'No impact of global slowdown on power projects'

The global financial turmoil is unlikely to derail the government's 92,000 MW capacity expansion plan envisaged under the 11th Five-Year Plan, Central Electricity Authority Chairman Rakesh Nath said.

"The global financial crisis has had no impact on power generation plans in the country and the projects are progressing as scheduled," Nath told PTI on the sidelines of an industry event here.

He said, "The government has assured credit facility for power project which have achieved financial closure. Some new good projects will get the same assurance."

"The capacity addition target of around 8,000 MW for this fiscal would be achieved. The 12,000 MW capacity addition for 12th plan (20012-17) will not see any liquidity crunch. Projects of around 79,000 MW are already on," Nath added.

Under the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-11), the country was to add 78,700 MW, which was later revised upward to 92,000 MW. After the planned capacity addition, the country's total power generation capacity would go up to about 2,37,554.97 MW by the 2012.

At present, the total power generation capacity of the country is 1,45,554.97 MW, including 92,892.64 MW (thermal), 36,347.76 MW (hydro), 4,120 MW (nuclear) and 11,194.57 (renewal).