Odisha approves Rs 665 cr renovation for Balimela project

The project approval committee (PAC) of the state government has approved a Rs 665-crore renovation cum modernisation plan for six 60 Mw units of the Balimela hydro power project of Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC).

“Tenders for all six units will be floated before August 15. The renovation work will be completed in 54 months. Following the renovation, the plant can run for the next 35 years and generate additional 150 million units of electricity,” said P K Jena, secretary (energy).

Of the total investment of Rs 665 crore, OHPC will raise Rs 199 crore from its internal accruals. The remaining amount will be met through debt.

“Power Finance Corporation (PFC), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and some private banks have shown interest in financing the renovation plan. We are evaluating all the proposals,” Jena said.

The Balimela project in Malkangiri district has an installed capacity of 510 Mw. The first unit of Balimela plant was commissioned in 1973. In 2009, the state government had engaged Russia based Powercon to make a residual life assessment of the six units. Later, Mecon Ltd was roped to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for renovation.

After Mecon submitted its report in 2012, the state government decided to go for completed renovation.

Apart from Balimela, the state government will also renovate two units of Hirakud reservoir and one unit of Chipilima at a cost of Rs 90 crore and Rs 40 crore respectively.