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Drought to hit hydro-power generation by 30%: Prabhu

BS Economy Bureau in New Delhi

The government said the drought conditions prevailing in various states was likely to reduce hydro-power generation by nearly 30 per cent, which could aggravate power shortages.

"The drought is likely to reduce hydro-power generation by 30 per cent, and the demand for power is likely to go up by 40 per cent," Union Power Minister Suresh Prabhu said at a Confederation of Indian Industry-organised round-table on "Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme", in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Speaking at the conference, power secretary R V Shahi said a turnaround in the financial position of at least 15 state electricity boards was being targeted over the next three years.

On reform initiatives, Prabhu said the ministry was overseeing the preparation of a reliability index to highlight the power distribution quality in major cities. The index would be a reality in three months, he added.

The Central Electricity Authority has asked the SEBs to prepare an index for their cities in order to improve the performance of the distribution sector. The index would subsequently cover district headquarters and small towns, Prabhu added.

On the role of the private sector, he said, "as much as 7,000-8,000 mw will be contributed by them during the Tenth Plan."

The states had been asked to prepare a feasibility report on the technological upgradation needed for improving the distribution segment's performance, Prabhu said.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Prabhu said Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will convene a meeting on conservation of energy on August 23.

In reply to another query, he said setting up of the long pending Rs 800-billion national grid had been cleared by the government and was awaiting Cabinet's nod.

He said among various steps, the Centre was mulling tapping 25,000 MW of captive generation of various units and putting it in the main grid.

Prabhu said a meeting of the power ministers of various states will be held on August five to explore ways to meet the demand-supply gap.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

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