http://www.newkerala.com/news3.php?action=fullnews&id=4527
<Centre to help Goa set up major power project Panaji: The Centre will extend all possible help to Goa for setting up an ultra-megawatt power project in the state, Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said today. "Considering the huge tourism inflow in the state, Goa needs to be self-sufficient on all the fronts including power. We will provide all possible assistance for the state to set up the power generation project," he told reporters here. Shinde, who is in Goa to inaugurate the state load despatch centre and projects executed under the Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP) in north Goa, said the state can get loans from the Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrity Board. Except for a private power project initiated by Reliance Salgaoncar Limited Company, Goa has no power generation project and is dependent on neighbouring states for electricity. "We need to plan for the state considering requirements for next 50 years. Planning for power is an important step in this direction," Shinde said. He said power generation from coal can be an option for the state government. "Such plants requires 2,000 acres. The Centre can provide the financial assistance," he said.> ------------------------------ Goa seems to be in the extremely fortunate position of having mega projects like this one proposed to it instead of having to take the trouble to propose such ventures to others like the Centre, multilateral funding agencies etc. The question is, does Goa have the ability to size up such imported ideas meaningfully and more importantly act in an appropriate way? My basic contention is that Goa does not have the core competence to run a Transmission & Distribution system in electrical energy. Instead it may be the precise opposite namely Theft & Disruption! How will a 500 MW system help if we cannot get our internal T&D act straight? And the deficit at present is about 50 MW, one tenth of what is being proposed. But in the context of looming power shortages n the country there may be no choice but to start generating our own power somehow. How much of the new power will be "exported" to other states? How do other rapidly growing urban centres like Bangalore and Hyderabad meet teheir energy shortfalls? Then, what of the environmental impact of coal dust, water (required for cooling) and effluent treatment, clearance of land for construction (2000 acres) plus the inter-state transmission towers in all directions? Finally, what are the costs, timelines and employment prospects? And if outsiders are to be inducted for construction and operation where will they stay and send their children to school and get medical treatment etc? Last but not least what about air connectivity? If Goa is not able to mobilise the intellectual and political will to exorcise the baneful power at Dabolim the benefits if any from megaprojects like the above will always be warped. and suboptimal. That's my guarantee! Cheers. _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)