Expansion of Kayamkulam project in the process

New Delhi, Jul 31 (UNI) The government today said the feasibility report (FR) for the 1950 MW stage-11 expansion of exisiting Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power project (RGCCPP) of the 350 MW at Kayamkulam in Kerala has been prepared and clearances are in the process.

Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that it has been decided to earmark 2.1 million metric tones per annum (MMTPA) of liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to be sourced by Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) for NTPC's exisiting RGCCPP Stage-1 as well as its proposed stage-11 expansion of 1950 MW at Kayamkulam.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Mr Shinde said the land is already available for the project. In- principle availability of water from state government aviation clearance from Airport Authority of India and No-objection certificate from state pollution control board (SPCB) are available.

He said the Environment Ministry would be approached for environmental clearances after signing of Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA).

Power from the stage two at Kayamkulam is envisaged to be supplied to states/UTs of southern region who have already indicated a total power recquirement of 1820 MW.

The benefits from the power projects is likely to come in during the 11th plan period.

Speaking on the overall power scenario in the country, the Minister said there has beenan overall shortage. He said tye shortage vary from state to state and month to month and even on hourly basis. The average energy and peak shortage in the country during April-June 2006 was 9.3 per cent and 12.8 per cent respectively.

The energy and peak shortage in Delhi during the same period was 1.9 per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively.

He said in the national capital, Delhi, power recquirement in summer months has been considerably high due to extreme weather condition and reduced availability of power due to more outages of generating units and reduced availability of hydro generation due to inadequate snow melting.

UNI RT AT DS1435 UNI/RT