Imports of Chinese power generation equipment have increased in the last few years, the government said today.
"The imports of power generation equipment (main plant equipment) from China have increased during the last few years.
"Out of thermal generation capacity of 48,540 MW commissioned in the 11th Plan, main plant equipment for 18,187 MW was imported from Chinese manufacturers. The trend has continued so far in the 12th Plan also," Minister of State for Power Piyush Goyal told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
The government is making efforts to encourage domestic suppliers and provide orders to them.
For instance, bulk orders for 11 numbers (of) 660 MW supercritical units for NTPC and DVC and nine numbers (of) 800 MW supercritical units for NTPC were approved by the government.
"These bulk orders are with mandatory requirement of indigenisation of manufacturing of supercritical units by the successful bidders as per pre-agreed Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP)," the Minister said.
For ultra mega power projects, the government has made it mandatory that bidders should procure boilers, turbines and generators from manufacturing facilities situated in India and that are owned and operated in the country by an Indian company, a foreign firm or a joint venture between domestic and overseas entities.
Further, Goyal said the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued an advisory to all central and state power generators.
As per the advisory, they may incorporate the condition of setting up phased indigenous manufacturing facilities in the bids to be invited for boilers and turbine generators of supercritical projects.
The advisory is valid till October 2015.
