BHEL awarded execution of two power projects

The state government on Wednesday decided to award the execution of two major thermal power projects "� Vijayawada Thermal Power Station (VTPS) Stage-IV (1 x 500 MW), and Bhoopalapalli Thermal Power Project (BTPS) (1 x 500 mw) totalling 1,000 MW "� to BHEL.

Disclosing this after a high-level review meeting on the execution of power projects, to meet the future demand, chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy directed the APGenco to put the projects on a fast track mode and see that both Vijayawada and Bhoopalapalli (Warangal district) are commissioned during the first half of 2008.

The chief minister also directed APGenco to draw a detailed roadmap for all the activities for these two thermal projects and ensure that the projects are completed ahead of schedule by clearly fixing milestones for each activity, according to a press release.

He further directed APGenco to take immediate action for preparation of the DPR and getting all the necessary clearances for the proposed 1,600-mega watt super-critical thermal power project at the port town of Krishnapatnam.

He also directed that the project should be completed by 2009 so that the growing demand for power can be met in the state. The Bhoopalapalli 1x500 MW project has now received almost all the clearances.

Coal and water linkage are available and REC had agreed to fund Rs 1,680 crore. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 2,200 crore (Rs4.4 crore/MW being the green field project).