India's power capacity to reach 8,00,000 MW by 2032

New Delhi, Dec 19 (UNI) The Government today said there will be a quantum growth in the energy sector, reaching 8,00,000 megawatt (MW) capacity by 2032.

''India will have 8,00,000 MW capacity by 2032 and will be able to fulfill the growing energy demands,'' Power Secretary R V Shahi said here today at a conference on 'Merchant Power- Towards developing Power Markets' organised by CII.

Mr Shahi said to achieve the target, merchant power plants will be the key, as 10-15 per cent of the supply may come up on basis of merchant power plants.

The working group set up under Power Finance Corporation (PFC) will prepare a project report and identify 24 sites for merchant power project development, Mr Shahi said, adding that the Government will soon address peculiarities with regards to the transmission system.

''We are ready to assist 10,000-15,000 MW projects by the next 5-10 years. Also, we need to generate five per cent more than the required capacity by 2012,'' Mr Shahi said.

Meanwhile, PTC India Ltd Chief Managing Director T N Thakur said the only way to get land for Merchant power project is through acquisition on a commercial basis.

Mr Thakur said, ''We can have a hybrid system with 50 per cent given as a tie-up and 50 per cent as merchant.

UNI KR SBA GC2016