Ambitious capacity addition targets for 2011-12

Notwithstanding its less than exemplary track record in terms of capacity addition for the current and last fiscals, the country has lofty plans of adding a massive 18,551 MW in 2011-12. Out of the total, the shares of the central, state and private sectors stand at 7,693 MW, 4,358 MW and 6,500 MW, in that order. With a massive target of 13,791 MW, thermal power projects are expected to drive the capacity addition programme. Following that, albeit distantly, is the hydro sector, which is slated to add new projects worth 3,260 MW in the next fiscal. 1500 MW of nuclear installations are also expected to come up in the last year of the XIth Five-year Plan.

With regards to the hydro sector, 1,243 MW and 217 MW are expected to be added by central and state undertakings, respectively, while private participation is expected to the tune of 1,800 MW. For thermal installations targeted for next year, the three sectors are expected to add 4,950 MW, 4,141 MW and 4,700 MW, in the same order. However, it remains to be seen if the power sector is able to shed its history and actually come close to the targetted figures.