(a) whether there is a tremendous resource crunch in the power sector;
(b) if so, the details of quantum of funds available and the details of requirement of
funds to complete the on-going projects;
(c) whether no new project is being taken up by the Government for want of funds;
and
(d) if so, the efforts made by the Government to mobilize resources?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )
(a) to (d) : Funds are not a constraint for the proposed Plan schemes in the Central
sector. However, in order to supplement the resources of the public sector in the field of
power, the Government opened the sector for private sector participation in 1991 by
amending the Indian Electricity Act, 1910 and the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948. While
the response of the private sector to the policy of the Government has been encouraging,
private sector participation has not been forthcoming to the extent that was expected.
This was primarily due to the poor financial health of the State Electricity Board.
Nevertheless, new projects are being taken up progressively both in the public and
private sectors. The balance requirement of funds, as compiled by CEA, for ongoing
power projects in the public sector, both at the Centre and the States is estimated at
approximately Rs. 42,000 crore. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has estimated
that in order to have power on demand by the year 2012, an additional capacity of
1,00,000 MW would be required in the next 10-12 years. The CEA have already
identified a list of tentative projects aggregating to a total capacity of 1,06,000 MW
which can be commissioned. For mobilization of resources and other issues, the
Government has set up a Working Group for power sector for the 10th Five Year Plan.
The Working Group will be making a detailed estimate of the requirement of funds for
the power sector including its sourcing.