Delhi on way to become power surplus state- says Dr Walia

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) Delhi Power Minister A K Walia today said the Capital is on its way to becoming a power surplus state by 2010 when it would be hosting the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking after inaugurating a three-day Power Asia Exhibition at Pragati Maidan, Dr Walia said the city-state would be able to add more than 2000 MW to its generation capacity as a number of MoUs have been signed for setting up of power stations in Delhi and around Delhi that is Jhajjar in Haryana.

Describing privatisation of power in the Capital as a success story, which has helped in diverting for social sectors and creation of infrastructure, a huge amount which was being utilised as budgetary support to the power sector before its privatisation, the city-government was providing budgetary assistance of Rs 1000 to 1200 crore to the power sector that is Delhi Vidyut Board which had accumulated liabilities of over Rs 23,000 crore, Dr Walia said.

The power situation in December 1998 was much alarming whereas it has improved upto the satisfaction of the commonman.

At the same time, he added that Distcoms have been given to understand that it would henceforth be very difficult for them to resort to unreasonable power cuts.

''The growth and development of the power sector is a key component in the infrastructure required for developing economy of a country,'' Dr Walia said.

He underlined the need of energy conservation and exhorted consumers to use CFL bulbs, electronic choke and solar heater, which has been made mandatory in all government buildings.

To promote the energy conservation and use of renewable energy, an "Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Management Centre" has been established.

Stating that the city-government was providing high priority to the energy efficiency and energy conservation measures and has launched various schemes and programmes to achieve the same, Dr Walia disclosed that a state award function would be organised on Sunday wherein number of individuals, institutions and organisations would be honoured by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, for their contribution in energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.

Several power saving devices and power solutions were displayed in the exhibition which would help the consumers in meeting their energy needs in a cost effective manner.

UNI