Arunachal can end Delhi's power woes: Apang

New Delhi -- Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Gegong Apang Friday said his state, endowed with great hydro potential, is capable of relieving the national capital of its power woes.

"Arunachal Pradesh is capable in helping Delhi meet its power demands as its estimated hydropower potential is nearly 50,000 MW," Apang reporters here.

"The only thing is that we should tap our potential properly."

He said he would like to sign an agreement with the Delhi government with equity participation in a joint venture for the purpose.

The Arunachal Pradesh government Thursday signed in Itanagar memorandums of understanding (MoU) with three major central public sector undertakings - National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) - to build seven hydro projects in the state.

The pacts were inked to develop several projects with a total capacity of more than 15,000 MW. Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Apang, his cabinet colleagues and other power ministry officials were present at the signing of the MoUs.

Calling for a time-bound implementation of the projects, Apang said all environmental and social issues would be addressed.

"Local candidates will be preferred for Group C and D posts in jobs generated by the projects."

Shinde, who also addressed the media after the projects were commissioned, said one paisa per unit would go to the local area development trusts.

R.V. Shahi, secretary (Power), said an obligation has been cast on the PSUs on the rehabilitation and resettlement issue.

"The PSUs have been told to ensure that the rehabilitation and resettlement processes are smooth," he said.

The total installed capacity of the seven projects would be 10,230 MW. As per the agreement, the state government would get 12 percent free power from the PSUs.

"The annual revenue that Arunachal Pradesh will get will be Rs.1,254 crore (Rs.12.54 billion)," Apang said.

The state government had already signed MoUs with three private power developers - Jaiprakash Group, DS Construction and Reliance Energy - to build five power projects with combined generation of 4,800 MW.

Though the private developers offer more free power and greater equity share, Apang said his government always believed in maintaining a balance between private players and PSUs.