India's power woes look set to continue with the power ministry blaming delays in government approval for projects, including environmental clearances.

“About 2,000 MW hydro power projects, which are scheduled in the next plan period (2012-17), are likely to get delayed due to environmental issues,” Gireesh B. Pradhan, additional secretary with the power ministry told the media at the sidelines of the CII summit on ‘Challenges in Transmission & Distribution’ on Friday.

But the power ministry is hopeful of resolving the issue with the environment ministry. “We are working with the ministry of environment on this and there are some issues,” Pradhan added.

The ministry's ambitious program for hydroelectricity projects in the country is looking to tap into the massive potential of the northeastern region.

“About 8,000 MW hydel projects are planned in the country by the end of the XIIth Plan Period (2012-17),” the senior bureaucrat said at teh conference.

He  also talked about challenges in adapting automation and high-tech technology in transmission. “The role of information technology is very crucial in terms of distribution,” he said.

He added that transmission and distribution is key to success of power growth in the country. Pradhan also highlighted the issue of skills deficit, stating that a large trained manpower base should be developed to complement the modernisation of the sector. “Different skill set for automation in transmission and distribution is needed.”

"A smart grid will be of essence to the industry," he stated.

The power ministry has constituted a task force as well as a smart grid forum to address the issues regarding this. In building the smart grid, Pradhan said that the stakeholders should not lose sight of the entire chain of transmission and distribution (T&D).