Aiming to strengthen power transmission system among SAARC nations, the Centre has initiated preliminary discussions with the member countries for setting up an integrated power transmission grid which will connect India with its South Asian neighbours.
"Preliminary discussions have started and we are yet to draw up full fledged plans on the proposed grid," Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal told media persons after a meeting with SAARC energy ministers, which incidentally was not attended by Pakistan.Through the SAARC grid, excess production of power in one region can easily be used to meet deficit elsewhere.
He said that hydroelectric power generated in North East India could be transported via Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, on to Afghanistan, or offshore wind projects could be set up in Sri lanka's coastal borders to power Pakistan or Nepal.
Goyal said this will not only strengthen the economic ties among the SAARC nations but also deepen the people to people relationship.The Power Minister further stated that economic sustainability of SAARC region is based on energy security as 30 per cent of the region's energy demands are met through imports.
In order to improve the situation, he advocated a three pronged strategy by leveraging conventional and renewable sources of energy, building inter-connected transmissions grids and forging efficacious power trading agreements.
SAARC is a robust market but constraints are primarily on the supply side as there are pockets where deficits persist, Goyal said.The Coal and Power Minister said that the impact of electricity on human lives is profound ranging from healthcare to education to employment opportunities.
He called upon all member countries to take this as a challenge and we all should commit ourselves for pushing up household per capita consumption.For rapid progress and prosperity of the SAARC region, it is imperative that the power sector be expanded to ensure universal access to electricity in the region, Goyal added.