PANAJI
Khattar chaired a crucial meeting to review the power scenario of the State and also urban development. MoS Shripad Naik, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Power Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar and Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane attended the meeting.
Khattar said that the government of India is encouraging States to consider nuclear power plants, particularly those lacking coal resources, as a way to meet growing power demands and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. He said that the country, which currently has about 8 gigawatt of nuclear capacity, aims to increase it to 100GW by 2047.
Khattar said that given that around 80 per cent of Goa’s electricity is procured from outside the State, the State is asked to explore all possible avenues for local generation of power.
“During the meeting, I was satisfied with the State's progress on the power front but the focus should have been on having its own power generation plant. State has no scope for thermal based power plants or hydro power plant. Also, solar power plants are also not so far successful due to excessive rainfall,” he said.
“Hence, Goa is asked to explore setting up a nuclear based power plant. Feasibility study has been proposed. A detailed discussion was held. If demand comes from the State, we will consider it,” the Union Minister said.
