Apang woos stake holders for rapid hydropower development

Itanagar, Nov 28 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Geong Apang said the state's hydropower potential has developed through public-private partnership (PPP).

At a high-level meeting with the stake holders of hydropower sector at New Delhi yesterday Mr Apang said a number of hydro sites have been allocated to central public sector undertakings and private promoters.

He also invitied them to attend a national workshop organised by the state government in mid December for hydropower development, official sources said.

The state has the highest hydropower potenial with 50,000 MW but only 26 per cent generation capacity in the country is based on hydropower, whereas, the Centre's policy intends to correct the hydro-thermal ratio mismatch.

As hydroelectricity is renewable source of energy, maximum emphasis would be laid on the development of the feasible hydro-potential of the country, Mr Apang said.

He also said harnessing of hydro potential would also facilitate economic development of hydro rich states.

He further said though the state had initiated several steps for setting up of hydropower projects, above policy reiteration has reinforced the government's commitment towards rapid hydropower development.

Appreciating the Centre's new Electricity Act, 2003 and issue of various policies and guidelines under the Act, Mr Apang said, ''there are several issues to be ironed before making Arunachal the forerunners of power sector reforms.'' MORE UNI UPB PP DB1527