Tamil Nadu to create additional 10,000mw power in next 5 years

Blaming the previous DMK government for the power cuts in the state, Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa today said her government would create an additional capacity of 10,000mw in the next five years and make it a power surplus state.

The DMK government did not implement various power generation programmes sanctioned by her government during 2001 to 2006, which had resulted in power shortage, Jayalalithaa said replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the governor for his address to the state assembly.

She said during 2001-2006, Tamil Nadu was free from power cuts. "We will attain more installed capacity making surplus power during our period", she said.

Improper maintenance or no maintenance of thermal power plants during the DMK regime also led to shortage, she added.

She criticised power procurement policy of the DMK government and said it had resulted in a heavy burden to the state electricity board.

The chief minister announced reduction in load shedding from three hours to two hours in rural areas starting July 1.

Though the state had wind generating capacity of 6000mw, lack of transmission lines had made it impossible for the state to use this facility fully.