http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...-on-tap-in-Saarc-grid/articleshow/8103859.cms
NEW DELHI: A regional electricity grid has the potential to put on tap a capacity of 100,000 mw for India and its South Asian neighbours, minister of state for power K C Venugopal said on Wednesday, endorsing the proposed Saarc grid being piloted by the Asian Development Bank.
Integrating the power distribution networks would help address the energy deficit faced by South Asian countries and improve relations, Venugopal told a brainstorming session organized by industry chamber CII and SARI a US-sponsored regional energy initiative.
Venugopal's statement coincides with talks in Islamabad between commerce secretaries of Pakistan and India and is seen as an endorsement of power trade between the two countries.
Pakistan commerce secretary had earlier in the week claimed India had offered to sell power and it would be discussed during the talks. Top officials of India's commerce and power ministries denied knowledge of such an offer.
But the possibility of such a trade in future remains since both countries are signatories to the proposed Saarc grid project to link India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
India already imports some 1,400 mw from Bhutan and supplies 50-100 mw to Nepal. It is working on 10,000 mw hydel projects in Bhutan and some 1,000 mw in Nepal for sharing power generated from these projects. New Delhi is also setting up a link with Bangladesh with the aim of exchanging 500 mw and examining a subsea link with Sri Lanka.
But, Venugopal said such transnational power trading involves complex technological, financial and commercial issues. Admittedly, the initial talks on linking the grids between India and Pakistan had faltered on fears over technology mismatch and grid security. These were completely stopped after the Mumbai attacks.
NEW DELHI: A regional electricity grid has the potential to put on tap a capacity of 100,000 mw for India and its South Asian neighbours, minister of state for power K C Venugopal said on Wednesday, endorsing the proposed Saarc grid being piloted by the Asian Development Bank.
Integrating the power distribution networks would help address the energy deficit faced by South Asian countries and improve relations, Venugopal told a brainstorming session organized by industry chamber CII and SARI a US-sponsored regional energy initiative.
Venugopal's statement coincides with talks in Islamabad between commerce secretaries of Pakistan and India and is seen as an endorsement of power trade between the two countries.
Pakistan commerce secretary had earlier in the week claimed India had offered to sell power and it would be discussed during the talks. Top officials of India's commerce and power ministries denied knowledge of such an offer.
But the possibility of such a trade in future remains since both countries are signatories to the proposed Saarc grid project to link India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.
India already imports some 1,400 mw from Bhutan and supplies 50-100 mw to Nepal. It is working on 10,000 mw hydel projects in Bhutan and some 1,000 mw in Nepal for sharing power generated from these projects. New Delhi is also setting up a link with Bangladesh with the aim of exchanging 500 mw and examining a subsea link with Sri Lanka.
But, Venugopal said such transnational power trading involves complex technological, financial and commercial issues. Admittedly, the initial talks on linking the grids between India and Pakistan had faltered on fears over technology mismatch and grid security. These were completely stopped after the Mumbai attacks.
