Power generation in Kerala to increase by 1,200 MW: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 10 (UNI) The Electricity Board in Kerala has drawn up a plan to augument power production by 1,200 MW in the coming year, Electricity Minister A K Balan told the State Assembly today.

Replying to questions, he said hydel projects with an installed capacity of 470.90 MW would be completed in the next four years.

Mr Balan said steps would also be taken for tapping non-conventional sources like wind energy, besides taking up renovation and modernisation of the existing projects.

Stating that the Centre had recently allotted a coal field in Orissa, the Minister said that by using the State's share, a project for setting up a 1000-MW thermal plant was also under consideration.

Noting that the demand-supply gap was widening, he said the total power generation of the State now stands at an average 27 million units a day against the average consumption of 40.57 million units.

UNI