UNION MIN SINGH: INDIA’S POWER DEMAND SET TO DOUBLE BY 2030
Udaipur: The State and Union Territories’ Power and New and Renewable Energy Ministers’ Conference began in Udaipur on Friday. The 2-day conference is being held under the chairmanship of Union Power and Energy Minister RK Singh. In this, more than a dozen technical sessions are being attended by Ministers of Power & Energy from different states across the country. States are discussing the possibilities & problems of development in the energy sector.
On this occasion, Union Minister Singh said that 1.82 lakh transistor lines have been extended due to increase in public demand. “The availability of electricity in rural areas has also increased. Keeping in mind the model of evehicle, the need of the future is being taken care of. With the increase in consumption the capacity is also increasing. Money isn’t being taken from poor people for providing electricity. Direct subsidies are appropriate, but a balance is necessary. Up to a year ago, 80% of solar equipment was coming from China. Now under Make in India we have started preparing the equipment ourselves,” he said.
About coal crisis in Raj, Singh said, “Coal crisis is also there because demand for electricity is increasing. It takes a long time to start a new coal mine. Environment clearance takes 1 year and land acquisition takes 1.5 yrs. Mining can’t be started before 3 years. These clearances also need to be resolved.”
