Power ministry plans to augment Hydropower generation

Shillong, Aug 14 (UNI) The Power ministry has proposed to increase the hydropower generation capacity to 16,553 MW in the country, officials said here today.

The proposed generation capacity includes 2,600 MW in Arunachal Pradesh, 1,331 MW in Sikkim and 124 MW in Meghalaya in the Northeast under the 11th Plan Period.

To expedite the environment and forest clearance for the projects, the ministry is currently holding regular coordination meetings with the concerned ministry, sources said.

They further added that 100 per cent FDI had been permitted in these projects in Sikkim and other parts of the country.

Under the mega power policy, a lower qualifying capacity had been provided for the NE states at a minimum of 350 MW for hydel power projects and 700 MW for thermal projects as against a minimum of 500 MW for hydel and 1000 MW for thermal power projects in other parts of the country.

UNI