Bhopal, Mar 17: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the state government is making all out efforts to tide over the power crisis. He said that despite power crisis, we have been able to supply power in a better way than other states of the country. The Chief Minister expressed these views while inaugurating a seminar at Hotel Palash Residency on the subject of generation of power with biomass and other alternative resources, impediments and redressal. Energy Minister Dr Gauri Shankar Shejwar presided over the seminar which was organised by Madhya Pradesh Energy Development Corporation with the co-operation of UNDP.

Chouhan said we believe in tapping and not exploiting the nature. He said that it was need of the hour to maintain a balance between tapping of natural sources of energy and increasing demand of power. In this connection, attention must be given to generation of energy from biomass and other alternative resources. Chouhan said that in Madhya Pradesh we are making efforts for utmost utilisation of non-conventional energy sources. Chouhan welcomed those investors attending this seminar who are willing to work in this sector. Chouhan also inaugurated an exhibition focusing on the potential of power generation from biomass and other alternative resources.

Dr Gauri Shankar Shejwar said that there is no hindrance in Madhya Pradesh in utilisation of sustainable sources. The state government intends to give fillip to investments in this sector. He said that Madhya Pradesh would become a leading state in tapping of these sources if the Union government adopts a cooperative and flexible attitude in this connection.

Energy Development Corporation Chairman Dilip Singh Shekhawat said that about 7500 megawatt power generation is possible by utilising non-conventional energy sources including solar and wind power as well as biomass energy. He informed that by the year 2003, wind energy generation in Madhya Pradesh was only 22 megawatt while during the last four years it has gone up to 122 megawatt. One hundred megawatt would be added to this capacity next year. Shekhawat said that Madhya Pradesh has got the pride of becoming a Model State for generating power by bio-gas in 26 Gaushalas. The Union government is implementing the same scheme in other states.

The seminar was informed that soon Bhumi Poojan of a 117.5 megawatt capacity biomass power project would be performed and its work could be completed with a rapid pace so that power generation could be started at an early date.

Director of Union Non-conventional Energy Department Samant and Energy Secretary Sanjay Bandopadhyaya also addressed the seminar. At the outset of the programme, guests were welcomed by presenting them mementoes while Energy Development Corporation superintending engineer Bhuvanesh Gupta proposed a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme.