Power for all Gujarat houses by 2010 end: Jagadeesan

By ENN,
Ahmedabad: In an attempt to outsmart other states on the development plank, Gujarat is poised to provide electricity connection to all households by December next year by strengthening the transmission and distribution network with an investment of Rupees 5,000 crore.

''Gujarat has launched a major initiative to tap all energy sources and strengthen distribution network and is likely to emerge energy surplus soon,'' state's Energy and Petrochemicals Department Principal Secretary S Jagadeesan said here today.

Addressing the inaugural session of the three-day ''3rd edition of india energy conclave 2009'' here, Mr Jagadeesan said per capita power consumption in Gujarat was twice the national average with industries consuming about 37 per cent and agriculture sector 27 per cent.

Gujarat has given priority for clean fuel and gas as fuel is being used in 30 per cent power generation as against national average of ten per cent and 20 per cent globally, he said, adding the present power availability stood at 11,011 MW with state power plants producing 5,732 MW, central share of 2,677 MW and independent power producers 2,602 MW.

''Gujarat is likely to emerge energy surplus with the total generation capacity reaching 9,000 mw soon and doubling to 19,250 mw by 2011-12'', Mr Jagadeesan said, adding the capacity may touch 21,400 MW if the additional generation capacity of 2,000 mw of torrent power is taken into account.