No objection if Centre sanctions nuke power plant for Goa: Rane

Panaji, June 5 (UNI) Goa will welcome the setting up of a nuclear power plant in the state if the Centre decides so, State Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane said.

''We do not have any objection if the Centre decides to set up a nuclear power plant in Goa,'' Mr Rane told UNI here today.

In fact, Mr Rane had informally made the proposal for the nuke plant with Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde during his recent visit to Goa to launch a modern load dispatch centre.

Most of the developed countries, including France, depend on power supply from nuclear stations as they ensure quality and consistant power at lower tariff without any environmental problems using modern technology.

He also said the State would claim quota from the expanding nuclear power station of Kaiga in bordering Karnataka to tide over the 60 MW peak-hour power shortage, even as Mr Shinde had restored supply of 25 MW to Goa, which was earlier withdrawn by the Centre.

With the setting up of a nuclear power taking at least five years, the state could go in for 500 MW units using imported low-ash content, which could be set up within two years at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore, Mr Shinde had suggested.

He had also assured Mr Rane of loans from the Power Finance Corporation and the Rural Electricification Corporation Limited, if the state contributes Rs 600 crore in tranches by way of equity participation besides providing land.

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) would be directed to provide consultancy for the project in Goa which had hitherto been depending on central allocation for power with no plant existing in the island tourist State.

Taking cue from Mr Shinde, Mr Rane said the State has agreed to the proposal of setting up thermal power plant in-principle and pursue this with the Centre at the earliest.

Thus, Goa could go in the direction of achieving self-reliance in power sector, as suggested by Mr Shinde, even as the State has plans to set up five mini-hydel power projects.

The thermal and hydel projects could be explored through private-public-participation route, Mr Rane added.

UNI BM GK VD KN1453