Orissa to sign MoU with six power companies

The Orissa government has decided to sign memorandum of understanding (MoU) with six more Independent Power Producers (IPPs) envisaging an aggregate generation capacity of 5,940 Mw.

With this, the total power generation capacity in the pipeline in Orissa would go up to 32,940 Mw.

The state had earlier signed MoUs with 21 IPPs with an aggregate generation capacity of 27,000 Mw. “The chief minister has approved the proposal to sign MoUs with six more IPPs and these are likely to be inked next month”, a senior official of the state energy department told Business Standard. Sources said, the six new IPPs are BGR Energy Systems Ltd, J R Powergen Private Ltd, JSL, Adhunik Power and Natural Resources, Maa Durga Thermal Power and Bijaya Ferro Power. JR Powergen Private Ltd has proposed to set up a 1800 Mw thermal power plant at Kishorenagar near Angul with an investment of Rs 7988 crore. It will provide direct employment to 1290 persons. BGR Energy Systems Ltd. plans to set up a 1320 Mw power plant at Bhapur in Nayagarh district with an investment of Rs 6287 crore. The project is expected to provide direct employment to 1232 persons.

Similarly, Adhunik Power and Natural Resources Ltd plans to set up a 1320 Mw Independent Power Producer (IPP) at Birmaharajpur in Sonepur district. It would entail an investment of Rs 4000 crore and provide employment opportunities to 1600 persons. The project, which intends to come up over 1000 acres of land, would use super critical technology.

Besides, Jindal Stainless Ltd (JSL) has proposed to set up a 1320 Mw thermal power plant at Luni in Dhenkanal district at an investment of Rs 4090 crore. All the four proposals were cleared by the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) chaired by the chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

On the other hand, Maa Durga Thermal Power would set up a 60 Mw ((2x30Mw) power plant at Tangi in Cuttack district at an investment of Rs 298.5 crore.

Since the promoters have a 1.2 Mw husk fired unit at Tangi, no additional land would be given for the project which is expected to be commissioned within 24 months from the attainment of the financial closure.

Bijaya Ferro Power Private Ltd, planning to set up a 120 Mw power plant (IPP) at an investment of Rs 550 crore at Kesinga (Turla Khamar) in Kalahandi district, would also sign a MoU with the government. Both these proposals were approved by the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority.