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Centre likely to invest Rs 30 billion in power R&D

The Centre is likely to invest Rs 30 billion in the next 15 years for research and development efforts in the power sector, which would lead to an accrual of benefit to the tune of Rs 35 billion annually, a top official of the Central Power Research Institute said on Friday.

CPRI director general B S K Naidu told reporters in Bangalore that the government had accepted the institute's 15-year perspective plan in this regard and the implementation part was being worked out.

The plan outlines short, medium and long-term research projects and strategies in the area of transmission and distribution and improving the performance of hydro and thermal stations.

Naidu said the Centre was likely to release funds in phases through the 10th, 11th and 12th 5-year Plans.

He said an apex panel, headed by technocrat and former energy secretary T R Satishchandran, had been reviewing the strategy and fine-tuning the perspective plan.

Detailing the financial performance of CPRI during 2001-02, he said the institute achieved a record revenue of Rs 280 million with highest surplus of Rs 62 million, up from Rs 258 million and Rs 51 million in the previous year, respectively.

He said Malaysia had shown interest in setting up a high voltage lab with consultancy from CPRI and discussions had been in an advanced stage.

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