PM dedicates NTPC's Chhattisgarh thermal power plant to the nation

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday dedicated to the nation NTPC's 2,980 MW super thermal power station at Sipat, Chhattisgarh, saying the government is focusing increasingly on energy efficient "super critical" technology for electricity generation.

The prime minister also laid the foundation stone, remotely, for NTPC's proposed 4,000 MW super thermal power project to be set up at Lara village in Raigarh district. The first phase is for 1,600 MW.

Addressing the gathering in Bilaspur, he said the UPA government has taken effective measures to enhance power generation capacity in the country.

Singh said that from 13th Five-Year Plan onwards, only super critical technology-based power plants will be installed in the country. The 12th plan period ends in 2017.

"Our government is trying to trigger electricity production at large scale in the country... We are focusing more on super critical technology in more and more power plants, not only to reduce power generation costs but also to minimise the adverse effects on the overall environment," he added.

"Apart from enhancing electricity production, the steps have also been taken for strengthening distribution and transmission, ensuring sufficient supply of fuel for power and environment protection," Singh said.

The prime minister said availability of electricity at affordable price is a must to ensure rapid economic development of the country. "Without power supply, no sector can work efficiently, whether it is agriculture or the service sector," he added.

"Sipat will supply electricity to other parts of the country but the beautiful state of Chhattisgarh will get a special advantage from it," Singh said.

The coal-based power plant in Sipat (Bilaspur district) located around 25 km from here, has three units having capacity of 660 MW each and two units of 500 MW each, which are already operational.

The prime minister said: "In the 11th Plan, the power capacity had been increased by 55,000 megawatt, while in the 12th plan, the capacity targeted has been increased by 1,18,000 megawatt".