“Centre considering 200 MW more for State”

The Centre is considering Tamil Nadu's request for additional power of 200 MW from the Central grid to help the State tackle the severe power crisis it faces now.

V. Narayanasamy, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said here on Saturday that the State government's request for more power to tide over the crisis was being followed up with the Union Power Ministry.

“We have taken up the matter with Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. The additional 200 MW sought by Tamil Nadu is to meet the daytime demand and prevent daytime power cuts,” he said, during his visit to the Madurai Kamaraj University for participating in an international conference on renewable energy and climate change.

‘Relief given'

The Union Minister said the State's request for more power had already been taken up by the PMO and some relief was given to meet the night-time demand.

This additional 200 MW of power will be provided to Tamil Nadu from the national grid till such time the power generation commences at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in the State.

Stating that all preparatory works in Kudankulam were going on in full swing, Mr. Narayanasamy said two reactors of each 1,000 MW capacity would start producing power in June.

“Before that, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has to make an inspection and issue the go-ahead certificate. The Atomic Energy Department has already written to them in this regard,” he informed.

Reiterating that all safety parameters were in place at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, the Union Minister said detailed reports had been submitted by expert committees formed by the Central and State Governments.

Asked about the enquiry being conducted against a few non-governmental organisations involved in protests at Kudankulam, he said the Union Home Ministry was pursuing the matter in the case of three NGOs which did not have adequate records to show their funding support. “Their accounts were frozen and the enquiry is going on. Notices were issued and we have to wait for the findings,” he added.

“India is marching ahead in nuclear power and it is also proactively taking steps to tap solar power for nation's electricity needs,” the Minister said.

At Madurai Kamaraj University, Mr. Narayanasamy inaugurated a solar power plant and addressed delegates at the international conference organised by the university's School of Energy, Environment and Natural Resources.