United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi said on Thursday that in order to meet growing requirement of electricity in the country, power generation from 'all sources' of energy is the need of the hour.
"We need to generate power from all sources of energy to meet the demand," she said after inaugurating state-run NTPC's Dadri power project in the National Capital Region.
"It is evident that affordable electricity is yet to be provided to all sections of the society and power sector has to lead the way in providing it."
To meet the electricity needs of the country Gandhi emphasised focussing on renewable energy.
"In the future. . .attention should be on clean and renewable energy," she said.
The 980 MW (2x490 MW) Stage-II of the Dadri power project would supply electricity for the Commonwealth Games, next month.
"Dadri has been earmarked to provide electricity to the Commonwealth Games, I congratulate those who have contributed to this project," she said.
Gandhi appreciated NTPC's concern for environment and said that the country needs to be responsible in matters related to environment.
"New industry and infrastructure cannot be build without acquiring land but the farmers must be provided with adequate compensation", she said.
NTPC's Dadri project now has a total capacity of 2,637 MW which includes 840 MW Stage-I, 980 MW Stage-II and 817 MW (gas-based).
The equipment for the Dadri project have been supplied by BHEL. Their are plans to add solar capacity in the Dadri power station.
"We plan to have a solar unit in the same complex," power secretary P Uma Shankar said on the occasion.
Image: Sonia Gandhi
