Himachal PSU inks deal to set up thermal power plants in Bengal

Himachal Power Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Eastern Mineral and Trading Agency (EMTA) have signed a memorandum of understanding for setting up two pithead thermal power plants in West Bengal.

The two pithead plants will have a joint capacity of 500 Mw. The state Cabinet has also approved a separate agreement for mining operation.

The proposed thermal plants with the equity participation on equal basis between HPCL and EMTA will be developed at Raniganj on the banks of Damodar river. The the coal mine is within a radius of about 30 km.

The Centre has already contemplated joint allocation of Gourangdih ABC non-coking coal block here.

The power plants at 80 per cent plant load factor is likely to generate 3,504 million units per year.

The estimated capital of the project is around Rs 2,345 crore on the basis of the detailed project report prepared by Fichtner Consulting Engineers.

The cost of generation will be Rs 2 per unit in the first year. The power station will be completed in four years, officials said.