Orissa to help generators to evacuate power. 

• Environment and Forest Ministry would be approached for help with speedy clearances. 

The total targeted capacity for the 11Th Plan is 78,700 MW out of which 19554 MW or 25 per cent is expected from the private sector. 3,742 MW has already been commissioned and the rest is under construction. Private sector is expected to add about 42,000 MW in the 12th Plan.