E-Paper
India in talks with Nepal for power projects
India has also invested in Bhutan for similar projects and possibilities are now being explored in Nepal.
Facing acute shortage of electricity, India is talking to Nepal for tapping the potential the Himalayan country has.
"We are talking to Nepal. There lies a potential of about 60,000 MW electricity generation," Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said in the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour.
He said that India had invested in Bhutan as well for similar projects and possibilities were being explored to set up power generation projects in Nepal.
Replying to a question on steps taken by the government to reduce cost of power, the minister said that the UPA government was focussing on development of hydel power, which is cheap compared to other sources like thermal and nuclear.
The minister has held a series of meetings with the Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Arunchal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal to tap the hydel potential.
Shinde also said that a number of MoUs have been signed with private companies for setting up small hydel power plants (less than 100 MW capacity).
There are power plants of above 100 MW also but the ministry was in favour of project of smaller capacities.
He also informed the House that the Centre had signed an agreement with Damodar Valley Corporation, NTPC and Haryana Government to get 5,300 MW electricity for the Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Delhi in 2010.
