Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal today said the Centre is waiting for the state government's clearance for setting up the proposed ultra mega solar power project in Sambhar near Jaipur.
The Centre is ready to implement the project in Sambhar and is waiting for clearance from the state government, Goyal told reporters through video conferencing. "We are ready to implement the project as soon as possible if the state government gives the clearance. We are also ready for setting up project elsewhere to generate solar energy on a large scale if the state government provides us land," he said.
The proposed project of 4,000 MW capacity in Sambhar area near salt lake was announced last year by former UPA government. The state government has expressed ecological and environmental concerns about the project in that area which is the prime site for migratory birds and may cast adverse impact on the ecology.
Goyal stressed upon the problem of power theft in the state and said that he has discussed the issues in detail with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and her team. "Power theft is tremendous in Rajasthan. It caused huge losses to discoms, almost Rs 55,000 crore from 2008-2013. I have discussed the issues which the CM and we are working out on plans to address the issue," he said.
The minister said that the government is serious for providing round-the-clock electricity in the state and there are some ways to make power available to remotest areas.b"Local needs can be fulfilled by generating and transmitting wind or solar power to remote villages and hamlets. There are several things and we are working on it," he added.
Goyal said the government was committed to bring about a transformative change in the power sector and ensure affordable 24x7 power for all homes, industrial & commercial establishments and adequate power for farms. He also said the government was making all efforts to augment the coal production and the government is also expediting the completion of three critical rail lines in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha which will potentially yield 60 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2017-18 and up to 200 MT by 2021-22.
He also said that government will ensure speeding up environment clearances of the coal mining projects and at the same time take steps to protect the environment.
Talking about coal linkage rationalisation he said 32,000 MW of old power plants would be modernised. "Automatic transfer of linkages is being allowed from old and inefficient plants to ultra-modern supercritical plants in order to maximise power generation from the same amount of coal. Coal linkage rationalisation is also underway (Gujarat and Chhattisgarh swap completed) which aims to link power plants to the nearest mines."
Talking about lower hydel power production he said it was lower due to deficient monsoon.
Goyal also said that several steps were being taken to resolve stranded gas-based capacity issue and plans have been made to use gas primarily to meet peak load demand or to meet exigencies.
The minister also said that the government has invested Rs 7,000 crore in power grid security in states.
The minister also said that the government has inherited a host of legacy problems in the power sector. Over 30 crore Indians do not have access to electricity, which has a deliberating impact on health care, eduction and income-enhancing opportunities.
The minister also said he inherited a loss of Rs 3,00,000 crore from state electricity boards.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}