State signs MoUs with 5 IPPs to generate 4,800 Mw

The Orissa government today signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with five Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to set up thermal power projects in the state.

The cumulative capacity of these projects would be 4800 Mw and the total investment is envisaged to be Rs 23203.52 crore.

With this, the total power generation projected in the state would increase to 31100 Mw from 26300 Mw earlier.The Orissa government has already inked MoUs with 21 IPPs with an aggregate generation capacity of 26,300 Mw earlier.

Pradeep Kumar Jena, secretary, energy department of the Orissa government and the representatives of various companies signed the documents in the presence of the chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Five companies who signed the MoU included BGR Energy System, JR Powergen Private Ltd, Adhunik Power and Natural Resources Ltd, Maa Durga Thermal Power Company Ltd and Vijaya Ferro and Power Private Ltd.

JR Powergen Private Ltd would set up a 1980 Mw thermal power plant at Kishorenagar near Angul at an investment of Rs 7988 crore. BGR Energy Systems Ltd also plans to set up a 1320 Mw power plant at Bhapur in Nayagarh district at an investment of Rs 6287 crore.

Similarly, Adhunik Power and Natural Resources Ltd would set up a 1320 Mw power plant at Birmaharajpur in Sonepur district entailing an investment of Rs 8079.74 crore. All these 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, involving an investment of Rs 296.95 crore. Besides, Vijaya Ferro and 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.

The total land requirement for these projects have been assessed at 4360 acres and about 22,325 direct and indirect employment opportunities are expected to be created when these projects would be fully commissioned. Three projects namely BGR Energy System, JR Powergen Private Ltd, Adhunik Power and Natural Resources Ltd would source water from the Mahanadi river system, Maa Durga Thermal Power would draw water from Birupa river.Vijaya Ferro and Power plans to source water from Tel river.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said, the projects for which the MoUs were signed, would enable the state to achieve 20 percent growth in agriculture and 10 percent growth in other core economic sectors.

He also advised the thermal power plants to go for clean technology to reduce carbon dioxide emmissions. The power project promoters should also improve the boiler efficiency through adoption of appropriate technology. Effective fly ash management, through setting up of brick making units and cement manufacturing units, are required to be adopted by the IPPs.

State energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said, the state would get 600 Mw from these projects.Out of the 21 IPPs who have signed MoUs earlier, the progress of 15 projects have been satisfactory. The new projects would employ the locals as per the guidelines laid down by the state government, the minister added. The chief secretary, Tarunkanti Mishra, Development Commissioner S P Nanda and the senior officials of the government were present.