NEW DELHI: The AAP-led government has taken a step towards making the capital self sufficient in power generation and is banking on enhancing generation by up to 4,000MW by establishing a coal-based power plant in another state. Delhi power minister Satyendar Jain recently met Union power minister Piyush Goyal over the government's proposal for a coal block allocation for Delhi.

Speaking to TOI, Jain said, "We would prefer a coal block allocation in central or western India, but that is up to the Centre. Our aim is to look at short-term and long-term solutions for Delhi's power crisis. Building up the state's internal generation is part of our long-term plan. The Centre is supportive of our proposal and we hope to have a coal-based plant in another five to six years."

The minister added that transmission was not a concern as long as corridors were available. "The current power purchase agreements by discoms are very costly and we are looking at ways to make electricity cheaper. The gas crisis has led to gas-based power stations working only partially and there is little one can do to enhance hydro power generation. Solar is another priority and we are working on it," Jain said.

In its manifesto, AAP had promised to make Delhi self reliant in power generation. The city witnesses an annual growth of 10-15% peak power demand and produces less than 20% of electricity. Currently, Delhi produces less than 2,000MW and peak demand this summer is expected to be about 6,500MW. Experts predict that power demand will cross 10,000MW in the next five years.

Due to dismal internal generation, Delhi is dependent on the central sector to meet demand. The state government plans to bring in a private firm after getting allocated a coal block. "The plant will be given to companies willing to run such a project after competitive bidding. They will maintain and run it. Agreements will be signed in a way that the cost of power will be nominal and the project will have no additional costs for Delhi," the minister said.

Currently, there are four power stations specifically meant for Delhi - Rajghat, Pragati-I, Pragati-II in Bawana, Gas Turbine and NTPC's Badarpur Thermal Power Station. A 108MW power plant in Rithala has also been by Tata Power Delhi, but it has not been operating for the last two years due to gas shortage. Rajghat and Badarpur are coal-based power plants. The Bawana power plant generates only up to 350MW due to gas unavailability. The city gets 3,500MW from various power plants under the central quota.

