(a) whether Japan has shown any interest to develop upto 5000 MW of hydro power
generation projects;
(b) if so, whether the Power Finance Corporation held talks with Japan on this
subject;
(c) if so, the possible role of Japan in future hydro-electric power generation;
(d) whether any power plant will be set up on a turn-key basis using hydro-resources;
and
(e) if so, the details of plans by Japan and PFC?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )
(a) to (e) : The Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has recently signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japanese Study Group, constituted in
July, 1996 by the Government of Japan, with the participation of several Japanese
companies. The MoU is an expression of intent regarding potential partnership between
PFC and the Study Group. The MoU, inter-alia, envisages establishing a financial &
technical support scheme for Renovation, Modernisation and Uprating (RM&U) of
Hydro-electric Power Plants which were supplied by Japanese Manufacturers and have
been in operation over 20 years. The Study Group and PFC shall coordinate together and
work to utilize as much financial assistance from Japan as feasible for the RM&U works
of appropriate hydel projects.
MoU also provides that the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and the Japanese
Study Group will coordinate with interested project implementing agencies and power
utilities in developing new hydro-electric projects aggregating upto about 5000 MW.
The Study Group will further coordinate with PFC in preparing Detailed Project Reports
of appropriate individual hydro projects.
The selection of power projects and funding modalities are to be worked out in
consultation with the concerned project authorities as per the guidelines.