Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Murli Deora has been visiting Delhi for the last 25 years. He often wondered how could the power situation be so bad in the national Capital.
After his experience of the power cuts, the minister decided to treat Delhi has a priority state for gas distribution and facilitated the supply of so much gas that can generate 2000 mw of power in the city.
Deora was speaking to reporters at a MoU signing agreement between power agencies of the Delhi government - IPGCL and PPCL and central agency Petronet.
The deal would make available 10 million metric standard cubic meter per day (MMSCMD) of gas to Delhi from the year 2009. Deora said, "We are committed to support Delhi."
A grateful chief minister Sheila Dikshit said she wanted to hug Deora for the largesse. At this, Deora quipped, "Don't crush me."
Dikshit said Delhi wanted to set-up its own power plant for the last 8 years but could not do so as "all doors were closed on us."
She said due to no availability of gas, Delhi remained a power-starved state but would soon become a power surplus state.
"We no longer have to depend on others for power. From 2009-10, generation capacity would be well equipped to meet the demands of the city.
"The cost of power generation for each unit of electricity would be more than Rs 3 per unit.
"Generation cost from gas based power plants are more as compared to the thermal or hydro based plants,” said Power Minister Haroon Yusuf.
He, however, hastened to add that Delhi has been buying power at even Rs 6 per unit in peak hours to meet its demand.
"The greatest benefit would be Delhi’s insulation from grid shocks on account of high level of dependence on the northern Grid," the minister added.
"The cost of power generation for each unit of electricity would be more than Rs 3 per unit.
"Generation cost from gas based power plants are more as compared to the thermal or hydro based plants,” said Power Minister Haroon Yusuf.
He, however, hastened to add that Delhi has been buying power at even Rs 6 per unit in peak hours to meet its demand.
"The greatest benefit would be Delhi’s insulation from grid shocks on account of high level of dependence on the northern Grid," the minister added.
Email Amitabh Shukla: ashukla@hindustantimes.com