The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), the state owned power generator, has evinced interest to set up solar and wind projects in Orissa with aggregate generation capacity of 500 Mw.
The company has sent a draft MoU (memorandum of understanding) for approval of the Orissa government in this regard.
Before approaching Orissa, the utility major has signed similar MoUs with Karnataka Power Corporation, Gujarat Power Corporation, Government of Rajasthan and Andaman & Nicober administration for developing renewable energy projects,
“We have received the draft MoU from NTPC and the government is examining the matter”, a senior official of the state science and technology department told Business Standard.
The latest proposal of NTPC comes as a boost to the state government which has initiated some pro-active steps to attract investors in the renewable energy sector.
According to sources, a senior official of NTPC recently visited the state and held discussion with senior officials of the state science and technology department and Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) on the proposed projects.
As part of its business plan, NTPC aimss to become a company of 75,000 Mw plus company by 2017. Since the public sector company plans to add 1000 Mw through renewable energy sources, it is keen to develop some renewable energy based projects in the state.
Orissa, which has untapped potential in wind and solar energy sectors at locations like Chandipur, Gopalpur and Paradeep, is considered as an attractive investment destination. In the recent meeting with NTPC, it was decided that OREDA would select land for these projects either in the identified locations or any other potential locations. NTPC team would finalise the pre-feasibility study of wind and solar based projects at potential sites selected by OREDA. Subsequently, the techno-economic viable projects will be implemented by NTPC. However, these projects would be taken up for implementation after obtaining the approval of the State Technical Committee (STC) for renewable projects. “Though NTPC is keen to develop renewable energy projects with aggregate generation capacity of 500 Mw in the state, we are pressing the company to enhance this to 1000 Mw”, the official added.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for these projects is expected to be finalised in six months from the date of allotment of land by the state government and obtaining the statutory clearances.
