GUWAHATI, June 22 - Minister of State for Power Pallab Lochan Das today said that efforts are on to make the State power sufficient by 2018.
At present, the State is generating 250 MW of power. It has plans to generate an additional 870 MW of power within the next five years in a bid to make it self-sufficient in power, with the generation of additional 660 MW of power in the joint venture Margherita Coal-based Thermal Power Station, 60-MW of coal-based thermal power at Chandrapur Thermal Power Station and 150-MW hydroelectric power at Lower Kopili Hydel Project.
The Central Government has agreed to provide coal linkage to both the Margherita and Chandrapur thermal power stations. The required coal linkage of Margherita is 1.83 MW. Union Power Minister Piyus Goel has assured steps to meet 100 per cent coal requirement of Chandrapur too, in a bid to make the State power sufficient, Das added.
The Central Government has also assured a 69-MW solar centre at Amguri, which is to be taken up under a joint venture with the NEEPCO.
The State has the potential to generate 1.3 Giga Watt (10,000 MW= 1 Giga Watt) solar power. It is taking up the issue of undertaking projects to harness this solar energy potential with the Central Government.
The State is also taking up the issue of setting up small hydel projects with the Central Government, Das said. The Government is also planning installation of roof-top solar projects for the Government offices, he said.
He apprised the media-persons that the State is not facing any shortfall in power supply. Though its own generation is around 250 MW, it is getting power from the Central sector power generating companies, like NEEPCO and NTPC. Besides, it is also making purchases from the open market to meet its power demand, which is around 1,000 MW during the off-peak load hours and around 1,500 MW during the peak-load hours.
Lower Subansiri: The State Government will hold a Chief Minister-level discussion with Arunachal Pradesh Government, besides holding a discussion with the Central Government on the issue of the 2000-MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Power Project. It will take into consideration the apprehensions of the people of Assam on the adverse impacts of this mega hydel project, he said.
Power tariff hike: So far, there is no decision on the part of the State-run power companies to make any plea before the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission for effecting any hike in power tariff, he said.
