First Sterlite Energy unit to go on stream next week

The first 600 Mw unit of Sterlite Energy’s 4 X 600 Mw power plant, with Independent Power Producer (IPP) status, at Jharsuguda in Orissa is slated to go on stream next week.

This will be the first IPP project in the state to be operational out of 27 proposals for which MoUs were signed by the Orissa government.

The entire power from the first unit will be supplied to the state, which is currently facing shortage due to rising demand and no significant increase in intra-state generation over the last one decade.

After the commissioning of the first unit, the rest units are expected to be operational within a year. The 2400 Mw power plant is being set up at an expenditure of Rs 10,500 crore.

Apart from providing energy security, the project is expected to relieve the state from buying high cost power from other sources. The power from the first unit, according to sources, will be supplied to the state at a rate of Rs 2 to 2.50 per unit.

The power station will contribute about Rs 500 crore annually to the state exchequer in the form of royalty, electricity duty and other state taxes/levies.

The plant has installed two giant chimneys and four Natural Draught cooling towers and HCSD (High Concentrated Slurry Disposal) technology for ash disposal, making it one of the most environmentally compliant power plants in the country.

Besides, it has used least quantum of land, setting a benchmark in this regard. During construction period, the project has provided livelihood opportunities for more than 20,000 families.

The IPP project apart, Vedanta Aluminium, a sister company of Sterlite Energy, is setting up a 9x135 MW Captive Power Plant (CPP) also at Jharsuguda and this project is almost fully operational.