GUWAHATI, Dec 15 � State�s Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi today laid stress on conducting downstream impact studies while undertaking mega-dam hydel power projects in the NE region. He was inaugurating a day-long conference on development of the power sector in the region at the NEDFi Convention Centre here.
Independent Power Producers� Association of India (IPPAI) organised the function in association with the Electricity Regulatory Commissions of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura and the Assam Power Department, to attract investment in the region�s power sector.
Describing himself as a �victim of the bi-polar syndrome� on the issue of the mega-dam hydel power projects, the Minister called for such studies. He also called upon the private investors to invest in the region�s power sector.
There is a mismatch between the demand and supply of power in the region and in Assam, he said, there occurs a shortfall of around 300 MW of power during the peak load hours. The State procures 150 MW of power from the market and most of the time there is
a shortfall of around 150 MW of power.
Moreover, there are problems so far as availability of gas and coal is concerned and the gas-based thermal power stations of the State are hence not able to generate power according to their installed capacities.
Ranjit Barthakur, Investment Advisor to the Chief Minister, in his address called for striking a balance between development projects and ecology by appropriating modern technology.
The inaugural function was addressed by Harry Dhaul, director general of IPPAI and Jayanta Barkakati, Chairman, Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission. FINER chairman RS Joshi spoke on the industry perspective, while Dr Pramod Deo, Chairman, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission delivered the keynote address in the function.
Three technical sessions on policy framework to ensure round the clock power supply; challenges and opportunities in power generation, transmission and distribution in the NE region and attracting investments for the development of renewable energy in the region were also held on the occasion.
