Power generation to witness 9-9.5 pc growth

New Delhi, Jan 31: India will witness a 9-9.5 per cent growth in power generation in the 11th Plan zeroing in on 68,890 MW of capacity addition on the power front to meet the nation's increasing energy needs.

''A quantum jump is expected in power generation in the utility sector from the current 1,28,000 MW to 8,00,000 MW in the next 25 years,'' Power Secretary R V Shahi today said in a conference.

Out of this, 16,000 MW will be generated through hydro power, 3,100 MW from nuclear from the existing plants, 46,400 MW from coal and 1,400 MW from Lignite.

''About 3,100 MW power would be generated through gas resources, but a lot will depend on the quantum of gas and price indications.

All these points will be revisited once the various points become clear,'' Mr Shahi said.

The state's share in all these projects would be 34 per cent from the earlier 26 per cent, while that of central PSUs would be 53 per cent. The rest 13 per cent would be generated by private players.

No hydro project will be listed unless they start their work latest by April 2007, Mr Shahi said.

''To meet the ends, a total of 544 million tonnes (MT) of coal will be required in the 11th plan period. Also, we are in a position to import 40-45 MT of coal annually, which is about 65 per cent of the domestic coal,'' Mr Shahi said.

Under the rural electricification scheme, more than 50,000 villages will be provided access to power in the plan period, Mr Shahi said.

UNI