Madhya Pradesh to set up panel to improve thermal power plants

Bhopal: Aiming to improve the capacity of thermal power plants, the Madhya Pradesh government and the Centre would jointly set up a high-power committee for collaborating with public sector energy major NTPC.

The committee will be headed by Principal Secretary (Energy) on behalf of the state while Joint Secretary, Government of India, and Director (Finance) of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will be included as members, an official release said today. The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting between Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan yesterday. The committee will evaluate the thermal power plants. The objective is to increase the capacity of thermal power plants above 80 per cent, the release said. Holding discussions on a number of issues relating to power sector, Goyal said the Centre would extend all possible cooperation on matters important to Madhya Pradesh.

The CM brought to Goyal's notice the requirement of power during festive seasons, which the latter justified and assured that the demand will be fulfilled and NTPC will immediately start power supply to the state. Goyal also said that additional electricity would be given to Madhya Pradesh from the Centre's unallocated quota for the Rabi season.

The Chief Minister said the demand of power will increase up to 40 per cent during Rabi season. In response, Goyal said additional 500 MW will be allocated to Madhya Pradesh for 100 days from October 15, the release said. Goyal assured all possible help from the Centre to help Madhya Pradesh increase its share up to 30 per cent in renewable energy in the state's total power generation capacity by 2017.

He said the pro-active approach towards renewable energy sector exhibited in Madhya Pradesh is an example for other states. The Union Minister also assured that all-out efforts would be made to ensure supply of coal to the state, it added.