GUWAHATI, April 9 � The Centre is sanctioning an amount of Rs 10,000 crore for the northeastern States for strengthening the power transmission and sub-transmission network.
Stating this at the inaugural session of the two-day �Conference of Power, Renewable Energy and Mines Ministers� at the Assam Administrative Staff College here today, Union Minister of State for Power (Independent) Piyush Goyal urged the governments in the north-eastern region to support the Centre in executing the project smoothly.
�We have a Rs 10,000-crore project for strengthening the power transmission and sub-transmission network in the North-east. Work will be fast, and we want the northeastern governments to support us for proper execution of the project,� he said.
Asserting that the entire nation would get 24x7 power from 2019, Goyal said that it was for the States to prepare and submit State-specific action plans.
�Power will be available 24�7 from 2019 onwards, and we need State-specific action plans for the purpose. Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan have already submitted their plans and we expect the other States to submit their plans within the next six months. State governments should treat the matter seriously,� he said.
The Power Minister added that the country had enough power at the moment and that power-deficit States could buy power as per their needs.
�Additional power is available and the States not having adequate power can buy from other States,� he said.
Goyal said that a record power generation capacity of 22,566 MW had been achieved during 2014-15 against the target of 17,830 MW.
On the transmission front, the minister said, during 2014-15 against a target of 20,882 ckm of transmission lines and 47,871 MVA of transformation capacity, the achievements were 22,100 ckm and 65,554 MVA � the highest achievement ever in a year.
Union Secretary for Coal A Swarup said that an estimated revenue of Rs 1,71,961 crore was likely to be raised from 29 coal mines already sanctioned, and apart from the royalty of Rs 20,620 crore, upfront payment of Rs 960 crore accrued to the States.
Union Power Secretary PK Sinha said that with the launching of the integrated strengthening of power transmission and distribution system for the North-east, a major bottleneck faced by the region would be removed.
Union Renewable Energy Secretary Upendra Tripathy said the country is prepared to make a transition from MW to GW, with an estimated target of 175 GW, including 100 GW from solar energy by 2022. The emerging situation called for adequate investment and partnerships with stakeholders, he added.
