Centre to unveil new hydropower policy: Shinde

Chennai, Sep 5 (UNI) The Centre will soon unveil a new hydropower policy, Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today said.

Talking to reporters after laying the foundation stone for the 2 x 500 MW Vallur Thermal Power Project here, Mr Shinde said the policy was aimed at attracting more investments in the hydropower sector, including from private players. However, he refused to elaborate further saying Parliament was in session.

On signing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) through MoU route, which was dispensed with by the Centre long back, Mr Shinde said the government would consider them case by case if the concerned parties had met water and infrastructure requirements.

''We do not want to have MoUs just for the sake of it. There should be some compulsion (on the part of those signing MoU). If all clearances are ready, the Centre will consider giving permission,'' he added.

The Union Minister was responding to Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy's request to accord clearance to three projects for which MoUs were signed.

UNI