An estimated 43,000 megawatts (MW) of thermal power projects have been impacted and 10 billion units of power lost due to shortage of 54 million tonnes of coal in India this year.
Speaking at the National Electrical Summit 2012 here, Ms Geeta Goradia, President, Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI), also urged for an immediate review of the entire value chain of power sector in India.
Land acquisition hassles, environmental clearances, fuel availability and security, project execution capabilities and infrastructure constraints need to be addressed at the earliest, she was quoted in a press release issued here on Friday.
FGI and the Society of Power Engineers (SPE), along with Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd (GETCO) organized the two-day event that focused on renewable and alternative sources of energy as also generation, transmission, distribution, regulatory aspects and future challenges to Indian power sector.
Solar club
India has added about 21,000 MW in the Tenth Five-Year Plan, 53,000 MW in the Eleventh and envisaged an additional capacity of 90,000 MW in the Twelfth Plan. However, many of these plants are working below capacity for want of enough coal or gas, Ms Goradia said.
Former Union Power Minister, Mr Suresh Prabhu, the chief guest applauded the idea of a ‘solar club’, floated by Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi. He said it would be set up at the national level by October this year.