11th Plan targets to add 78 Gigawatts power generation

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) The country will soon emerge as a major power equipment manufacturing hub given the target of 78 gigawatts of power generation is achieved.

''The new 11th Plan targets to add 78 Gigawatts power generation capacity which will be a bonanza for the industry,'' Secretary, Ministry of Power, Anil Razdan said.

Indian power industry should not only be users of technology but manufacturers of technology, Mr Razdan said. The power ministry will support them through investments and with finding places for setting up plants and the industry should ensure that the projects are completed on time, he added.

''Already a vast opportunity exists in the shape of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojna, specially for small entrepreneurs,'' he said and added that ''it was a bonanza for the industry and an opportunity not to be missed." He also felt that training of semi-skilled workers and passing on the benefits of the projects to locals through training, employment and sharing in use of the power generated, was equally critical.

The 2008-2009 budget was overall good for the power sector and infrastructure, especially power, was crucial for the economy to grow at over eight per cent, said Chairman, CII National Committee on Capital Goods and Engineering and member of the Board and President (Operations) Larsen&Toubro Ltd, J P Nayak.

The industry looks for the government's re-assurance for its continued support and investment in the power sector, he added.

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