The state energy department has plans to operationalize 13 hydro electric power projects over and above the 13 running projects.
According to Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, minister for energy, of the 13 new hydro power projects, four projects will be executed by state owned Orissa Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) with the remaining nine to be developed by private players. These hydro power projects are to be taken up in Keonjhar, Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Koraput, Bargarh, Khurda, Rayagada, Gajapati and Cuttack districts and are expected to be commissioned in the 12th Plan period (2012-17).
The cost of hydro power projects to be implemented by OHPC can be assessed after preparation of detailed project report (DPR), the minister said.
OHPC is currently operating seven hydro-electric projects- Hirakud-I (Burla)- 275.5 MW, Hirakud-II (Chipilima)- 72 MW, Balimela- 510 MW, Rengali-250 MW, Upper Kolab- 320 MW, Upper Indravati- 600 MW and Machkund- 14.75 MW.
The 13 hydro power projects currently running in the state have collectively generated 5,165.48 million units of electricity in this fiscal till February 17.
The state government had signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with 32 developers for hydel power projects envisaging generation capacity of 409 MW and involving investment of Rs 2,250 crore.