Power sector targets 9.5 percent growth in generation

Jaipur, May 25(UNI) The meeting of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers and Administrators of the Union Territories sheduled on May 28 in New Delhi will discuss the power sector reforms, with an eye 9.5 per cent growth in this sector to sustain the present level of economic growth.

It will suggest ways and means to reduce the huge Transmission and Distribution loss, Programme for rapid expansion of generation in the next five years and rural electrification among other issues.

Central Electricity Authority has estimated that to achieve 9 per cent growth in the economy, power generation has to grow at the rate of 9.5 percent. The power supply position in the country is characterised by shortages both in terms of demand met during peak time and overall energy supply. The overall energy shortage in the country is estimated to be 9.9 percent and the peak shortage is at 13.5 percent, says a background paper prepared by the Power Ministry.

''To meet the projected demand of 2016, the generation capacity is required to be doubled in the next ten years with requisite transmission, sub transmission and distribution systems'' said.

Rajasthan Rajya Vidut Prasaran Nigam Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Shrimat Pandey.

The Ministry of Power has set a target of bring down the (T&D) losses to 15 percent and move towards commercial viability with the help of technical interventions by the end of the 11th five year plan, he added.

However, according to the 10th plan estimate Rajasthan and West Bengal are the states where actual capacity addition is likely to exceed the targets.

Rajasthan capacity addition during the Xth plan was 755.32 MW while it was expected to add 2790 MW by the end of 2011-12, Mr Pandey said.

UNI