Source - Business Standard
Despite fuel constraints, the electricity sector grew by 9.8% in July to September. Union power minister Mr Sushilkumar Shinde explains his view points in an interview with Sanjay Jog.
Q - What are the factors responsible for growth in the electricity sector despite slow down in other sectors?
A - The accelerated pace of capacity addition in the last 5½ years is largely a consequence of several key measures initiated by my Ministry. These are related to augmentation of domestic manufacturing capacity of power plant equipment, adoption of supercritical technologies, liberalization of the Mega Power Policy, instituting a robust monitoring mechanism, and enhancing the availability of skilled and trained manpower. A strong review and monitoring mechanism has been put in place. Rigorous monitoring of projects is held at different levels including by Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority, Power Project Monitoring Panel and Advisory Group under my chairmanship. Reform measures undertaken during the last few years have facilitated active participation of the private sector in the power sector. Private sector participation which was 10% at the end of 10th Plan has gone upto 30% at present and will be more than 50% during the 12th Plan. As a result of these initiatives, we have added more than 60,000 MW during the last 5½ years. More than 80,000 MW capacity is under construction at present for benefit during 12th Plan.
Q - However, fuel availability continues to be a major issue. Can you throw some light on this aspect?
A - Thermal generation (coal, lignite and gas) continues to remain mainstay of electricity generation program in the country with approximately 83% share in the generation from installed generating capacity of about 65%. Coal based generation forms bulk of electricity generation, contributing approximately 2/3rd of the total electricity generation in the country. However, inadequacy of coal from domestic sources was providing to be a hurdle in meeting the growing requirements for electricity generation in the country and capacity of gas based stations was also under-utilized due to the lack of availability of adequate quantities of gas. Enhancing fuel security of coal and gas based stations was, therefore, of paramount importance. For ensuring fuel security in the medium term, most of the coal based generation projects under construction for benefits during 11th and 12th Plan have either been given coal linkages or coal blocks have been allocated to them. In order to enhance fuel security for the thermal power projects in operation, thrust was given to the import of coal to bridge the gap between requirement and domestic availability and all out efforts were made to get gas allocation for the existing projects enhanced. As a result of the Ministry’s consistent pursuance, import of coal by power utilities increased from 4.5 million tonnes in 2004-05 to 30.5 million tonnes in 2010-11 and 35 million tonnes is being imported during 2011-12.
