Central govt plans three power gear production zones

The government plans to set up three large manufacturing zones for power and clean energy equipment by offering companies incentives such as land and electricity at attractive prices, power and new and renewable energy minister Raj Kumar Singh said.

Building these zones is part of India’s campaign to encourage self-reliance and reduce dependence on Chinese power equipment. A list of equipment has been drawn up that the government wants to be manufactured in these zones—one each to be set up in a coastal state, a hill state and a land-locked state.

The Centre has been urging companies and states to procure materials, equipment and technologies from within India, particularly in the strategic power sector, and for which India has sufficient domestic capacity.

“Any danger or threat to the power supply system can have catastrophic effects and has the potential to cripple the country. Therefore, power is a strategic and critical sector,” the power ministry said in a July order.

These zones will have a minimum land area of 300 acres each and will be set up through a competitive challenge among states.