Historic MOU will make Rajasthan an energy surplus state – Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma Will soon achieve the historic target of 1 billion ton coal production

 

Chief Minister Shri Sharma was addressing a ceremony organized at the Chief Minister’s Office on Sunday on the occasion of the signing of MoUs and PPA worth Rs 1.60 lakh crore for thermal and renewable energy projects, expansion and strengthening of transmission systems, and other development works in the state. He said that 5 MoUs and one PPA have been signed between the three power corporations of the state and Six central undertakings for the investment of Rs 1.60 lakh crore for the development of the energy sector, including power generation of more than 31,825 MW in the state. Apart from this, one MoU has been signed between REC and the Finance department, in which a loan of Rs 20,000 crore will be made available for boosting infrastructure in the state.

 

Rajasthan will become self-reliant in the Energy sector

 

Shri Sharma said that within a short tenure of three months, the state government has taken historic steps to make the state self-reliant in various sectors. After the historic agreements made recently to meet water needs in the state, now the road has been paved to make the state self-reliant in the field of energy. As soon as our government was formed, fruitful discussions were held with the Union Coal Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi and the Union Energy Minister Shri Rajkumar Singh, following which an adequate supply of coal to the state was ensured. Owing to the efforts made by the state government and the Central Government, at present Rajasthan is getting 23 coal rakes per day. Also, at present the average power generation from the thermal power units of the power plants owned by the Rajasthan Power Generation Corporation has increased by 1000 MW.

Power companies almost bankrupted due to the mismanagement of the previous government

 

The Chief Minister said that the power system of the state collapsed and there was a severe power crisis in the state due to the mismanagement of the previous government. Our thermal power stations were facing huge shortage of coal. This made the government buy electricity from the power exchange at expensive rates, which not only caused economic losses but also affected industrial development and agricultural production badly. He said that the state’s Discoms were on the verge of bankruptcy with a debt of Rs 88,700 crore and all the power companies had a total debt burden of more than Rs 1,39,200 crore. A penalty of Rs 300 crore was also imposed on the power companies for not repaying the loan on time. In contrast, our previous government had freed the power companies from debt by taking over the loan of more than Rs 62,000 crore through the UDAY scheme. He said that our government is working with commitment to make Rajasthan self-reliant in the energy sector by

 

 

Historic target of producing one billion tonnes of coal will be achieved soon

Union Coal and Mines Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi, addressing the program virtually, said that at present coal is being produced in abundance in the country. And, we will soon achieve the historic target of producing one billion tonnes of coal. Shri Joshi said that for the first time in the country, potash mining is being planned in Rajasthan. The auction process of two mine blocks situated in Hanumangarh and Bikaner has been started. Shri Joshi assured that in the future Rajasthan will continue to get all possible support from the Coal Ministry. He said that after holding talks with the Chief Minister all issues related to coal availability were sorted out promptly.   

 

 

Addressing the program virtually, Union Energy Minister Shri Rajkumar Singh said that these historic agreements have been turned into reality only due to the visionary approach of Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma. With these MoUs, Rajasthan will become self-reliant in the energy sector and will move forward on the path of development. He said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is creating new records in the energy sector day by day. Our ministry is also working diligently for future energy needs, as peak power demand has almost doubled in the last ten years.

 

 

Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Diya Kumari said that the double-engine government of the Center and the state is working with full dedication to make Rajasthan capable and prosperous in the energy sector. Today, an MOU has also been signed between Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) Limited and the State Government. As per this MoU, the REC Limited will provide loans of Rs 20000 crores to various departments, undertakings, institutions, and projects of the state government. With this, projects related to electricity, water, irrigation, metro, transport, and agriculture in the state will get momentum and the state will become an economically prosperous state.

 

 

Energy Minister Shri Heeralal Nagar said that the Energy Department will play an active and dedicated role in realizing the vision of a developed India conceptualized by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He said that the department will implement these MoUs in a time-bound manner to increase power production as per the increasing demand of the state. The Central undertakings will get full support from the Energy Department. Shri Nagar said that these projects will boost investment and increase employment opportunities in the state.

 

Union Coal Secretary Shri Amritlal Meena said that the Central Government is making all possible efforts to make the country self-reliant in the energy sector. He said that today coal is available in abundance in the country and its production this year has increased by 11 percent. Chief Secretary Shri Sudhansh Pant said that the state government is ensuring speedy implementation of schemes related to the energy sector. More than 1 lakh people have been registered on the portal under the PM Suryaghar Yojana in the state so far.

 

 

 

• A joint venture between Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (RVUN) and NTPC to set up 1600 MW ultra supercritical coal-based power project at Chhabra Thermal Plant. (Signed by Shri Devendra Shringi (CMD RVUN) and Shri R Sarangapani, (Executive Director, NTPC).

 

• RVUN and NTPC Green Energy Limited signed an MoU to set up 25,000 MW renewable energy projects. (Signed by Shri Devendra Shringi (CMD, RVUN) and Shri Rajeev Gupta (CEO, NGEL).

 

• A joint venture between RVUN and Coal India Limited to set up 1,600 MW coal-based and 2,500 MW renewable energy projects. (Signed by Shri Devendra Shringi (CMD, RVUN) and Dr. Abani K Samantray (Executive Director, CIL)

 

• RVUN and NLC India Limited signed an MoU to set up 125 MW lignite-based projects and 1000 MW solar projects. Signed by Shri Devendra Shringi (CMD, RVUN) and Shri J.C. Majumdar (Executive Director, NLC)

 

• A joint venture between RVPN and the Power Grid Corporation to strengthen the power transmission system in the state. Signed by Shri Nathmal Didel (MD, RVPN) and Shri DN Rozekar (Executive Director, Power Grid)

 

• A Power Purchase Agreement signed between RUVITL and SJVN Green Energy Limited (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam) to provide 600 MW solar power to the state distribution companies. (Signed by Shri D.K. Jain (Director Finance, RUVITL) and Shri Manoj Mittal (DGM, SJVN)

 

• An MoU was also signed between the Finance Department, Government of Rajasthan, and REC Limited to provide loans worth Rs 20,000 crores for various departments, undertakings, institutions, and projects in the state. Signed between Shri N.K. Thakral (Secretary to Government, Finance Department) and Shri Saurabh Rastogi (Executive Director, REC).

 

On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Shri Akhil Arora, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Shri Alok, Additional Chief Secretary (Chief minister) Shri Shikhar Agarwal and senior officials of the Central and State Government were present.