Power PSUs fall short of investment target

Last year's budget projected Rs 51,263 cr investment by PSUs in power generation, they actually invested Rs 49,731 cr

State-owned power generation companies have cut down investments as the need grows for energy access to all. Last year's budget projected Rs 51,263 crore investment by public sector units in power generation, they actually invested Rs 49,731 crore.

NTPC, the country's largest thermal power producer, met its investment target of Rs 20,200 crore. It has an installed capacity of 43,128 mw. The company's profits grew 16.44 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2013-14 from the year-ago period. NTPC is looking to generate 244 billion units of power in 2014-15, up from 232 billion units a year ago, with 2,023 mw of capacity to be added. The company's earmarked investment during 2014-15 is Rs 22,400 crore.

Power Grid Corporation invested Rs 20,000 crore in the power transmission network. The company achieved its target last December when it synchronised the southern region with the central grid. According to a company statement, India's inter-regional transmission capacity of about 28,000 mw at the end of 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12) is expected to increase to 65,000 mw at the end of the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17). Hydroelectricity constitutes 16 per cent of India's power generation capacity at 40,661 mw, and 1,559 mw of were added in 2012-13. NHPC revised its targeted investment to Rs 3,058 crore from Rs 3,449 crore . The budgetary support to the company was brought down by 36 per cent.

NHPC has projects totalling 12,240 mw in the pipeline, of which around 8,000 mw are awaiting clearance from the Centre. Some of its key projects like Subahsiri (2,000 mw) and Dibang (3,000 mw) in Arunanchal Pradesh are awaiting clearance from the ministry of environment and forests. NHPC also announced last year it could take over private hydropower projects and was ready to invest Rs 20,000 crore in equity in the next five years.

Damodar Valley Corporation, which generates both hydro and thermal electricity and is facing payment issues, lost out in the investment race. The company has a capacity of 6,357 mw and cut down its investment by 13 per cent to Rs 3,515 crore. Damodar Valley Corporation last year complained against Delhi's power distribution company, BSES, and the Jharkhand Electricity Board for not paying dues of Rs 960 crore and Rs 7,000 crore, respectively.

The budget for 2014-15 has a plan outlay of Rs 60,384 crore for the power sector. The sector has target of adding over 88,000 mw of capacity during the 12th Five Year Plan.