The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has identified about 6,000 mw of small schemes in various states. These schemes are by and large less than 15 mw and do not involve serious environmental and rehabilitation issues.The ministry is of the opinion that the hydel share of total power generation should move up to 40 per cent. Only 15 per cent of the total hydro potential, 84,000 mw at 60 per cent load factor, has been developed. The ministry is keen to devise methods to tap unexploited potential in the north-east and the northern region.

Realising that power shortages are likely to accentuate in the next three years as only around 11,000 mw new capacity is likely to materialise, the ministry has been working on a multi-pronged strategy. The Power Finance Corporation has been assigned to providefunding through state sector generation schemes for accelerating project completion and funding of renovation and maintenance (R&M) requirements.

The ministry has put all R&M proposals, life extension and refurbishment proposals on a fast-track. Also proposals for completion of transmission links required for evacuating power which are not available due to backing down of power stations from surplus regions have also been prioritised.In the area of grid management, the government is hopeful of putting in place a national grid in the near future. Various regional grids in the country have surplus during off-peak periods and during certain seasons. It is essential that this seasonal, off-peak surplus available is harnessed and utilised in the deficit regions.