New Delhi, Dec 07: It is not information technology but a boom in power and electricals that would take India to high growth of 8-10 per cent, an expert on power sector said. "If India wants golden era of economic growth over the next 20 years, it cannot happen without power sector which requires 400 billion dollars investment in the next ten years," says Ravindra Nath Khanna, chairman of 'Electrama 2004', an international fair to showcase India's prowess in power and electrical equipment.

Elecrama 2004, the largest such fair outside Europe and United States, will attract participation from 1000 companies. The five-day fair will display the state-of-the art equipment in the sector that is expected to leapfrog in the next 15 years with the passage of electricity bill and government's commitment to add 100,000 MW of additional power generating capacity by 2012.

Khanna said 200 billion dollars investment was required in the next 10-15 years on power generation and additional 200 billion dollars in transmission and distribution.

"It is not it but power sector development that will bring about the economic boom in the country," Khanna says, adding this is the sector that will provide the necessary employment and generate investment in the country. India's per capita consumption is a mere 350 KWH as against 746 KWH of china and 9000 KWH in Europe. If every village is to be electrified by 2007 and every home by 2012 as committed by government, then growth potential in the sector is "unmatched -- mind boggling", Khanna, a power engineer from IIT with vast international experience, says.

Bureau Report