The state government has decided to entrust the task of scrutiny and approval of design of small hydro-electric projects (SHEPs) proposed by private developers to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Roorkee.
Two centres of IIT-Roorkee, alternate hydro energy centre and department of water resources development and management, will be engaged for the purpose. The design of the SHEPs will be adopted by the state technical committee after approval by the institute.
The vetting of design of SHEPs is meant for expediting implementation of the projects.
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.
The state energy department plans to operationalize 13 hydro electric power projects over and above the 13 running projects.
Of the 13 new hydro power projects, four will be executed by the state owned Odisha 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 expected to be commissioned in the 12th Plan period (2012-17).
More From This Section
The cost of hydro power projects, to be implemented by OHPC, can be assessed after preparation of detailed project report (DPR).
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.
Among the private developers that have firmed up plans for SHEPs in the state include city-based Sidheswari Power Generation Pvt Ltd that has proposed 10 MW Kharagpur SHEP in Koraput district.
Similarly, Secunderabad-based Pallavi Power & Mines had proposed 15 MW SHEP on river Kolab between Tentuliguma and Sangumma. Another Secunderbad-based developer- Sarvani Energy had planned 15 MW Dumajhori SHEP, four km from the Kolab river in Koraput district.