Only 2 pc of NE power potential utilised

NEW DELHI, May 14 – The Northeast is sitting on a huge reservoir of power, estimated at 60,000 MW, but only two per cent of the total potential has been developed so far. The hydro potential in terms of installed capacity of the region is about 60,000 MW, which would yield an annual energy generation of about 240 billion units (BU). Out of this, two per cent has been developed and 4.65 per cent is under development, said Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said in a Rajya Sabha reply.Among the north-eastern States, Arunachal Pradesh has the highest power potential of 206.53 BU. “Keeping in view the requirement of power projects in certain States, including Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, the minimum capacity of inter-State thermal power plants to avail mega project benefits, has been reduced from 1000 MW to 700 MW in these States,” Shinde said, listing out steps taken to improve power potential in the region.The corresponding qualifying threshold capacity for inter-State hydro power plants located in the region, for availing mega benefits has been reduced from 500 MW to 350 MW, the Power Minister added.Apart from ensuring three-stage clearance, Shinde cited creation and development of project in the Northeast by National Hydro Electric Power Corporation, NTPC Limited in addition to North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) as few other measures taken by his Ministry.According to the re-assessment studies of the hydro-power potential done by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the economically exploitable hydro power potential of the country has been estimated at 84,044 MW at 60 per cent plant load factor, which when fully developed would result in an installed capacity of about 150,000 MW. This would yield an annual generation of 600 BU. Out of this, 20.76 per cent of the installed capacity has been developed and 9.04 per cent in under development, the Minister said.About Assam, the Minister said the State witnessed energy shortage and peaking shortage of 9.6 per cent (33 MU) and 16.6 per cent (114 MW) respectively during April.In reply to a question by Karnendu Bhattacharjee, Shinde just about gave up hands saying that currently Assam has besides, firm share of 508 MW in central generating stations (CGS), 102 to 114 MW allocation from unallocated quota of the region, which is among the highest the Northeast.In addition, the State has been provided 50 MW and 100 MW during peak and off-peak assistance from the NTPC stations in the eastern region, he added.He pointed out that electricity being a concurrent subject, supply and distribution in a State is under purview of the State Government and State power utility concerned. Shinde further said that no proposal for setting up of private electricity plants in Assam has been received in the last six years in the Central Electricity Authority for clearance. Further Bongaigaon TPS of ASEB has been taken up by the NTPC for setting up a new 3X250 MW capacity power plant at the existing site, the Minister said