Prabhu, speaking as the chief guest at National Electrical Summit 2012 here, said the country needed sweeping reforms to resolve the power crisis, but there was a lack of political will and Prime Minister was not doing anything to address the issue.
Saying that he himself, as the Power Minister in NDA government, had faced many difficulties during the passage of Electricity Act 2003, Prabhu acknowledged the co-operation extended by Gandhi, then the Leader of Opposition.
"I met Sonia Gandhi on several occasions," Prabhu said, adding that she supported the bill after he convinced her about the issues flagged by Congress.
Prabhu also said that shortage of coal had become a major problem for the power sector and import of coal, to an extent, was necessary.
He suggested that India should utilise the hydro and wind power potential in neighbouring Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which would also help their economies. He cited the example of Bhutan, from whom India buys power.
On nuclear power, Prabhu advocated a cautious approach in the wake of last year's crisis in Japan. (Shiv Sena is opposed to Jaitapur nuclear power project in Maharashtra).
He also suggested that the countries which get sunlight for at least 300 days a year should form a 'solar club', and co-operate to bring down the cost of solar power.