Open access will help achieve 11th plan target: Shinde

New Delhi, Sept 11 (UNI) Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today emphasised the need for open access in power sector to achieve the ambitious target of achieving 78,000 MW during the 11th Plan.

''The capacity addition of over 78,000 MW is not an ambitious target and can be achieved through various programmes and policies the Ministry has been following,'' Mr Shinde said while addressing the tenth Power Forum here.

The Minister reiterated commitment to electrify every village in the country by 2009 and provide electricity to every household by 2012.

Speaking about the measures being taken to put power generation on fast track, Mr Shinde said the loopholes in the bidding process of ultra mega power projects (UMPPs) have been corrected and problems related to merchant power plants of about 12,000 MW have been sorted out.

Secretary Ministry of Power Anil Razdan said the 11th Plan will not only bring huge opportunities for the industries active in power sector but also generate employment on a large scale in urban as well as rural areas.

UNI