Sterlite Energy, which is setting up a 2,400 MW power plant near Jharsuguda in Orissa with Independent Power Producer (IPP) status, is all set to commission its second unit of 600 MW by the end of December this year.
The project, when fully operational, will have four units 600 MW each and the company had commissioned the first unit in August last year.
"Sterlite Energy is set to add the second 600 MW unit of its 2400 MW power plant at Jharsuguda. The third 600 MW unit of the project is expected to be commissioned next year. Three more IPPs will also go on stream in 2012 after which the state will be in a very comfortable position in the power sector”, said state energy secretary G Mathivathanan.
Commenting on the performance of IPPs, he said, “As many as 18 IPPs are waiting for allotment of coal blocks or coal linkages. Without being granted a block or linkage, they are unable to achieve financial closure. Eight players have either got coal blocks or have secured linkages for their projects.”
The IPPs have already invested Rs 12,375.09 crore on their projects in the state.
Among the IPPs who have made significant investments are Sterlite Energy Ltd (Rs 7,400 crore) Ind Barath Energy (Utkal) Ltd (Rs 1,200 crore), GMR Kamalanga Energy Ltd (Rs 1,145.83 crore), Jindal India Thermal Power Ltd (Rs 641.58 crore), Lanco Babandh Power Ltd (Rs 873.12 crore) and Monnet Power Company Ltd (Rs 570 crore).
The state government has signed 30 MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with the IPPs, with a combined capacity of 38,000 MW out of which the state share will be 6,774 MW. Out of the 30 IPPs, two IPPs namely, Sterlite Energy and Aarati Steel have commissioned 600 MW and 50 MW respectively and are supplying the entire power to the state grid.
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Besides these 30 IPPs, a 4,000 MW Ultra Mega Power Projects was to come up at Bedabahal in Sundergarh district.
Moreover, National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) had proposed to set up a 3,200 MW power plant at Gajamara in Dhenkanal district and 4,800 MW power plant at Darlipalli in Sundergarh district.