Energy Development

FOREWORD

      As a part of the exercise to formulate the Tenth Five Year Plan for Kerala State, the State Planning Board constituted a Committee to assist the Board in the formulation of Plan for Energy Development and make suitable recommendations there of. A copy each of Order No 5826/2001/EN/SPB dated the 10th October, 2001 and 30th October 2001 of the Planning Board containing the composition and terms of reference of the Committee is enclosed as Annex.

      Apart from undertaking a review of the energy development programme during the Ninth Five Year Plan period and formulating the proposals for an integrated energy development programme for the Tenth Plan, the Committee's major task was to draw up an action plan for efficiency improvement in all spheres of energy sector development in the State for achieving financial self sufficiency and resource generation for further development. Another major objective was to accelerate the process of power sector reforms, which have already been initiated in the State.

      With the above objectives in mind, the Committee made three sittings on 23/10/2001, 20/11/2001 and 29/11/2001. Apart from the various issues listed in the terms of reference, the Committee held detailed deliberations on ways and means of improving technical and financial efficiency of the KSE Board, the main player in the area of energy development in the State. The Committee also held detailed discussions on sectoral reforms, organisational restructuring and private sector participation in power development.

      The deliberations of the Committee and the recommendations arrived at on the basis of these deliberations are outlined in this Report.

      As Chairman of the Committee, I take this opportunity to thank the members of the Committee for their active participation in the deliberations of the Committee and valuable contributions. Special mention in this connection is due to Shri.N.V.Madhavan, Principal Secretary (Power) to the Government of Kerala, Shri.T.M.Manoharan, Chairman, Kerala State Electricity Board, K.G.Chandrashekharan, former Member (Civil), KSE Board and Shri Jayathilak, President, H.T-Consumers' Association. I would also like to place on record my gratitude to Shri. .B. Chandrachoodan Nair, Chief (Infrastructure), State Planning Board and his team of officers and members of staff for their contribution to the Committee's work and for completion of this report.

      I sincerely hope that the deliberations of the Committee and the recommendations there of would serve to enable the State to gear itself to meet the challenges that lie ahead in developing an economically viable and sound energy sector for the State. I have great pleasure in submitting this report to the Kerala State Planning Board.