PM focuses on enhanced power generation

Solapur, Sept 1: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for enhanced power generation to match the economy's growth rate and said electricity consumption would increase by six times in the next 25 years.

Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone of the Western Region System Strengthening Scheme of Power Grid Corporation in Chincholi village, about 18 km away from here, Dr Singh said due to the manifold increase in the consumption, the generation of electricity would have to be increased from the targeted 120,000 mw to 800,000 mw.

Noting that consumption of thermal power is also expected to increase three fourth times, Dr Singh said apart from thermal, focus of generation should also shift to hydro electric, wind, solar and nuclear power.

Stressing for efficient and effective utilisation of electricity, he said under the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme, his government was committed to ensure that all villages in the country were electrified.

Similarly, under the Bharat Nirman programme,the villages would be connected with good roads and telephones. Drinking water facilities, good houses and irrigation facilities were the other benefits to the rural population, he said.

Dr Singh, who also laid the foundation stone of the proposed Humanities building of Solapur University, said the purpose of both the Power Grid's new scheme and the purpose of both the system strengthening scheme and university building were welfare and development of the people.

''Electricity is the most important infrastructural for any kind of industrial development which paved the way for employment opportunities. Similarly, the new university building will also help students from Solapur district and nearby areas to avail newer educational and employment opportunities'', he added.

Dr Singh said efforts were on to have a ''National Grid'' for the entire country which would ensure electricity generation and cheaper rates. It would reach remote areas of the country effectively, he added.

UNI