State receives 166.5 MW power from Vindhyachal from today

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Mumbai, May 2 (UNI) Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that Maharashtra has started receiving an additional 166.5 MW of power from the Vindhayachal power plant in Madhya Pradesh from today.

Speaking to reporters after reviewing the power situation in Maharashtra, Mr Shinde expressed satisfaction over the steps being taken by the State Government to meet the shortfall.

He said the entire country is facing a shortage of 70,000 MW at present. The Government was able to meet only 50 per cent of the target of power capacity addition in the 10th Plan. The 11th Plan will focus more on power generation, he added.

He said the new hydro policy will be tabled in the Union Cabinet soon. The new policy aims to tap hydro electricity potential in the country, especially in the Northeast.

''Investors do not want to venture into these areas due to lack of infrastructure. But, the new policy aims to provide incentives to potential investors,'' Mr Shinde said.

Mr Shinde said he had proposed that the State Government take over the 1600 MW Dhopave thermal power project. NTPC is ready to join in, he said.

Replying to a question on the Maharashtra-Gujarat standoff over the gas pipeline for Ratnagiri Gas and Power Project Limited (RGPPL), Mr Shinde said he was against confrontation of any kind.

''The Centre and Gujarat government officials were in talks to resolve the matter amicably.'' Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil, Energy Minister Dilip Walse Patil, Finance Minister Jayant Patil, Congress MP Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, and Union Minister for Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar were prominent among those present for the meeting.

UNI

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