'Powerless' India eyes energy booster from neighbours
Karnali Messenger-Karnali Forum for Sustainable development
By Sanjay Jog
Source:Rutland Herald
URL:
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=137506
Published date: Thursday, August 17, 2006 at 0000 hours IST
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Mumbai, Aug 16. The Centre has stepped up efforts to implement its
bilateral co-operation deals with Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka in order
to overcome power shortages across the country.
As for cooperation with Bangladesh and Pakistan, sources admitted no
substantial progress has, so far, been achieved. Sources said India
would pursue its proposal for gas export from Bangladesh. Moreover,
India would continue to make efforts for exchange of power with
Pakistan.
Bhutan, which has potential of 30,000 mw of hydro power generation, has
inked protocol to the agreement on Tala hydro project recently with
India, whereby the tariff the project will be Rs 1.80 a unit. The
tariff of Tala hydro project will be increased by 10% every five years
till the loan is repaid and thereafter at 5% every five years.
Bhutan exported power close to 1,748 million units in 2003, 1,735
million units in 2004 and 1,764 million units in 2005 from Chukha and
Kurichhu projects.
Central government sources said as far as Nepal is concerned, it has
hydro potential of 83,000 mw, of which 568 mw capacity is operational.
Three major multi-purpose projects in Nepal- Karnali, Pancheshwar and
Saptakosi- are at present under discussions at various levels as
mutual benefits projects.
A joint-committee on water resources, headed by water resources
secretaries from India and Nepal, has been set up to act as an umbrella
committee to ensure implementation of existing agreements and oversee
work of all technical and expert level committees related with water
resources.
In Sri Lanka, NTPC is in the midst of finalisation of its MoU with Sri
Lankan authorities for setting up of 500 mw project based on imported
coal.
USAID has taken up a feasibility study for India's electrical grid
interconnections with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. India has agreed to
this study, which is being taken up by PowerGrid Corporation in view of
the consent of both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the same. u
In case of cooperation with Myanmar, the state-run National
Hydro-electric Power Corporation will soon sign MoU with Myanmar
government for the preparation of detailed project report for Tamanthi
hydro project. India has assisted Myanmar by way of setting up a
demonstration bio-mass gassifier plant.
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With best regards,
...............................................
Tek Jung Mahat
Koteswore, Kathmandu
Nepal