Chandigarh, Apr 24 (UNI) Punjab has tied up with private hydel power plant developers to ensure supply of assured 250 MW power to the state through the Northern Grid from June onwards so as to meet the increased demand during the paddy sowing season.

Science Technology and Environment Minister Bikram Singh Majithia today held a meeting with 21 private developers who are setting up mini hydel plants in North India and have entered into an MoU with Punjab Government for power supply.

Mr Majithia had an open interaction with the developers to understand their construction schedule and discuss various procedural and other problems being faced by them in completing their respective projectsas per the agreed schedule. The private developers listed many problems including clearance from the concerened forest department, land acquisition and displacement problems.

The Minister assured that he will take up this problem with the concerned officials of the states where their projects are coming up.

Mr Majithia said that the power sector was getting the maximum priority in Punjab and the government was committed to provide 1500 MW power to the state grid from non-conventional energy sources.

He said that Punjab Energy Development Authority (PEDA) will conduct onsite inspections of all the 21 projects regularly to monitor the progress of construction of these projects.

Mr Majithia also reviewed the various clauses of draft power purchase agreement (PPA) prepared by Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB).

Besides representatives of the 21 power developers from all over the country, prominent among those who participated in the meeting included Mr A S Chatwal, Secretary, Science and Technology and Mr T P S Sidhu, CEO, PEDA.

UNI HS AK BST1718