PFC proposes a coastal UMPP in Odisha's Dhamra

"The Centre has proposed two more UMPPs in the state. The PFC representatives have suggested Dhamra as the site for coastal UMPP in Odisha," Chief Secretary B K Patnaik told reporters here.

PFC is the nodal agency for UMPPs in the country.

It suggested the state government to set up one UMPP either in Bolangir or Kalahandi district in western Odisha. The state's first such project is being taken up at Bhedabahal in Sundergarh district, PFC officials said at a meetng here chaired by the Chief Secretary today.

The two new UMPPs would be selected through bidding process. The bidding process for the first UMPP proposed at Bhedabahal has already begun. Each UMPP will have 4000 MW capacity and an estimated Rs 20,000 crore each would be invested in the projects, Patnaik said.

 

Asking PFC to avoid mass displecement for UMPPs, the chief secretary has advised PFC officials to set aside ayacut land. "We have also asked PFC officials to ensure that ash pond for mega plants are located far away from areas of human habitation," Patnaik said.

With establishment of such two proposed UMPPs, the state government would get 2,000 MW of power each unit. The state's first UMPP project at Bhedabahal entailing an investment of Rs 16,000 crore required 3,100 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 give 1,300 MW to the state grid.

While the water requirement for Bedabahal UMPP would be met from Ib river, Meenakshi, Meenakshi-B and Dipside Meenakshi coal blocks have been alloted for the UMPP with a total reserve of 880 million tonnes to meet their coal needs.

Meanwhile, Sakhigopal Integrated Power Company Ltd and Ghogarpalli Integrated Power Company Ltd have also been set up by the PFC for execution of two other UMPPs in the state.