New Delhi, Sep 10 - About 37 applications for gas-based power plants with a total capacity of 35,000 MW are pending with the government, a senior power ministry official said Thursday.

'About 37 applications for gas-based power plants are pending with the government, the primary reason being non-availability of gas,' said Power Secretary H.S. Brahma.

Brahma said the power ministry has also asked for increase in allocation of gas in the power sector.

'We have asked for 40 mmcd of gas before 2012. If we get that, then we can generate an additional 8,000 MW by 2012,' he told reporters on the sidelines of India Electricity 2009 conference organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

According to the 11th Five-Year Plan, the government had set a target of producing about 78,000 MW by 2012. Brahma had earlier said the ministry is confident of producing at least 62,000 MW.

With this additional 8,000 MW, the government would be closer to meeting its target, he said.