Panaji, March 29 (IANS) Goa's power department Tuesday withdrew restrictions on granting new electricity connections to commercial and industrial consumers.

Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira said during the budget session of the assembly that the state which was until recently facing electricity shortage has started getting 37 MW of power from Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

"Additional allocation from Sipat (power unit in Chhattisgarh) and Ratnagiri Gas Power Plant Limited (in Maharashtra) to the tune of 40 MW will be added soon," Sequeira said.

"There are further plans to procure 47 MW of power from the National Thermal Power Corp and the National Hydroelectric Power Corp," Sequeira said.

Sequeira said that the Central Electricity Authority projected a peak demand of 1,083 MW for the state by 2017.

Despite being a top tourism and entertainment-oriented state, Goa over the last several years has been plagued by long spells of low voltage, especially along the coastal areas, which are packed with commercial establishments like hotels and restaurants.

The power department last year imposed a ban on fresh industrial power connections above 150 kilo-volt amperes (KVA), due to shortage of power.

"For meeting Goa's long-term power requirements, an allocation of 200 MW from a power project in Chhattisgarh has been made by the ministry of power. We will also be undertaking several power purchase agreements," the power minister said.