The country's fast growing power sector has the potential to create as many as 600,000 jobs during the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012-17).

A top government official said that the power sector, vital for good economic growth, is projected to see a capacity addition of about 100,000 MW during 2012-17 period.

Power Secretary P Uma Shankar said that "To set up about 100,000 MW we need about 200,000 people for construction of power plants.

He added that "For operation and maintenance, generation transmission and distribution, there is a requirement of 400,000 people during the 12th Five-Year Plan.”

While speaking at 27th Skoch Summit Mr Uma Shankar said that there is an estimated requirement of four lakh technical persons for the power sector during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2018-22).

However, he noted that employment potential in the power sector is going to come down in the future due to automation and technical upgradation.

India has embarked on massive capacity addition plans in the power sector, which is expected to require about USD 300-400 billion investment during the 12th Five-Year Plan.

(Sourced from ET)