New Delhi: The power sector will require Rs 10,31,600 crore investment in 2007-12 to add up generation capacity, in addition to producing and advancing transmission and distribution networks.

In a written note, Sushilkumar Shinde, Power Minister said, “The Working on Power for the 11th plan has estimated a total fund requirement Rs 10,31,600 crore for power sector as a whole. For creation of projected capacity addition, fund requirement has been assessed at Rs 4,10,900 crore.”

Out of the planned capacity accession of 78,500 MW in the 11th plan, 1,870 MW has already been commissioned and an additional 50,975 MW is under construction, he said.

“With the projected capacity in place and through energy conservation measures, the gap between demand and supply of electricity is likely to be bridged gradually during the course of 11th plan,” he also said.

He enounced Rural Electrification Corporation and Power Finance Corporation readied to activate funds to guarantee that practical projects do not suffer for demand of resources.

Mr. Shinde also said that the government is aiming to attach 16,553 MW of hydropower in 11th Five Year Plan with an anticipated investment of Rs 78,100 crore.

So far, the country has built up 30,951 MW of hydel power generation capacity and 14,951 MW was under development, he added.