Coastal UMPP may come up at Dhamara

Power Finance Corporation (PFC), the nodal agency for execution of Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) has suggested Dhamara in north Odisha's Bhadrak district as the potential site for establishment of coastal UMPP in the state.

PFC has also identified a few sites in Bolangir and Kalahandi districts for setting up of another UMPP in the state's western belt. The officials of the Central PSU today had discussions with the Chief Secretary B K Patnaik on two more UMPPs proposed in Odisha besides the first such project being taken up at Bhedabahal in Sundergarh district.

“The Government of India has proposed two more UMPPs in the state. The PFC representatives have suggested Dhamara as the site for coastal UMPP. On the other hand, they have identified a few sites in Bolangir and Kalahandi districts for the third UMPP. The developers for these two UMPPs will be selected through the bidding route. The bidding process for the first UMPP proposed at Bhedabahal has already begun. Each of the UMPPs will have a capacity of 4000 MW and they are being taken up at an estimated investment of Rs 20,000 crore each”, Patnaik said.

 

The Chief Secretary has advised the PFC officials to set aside ayacut land for UMPPs and ensure that there is minimal displacement from these mega power stations. Moreover, he has stressed that the ash pond for such power plants need to be located far away from areas of human habitations.

Union minister for power Sushil Kumar Shinde said during his recent visit to the state that Odisha would get 2000 MW from each of these two UMPPs.

The state's first UMPP project at Bhedabahal entailing an investment of Rs 16,000 crore needed 3100 acres of land.

The Odisha Integrated Power Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation (PFC), has been named the nodal agency for implementation of UMPP in the state. This UMPP would inject 1300 MW to the state grid.