The State Government has done a lot in the power sector despite several constraints and adversities. Power generation has increased remarkably and all out efforts were made to minimize the difference between demand and supply.
The present State Government through its endless efforts during the four years of its tenure has brought about normalcy in the situation. The process of rectification in the situation, however, must not come to a halt here.
For the next two years, the government has set a target of increasing the power generation capacity to a total 2205 MW. In this target, long-term power purchase agreements have also been included. A well-planned strategy has been chalked out to meet this target. The extension unit of 210-mw capacity Amarkantak Thermal Power Plant would start functioning by February 2008. Its work has entered the final stage. Similarly, five units of 520-mw capacity Onkareshwar Hydel Power Project have become operational while the rest would start functioning by the end of current fiscal year in March 2008. During the same period the units of 15-mw Indira Sagar left Weir Canal would also start.
The Government has set a target of increasing power generating capacity to 8184 MW during the 11th Five-Year Plan (April 2007 to 2012). Work for 1000-mw capacity Malwa Thermal Power Plant at Khandwa and extension units of 500-mw Sarni Thermal Power Plant has already commenced. In the next two years, works related to preparing designs of these power plants, purchase of required material and engineering construction would be completed.
The State Government is also pursuing its case with the government of India under Case-1 and Case-II through Madhya Pradesh Power Trading Company for increasing 1000 MW and 1500 MW power generation after clearance to Shahpura Thermal Power Plant. The government has also signed MoUs with 11 private sector companies which are willing to establish 12000 MW capacity merchant thermal power plants in the state. The state government would give priority to allocation of land and water to such companies. Now the case of approval to these proposals is pursued with the Union Government.