Government committed to widening the energy basket: Dr Manmohan Singh

24 March 2008

The government is committed to the further development of nuclear energy in view of the rising oil prices and the need to develop the energy basket, said Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, after laying the foundation stone of 1500 mw Pragati Phase III Power Project at Bawana in Delhi today.

The Rs4,000-crore gas-based project is an environment friendly Pragati Power Project is expected to meet the power required for Delhi to host the Commonwealth Games.

He said BHEL and NTPC would begin work on this project immediately and ensure its completion in time for the Commonwealth Games.

Dr Singh pointed out that with the economy growing at 8 per cent to 9 per cent per annum, it was essential for the country to widen its energy basket to ensure energy security.

''At the same time, we must also further develop our nuclear energy potential. Our government is committed to further development of nuclear energy both as an environment-friendly source of power and as a means of widening the energy basket available to us.'' he said.

The government's strategy for energy security was a multi-pronged one. ''We do not have the luxury of depending on only one or two sources. While some sources of energy may be cheap today, we have to think for the future, Dr Singh said.