Shivanasamudra power project to be downsized.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said the proposed hydro-electric power project at Shivanasamudra would be downsized by around 100 MW.

'As per the Central River Authority, if the project is under Rs 1,000 crore, then we don’t have to obtain NoC (no objection certificate),' he said.

Karnataka Power Corporation Limited had proposed the project but had met with objection from neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

Shivakumar said the government may shortly withdraw Section 11 of the Electricity Act, which was invoked last August, owing to acute power crisis in the State. This will, however, happen once the Energy department is convinced that the power situation is completely stabilised.

The Section mandates that all the independent power producers (IPPs) operating in the State supply power only to the state grid and bans export.

The minister said the worst was over and the situation was looking up. The department also does not envisage any crisis during the summer months, as additional power is being commissioned. While 700 MW will be added from the Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) by the end of January, around 221 MW is expected from the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant from January 18.

'We will review the situation by the end of this month and take a decision on continuing or withdrawing Section 11 of the Electricity Act, which has been invoked.'

DECCAN HERALD