China, US, UK show keen interest in ultra mega power projects

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) The proposal to set up ultra mega power projects was attracting very encouraging response and countries like China, Britain and US have shown keen interest in these schemes, the Government told the Rajya Sabha today.

The government is setting up seven such mega projects each costing Rs 16,000 crore and it had received inquiries, tenders and proposals from a number of foreign countries like China, Britain and US, Minister for Power Sushilkumar Shinde told the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour.

These projects will use super critical technology which gives higher efficiency in generation, he said in reply to a question on the National Electricity Policy.

The Mega Power Plan provides for zero customs duty for import of capital equipment and deemed export benefits for domestic suppliers to the mega projects, he said.

Besides, various other duty concessions have been effected for the power sector imports, said Mr Shinde.

He said the Central Electricity Authority(CEA) will notify the first National Electricirty Plan in six months with a perspective up to 12th Plan period.

The Minister said the objective of the New Policy was to make electricity available to all households in next five years and to increase per capital availability to 1000 units by 2012.

Replying to a supplementary, he said the magnitude of theft had come down after a number of steps taken by the government.

For example, he said, Delhi's power theft had come down to 25 per cent from the earlier 35 per cent.

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