Power generation fails to keep pace with demand: APGCL MD

Assam Government's target is to electrify every single village in the State by 2017-18: APDCL MD

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 28: Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) MD Puru Gupta has said that though per capita dependence on electricity is increasing it does not imply increase in per capita consumption.

Gupta was speaking at ‘North East Energy Conclave: Powering the North East: Availability, Accessibility & Affordability’ organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Gupta highlighted APDCL’s achievement of selling 2 lakh LEDs as a part of the MOU signed between the State Government and Energy Efficiency Service Limited (EESL).  He said that a right mix of policy, execution and regulatory methods would bring about sustaible ways of consumption. “The dependence on the sustaible forms of energy has to increase keeping in mind the environmental factors as well. The aim is to reach out to every household with electricity,” he said.

According to Gupta, the Assam Government's target is to electrify every single village in the State by 2017-18. He has also pointed out to protect commercial interest of the State by protecting the balance sheet. “There should also be adequate ways to mitigate problems in the business sector in terms of providing seamless electricity keeping in mind the vision of ease of doing business. Revenue collection models which are available in this country are needed to be adopted and implemented in the State,” he added.

Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited MD Kalyani Baruah said that the demand for electricity in the state was steadily growing against low power generation. She mentioned about the hydro-electric projects at Barapani –I, II have been taken to address the issue. She added that sufficient land had been procured to implement solar power projects as well.

Meghalaya Power Department Commissioner and Secretary E.P. Kharbhih said that Meghalaya was going hand in hand with the vision of UJALA by selling more than two Lakh LED bulbs and therefore saving Rs.13 crore this fincial year. According to him, as long as the state receives the highest amount of rainfall at Cherrapunji it has got a huge potential for developing altertive power resources and also Solar Energy could be the game changer in the State. He mentioned that there are a number of projects which are in the pipeline and the State has geared up to generate 3000 MW of power.

Deputy Director and Head of Energy initiatives of ICC Supar Chatterjee said that ICC had a role to play in the Indian Power & Energy Sector. She added that the ICC had been working actively on key issues impacting the Power & Energy Sector through various initiatives and recommendations.