The Union Minister of State for Power Jyotiraditya M Scindia has stated that the total thermal power generation capacity added during the 11th Five Year Plan was 48,540 mw and the target fixed for the 12th Five Year Plan is 72,340 mw.    

Thermal power projects with a total capacity of 20,832 mw, which were included in the original capacity addition target during the 11th Five Year Plan, could not be commissioned during the 11th Plan period. He cited reasons for this. They are: Delay in placement of orders for main plant, slow progress of civil works, contractual dispute between project developer and contractor and their sub-vendors/sub-contract, environmental concern and law and order problems/local issues, etc.    

Steps taken by the Ministry of Power for timely completion of these projects are: (i) Rigorous monitoring of capacity addition of ongoing generation projects at the highest level by the Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge), Planning Commission, Cabinet Secretariat, Secretary (Power) and Chairperson of Central Electricity Authority.    

(ii) Periodic joint review of issues related to supply of power equipment from BHEL by a Group under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Heavy Industry) and Secretary (Power).    

(iii) Formation of several new joint ventures to manufacture super-critical boilers and turbine-generators for thermal power plants.    

(iv) Introduction of web-based monitoring system.    

(v) Sensitization of stake-holders to enlarge the vendor base to meet Balance of Plants requirements.