In Odisha, 20 IPPs yet to begin construction work

State govt inked MoUs with 30 IPPs between 2000 and 2014 envisaging total thermal power production of around 37,000 Mw

As many as 20 independent power producers are yet to commence construction work on their projects after signing memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government, state energy minister Pranab Prakash Das said in a written reply to the assembly.

The state government has inked MoUs with 30 IPPs between 2000 and 2014, envisaging total thermal power production of around 37,000 Mw and involving investment of over Rs one lakh crore.

Of the 30 IPPs, the state has scrapped MoUs of Essar Power and Vijay Ferro & Power Pvt ltd. Tata Power, Visa Power, Sahara India Power Corporation Ltd, Visaka Thermal Power Ltd, NSL Nagapatanam Power & Infratech Pvt Ltd, CESC Ltd and SPI Ports are among the IPPs that are yet to commence construction on their projects. Construction work is in progress in respect of coal-fired power plants proposed by Monnet Power Company, Lanco Babandh Power and KVK Nilachal Power Ltd.

GMR Kamalanga has commissioned three units (3x350) of its 1400 Mw power plant at Kamalanga in Dhenkanal district. Its fourth unit of 350 Mw capacity is under construction.

Sterlite Energy has commissioned its 2400 Mw coal-fired power plant at Bhurkamunda near Jharsuguda. Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd (JITPL) has put on stream the first 600 Mw unit of its proposed 1800 Mw plant at Derang near Angul. JITPL is slated to commission the second unit, also of 600 Mw capacity, by the end of this fiscal. Recently, Ind Barath Energy (Utkal) Ltd synchronised the first 350 Mw unit of its proposed 700 Mw coal-fired thermal power plant at Sahajbahal near Jharsuguda. The second unit (350 Mw) is expected to be commissioned within four months.

Out of the total capacity of 700 Mw from the two units, Tamil Nadu will get 500 Mw.

Ind-Barath had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government in February 2009 to set up 700 Mw coal-based plant at a cost of Rs 3150 crore. Later, the company proposed to add one 660 Mw supercritical unit, revising the total project cost to Rs 6450 crore.

Presently, IPPs and captive generating plants are injecting 889 Mw to the state grid during peak hours. Peak power demand stands at 4111 Mw while average power demand is hovering around 3500 Mw.