Orissa signs MoUs with 4 power cos to produce 4800 MW power

Economic Times, April 8, 2010
BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa government seems to be on a MoU signing spree like never before. The State, now struggling with power shortage, on Friday signed memoranda of understanding with five private firms for setting up independent thermal power projects (IPPs) to produce 4,800 megawatts power.


The five companies which entered into MoUs include BGR Energy System Limited, JR Power Gen Private Limited, Adhunik Power and Natural Resources Limited, Maa Durga Thermal Power Company Limited and Vijaya Ferro and Power Limited.

All firms put together, will invest Rs 23,203.52 crore in the projects.

BGR Energy Limited will establish its 1320-MW (2x660) power plant at Bhapur district while JR Powergen Private Limited has shown interest to 1980 MW (3x660) project at Kukudabahal, Jhinkiadar in Sambalpur district. Adhunik power and Natural Resources has agreed to set up its 1320-MW project at Birmaharajpur in Sonepur district while Maa Durga Thermal Power Company Limited will set up its 60-MW power plant at Tangi in Cuttack district.

Vijaya Ferro and Power Private Limited will put up its 120-MW at Tulakhamar Kalahandi.

While the first three companies will source water from Mahanadi river the fourth and fifth ones will draw it from Birupa and Tel rivers, respectively.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, while welcoming the investment proposals, said the projects shall be critical enablers for sustaining a 20% growth in agriculture sector and 10% growth in other core economic sectors of the state.

“The progress in this regard is heartening since we have already added 1982 megawatts of capacity through captive power plants. Another 600 megawatts of capacity will be added during the year 2010 by the IPPS,” the chief minister said.

Energy minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, who was present on the occasion, said the state would get at least 600 megawatts of power from the five new IPPs.

The state government had earlier signed MoUs with 21 other companies to generate 27,000 MW power. The earlier project proposals entail an investment of Rs 1.40 lakh crore.