Power demand to sustain growth rate of 5-6%, says power secretary SC Garg
In long-term, the power demand is seen growing very steadily at about 5-6 percent, said power secretary SC Garg, adding that slowdown recorded in August was a temporary phenomenon.
"I expect this power demand to grow very well. If more of manufacturing and other activities pick up and the consumption demand goes up, it might go up from 5-6 percent that we have,” said Garg in an interview with CNBC-TV18.
On the merger talks of Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), Garg said, “There is no official word about THDC and NEEPCO merger. What media carried as stories is not reflective of any decision taken in the government."
On gas-based power plants, he said, “At this moment, power demand and supply is in reasonably perfect balance. We don’t have shortages. In such a situation if you revive any particular mode of producing power by subsidising, it does not make economic sense because some other power will have to back down. You are not dealing with the situation where there is more demand than deficit. So why should in such a situation a measure like this be resorted? I must say that there are other solutions, which possibly without subsidising may work to revive.”
“If the power producers decide to sell power without being paid for and can live with the credit, it is their decision. We have made it very clear to them that we will not come to an aide for them by either invoking any agreements or providing some sort of government support," Garg added.
First Published: Sept 27, 2019 2:38 PM IST
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