Jindal Power, IL&FS keen to partner NMDC for UP power plant

Jindal Power and IL&FS Energy Development Company have individually evinced interest to partner NMDC in setting up a 2X250 MW thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore.

"Jindal Power and IL&FS Energy Development Company have shown interest to be a joint venture partner of NMDC for its proposed power plant in Uttar Pradesh. These two firms have also found to be eligible on technical and financial criteria laid out in the EoI," a source told PTI.

NMDC had in January invited expression of interest (EoI) from interested parties to rope in a strategic joint venture partner for the power plant, which would mark its foray into the power sector.

Normally, it takes Rs 4 crore investment for setting up a one MW power capacity.

The power, to be generated from the plant that will be built in phases, would be used for plugging the demand-supply gap of the state and transmitting the balance to power its upcoming three million tonnes per annum (mtpa) steel plant at Nagarnar in Chhattisgarh.

As per the EoI, NMDC would offer a minimum of 49% stake and a maximum of up to 74% in the project to the strategic partner for its successful implementation. However, the extent of equity participation by the partner would be firmed up at subsequent stage, it added.

"It (the partner) shall be the responsibility to arrange coal for the power plant either through purchase, auction or long-term Fuel Supply Agreement," it said.

However, NMDC said it could also make coal available for the power plant from the Shahpur East and Shahpur West blocks in Madhya Pradesh at the prevailing price.

NMDC said a site has been identified in Uttar Pradesh for the proposed power plant.