Where will the SEZs get power from?
As the debate over pros and cons of SEZs continues, Mr Patil fears all these new-age ‘growth engines’ may finally burden the state’s already weakened energy infrastructure.
By Girish Kuber, TNN |
MUMBAI: “THE SEZs are fine...but where are they going to get the power from?” asks Maharashtra’s energy minister Dilip Valse Patil.
As the debate over pros and cons of SEZs continues, Mr Patil fears all these new-age ‘growth engines’ may finally burden the state’s already weakened energy infrastructure.
“Ideally the SEZs need to have their own captive plants to take care of electricity needs. But none of the SEZ promoters has so far clearly stated their electricity management plan despite we asking them do so,” Mr Patil said.
Mr Patil has every reason to be worried since the state will have as many as 51 SEZs, if all come through. As of now 28 of them have received the centre’s nod.
“Most of them we presume would have large manufacturing or processing units within the SEZs largely meant for exports. All this need heavy power. What we fear that many of them will end up asking the state to supply electricity,” Mr Patil said.
As the state’s energy minister he took up the issue with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, who is planning the country’s biggest SEZ near Mumbai.
According to an official from the state’s energy department, the Reliance SEZ is planning to have their own independent power supply mechanism but are unsure of other such 50 SEZs. “We are worried about other small such projects,” a official said.
Recently, the state has been facing a power shortfall that ranges between 3,500 MW to 4,500 MW at peak hours. By the state’s own projection, the gap may reach 10,000 MW in few years if corrective measures are not taken on war footing.
“We have our capacity addition plan in place,” Mr Patil said referring to the state’s Rs 8,700 crore-2,000 MW augmentation plan that was kicked off Wednesday. This includes two plants of 250 MW each at Parli and Paras, 500 MW at Khaparkheda and two 500 MW plants at Bhusawal. The generation from these projects would begin from February ‘09 onwards. The state is also eyeing another 2,000 MW from Ratnagiri Gas and Power, formerly known as Dabhol Power. Besides this the state has also commitment for 3,000 mw from the central grid.
“All this is being planned considering the state’s needs. The SEZs are not part of the picture and I hope they remain so,” Mr Patil said.
As the debate over pros and cons of SEZs continues, Mr Patil fears all these new-age ‘growth engines’ may finally burden the state’s already weakened energy infrastructure.
“Ideally the SEZs need to have their own captive plants to take care of electricity needs. But none of the SEZ promoters has so far clearly stated their electricity management plan despite we asking them do so,” Mr Patil said.
Mr Patil has every reason to be worried since the state will have as many as 51 SEZs, if all come through. As of now 28 of them have received the centre’s nod.
“Most of them we presume would have large manufacturing or processing units within the SEZs largely meant for exports. All this need heavy power. What we fear that many of them will end up asking the state to supply electricity,” Mr Patil said.
As the state’s energy minister he took up the issue with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, who is planning the country’s biggest SEZ near Mumbai.
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According to an official from the state’s energy department, the Reliance SEZ is planning to have their own independent power supply mechanism but are unsure of other such 50 SEZs. “We are worried about other small such projects,” a official said.
Recently, the state has been facing a power shortfall that ranges between 3,500 MW to 4,500 MW at peak hours. By the state’s own projection, the gap may reach 10,000 MW in few years if corrective measures are not taken on war footing.
“We have our capacity addition plan in place,” Mr Patil said referring to the state’s Rs 8,700 crore-2,000 MW augmentation plan that was kicked off Wednesday. This includes two plants of 250 MW each at Parli and Paras, 500 MW at Khaparkheda and two 500 MW plants at Bhusawal. The generation from these projects would begin from February ‘09 onwards. The state is also eyeing another 2,000 MW from Ratnagiri Gas and Power, formerly known as Dabhol Power. Besides this the state has also commitment for 3,000 mw from the central grid.
“All this is being planned considering the state’s needs. The SEZs are not part of the picture and I hope they remain so,” Mr Patil said.
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