Gujarat to have 7,000 Mw surplus power by end 2012: CM

As an ambitious move by the Gujarat Government, the state is aiming to generate 7,000 megawatt of surplus power by the end of 2012, the state chief minister Narendra Modi said at the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas – 2012 conclave held in Jaipur on Monday.

"Gujarat had a shortage of power to the tune of 2,000 Mw in 2001. The country continues to face a similar situation now, but Gujarat has now become, a power surplus state. Gujarat currently has 4,000 Mw of suplus electricity and it will generate 7,000 Mw of surplus power by the end of 2012," a state government statement quoted Modi as saying.

In his speech at the conclave, Modi said, "Jyotigram scheme of the state government provides round-the-clock power in every nook and corner of Gujarat and on Monday state has become, a power surplus state."

Speaking on the solar power capacities in Gujarat, Modi mentioned that the state had become a global capital of solar energy generation. "Gujarat is the first state in India to have a solar energy policy which was later adopted by the Government of India. World’s largest solar park with 3,000 Mw of capacity is being established in Gujarat jointly with Clinton Foundation," said Modi.

Modi suggested to the Central Government to consider setting up huge solar power projects on Western Indo-Pak border, which can be managed by the Border Security Force (BSF).

Speaking on the global economic slowdown, the chief minister apprised that Gujarat took the initiative to host global investors' summit in 2011, which a record inflow of investment commitments to the tune of US $ 450 billion (approx. Rs 23.72 lakh crore at the current exchange rate).

He also advocated for a roundtable conference of all the States to be convened by the Prime Minister, joined by prominent economists and policy makers to address the economic slowdown.

Addressing a gathering of non-resident Indians including leaders of Gujarati community abroad, Modi shared the growth story and approach of the state towards development. He informed that according to a Government of India’s survey, Gujarat has 72 per cent employment rate, whereas rest of India stands at 28 per cent. He also proposed that Gujarat should host the 2015 Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas to mark the centenary of Mahatama Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa on January 9, 2015.