Manpower, fuel crunch could trip power plans, says study

A need for such a study was felt as plans are to add almost double the capacity addition that was planned for the 10th Plan at the end of which (2006-07) barely 50 per cent of the target was met.

In that regard, on the issue of ensuring the availability of adequate manpower, the report says while there is an “adequate number of fresh degree & diploma engineers and ITI qualified persons”, there is “a need to supplement academic knowledge with practical induction level training, refresher courses and project management training”.

For adequate fuel supply for capacity addition target for the 11th Plan, the study says around 583 MT of coal and lignite would be needed for the plants being planned. However, “the total coal availability from domestic sources is expected to be 482 MT per annum by 2011-12”.

In that regard, the study says there would be a need to import around 40 MT of coal which works to 68 MT of Indian coal. While this quantity may reduce if there is an increase in the production of domestic coal, the report says that around “89 MMSCMD of gas” would be required for gas projects being planned over the next five years.

It says “at present, the availability of gas is of the order of 36 MMSCMD and therefore not sufficient to meet the requirement of even existing plants”.