1,980-Mw thermal power plant at Bargarh in Chitrakoot.
India’s largest sugar producer Bajaj Hindusthan today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government for setting up a 1,980-Mw thermal power plant at Bargarh in Chitrakoot district. The plant is likely to entail an investment of Rs 10,000 crore, acquisition of 1,300-1,500 acres of land and is slated to start power generation by 2015.
The state government will get cent per cent power from this plant, subject to the approval of tariffs by the electricity regulatory commission.
Earlier, on April 22, Bajaj Hindusthan had signed an MoU with UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) for setting up 1,980 Mw power plant at Lalitpur district. The work on the acquisition of land on this plant is on, while the coal linkage application is pending with the Centre. It is likely to be commissioned in 2014.
Besides, on January 14, 2010, the company had signed an MoU for cogeneration of 90 Mw each at five of its sugar mills, totaling 450 Mw. Bajaj controls 16 mills in Uttar Pradesh.
The power generation from all these units add to 4,410 Mw by 2015 if commissioned; compared to the current installed capacity of the state power utilities of under 4,000 Mw, of which only 2,600 Mw is being generated at present.
“The total investment in our three projects would be almost Rs 25,000 crore by 2015,” Bajaj Hindusthan Joint MD Kushagra Nayan Bajaj told Business Standard on the sidelines of signing of the MoU.
The cogeneration by the sugar mills is likely to start by July-August 2011. “It would be a record of sorts for any independent thermal power plant in the world to become operational within 18 months since its inception,” he added. It is likely to witness an investment of Rs 2,250 crore.
The state chief secretary said within the next five years, Uttar Pradesh would become power sufficient. The state government is aiming for augmenting power generation by 25,000 Mw in the 12th Five Year Plan and providing 24 hour uninterrupted power by 2014.
Meanwhile, the state government also signed an MoU with a consortium, Parekh Aluminex, for a 250 Mw power plant at Fatehgarh district.
On November 30, Uttar Pradesh had signed an MoU with Neyveli Lignite Limited (NLC) for a 2,000 Mw power plant at Ghatampur, Kanpur. The project is estimated to cost Rs 10,000 crore and entail acquisition of 2,500 acres of land.
